Proverbs 5:1-2 

¹My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, ²that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

Equality        

Many individuals promote equality. Indeed, equality is very idealistic view, and it may spark disappointment. Why? Each person is uniquely created. We don’t expect one person to achieve the same greatness or equal greatness as the other. There will always be greater person. Not everyone has equal ability. Not everyone has the same ambition or goal in life. The pursuit of equality should be clearly defined in its extent or scope.

It teaches genuine believers only in Philippians 2:5-11, ⁵In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! ⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As believers of Christ, it is very helpful to be knowledgeable of the Scripture so that we may choose objectives that are beneficial to our testimony. It is also favorable for us to pay attention to words of insight that King Solomon shared in the Proverbs.

1.  Pay Attention

¹My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,

It is widely accepted that the Book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon. We don’t spend time arguing about that. What we need to ask ourselves: “Do we seriously believe that the Holy Spirit of God inspired King Solomon when he wrote the Book of Proverbs? If so, does the Lord communicate to us through the Book of Proverbs?”

If by faith we accept that the Book of Proverbs as inspired by the Holy Spirit, he speaks and commands us to pay attention to his wisdom. So, when he instructed us to turn our ear to his word of insight, he implied that godly wisdom is crucial to our life. Not everyone can equally accept it. Do you believe the essentiality of godly wisdom to life in this world and life in eternity? Even Christians have personal priorities in life.

CEO

Here’s a fictional story. There’s a very rich owner of various companies. He wanted to choose the next Chief Executive Officer from his children. The eldest son is spoiled brat. The next son is not interested. The academically brightest is still a university student. And still, another child was very compassionate to ordinary employees. So, he asked his advisers. His advisers wanted a CEO that they can manipulate.

If you were to choose the next CEO of your business, how do you decide?

While CEO may have been pictured as position of greatness, is it very idealistic to assume that all the children of the boss have equal opportunity to become great CEO?

In reality, not everyone is created with similar ability to lead or administer, right?

King David had many children. Some of his sons desired to be king. Absalom tried to take the throne by force when he started rebellion. Adonijah declared himself as king when King David was very sickly and old. Both Absalom and Adonijah had terrible death. Silently, Solomon waited, and he was anointed king of Israel.

What social status do you wish to become? Do you wish to become great CEO like someone you admire the most? There are different paths to greatness. Agree?

Do you sincerely believe that God has a wonderful plan for you? It doesn’t matter what situation or age you have right now, there is nothing impossible to God.

Apostle Paul declares in Romans 12:6-8, ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

God has given different spiritual gifts so that we may function according to his plan. God has a plan and mission purpose for each of us. Can you believe that? God saved us from the penalty of sin for us to appreciate and enjoy his love and grace. How?

If we approach life just the way ordinary people do, we live ordinarily like them. If we have identified the spiritual gift that God has given us according to his grace, we are right on track to discover the will of God. Spiritual gifts serve as our vehicle to discover where God has designated us to excel and experience much of his grace.

His Holy Spirit gives wisdom and discretion that we may preserve knowledge.

2.  Preserve Knowledge

²that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

Discretion is practical proof of wisdom. The very words we say reveal if we have preserved knowledge. When it says, “Preserve knowledge,” it suggests protection, being watchful, careful or discreet of what we say. Choice of topics, ideas, issues or concerns expose us if we have preserved knowledge or not. When we are instructed to maintain discretion that our lips may preserve knowledge, it requires godly wisdom to do that.

Have you ever been in an awkward situation where you don’t know what to say?

Imagine: You’re invited to a special occasion. Do you choose who should sit next to you?

Most probably, you want to sit next to a person you are comfortable with. Right?

If by chance, you sit next to prominent individuals, do feel you comfortable or awkward?

Prominent

A young student was invited to special dinner attended by prominent individuals from different institutions. He dressed up in his best clothes. He sat next to a table where nobody was seated, yet. To his surprise, university professors joined him. He listened carefully to their discussion while he enjoyed his food. He did not share his opinion to their topic. He just answered questions directed to him discreetly.

After graduation and got employed in a prominent position, he looked back and reflect on many awkward moments he had been through. He concluded that everything happened for a reason, even awkward situations. Awkward situations are opportunities actually to test us if we are prepared for the next level of adventure or just not yet.

Personally, if you were praying for greater experience with God, be prepared and watchful. God may grant your prayer sooner. Will you recognize it? If you are praying to know the will of God for you, do you trust that God presents to you a situation where you will be at the center of his will anytime, anywhere? Pray for stronger faith.

If you are praying to be a pilot, university professor, politician or preacher, where do you start? Of course, you start as student in the field of your dream; you diligently study until you completed all requirements for that profession you dream about.

Again, if you sensed in your heart the desire to be at the center of God’s will, he strategically situates you where you will grow in your trust in him. God is loving and caring. He allows us to go through situation and experiences necessary to strengthen our faith in him. There are several situations we’ll face. How do we choose God’s will?

It teaches us in Philippians 4:8, ⁸Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

By faith we believe that the plan of God is most wonderful life we can ever have.

So, pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit of wisdom and revelation; he helps us know what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

And may God be praised in our lives now and forevermore.

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