Biblical Wisdom for Dummies

Plus a new class for beginner writers!

When I was 34 years old, I was blessed with the opportunity to return to college and finish my AA. I had five kids in public school and a supportive husband who encouraged me to finish what I started. But despite my eagerness and excitement to return to college, I quickly learned that one thing about me had not changed in my 14-year absence: I still wasn’t very smart.

Don’t get me wrong- I can get good grades. But I’m not smart. What I am, however, is a good student.

I graduated with highest honors from my local community college and decided to go on to get a BS in Communication from Arizona State. At the same time, we decided to start homeschooling our kids. That took extreme effort, organization, and discipline on my part. And, because I’m not very smart, I really had to up my student skills to once again graduate Summa Cum Laude.

After my undergrad, I decided to go on and get my Master’s in English Comp. It turns out a degree in Writing requires a lot more reading about unrelated topics than you’d think. Once again, I relied on my study skills and organizational habits to graduate with a 4.0. I wrote a 22-page term paper on rhetoric used during the Scottish Enlightenment, but I couldn’t tell you a thing about it today. I took an Advanced Grammar course because I really wanted to be proficient in grammar, but I still don’t know when to use a comma.

I’m not smart—I’m just a good student.

Biblical Wisdom for Dummies

When it comes to biblical wisdom, God doesn’t care how many hours you’ve attended Sunday School or how many Bible drills you’ve won. (Anyone remember those?) God doesn’t require you to attend seminary or Bible college or read books by literary greats like C.S. Lewis.

God just asks for your heart.

• Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

• Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

• Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.”

“The fear of the LORD” isn’t about being terrified of God. The Hebrew word most often used is yir’ah, which means:

• Reverence

• Awe

• Deep respect

• Recognition of authority

It describes the posture of someone who knows who God is—and responds rightly.

Fear in Scripture is less about emotion and more about alignment.

If you want godly wisdom, you must position your heart and life in surrender to the Father.

Going to the Source

While you may not need a degree in Old Testament studies to be biblically wise, we do need to read, absorb, and understand the Bible. Learning Scripture isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command.

• Deuteronomy 6:6–7
  “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”

• Joshua 1:8
  “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night…”

• Psalm 78:5–7
  “…that the next generation might know them… and not forget the works of God.”

But learning Scripture goes beyond reading. When I spent all those years in college, I studied, memorized, and regurgitated information….and promptly forgot it. God doesn’t call us to pass Bible tests—He calls us to internalize Truth.

• Psalm 119:11
  “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

• Colossians 3:16
  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”

• Proverbs 7:1–3
  “Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye.”

After we’ve read God’s Word and internalized it, His Word tells us that we need to put what we’ve learned into practice. Scripture is meant to be obeyed, not merely learned.

• James 1:22
  “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

• Luke 11:28
  “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

• Ezra 7:10
  “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach…”

Finally, God asks us to pursue biblical wisdom—not because we want to be A+ students, but because we love God and want to keep His commandments. A heart that loves Scripture will pursue it.

• Psalm 1:1–3
  “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

• Psalm 119:97
  “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

• Jeremiah 15:16
  “Your words were found, and I ate them…”

Only 8 more days!!!!

In Books & Battlefields hits the shelves on January 20th, and I’m so excited for you to read Isabella’s story!

I’m looking for Christian readers who would like to become Christian writers! I’ve been teaching a class called Sacred Story Writers for the past three years and have watched these women grow from timid beginners to amazing authors.

Beginning February 5th, I will be offering a new class called Inklings for beginner writers. Classes will be held every other Thursday afternoon via Zoom, from 1-3pm ET. For more information, please respond to this email.