The Benefits of Godly Wisdom
Have you ever had a moment when someone’s advice really made a difference in your life? What about a time you wished you had heeded a friend or mentor’s advice, and you didn’t? I think we’ve all been there at some point in our lives.
As a parent, I’m currently trying to teach my children the value of listening to wise voices while they’re young so that when they’re older, they’ll listen to counsel and accept discipline. My prayer is that they can be wise for the rest of their days (Proverbs 19:20). And yet, I’m not naive enough to believe that mistakes won’t be made.
I remember in my teenage years having a friend who gave me sound wisdom to not say anything about a situation, yet I bulldozed my way into a conversation and made a mess with my words. It was a lesson I will never forget. Decades later, because of the lasting impact of the mistakes of my teenage years, I listened to the wise words of a counselor who encouraged me to never make a big decision in the middle of a major crisis. Per their advice, I’ve learned to pause what I want to do in order to regain a level head and heart that relies on God, and I am beyond grateful for that wisdom. It literally changed the trajectory of my life for the better. I would not have the marriage or children I have today if I made rash decisions when my life fell apart.
The Development of Godly Wisdom
In our passage today, we’re told about Esther listening to the wisdom of Mordecai. She wisely discerned what to share with the king, and it saved his life. Esther’s humility and ability to listen to wise counsel allowed her to gain favor in her relationship with King Ahasuerus.
Although our focus is on Esther, keep in mind that Mordecai’s wisdom played a key role in saving Esther’s life and eventually all the Jews. Wisdom doesn’t happen overnight, but a faithful, ordinary life always produces good fruit. Mordecai’s faithfulness to God and life experience shaped him in ways that allowed him to speak into Esther’s life when the timing was right!
The Necessity of Godly Wisdom
Some of us are in seasons where we need to be like Esther, listening and heeding the wise counsel of those God has placed in our lives. Others of us are in seasons where we need to put our life experience and faithfulness to work by being willing and available to speak into the lives of the people God brings our way! If this is something new for you or if you struggle with giving or receiving godly counsel, let me encourage you to spend some time today praying over the following items:
- Pray and ask God to give you the humility and courage to both give and receive godly counsel.
- Pray and ask God to open up your eyes to see people who can speak life and wisdom into you! Consider asking them the following question, “Is there any area of my life that you’d like to speak into?” Then receive their counsel with a humble and grateful heart.
- Pray and ask God to give you the courage and wisdom to speak into the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be sure your wisdom aligns with Scripture. Approach the conversation with humility and gentleness!
The good news of Jesus is that whether we’re prone to listening to advice or not, Jesus didn’t just come to save us but to change us. We all have the opportunity to become more Christlike by both giving and receiving godly wisdom. And what a gift it is to bless and be blessed by the people that God has placed in our lives!
