The Value & the Protective Power of Wisdom

Proverbs chapter 2 was laid on my heart during today's scripture reading, with particular focus on verses 1–8 (NKJV):

¹ My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,

² So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;

³ Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding,

⁴ If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;

⁵ Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

⁷ He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;

⁸ He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.

As I meditated on this passage, I saw clearly that wisdom carries both tremendous value and great protective power.

Verse 1 teaches us that before wisdom can dwell within us, we must first receive it. Verses 2–4 explain how we receive this wisdom:

1. We must incline our ear to wisdom and apply our heart to understanding.
2. We must cry out for discernment.
3. We must seek wisdom as we would seek silver.
4. We must search for wisdom as we would search for hidden treasures.

When we pursue wisdom in this way, the Word assures us that we will not only gain understanding and the fear of the Lord, but we will also receive the benefits of God’s protection. He becomes our shield, our defender, and the One who guards and preserves our path.

Wisdom is truly a treasure, and we desperately need it in our daily lives, especially when facing difficult, complex, or life-altering decisions. Consider how wisdom applies to everyday situations:

1. Marriage: Choosing a spouse goes far beyond external qualities or even shared beliefs. Wisdom helps us discern compatibility in calling, purpose, and ministry. Not every good person is the right person for you.
2. Choosing a job: A job offering a high salary may still be the wrong one if the environment is toxic or spiritually dangerous. Wisdom may lead you to accept a lesser position temporarily, knowing that God can promote you in due time.
3. Education decisions: Recently, in Trinidad and Tobago, many children selected their schools for the new term. Wisdom guides parents to make choices that will positively shape their children’s future. Even adults considering further studies, whether a master's degree, Bible school, or a simple skills course, need wisdom, for these decisions can change the trajectory of their lives and open unexpected doors.
4. Financial decisions: When taking a loan or buying a vehicle, wisdom helps you discern timing, affordability, and potential future risks. Wisdom even influences small decisions, like choosing not to buy something unnecessary and using what you already have.
5. Spontaneous decisions: Wisdom often guides us in ways that protect us from unseen danger. Sometimes the Holy Spirit prompts you to take a different route to work or to avoid a certain location. I call it being elusive to the enemy and dodging spiritual bullets without even knowing it.
6. Interpersonal interactions: Sometimes wisdom appears in the form of a soft answer, or even silence. Walking away from gossip, avoiding toxic arguments, and choosing rest over unnecessary activity are also expressions of godly wisdom that protect your peace and your spirit.

1. Opening Scripture Meditation

These are only a few examples among many others, but the truth still stands. Wisdom is a shield to those who walk uprightly, and it guards and preserves the way of the saints.

Read Proverbs 2:1–8 slowly. Twice if possible. Allow the Holy Spirit to highlight the words or phrases that stand out to you.

“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you…” Proverbs 2:1 (NKJV)

Pause and ask the Lord:
“What are You saying to me through this passage today?”

Go ahead and write your impression in your journal

2. Understanding the Passage

This passage reveals two powerful truths:

A. Wisdom Must Be Received verse 1

Wisdom cannot enter a closed heart. It begins with spiritual receptivity, humility, willingness, and surrender.

B. Wisdom must be pursued verses 2–4

Solomon gives four action steps:

1. Incline your ear - Listen intentionally.
2. Apply your heart - Engage deeply, not casually.
3. Cry out for discernment - Pray passionately for insight.
4. Seek wisdom like treasure - Pursue relentlessly and consistently.

C. Wisdom produces understanding and protection verses 5–8

Those who pursue wisdom receive:

1. The fear of the Lord
2. Knowledge from God
3. Divine protection
4. God’s shield
5. God’s guidance
6. Preservation from danger

Again, wisdom is both valuable and protective.

3. Reflection: Do I Actively Pursue Wisdom?

Answer the questions below honestly:

1. Do I receive God’s wisdom, or do I resist it when it challenges my desires?
2. Do I listen carefully to the Holy Spirit during the day?
3. Do I apply my heart, or do I treat wisdom casually?
4. When facing decisions, do I cry out to God or try to handle things alone?
5. Do I pursue wisdom with the same energy I use to pursue opportunities, relationships, or money?

Write your reflections down.

4. Personal Wisdom Inventory

Use this checklist to identify where you are growing, and where you need to grow.

How I Usually Make Decisions (Check the ones that apply):

• I pray and wait for God’s direction ___
• I rely on my own understanding ___
• I consult Scripture ___
• I rush out of fear or pressure ___
• I seek godly counsel ___
• I let emotions lead ___
• I listen for the Holy Spirit ___
• I make decisions without thinking ___

Reflect and write

5. Wisdom in Practice: Your Personal Decision

Write one important decision you are currently facing.
Then write three ways you will actively seek God’s wisdom concerning it.

My Decision: _________________________________________________________________

How I will seek Wisdom:

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________

Closing Exhortation:

My prayer for all of us is that we will treasure wisdom like precious treasure, incline our ears to the Holy Spirit when He speaks, cry out for wisdom in challenging moments, and continually seek it with diligence. Wisdom will preserve us. It will shield us from pain, protect us from unnecessary battles, and guide us safely through life’s most difficult decisions. Amen.

Author: Kimberly A.S. Williams