Command 22: Be Wise as Serpents

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Wisdom vs. Foolishness

Wisdom is seeing and responding to life situations from God’s frame of reference.

The primary Hebrew word for wisdom is chokmah. It comes from a root word meaning “to be wise, act wisely, be intelligent, be prudent; to teach; to be cunning, clever” (excerpted from Zodhiates Lexical Aids to the Old Testament).

Another Hebrew word translated wisdom is sakal. It is a root word meaning “to be circumspect; to act prudently; to teach, have insight, turn the mind to; to have success, be successful; (i.e. to act in a prosperous manner)” (excerpted from Zodhiates Lexical Aids to the Old Testament). The stated purpose of Proverbs is to “know wisdom [chokmah]” and “to receive the instruction of wisdom [sakal].” (See Proverbs 1:2–3.)

The main Greek word for wisdom is sophos, which denotes practical skill and acumen. One Greek word translated wise is phronimos, which is from a root word that means “thoughtful, i.e., sagacious or discreet.” It implies a cautious character. God provides a description of wisdom [sophia] in James 3:17. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

How Do We Get Wisdom?

  1. By asking God for it—“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
  2. By studying God’s Law—“Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deuteronomy 4:6).
  3. By keeping God’s commandments with us—“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me” (Psalm 119:98).
  4. Through the fear of the Lord—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
  5. By reading the Book of Proverbs—“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity” (Proverbs 1:1–3).
  6. By God’s testimonies—“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).
  7. By hearing instruction—“Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not” (Proverbs 8:33). “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9).
  8. By seeking it early—“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17).
  9. By listening to rebukes—“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9).
  10. By seeking wise counsel—“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise” (Proverbs 13:20).

Personal Evaluation: How Wise Are You?

This character lesson is taken from The Power for True Success. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.