Adorning Ourselves with Godly Wisdom
“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not reject the teaching of your mother. For they are a garland of grace on your head, and chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9, AMP)
My daughter got a Pretty, Pretty Princess game for Christmas this year. The premise is simple, there is a game board, a spinner, and a bowl full of different color jewelry in the middle. The goal is to go around the game board and gather all the pieces of jewelry in your color: necklace, bracelet, ring, a pair of earrings, and a crown. The first one to have all their jewelry wins.
Me and my husband have played this game with her about two dozen times since she got it, and no exaggeration: she wins every time. She loves it. Dripping in jewelry, her smile is as big as a billboard when she realizes she won; she is the pretty, pretty princess.
In the Bible, there are many times where the things of God are likened to jewels and riches. More specifically, wisdom is more precious than rubies (Proverbs 8:11) and more profitable than silver (Proverbs 3:14). And in the first chapter of Proverbs, Solomon encourages the reader to hear the instruction of his father, and not reject the teaching of his mother.
As a Christian parent, discipling and teaching your children is a daily, constant thing. We make learning fun by playing games and incentivizing good behavior. We hang sticker charts to track doctrine learned and scripture memorized. In our house, it’s a big deal to put a new sticker on a new verse. But it’s not all fun and games. Sometimes, the lessons are learned through tears; trying to avoid an early bedtime or giving up TV time.
It’s my hope as a mom, that my kids learn every day– about Jesus, about life, new skills, and how to be good people. It’s my prayer that one day, my kids look back and see the value of the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Because Solomon says that these teachings and instructions are like garlands for their heads and ornaments of gold around their necks. Just like Piper, when she’s the prettiest princess, gaining Godly wisdom should leave us dripping in spiritual jewels. God’s instruction and knowledge should be a crown on our head, His truth should be something we actually put on like sparkling riches.
And those things– the wisdom, knowledge, and direction– end up refining in us truly useful spiritual benefits like discernment, integrity, and prudence. These things transform our character. They mature us and help us to turn away from evil, choosing paths that lead to life, by the power of the Holy Spirit. By hearing Godly instruction, we gain Godly knowledge and live lives that are rich in spiritual virtue and fruit.
Unlike actual jewels, this change to our character that God makes by our continued faith and following His teaching is something that has eternal implications. We are saved by Jesus’ sacrifice and grace extended to us, and the wisdom we can glean from His word only enriches the lives we live here, pressing onwards to spiritual life after death.
We are to heed Solomon’s encouragement to hear instruction and not reject righteous teaching, just as much as the child that Solomon is speaking directly to. We are called to seek God’s wisdom. It’s not just for those that are spiritually intuitive or academically inclined. Godly wisdom is a pursuit that should be made by every Christian. But as a parent, we also need to make sure that we are training up our children in the way they need to go.
Ultimately, the child’s faith becomes their own as they grow and come to their own convictions, but a child that is equipped with the wisdom of the Lord has a much better chance in hearing God’s truth and being drawn by His Spirit. And that sort of instruction cannot be depended on solely by the local church or a youth leader. It has to be in the home as well. That’s where they spend most of their time, with their parents and in the safety of their home.
What parent would not want to bedeck their children in garlands and jewels? What parent wouldn’t want to adorn their children with beautiful things?
In the same way, how could we begrudge them of spiritual riches that would last long into their lives? How could we slack on giving them spiritual tools that improves their faith and draws them closer to Christ?
To do this, it means we must also be well-versed in the wisdom of the Lord. It means we must know scripture. We must be instructed in God’s Word. We must be deep in prayer and reverence to the Lord, pursuing the instruction and teachings of Jesus to strengthen our own faith and living in the grace God has given us.
Don’t just read the Bible. Study it. Memorize it. Wrestle with it and allow God to work on your heart through it. Pursue God’s wisdom, constantly. Clothe yourself in it and walk in it every day. It is like a crown for your head and chains of gold around your neck: precious and beautiful.
