Actions of the wise
October 27, 2008
We’re in the midst of several insight columns on the subject of gaining wisdom. One mistake about wisdom is thinking of it only as some ethereal ability to make good decisions or have sound judgment. When we think of wisdom, we think of Solomon dividing the baby and God helping us to solve similarly difficult problems. Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions and have sound judgment. But, it is more than that. In the Bible, wisdom is displayed by appropriate behavior.
Wise people exhibit at least fifteen behaviors listed in the Bible, most described in Proverbs. All of these are observable actions. All of them demonstrate wisdom. In other words, you show your wisdom by what you do, by how you act, and by the choices you make.
The Bible says a wise person fears God (Pro. 3:7), speaks carefully (Pro. 10:19), is a lifelong learner (Pro. 10:14), is prudent (Pro. 14:8), gains new knowledge (Pro. 18:15), has discretion (Pro. 8:13), is open to correction (Pro. 9:8-9), demonstrates discernment (Pro. 10:13), wins people to faith in Jesus (Pro. 11:30), builds his or her family (Pro. 14:1), controls angers (Pro. 29:11), gives honor (Pro. 3:35), is morally pure (Pro. 7:4-5), relates well to parents (Pro. 10:1), and uses time appropriately (Eph. 5:15). These Scripture passages are representative of many that list these qualities.
When you see a person doing these things, they are wise by the Bible’s definition. When you see someone falling short in one of these areas, it indicates he or she needs to grow in wisdom. If you want to increase in wisdom, change your thinking on these important issues and behave differently. Wisdom is grounded in right thinking that produces right actions.
This may be a new way to think about wisdom. Most people think of wisdom as the capacity to make good decisions. This is certainly one aspect of wisdom, but it is not the whole meaning. Wisdom is about lifestyle choices based on a biblical worldview. Wisdom is about winning souls, building a family, maintaining moral purity, and managing money well. Wisdom is more active, than passive. It is revealed by what you do, not just the decisions you make on complicated issues.
The Bible is also specific when it describes people who lack wisdom. Three categories of behavior consistently define the unwise. Amazingly, even in our culture, these actions are still generally considered marks of immaturity and bad choices.
Next week, we will look at three categories of behavior that are distinctly “not wise” according to the book of Proverbs. What will amaze you is that even in our post-modern, truth rejecting culture; these behaviors are still considered undesirable and destructive!
For more insight about wisdom and other qualities of good leaders, take a look at my book The Character of Leadership.
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Primary sources of wisdom
October 20, 2008
Last week, we considered the question “is it possible to grow in wisdom?” The answer is yes. This week we turn our attention to the process. Where do you go to learn wisdom? What can you do to grow in wisdom?
First answer - God! God is described in the Bible as the only wise God, the ultimate source of wisdom (Rom. 16:27). God reveals himself and his wisdom through his word (Psalm 19:7) and his works (Psalm 104:24). God’s word, the Bible, is the primary sourcebook for wisdom. Real wisdom comes from taking the Bible seriously, learning to apply it appropriately to complex life situations, and discerning its principles for today’s realities.
God’s creation and his subsequent works throughout history also reveal his wisdom. Part of learning wisdom from God’s creation is observing nature. Particularly
ants (of all things) are singled out in Proverbs as examples of wise behavior! While this is much more subjective than learning from Scripture, it is interesting the Bible speaks so often of God’s works revealing his wisdom (Pro. 6:6, Ps. 104:24)
Second answer - people. Some people are farther down the wisdom road than others. Throughout the Bible we are instructed to observe the wise, seek counsel, and learn from the wise (Pro. 13:20, 19:20). Parents are particularly cited as a special source of wisdom for children of all ages (Pro. 4:11, 5:1, 29:15). What a pleasure to have the powerful generational blessing of wise parents to talk with about life! Even if your parents are not believers, or even if you are old enough to be a parent yourself, your parents may still be a good source of wise counsel.
Some of the wisest people are not necessarily the best educated. But they are students of the Bible, of life, and of the ways God works with people and circumstances. They have an innate, reflective ability to discern how God is at work in a given situation and what principle or principles from his Word are pertinent. Making and keeping these friends must be a priority so you can learn from them.
So, in short, you can learn wisdom. You can grow in wisdom. Your best sources for wisdom are God’s Word and works. Learn from his Word. Observe his works and learn from them. Another good source is wise people. Seek wise counselors – friends, parents, and mentors - and learn from them. All of these sources are precious assets for every leader to cultivate to develop wisdom.
Wisdom is a required character quality for leaders in every field. So, get busy learning wisdom.
For more insight about wisdom and other character qualities for leaders, check out my book The Character of Leadership.
