Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“A wise man will hear, and will increase in learning, and a man of understanding will attain unto wise counsels.”
Proverbs 1:5
Solomon’s definition of wisdom leaves no room for pride. For him, true wisdom was the willingness to learn. A wise man, to Solomon, is not a man who knows a lot; rather, a wise man is the man who is teachable. This is the way God sees it.
A man can be as highly educated as the human brain will allow, and still be a fool if he will no longer be taught. On the other hand, a man may be ignorant, unable so much as to read his own name, and yet be wise in God’s sight, if he can still be taught. When we cease to be willing to learn and to change, we cease to be wise. When we cease to learn, we cease to live. There are a few, though not many, who can learn much and yet retain a measure of humility; these are among the wise (1Cor. 1:26). And there are some who, although knowing nothing, are very proud; these are exceptional fools.
The secret is humility. Everything you have ever learned, you learned because you humbled yourself to the knowledge that someone else offered you. As a child, you were very willing to listen and to watch so that you could learn to tie your own shoelaces. As a young adult, you humbled yourself to your instructor so that you could learn how to drive a vehicle according to the laws of the land. Paul said that knowledge “puffs up” those who attain it (1Cor. 8:1). The issue of your very life is, how much of your child-like humility have you retained after learning so many different things in this world? There is no learning without humility; pride and learning are impossible as house mates.
Jesus said that unless we become as little children, we would by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven. How much of our childhood humility remains? The salvation of our souls hinges on the answer to that question.