"Wisdom Cries Out"
Hear and Increase
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance…” (Proverbs 1.5)
This message is stressed a lot in Proverbs. Wise men take correction, they listen to what people have to say, and never stop getting wiser. The fool rejects the advice of others. If you wish to be wiser or smarter, learn how to take criticism.
The practice of listening and accumulating knowledge is not the destination, but it is an important vehicle in our walk of faith. “Faith comes by hearing the word of God” (Romans 10.17). We cannot grow or be enlightened to God’s ways if we do not invest ourselves in the practice of learning and changing (see James 1.22; 1 John 3.4-10).
Even if you are more knowledgeable or of a higher rank in a certain field; listen to everyone and see if you can learn from what they are saying. Don’t let your ego get in the way of your self-improvement.
On the converse, if you are immature or lack discipline, you don’t have to spend the rest of your life living that way. “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense” (Proverbs 8:4–5). God knows that we are far from being mature or wise, but he has shown us the way to grow beyond where we are now. But I must choose to hear and increase in learning.
The Bible promises wisdom for all that seek it (Matthew 7.7). It is not beyond the reach of anyone who truly desires it and is willing to sacrifice for it. Wisdom is to be esteemed above all else; spend your time searching for it.
“Age makes you old enough to know better, but God makes you wise enough to do better.”
