Now, I will be honest and say that (obviously) I do not know everything about wisdom, nor do I claim to be wise. Or discerning. But it is something that I would love to learn more about, and write about, ask God for and become better at. So let’s have an honest wisdom and discernment chat, I have my Bible open to Proverbs and a solid couple of hours, and I’m excited!

Wisdom– it shows up so much in the Bible! Proverbs is full of wise and profound sayings, and it talks about how precious and important it is, and how nothing we desire can compare to it.

Here are some of my favourite Proverbs about the characteristics of a wise person:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

So the most important thing you can do to be wise is learn about God, and revere Him.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:2

A wise person has a soft heart to accept correction from others.

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous thrive like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28

Wise people know that righteousness is more important than wealth.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1: 9

It is beautiful to listen to your parents and those wiser than you.

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:12

Wise people get wiser with discipline from God, and it does not rock their faith

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9

The wise know integrity is best.

Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. Proverbs 10:18-21

The wise and righteous know the power of words, and when to speak and when to hold their tongue.

The wise woman builds her house with her own hands, the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1

A wise woman builds up her house and all those in it into a safe and loving place.

The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. Proverbs 14:15

The wise are not gullible to every new thought or idea.

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. Proverbs 14:32

The wise and righteous have a secure fortress in God.

Better a small serving of vegetables with love, than a fattened calf with hatred. Proverbs 15: 17

Love is better than riches!

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self control than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 16:32

Patience and self control is better than great worldly achievements.

Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24: 14

Wise people have a future hope.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his heard, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

A wise person does not pay evil with evil, but is kind to everyone and leaves the rest to God.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1

The wise know that the future belongs to God and not their own plans.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27: 17

The wise know that good friends sharpen them, and put thought into their friends.

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm, restraining her is like restraining wind or grasping oil with the hand. Proverbs 27: 15-16

Had to add this in…. it makes me laugh ever time because to be honest, it’s pretty true!

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the human heart. Proverbs 27:19

Wise people know to live well, because people are watching the fruit of their lives.

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5

Wise people trust God’s Word, and study it.

Wow, that’s a lot. And it’s a lot of things that I certainly do not do. I really want to be someone who is wise, who fears God, accepts correction, doesn’t trust in money, listens to my parents, walks in integrity, builds up my house, speaks words of silver, seeks refuge in God, has patience and self control, doesn’t boast, heaps burning coals on heads, is shielded by God’s Word, whose life reflects God. But it’s hard! The more I examine my life and compare it to God’s Word, the more I dive in and study wisdom, the more I realise that I am less wise and more like the famous Fool in Proverbs. My words are often hasty, I often struggle to trust God with things, sometimes I am not patient and I don’t always build others up. In fact, it is impossible for us to be wise by ourselves. Which is why it’s so amazing in James 1:5 when it says If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

That’s amazing that we can ask God for wisdom! I definitely was the person who lacked wisdom. And I have asked God, and He has given me more! And I still need so much wisdom, but I am learning about it every day. And it is so cool when sometimes God uses me to speak, and to help people or encourage them, to me that is the best thing in the world. And sometimes, actually quite a lot, I still say silly and foolish things that I regret. But those moments when God’s Spirit speaks through me and gives me understanding are so incredible and encouraging, and I pray that they happen more and more. He does give wisdom when we pray, and believe, and ask, and study His word! He is so good.

Now, a little on discernment….I hear this word thrown around by Christians, but what does it actually mean, how is it different from wisdom, and where does it appear in the Bible?

Philippians 1:9-10 says: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Hebrews 5:14 says But solid [spiritual] food is for the mature, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

As far as I understand it, discernment is a type wisdom applied to life. It is a God given ability to see what is right, good and helpful, and to test and approve the perfect, pleasing will of God. I think it is something that comes with seeking God, learning about Him, and having the Hold Spirit inside of you, and just like wisdom, when we ask God for it, He gives it. In fact I think that when God gives us wisdom, He also gives us discernment.

I have a joke with a friend who is prone to saying out of pocket things, and it goes like this: ‘Before you say it, are you exercising good discernment???’ I’m only half being serious and it puts a smile on both our faces, but it’s also true and a good reminder that we need to use discernment before we say the words in our head, and let the Holy Spirit guide us to words that build others up. I have another joke with one of my besties that I’m not a Proverbs 31 woman, I’m a Proverbs 29:11 woman (A fool utters all his mind). It’s a joke, (I hope) but the purpose is to always remind each other of the importance of thinking before we speak. (Note my interesting and slightly problematic sense of humour which is hilarious with the right people, but I have definitely said the discernment thing and got funny looks…..)

Personal story time…… I have this huge desire in my heart to help people, especially to have God speak through me, and give them words of wisdom when they are going through tough things. I was leading at a camp a while back and I just felt absolutely on fire for God. Every morning in my Bible reading, with my play-dough tasting soy coffee because dairy was killing my stomach, God was speaking to me through scripture and it was incredible, every day, just what I needed. I was supporting leaders and campers and had one situation where someone was struggling with things at home. I really wanted to help and had helped her in the past, but it was decided that someone else, older and more trained, should go alongside her. I was so sad because I love her dearly and desperately wanted to help, with this newfound wisdom I felt like I was getting from God. But then I read James 3:13-18, and it says

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

And it was exactly what I needed, because I was envious of the people who got to help her. I had this ambition to help people, because I love them, and it feels so amazing when God speaks through me and I love it, but I was letting that feeling of being used rule me, rather than what was actually better for that person. If that person was helped by God and it wasn’t through me, that is just as awesome as if God used me, because it’s not about me, it’s about that person and God. And I don’t want to have wisdom that is envious and selfish, because that will cause disorder. Instead I need wisdom from God, and that wisdom is pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, full of good fruit, impartial and sincere, and that will lead to God’s will and to righteousness. Do you see what I mean? Even though I was feeling the wisdom of God for the first time, I needed to show it by a good life and deeds done in humility.

Just another thought, although we absolutely need to ask God for wisdom and wait on Him for it, we can also be proactive about reading Proverbs, and reading the rest of the Bible, and applying it to our lives. We need God to speak to us to give us wisdom, and He has spoken to us 66 books, so we need to use them! If you don’t know where to start, take those characteristics of a wise person and try to apply one per day. When you run out, open up Proverbs and find some more! There were so many I couldn’t put in because of time and space. And you can find them!

Wow, that was really fun for me, and I loved the Proverbs journey. It has taken me a few hours to write this because I stopped in the middle to do a bit of Proverbs journaling, but I have refreshed lots and learnt more today, and I hope you have too. I pray I receive more wisdom and discernment from God and that I never let them out of my sight, (Proverbs 3:21) and that you do too!

So much love,

~Hannah xo

P.S. Don’t mind all my sky pictures on this, I don’t know what other pictures to do for wisdom, and plus, they are beautiful and I want to share them with with you! Im definitely the person who pulls out the camera every single cool sky I see, and there have been so many lately!!!