In order to gain situational awareness, we need to understand the times we are living in, but we also need wisdom. I am going to give you two definitions of wisdom. The first definition of wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s point of view. How do you gain that kind of wisdom? It begins by having the proper attitude. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote in Proverbs 9: 10 this, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” There is no wisdom apart from God and the pursuit of Him. Once you have the right attitude, you then have to look for wisdom. In Proverbs, the depository of wisdom, you have not only examples of what wise people do, but also what the fools does. Another place to look is in the people you work for or with.
Also listen to those who are wise. If you want to be wise, surround yourself with people who are wise. Psalms 1: 1 says; “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” We need to be careful that we hang around wise people who fear God, instead of people who scoff at the things of God. Do you know people, even Christians who are scoffers? They make fun of things that happen in God’s house or with God’s people. They are cynical, questioning other people and their motives. If you want to be wise and be successful, do not hang around with scoffers – surround yourself with godly people.
Finally, ask for wisdom. James 1: 5 says; “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and up - braideth not; and it shall be given him.” But wisdom is not something we just accumulate – it is something we act on. Here is the second definition of wisdom: a skill to live your life according to God’s plan. Exodus 28: 3 says there was a group of Israelites whom God endowed with wisdom so that they could weave the garments for Aaron, the high priest.
The weavers could not just get close to following the pattern for the garments; they had to follow it precisely or be struck dead. So they were given the wisdom to follow God’s pattern precisely. That is really what wisdom is: it is the ability to know and then follow God’s plan for your marriage, for your finances, for your friendships, for every area of your life.
Daniel 11: 32 says; And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be trong, and do exploits.”
If we are going to live wisely in this world, we have to have situational awareness, and that comes from the gift of wisdom.