Every righteous father looks for opportunities to direct his children down the path of righteousness. He sees them growing up and imagines that one day they will walk a path of faithful obedience to the Lord. His heart rejoices each time that a child makes a choice displaying an inward man of thoughtfulness, godliness, love and righteousness. These things and many more point to the growth of a child who will be wise.
In Proverbs, there is one thing intended by the word “wise.” It is being “obedient to God.” Proverbs 9:10 reads, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (NKJV). If wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, one will never reach true wisdom while being in opposition to the Lord.
James further illustrates this.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)
The proof of wisdom is the implementation of righteous behavior. One might parade himself as a wise person, but inwardly he is only “wise” in unrighteousness. Note that even James describes this wicked behavior as a sort of wisdom, but one that does not originate with God and brings no good. In all reality, this “wisdom” is the true foolishness that Solomon wanted his son to know would lead to the grief of his mother.
When a godly mother realizes that her son is full of envy, self-seeking, sensuality and only those things that are concerns of this physical world, the weight on her heart is indescribable. Throughout her days, her mind seeks out the words to say to turn her son’s direction around, and day after day, she knows that ultimately that is a choice only he will be able to make for himself.
Solomon again admonished, “The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.” Are you a son or a daughter of righteous parents? Which path have you chosen? If you are bringing grief to your mother, will you decide to turn to wisdom today and begin to bear the fruit of righteousness? “A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother” (Proverbs 10:1).