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Gaining Wisdom
October 13, 2008
“When I evaluate an up and coming young executive, whether or not they have wisdom is a priority. It’s not possible to learn wisdom. They either have wisdom or they don’t.” Those statements got my attention. The president of a major corporation and respected Christian businessman made them while we worked together on a leadership project.
While I respected the speaker, his statements about wisdom did not sound right to me. Those statements motivated me to make an extended study of wisdom in the Bible. My friend was right in his conviction about the importance of wisdom. Wisdom is an indispensable character quality for business executives. It is also essential for ministry leaders, in fact for leaders in every field. But wisdom is not a mysterious quality some leaders have and others do not. Wisdom can be taught, learned, and observed in the lives of leaders.
This means you can gain wisdom. You can become wiser and continue to grow in wisdom over a lifetime. Wisdom is not reserved for certain people or groups of people. Seeking wisdom is sometimes portrayed as trekking to visit a guru on a distant mountain. Other times it is assumed to be the sole prevue of senior, seasoned leaders. These images do not reflect what the Bible teaches about wisdom. It is much more accessible. You can begin developing it now, no matter your situation or age. Let’s learn how over the next few weeks.
The Bible clearly indicates wisdom is attainable. Furthermore, we are responsible to gain it. The first major purpose for the book of Proverbs is “gaining wisdom” (Pro. 1:2). Does it make sense a book of the Bible would have the purpose of “gaining wisdom” if that were an impossible goal? Of course not!
A second encouragement is the way Proverbs portrays wisdom. On several occasions (see Proverbs 8, for example), wisdom is personified as a woman calling out in the streets. Wisdom is calling for our attention, walking and waiting at the city gates, inviting us to a feast, and communicating her availability in other ways as well. Wisdom is certainly not hiding. On the contrary, it is personified as a woman aggressively trying to get our attention.
Proverbs and also Psalms have repeated admonitions for us to “get wisdom.” Would God tell us to get something that is unavailable or unattainable? No. God is not capricious. He instructs and enables us to achieve realistic goals.
But the best example of growing in wisdom is Jesus. As a young man, he “grew in wisdom” (Luke 2:52). Jesus is our model for life and leadership. He grew in wisdom. Therefore, we can too. The next few columns will help you learn how.
For more information on wisdom and other character qualities necessary for leaders, check out my book The Character of Leadership.
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Hospital Visitation
October 6, 2008
Listening well, the subject of the past several columns, is a helpful skill in all settings – from hallway conversations to formal counseling sessions. But one of the best places to practice good listening skills is while visiting the sick. Pastors and other church leaders make these kinds of visits often.
Over the years, I have made hundreds of these visits (including one last week). Frankly, in my early years as a pastor, I considered these visits a duty. Later I learned how significant these visits could be when I changed my attitude and learned how to make them more effectively. But only when I was hospitalized with cancer, did I learn the true value of pastoral visits to the sick. Through these experiences, here is my “top ten” list of keys to good hospital visits.
1. Keep the visit short. Get to the point of your visit. The patient will appreciate it that you came, and also that you left!
2. Keep the focus on the patient. Don’t tell your medical horror story or how your aunt had the same surgery the patient is facing. Let the patient do the talking and stay focused on their issues.
3. Be sensitive to the needs of family members. Step outside the room and visit with other family members. Listen for their fears and concerns and minister to them.
4. Pray short, specific prayers. Simple is best. Pray for the patient, their family, and their
medical team. Avoid catching up on your prayer life!
5. Leave something to read. Leave a tract, a gospel pamphlet, printed Scriptures for encouragement, or perhaps a pertinent book.
6. Don’t touch the patient. Unless the patient reaches to take your hand, like for support during prayer, don’t touch the patient. People already feel vulnerable, uncomfortable, and are often in pain. Don’t touch them.
7. Don’t play doctor. Keep your medical opinions to yourself. One of my worst visits was telling a member, “I’m sure you can trust your surgeon if they are allowed to practice in this hospital” when his license was suspended the following month.
8. Don’t tell your war stories. I’ve had cancer. Telling this story to a cancer patient is not the point of a hospital visit. And, spare the patient all graphic details of any illness you may have been through.
9. Don’t interfere with medical personnel. When the nurse or doctor enters the room, step aside or step outside. They have a job to do. Respect them and they will more likely welcome you back the next time.
10. Keep your mouth closed when you leave. While being hospitalized is usually a public matter, all details about what happens there are confidential. So, keep it that way. Don’t share any information as a “prayer request” or “ministry report.”
Take your good listening skills into the hospital and trust God to use you. When people are vulnerable or hurting, they are often open to ministry. Don’t miss these opportunities to demonstrate the love of God and meet the practical needs of people.
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