The Path To Success: Utilizing Wisdom for a Successful Life -
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I am constantly praying for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I have read throughout the bible how we should regard wisdom as more precious than rubies and more valuable than gold. Wisdom is the key to success whether in business or our personal lives. How do we know if we have attained wisdom? Is it something that we can truly attain or is it an ever evolving state of being, seeking, finding? As I was writing my last post on the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, one of the characteristics I have found as a component is Wisdom. However, what exactly is wisdom? I decided to separately break down the characteristics of wisdom and the benefits of wisdom as ways to measure if you are utilizing wisdom for a successful life!
Utilizing Wisdom from Proverbs
In the beginning of the book of Proverbs, the first chapter tells of the purpose of the proverbs and what will be attained. ” Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.” (Proverbs 1:2-4 NLT). The majority of these lists are from Chapters 1-4 of Proverbs. There is so much more to study and learn to help live a life that is successful!
For example, as I read through Chapters 1-4 in Proverbs, I tried to pull out what I saw to be characteristics of wisdom. You can measure your lifestyle against the following to see if you are utilizing wisdom to live a successful life.
The Characteristics of Wisdom for a successful life are:
- Disciplined life– “Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline…” (Prov. 1:3)
- Successful life– “Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives…” (Prov. 1:3)
- Right, Just, and Fair actions– “…to help them do what is right, just, and fair.” (Prov. 1:3)
- Insight -“…will give insight to the simple…”(Prov. 1:4)
- Knowledge– “… knowledge and discernment to the young.” (Prov. 1:4)
- Discernment– “…knowledge and discernment to the young.”(Prov. 1:4)
- Accept Correction– “You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.” (Prov. 1:25)
- Heed Advice-“You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.” (Prov. 1:25)
- Live in Peace– “But all who listen to me will live in peace…”(Prov. 1:33)
- Loyalty and Kindness– “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!…Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.” (Prov. 3:3-4)
- Trust the Lord– “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”(Prov. 3:5)
Additionally, if you live your life wisely according to the list above, the following are some of the benefits that you will reap because of it.
The Benefits of Wisdom:
- Gain knowledge of God- ” Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:5)
- Protection-” He guards the path of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.” (Prov. 2:7-8, 3:6)
- Guidance- “Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.” (Prov. 2:9-11)
- Right circle of people– “Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. (Prov. 2:12-19)
- Dwell in the Land– “For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.” (Prov. 20-22)
- Long life– “She offers you long life in her right hand…” (Prov. 3:16)
- Riches and Honor– “and riches and honor in her left.” (Prov. 3:16)
- You won’t be held back or stumble– “When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run you won’t stumble.” (Prov. 4:11-12)
In closing, when you are praying for wisdom, seeking wisdom, and trying to apply wisdom to your life, remember this list and re-read proverbs to see how your life aligns to being led by wisdom. I know that there are alot of areas in my life that I need to align more closely to this list such as being disciplined and accepting correction! The benefits, however are worth working towards.
