As a small child, one of the characteristics I admired about my parents was how they always knew what to do when situations arose. I would often wonder how one becomes this knowledgeable about handling so many scenarios and challenges. Was it from a life class one takes in school? A manual people are given when they turn eighteen? As I understood God’s Word more, I saw that this wisdom comes from God and is a characteristic I can have in my life too. No matter our age, experiences, or level of schooling, God has made it available for young people to walk boldly with wisdom.
We know that the world offers many ways to walk, decisions to make, and interactions we could have—even for young people. Many choices are considered “wise” in the world’s eyes. However, true wisdom comes from God—the Creator of the universe, the Author of life. He always knows what is the absolute best for us.
Ephesians 5:15:
See then that ye walk circumspectly [exactly, accurately, diligently], not as fools [without wisdom], but as wise.
Our loving God gives us knowledge on how to develop a walk of wisdom.
Proverbs 1:5:
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.
A quality that helps us develop wisdom is listening in order to learn and gain wise counsel. And as young people, one of the sources of wise counsel available to us is our parents, especially those with an understanding of God’s Word.
Proverbs 1:8,9:
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
Proverbs 4:1,2,10,11:
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
Wise young people will hear the instruction of their parents and increase in knowledge, wisdom, and length of life! This is often the opposite of what the world shows us we should do, but as we stay faithful to be obedient to our parents, we will see the profit to our lives. Both now and down the road, our lives will be fuller.
If our parents can provide loving instruction to us that helps us grow in wisdom, how much more can God do for us as the all-knowing and all-powerful God that He is? God’s instruction for us, which He’s provided in His Word, is always sure, steady, and backed by Him.
Psalms 19:7,8:
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
As we receive His wisdom and instruction, it benefits and protects us.
Proverbs 8:32,33,35:
Now therefore hearken unto me [wisdom], O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
Proverbs 2:10,11:
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.
When we hearken unto the wise instruction of our trustworthy God, we are blessed, we find life, we obtain favor, we are preserved, and most of all, we are walking in that wisdom that God so desires for our lives.
God has laid out a clear path for young people to be able to walk with wisdom regardless of our age or life experiences. As we pay attention to what He says about this topic, we see that great wisdom lies in hearing and acting on instruction from our parents and from God Himself by way of His Word. In a world of so many unknowns we have the resources to walk accurately, exactly, diligently, as Ephesians 5:15 says. What a great witness to others of our stand for God and His great love for us.