The Seven Marks of Wisdom

Teaching our children takes time. It takes even more time to teach them wisdom. While some will learn faster than others and some will be slower, we must not grow discouraged in the call.

This past week I have been reading through Raising Wise Children and have been teaching and reminding my children what it is to be wise. The Scriptures say that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child" which is even more reason to constantly share with our children what foolish characteristics are so they can recognize them (sometimes it even helps parents recognize foolish behavior in themselves!) and replace it with wise behavior. I have these seven marks written on our school board right now and  I wanted to take the time to share them with you:

The Seven Marks of Wisdom

1. Trusts in God. "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29.25

2. Walks in Healthy Relationships. "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soal and with all your mind. " "Love your neighbor as yourself.""Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffer harm."

3. Seeks Good Counsel. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

4. Speaks Carefully. "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matthew 12:34

5. Exercises Self-Control. "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." Proverb 29:11

6. Keeps Balance. This mark of wisdom has to do with internal stability of a person's life--through tragedy, loss, or disappointment, they won't be shaken.

7. Manages Resources. This mark of wisdom goes beyond simple self control to the broader area of making the best use of our time, money, energy, talents, and relationships. "Do you see someone skilled in their work? Thy will serve before kings; they will not serve before official of low rank." Proverbs 22:29

If some of your children tend to constantly fall on the foolish end of the spectrum, don't be discouraged. It takes TIME to teach them wisdom (sometimes it feels like a lifetime) but just remember to do your part and trust God with the rest. Cover them with prayer and be faithful with what God has entrusted you with. It helps to remind yourself of your own past foolishness and the grace you received from the Lord as you diligently pave new paths for your own children, all the while doing it with the love and kindness that He has also shown you.

"He who walks with the wise becomes wise..." Proverbs 13:20 

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