Increasing Our Learning

"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs  9:9-10 NKJ)

In terms of increasing your wisdom, have you ever thought about your associations and friendships and relationships and their impact on you? C. S. Lewis said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.” We do become like the people with whom we hang out.

I serve on the Leadership Development Board of our church in Alabama. In the course of our discussions, we frequently turn our attention to the Bible and prayer for direction and divine counsel. During one Board meeting, we were discussing how to motivate pastoral leaders and new minister candidates to take advantage of training opportunities. Several solutions were suggested and discussed without a clear directive.

We paused in our deliberations and an elder Board member cited Proverbs 1:5, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel" and suggested we pray about the issues. We all agreed and fell to our knees praying that God would enable pastors and candidates alike to see the need for increasing their knowledge and learning.

We are truly wise when we increase our learning from the wisdom of our associates and friends.  This senior pastor knew that if anyone lacks wisdom, he/she can request it from God "who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). His suggestion to our Board is an excellent example of what to do when you don't know what to do.

The best assets we can possess are friends whose minds and hearts are saturated with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Their life and experience of walking with God provide a greater value to us than silver or gold.

Dear Father, thank you for wise friends and associates who impact my life and increase my learning. Empower me to pass it on through my friendships with others. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be strong and courageous today increasing your learning,