WHATEVER It Takes, Get Wisdom! Proverbs 23
This TKC Journal entry is a personal reflection from guest writer Claude Armstrong, taken from his own devotional journal. His heart for Scripture and encouragement shines as he reflects on Proverbs 23 and the pursuit of godly wisdom.
WHATEVER It Takes, Get Wisdom!
Proverbs 23:22–24 (NLT)
“(22) Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
(23) Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
(24) The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise."
It’s as if this proverb is speaking to three separate, but closely connected, circumstances. If you listen, you’ll hear it speaking directly to your situation. Although, for some, when you first read verse 22, you might think, “Yeah, but you don't know my old man or ole lady!”
Read these verses together, but also read them again as three distinct parts:
Wisdom Freely Given (Proverbs 23:22)
Listen to your parents and consider what they say in every stage of life. Don’t be foolish...people change over time. Even their failures can become instruction for you. And eventually, they may say something that finally makes sense.
Wisdom Bought (Proverbs 23:23)
Maybe your mom and dad didn’t offer much guidance that truly helped you. If that’s the case, then get the wisdom you need...whatever it takes.
Seek truth, seek instruction, seek understanding. Pay the price to gain what your family couldn’t give you.
Wisdom Repeated (Proverbs 23:24)
However, you gain godly wisdom, discipline, and good judgment, become the kind of parent who freely shares that wisdom with your children. Even if it feels imperfect or incomplete, give it anyway. God will use it, and it will produce the fruit of righteousness in your children’s lives.
Supporting Scripture
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment."
About the Author: Claude Armstrong
Originally from Dover, Delaware, Claude Armstrong is an Urban Planner and Architectural Designer currently serving as the Master Planning Division Chief at a U.S. Army installation in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
His core purpose and passion is “to glorify God by doing whatever it takes to share biblical truth through hope-filled, life-giving encouragement.” This calling expresses itself in many ways and has most recently led him to serve as a Church Elder, small group leader, discussion facilitator, and Bible study leader in his local church.
Claude finds joy in studying Scripture, facilitating Bible discussions, reading, fencing, bowling, backpacking, and running. His greatest delight, however, is spending time with his wife, Denise, and their adult children: Joseph, Charis, and Timothy.
Faith-Inspired Apparel From TKC
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