Learning How to Think

by Doy Moyer

Scripture shows that God’s concerns are not just for what is technically good or bad, right or wrong, allowed or disallowed. We could argue over what is technically sinful or not, but that’s essentially a legalistic approach that misses the essential element of wisdom, especially in matters that are not explicitly given. Of course, we need to know what Scripture says about right and wrong, but God’s intent was not just to provide a list of do’s and don’ts. He wants us to learn how to think. He wants us to know principles by which we make wise decisions that glorify Him. It’s not just about what we can do legally but what we should do in any given situation that would glorify Him.

If we push what a text technically says but don’t consider how to apply it with wisdom, we’ve lost the spirit of what God wants from us. We must discern good from evil as we mature in Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14). Something might not technically be wrong, but a lack of wisdom in application could be disastrous.

Wisdom is a way of living, a learned skill in what it means to serve the Lord. We cannot reduce that to a mere list. This is one reason why reading a book like Proverbs regularly is vital. Through it, we learn discernment. “To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding…” We can learn to walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 4:5-6; Matthew 10:16).

“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).