One of the dominant themes in the book of Proverbs is the contrast between the wise person and the foolish person. Solomon paints a portrait for us of what biblical wisdom looks like when it is lived out in a person’s life. Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon enlarges on many character traits of a wise person but I have chosen five that keep rising to the surface throughout the book.
The first and foundational mark of a wise man is that he fears the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Proverbs 9:10 adds, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Wisdom does not begin with self-confidence, education, personality, or life experience; it begins with reverence toward God and an understanding of who God truly is. A wise man understands that God is not to be ignored or treated lightly. He knows that God sees, God rules, God judges, God must be obeyed, and we are accountable to Him.
The fear Solomon writes about is not a terror that drives a man away from God, but a holy reverence that brings his life under God’s authority. It changes how he thinks, speaks, decides, works, and lives. A man may speak well, work hard, and appear respectable, but if he does not fear God, Proverbs would not call him wise.
A second mark of a wise man is that he receives correction. Proverbs makes this very plain. The wise man is not the man who is always right; he is the man who is willing to be told when he is wrong. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.” That is a searching statement. Correction does not make the wise man bitter; it makes him better. Reproof does not destroy him; it refines him.
The foolish man bristles when corrected. He argues, excuses, deflects, and blames. But the wise man listens. He may not enjoy correction, but he understands its value. He knows that correction is not his enemy.
A third mark of a wise man is that he controls his words. Proverbs returns to the subject of the tongue again and again because this is where so many lives are damaged. Words can heal, but they can also wound. Words can strengthen, but they can also destroy. Words can give life, but they can also spread poison. Proverbs 10:19 warns, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
The wise man does not speak quickly or carelessly. He understands that not every thought needs to be spoken, not every opinion needs to be aired, and not every moment needs to be filled with his own words. His speech is measured, thoughtful, and purposeful. Proverbs 10:11 says, “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life.”
A fourth mark of a wise man is that he walks in righteousness and integrity. Proverbs 10:9 says, “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.” The wise man is not divided. He is the same man in public and in private. He is the same under pressure and when things are easy.
Integrity means a man is not constantly managing appearances because he is maintaining character. He does not twist the truth to gain advantage. He does not live a double life. He does not use dishonest means to secure temporary benefit. Proverbs 11:3 says, “T he integrity of the upright shall guide them.” There is quiet strength in a man who has nothing to hide.
A fifth mark of a wise man is diligence. Proverbs is very practical here. Wisdom is not lazy. It does not drift through life waiting for things to improve. Proverbs 10:4 says, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Proverbs 10:5 adds, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”
The wise man understands that life is made up of opportunities, and opportunities do not last forever. The slothful man delays what ought to be done and talks about what he will do someday. But a wise man recognizes the opportunities God provides today and responds to them.
Until next time, HCV