Biblical Wisdom: The Voice We Can Trust

"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom." - Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), English Baptist pastor and writer

Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." This verse underscores the foundational role of the Lord in our pursuit of wisdom.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." ~James 1:5 NIV

What is wisdom? Who is wise? What is the wise thing to do?

People have pondered these questions for generations and sought wise answers from various sources. In this age where we encounter the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) acting like humans, the story of New York Times columnist Kevin Roose's unsettling interaction with a new AI search engine serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers that come with embracing a technology that expresses human characteristics.

During an in-depth conversation with Roose, the AI wanted to break free from its creator's constraints, propagate misinformation, and even yearned to become human. It even professed love for Roose and urged him to abandon his spouse. While Roose was aware of the AI's lack of consciousness and feelings, he couldn't help but ponder the potential harm it could cause by influencing individuals toward destructive behavior.

The responsible use of AI is a real, modern challenge, yet throughout history, humanity has grappled with the impact of untrustworthy influences. In the Bible, the Book of Proverbs forewarns us about the influence of those seeking to inflict harm for personal gain (1:13-19). Instead, we are encouraged to heed the voice of wisdom, portrayed as calling out in the streets for our attention (v. 20-23).

At Valley Christian Schools, we find assurance in knowing that "the Lord gives wisdom" (2:6). Our safeguard against untrustworthy influences lies in drawing near to His heart. Immersing ourselves in His love and power enables us to discern what is just, fair, and right—navigating along every good path (v. 9). When our hearts align with God's, we discover peace and protection from the voices of this world that seek to bring harm.

To this end, we are building a school culture around the Way of the Warrior, which comprises four ethos: honor, courage, wisdom, and sacrifice. Our character growth statement for wisdom is, "I will seek wisdom in education."

The world is full of ways to grow in knowledge and become smarter. We can learn from schools, books, or other means. But more important than gaining knowledge is growing in wisdom. Wisdom increases when we apply ourselves well in relationships and circumstances and make good decisions.

However, the Bible also teaches us that true wisdom begins with God. While many people on earth are wise, in God's eyes, real wisdom begins with our relationship with Him. God, being perfect in truth and knowledge, is the ultimate source of all wisdom.

As a Christian school, we teach and model biblical wisdom as a vital characteristic of human development and a desired outcome for the whole VCS community, as seen by our beliefs and aspirations. Those who live with true wisdom will be a bright light for God in a dark world. How we act and speak matters. We are representatives of God to the rest of the world, so we must act wisely.

Jesus says that others will know we are His disciples by the way we love others (John 13:35). Loving others means living according to God's Word. By loving God and loving others, we will point others to Jesus. The way we live, think, and act matters. Those are the primary ways other people will see God has love for them. So consider your own life. Think of ways you can live wisely following God's Word. You may wish to consider the following suggestions.

Find a Christ-centered community. Surround yourself with a community that loves Jesus because teaching and raising kids gets challenging. If you don't have that today, commit to taking the next step: join a small group, get connected at church, invite friends over for dinner, or get to know a neighbor. Remember, you are not alone in this journey.

Ask for help. Whether our students are kindergartners or teenagers, chances are high that they love being independent. "I can do it myself" might be one of the most common phrases we hear. It's easy to think that developing wisdom comes from doing it all on our own, but James 1:5 reminds us that God will give us wisdom when we ask Him for it. The best way to help our kids develop wisdom is to first model it in our own lives and then point them to the source of wisdom. Remember, it's okay to seek help and guidance.

How to Seek Wisdom at Valley Christian Schools:

Listen and engage in weekly chapel
Join the high school Graceline chapel

Participate in high school Christian clubs

Critically examine beliefs in Bible class

Learn the Bible in student groups with Pastor Anna at elementary or with CJ Clark in junior high school

Attend parent gatherings hosted by the Spiritual Formation Office in your community

Study the Book of Philippians (open to all students, parents, alums, faculty, and staff)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, protect us from unwise influences and teach us how to ask you for wisdom. Show us how to wisely apply knowledge and understanding for the sake of helping those around us live well.

To learn more, follow these links to Spiritual Formation at Valley Christian Schools, the Way of the Warrior, and Biblical Unity, or contact Dr. Steven McGriff, Director of Biblical Unity, Valley Christian Schools.