A Word for the Wise.

By: Lola Oni

Friday, October 17, 2025

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. Proverbs 2:6-7

Perception is interesting, because we can have different opinions about what we see or hear. As a child, a young lady I know thought her older sister was very successful. But she arrived at that conclusion because her sisters' nails always looked nice, and she was very well dressed. We laughed with her as she recalled those childhood memories. But Christ followers must remember that our words and actions are evident to the people around us, and they will form opinions based on their perceptions.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

God's Word calls us light bearers because we illuminate our world with the light of Jesus. A question I often ask myself is this: "Do others see Jesus in me?" I hope so, and I pray for the grace to represent Him well. But how do we know what to say and when to say it? It takes wisdom, but the wisdom we need must come from God (Proverbs 2:6). God's wisdom is different than the world's, and it's one of the things that sets Christ followers apart. When we rely on God's wisdom, we become part of His divine plans and purposes. And by the way, we can never have enough of God's wisdom!

...wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. Proverbs 24:14 (NLT)

We need God's wisdom now and for the future. We cannot navigate life successfully on our own, because without the Lord, we can do nothing! In life, there will always be something new... decisions, situations, and opportunities, and all of them require the proper application of God's wisdom. But if we want God's wisdom, we must completely trust and depend on God for everything!

...where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

The Psalmist lifted up his eyes up to the Lord because he knew where his help came from. Do we? Like the Psalmist, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us, teach us, and guide us. He will enlighten us about every situation and instruct us on the right things to say and do- all for God's glory.

Read: Psalm 19:14, Colossians 1:9-10