Proverbs - Exalt Wisdom

Proverbs 4:8-9

Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:

she shall bring thee to honour,

when thou dost embrace her.

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace:

a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

                        We need to esteem wisdom as something to be admired in others as well as that which we think is important in every decision. Here we are promised that wisdom will help us rise above in authority over those foolish responses that so want to rule over us.  A good question when making choices is, “Is this wise or is this foolish/fleshly?”  Another good thing to do is to compare the choice with James 3:17's test for whether an answer is wise according to the Lord.:

           

A Test For Wisdom

                                                Is it pure or is there any hint of deception or selfish motives?

                                                Is it pure or is there anything sinful or evil in it?

                                                Is it pure or clouded with all sorts of hidden agendas?

                                                Is it peaceable or will it cause unnecessary strife or division?

                                                Is it gentle or are you trying to force an issue?

                                                Is it easy to be entreated or do you find yourself forcing yourself to do it?

            Is there any judgment associated with it or is it full of mercy and not linked to some sort of retribution or punishment?

                                                Is it abounding with good things which will come out of it?

                                                Is the answer biased or based on preconceived ideas of what you really want to do or without partiality?

                                                Is it in direct conflict with what you know the Lord has already told you to do in His Word or otherwise?