Having the opportunity to grow up in church and a Christ-centered family afforded many blessings that, as an adult, I now begin to realize and appreciate fully. One of the greatest benefits was being taught at a young age to make a habit of daily Bible reading and prayer time.
When I moved into adolescence, I was encouraged to read and study the book of Proverbs. Three pivotal men are defined in Proverbs, which are the wise man, the foolish man, and the simple man. Recently, I laid out the attributes of the wise man to see if some, or if any, applied to my life.
1. A wise man listens more than he speaks.
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 13:3 “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Proverbs 8:33 “Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not.”
2. A wise man works diligently.
Proverbs 6:6 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise:”
3. A wise man seeks to please his parents.
Prov 10:1,5 “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father:” “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”
4. A wise man wins souls to Christ.
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.”
5. A wise man speaks encouraging words.
Proverbs 12:18 “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: But the tongue of the wise is health.”
6. A wise woman builds her house.
Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: But the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”
7. A wise man flees evil.
Prov 14:16 “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: But the fool rageth, and is confident.”
8. A wise man can be corrected.
Proverbs 17:10 “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.”
Proverbs 21:11 “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.”
The Word of God truly is a mirror, and when I see these qualities of a wise man, it shows that I still have areas to work on in my Christian life. Now that I have the opportunity to work with teenagers, I am even more thankful that Proverbs is a source of wisdom for them and for me.
It’s not wise to talk more than we listen. Whenever I’m tempted to be lazy, the wisdom of Proverbs rings in my ears. How do I respond when I’m corrected, and do I have a desire to win souls to Christ? There are many lessons to be learned from the book of Proverbs, and becoming a wise man is something we should all be working to emulate.
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David Russ, Youth Pastor
David Russ came to California to attend Golden State Baptist College in 2011. Following graduation in 2015, he was married to Mrs. Jennifer (Strouf) Russ. Bro. Russ serves as the full-time youth pastor and preaches weekly to teenagers. He is also involved in public school Bible clubs. Bro. Russ also hosts a weekly radio program on KNVBC – Revival Radio which broadcasts conservative Christian music and programming.
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