Wisdom: The Principle ThingSample

The Hard Work of Being Wise

With this illustration in Proverbs 9, the choice may not seem that hard. “Sure, I’ll do a little work because I want to live. I don’t want to die!” But the choice isn’t always that clear or easy. Foolishness is seductive and deceptive; it knows how to tempt us to do what is sinful and irresponsible, all the while making it look irresistible. Wisdom, on the other hand, does often look like difficult work that requires tedious diligence. We want things quickly and with ease. We don’t want to put work into it. But wisdom often requires it.

Ultimately, wisdom is obedience to Christ and fear of God (v. 10). It’s making the wise choices that align with His will. It’s living and thinking according to His Word. This isn’t always easy. Loving and obeying Christ takes work and effort. Sin is our natural disposition, so of course it is easy to do. It is easy to give in to sin, but Christ has a higher call for us.

Which invite will you accept? The invite to sin and foolishness and death, or the invite to wisdom and salvation?