10 Ways to Be Wise in Our Daily Lives
- Jennifer Heeren Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Updated May 18, 2022
Solomon gave us tips on how to be wise in our daily lives. One day the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he wanted. Solomon praised the Lord for always showing great love and faithfulness to his father, King David. He also thanked God for showing him faithfulness so far in his own life. Then he asked God for an understanding heart so he could govern well as a king. He asked to be able to discern right and wrong so he could help the people in his land.
The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request and said that because he had asked for wisdom instead of riches, he would receive that wisdom and understanding plus many riches that he didn’t ask for.
It is pleasing to God for us to align our desires with His principles and ways. Seeking and asking for wisdom is a good start in learning how to be wise.
It is so easy to get wrapped up in what we think and feel but what we feel isn’t always true. We need to read our Bibles and ask God for help on how to be wise. When we ask earnestly, we will receive.
How Does the Bible Define Wisdom?
Merriam-Webster defines wisdom as the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships, good sense, generally accepted belief, and accumulated philosophical or scientific learning. The Bible goes much further by depicting wisdom as a keen insight into life and the ways of dealing with life’s problems. The goal of wisdom, according to the Bible, is to instill moral conduct and order into everyday life. These morals should fall in line with the law of Moses.
10 Examples of How to Be Wise from the Proverbs in the Bible
The first chapter of Proverbs says that the purpose of a proverb is to teach people wisdom, discipline, and give them insights into living a more orderly life. Proverbs 1:7 says the foundation of wisdom is to fear the Lord. It’s a prerequisite to learning how to be wise and living an orderly life.
1. Share wisdom with others. The world often tells us to keep our wisdom and ideals quiet. It says that the basic ideals of how to live this life are a personal matter and these ideals are different for different people. But Proverbs 1:20-21 beckons us to shout wisdom in the streets. People don’t know what’s right unless they’re told. This is why God gave us the 10 commandments and other wisdom of the Bible, so we would have a guideline to good living. People need to put down their foolish ways and pick up the wisdom of God. So, speak up on how to be wise because words of the godly may encourage many (Proverbs 10:20).
2. Lean on the Lord’s understanding. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6). This advice is quoted very often in Christian circles for good reason. To be wise, we need to line up our thinking with God’s wisdom.
3. Give some money away. It is wise to give a portion of our wealth to organizations that are living out God’s ordinances and doing good for humanity. God blesses your living situation when you show faith in giving to causes that are dear to Him. Money is a needed tool for this life but it won’t do you any good at the end of your life (Proverbs 11:4). You can’t take it with you so hold it loosely.
4. Don’t follow evil. When you see people doing evil deeds, in other words not following the ways of the Bible, don’t follow them. Turn and go another way. If you don’t, you risk making foolish decisions because of the darkness around you.
5. Stay faithful to your spouse. If you are blessed with a spouse, avoid fantasizing about other partners. When you do, you are likely to commit adultery and stomp on your marriage vows. Sin begins in the mind. Staying faithful to your beloved is a good way to be wise.
6. Look to the ant. Follow nature’s example of the ant (Proverbs 6:6-11). They labor hard and gather food. They are never lazy. They know that too much slumber will leave them unprepared for winter’s dry season. To be wise, save some of your provisions during a plentiful time so that you will have the basics in a lean time.
7. Avoid what God hates. Wisdom says to stay away from these seven ways of living that the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).
1.) He hates haughty eyes (eyes that look down on another person).
2.) He dislikes a lying tongue.
3.) Hands that kill the innocent are an abomination to Him.
4.) Plotting evil is abhorrent to Him.
5.) He detests feet that race to do wrong. Plotting evil leads to running hard in its direction.
6.) He also hates when someone gives false testimony about another person or event.
7.) Sowing discord in a family or a close-knit group of people is also hated by the Lord. When the Bible tells us that there are specific things that the Lord doesn’t like, it is wise to heed the warning and stay away from those activities.
8. Speak the truth gently. To be wise, we need to stifle quarrels with others before they become hatred. If you know something will start a quarrel with another, it is better to shut your mouth or rephrase what you want to say. Debates are healthy but quarrels are not. Even necessary discipline should come out of a heart of love, not fiery hatred. Love makes up for offenses (Proverbs 10:12). A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare (Proverbs 15:1).
9. Be honest. It is wise to be an honest person in your business dealings. The Lord detests dishonest scales (Proverbs 11:1) and other such behavior. Honesty should guide all your dealings.
10. Be humble. Never think you know it all. You don’t and never will so don’t fall into the thinking that you are better than another. Pride will cause you to fall (Proverbs 11:2). A teachable spirit is mandatory to be wise. You must love discipline and realize that correction can be good for you (Proverbs 12:1). Listening to constructive criticism will allow you to be wise (Proverbs 15:31).
How to Be Wise in Our Daily Lives
Take a cue from Solomon’s talk with God on how to be wise. A wise person praises God, offers gratitude to God, and asks God for wisdom. Here are some tips on how to be wise daily.
1. There are 31 short chapters in the book of Proverbs. Read one chapter a day for a month and soak in some great wisdom. Then practice these valuable principles.
2. Take moments each day for stillness, quiet, and active rest. Stop and meditate on God’s greatness. Feel in awe of everything around you.
3. Breathe in gratitude each day.
4. Remember that your anxiety has been overcome by Jesus. You may feel it from time to time, but you don’t have to live in it. You can live in His peace because He is with you amid your troubles.
5. Listen more than you speak. Really hear the desires of other people so you can counter with an answer to their deepest desires, not just their immediate wants. To be wise you need to know the difference between a want and a need.
6. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:16-17).
7. Even when you mess up and do unwise things repent and keep going forward. Don’t get stuck in your mistakes. Learn from them and continue on. Never give up learning how to be wise.
A Final Conclusion on How to Be Wise
Ecclesiastes 12 tells of things that are of utmost importance to this life.
Never forget your Creator. You were created with a purpose; you didn’t just appear on this earth. Don’t let youth mislead you into thinking that you don’t need Him. And in your old age, don’t allow cynicism to dull your awe of Him. Remember that everything in this life that is unrelated to the Lord or people is meaningless. The final conclusion of the book of Ecclesiastes is to fear God and obey His commands because this is everyone’s duty in life. For it was God’s unfailing love and faithfulness that made atonement for our sin and gave us the chance to live for Him and be wise each day.
Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. Proverbs 9:11-12
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Sincerely Media
