I wonder what you or I would have answered if we were in Solomon’s shoes—or in his pajamas, actually, because the biblical text has Solomon asleep and hearing from God in a dream:
What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
Would we have had the good sense or the optimism to respond as Solomon did?
Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong.”
Solomon’s response revealed that he was already a wise man, for he recognized his lack. We know for certain that he grew up in a home riddled with dangerous rivalry, polygamy, and moral compromise. He recognized that his father had received God’s “great and faithful love” throughout his life and his reign, but I wonder how much of David’s faithfulness or love Solomon experienced firsthand in that chaotic royal family. No wonder he sensed his need for wisdom to “know the difference between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:5-12)
Get Wisdom
Someone recently quoted Charlie Kirk’s definition of wisdom: “The knowledge of things that never change.” Jesus embodied this kind of knowledge during his years walking the dusty roads of Palestine.
He knew Scripture so well that he could refute anyone who was twisting it or using it as a club: “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” (Matthew 23:4 of the Pharisees)
He knew human nature well enough to incite curiosity: “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:10)
His wise conversations always cut to the heart: “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.” (John 4:16 to the Samaritan woman at the well)
In 2025, when screens are destroying our ability to pay attention, how can we cultivate the ability to read actions and discern the hearts of the people we encounter?
Tweet
Jesus knew people.
Solomon knew people, and he is best known for his “cut the baby in half” wisdom. What made him certain that one of the women, the real mother, would rather give up her child than see him murdered?
In 2025, when our ability to pay attention is being destroyed by screens, how can we cultivate the ability to read actions and discern the hearts of the people we encounter? I don’t have the last word on this, but a few principles arise from Jesus’s example in conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well:
- Be available and approachable
Jesus asked for water, a massively counter-cultural act of vulnerability without which there would have been no conversation. - Listen to what people aren’t saying
The woman’s quick, “Give me this water!” revealed a thirst that went beyond water pots and wells. - Know your Bible inside and out
Being God, Jesus was uniquely qualified to speak truth, but he reminded his disciples, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) The Spirit of God will work through the Word of God, but we have to know it for him to use it.
Holding You in the Light,
Jesus was uniquely qualified to speak truth but he reminded his disciples, “When the Spirit of Truth comes he will guide you into all truth.” The Spirit of God will work through the Word of God, but we have to know it for him to use it
Tweet
You can see all my Get Wisdom posts for 2025 here!
Have You Read the Latest Newsletter?
On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where all the news lands first.
CLICK HERE to read my most recent newsletter, where you’ll be given the opportunity to subscribe. My goal is to help you on the path of becoming a confident follower of God and a student of His Word.
A New YouVersion Devotional!
I’ve got a new devotional plan ready for you on the YouVersion app. Click HERE to start The Meaning and the Method of True Rest, a ten-day plan that I pray will encourage and challenge you to seek intimacy with God every day.
I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase any of the books or products I’ve shared, simply click on the book title, and you’ll be taken directly to the seller. If you decide to buy, I’ll receive a few pennies at no extra cost to you.
Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash
Living Our Days 
Yes. In this age of great fakery and nefarious agendas hidden behind a screen, I’ve had to learn some discernment skills to keep me in the middle of the knowledge of things that do not change. For one thing, I pay attention to what people do more than they say. Words are way easier than actions. But I also pay attention to what people do not say or do when they could or should. It’s a jungle out here. Because Christians are admonished to love we are often easy marks. So we have to figure out the balance between being trusting without question and stopping to pray for opened eyes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Balance is definitely the key here—as it is with so many things where we are constantly falling out of bed on one side or the other and wondering why we’re so bruised up!
LikeLike
My recent prayers have been to discern what is happening in America and other areas. Love the book of Solomon.
https://peabea.blogspot.com
LikeLike
We certainly do need discernment to sift through all the conflicting messages!
LikeLike
Great post Michele! Yes, screens are definitely placing an iron gate on communication face to face & that sense of communal chatting with strangers.
I deliberately don’t touch my phone when sitting & waiting for appointments & start a chat up with whoever is sitting nearby. 😉 It always proves to be an interesting chat.
Blessings, Jennifer
LikeLike
That’s such a redemptive practice, Jennifer! I’m sure you have had some great interactions (face to face!) as a result!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have indeed Michele! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Solomon’s request for wisdom and discernment is a wonderful example for us to follow, and we know that the Holy Spirit will guide us. We would do well to practice the discipline of putting our screens down and paying attention to what the Spirit would say to us.
LikeLike
I do believe that this is the answer to our fragmented brains and whittled down attention spans!
LikeLike
I love that – “the knowledge of things that never change” – and that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We all the the God’s Word to sift through everything around us – to learn principles of logic and the Word of God. When you talk about screens, it makes me think of A.I. and how all it is is plagiarism – taking truth and untruth written by other people and calling it good. It breaks my heart – as a teacher, a writer, and a person of faith – to see it stealing the future of our children’s God-designed gifts – because they will be seduced to not build the skill muscle of their own giftings. We all so need to press in to God so He can fill us with His Holy Spirit.
LikeLike
You’ve said so much here! And yes, God’s Word is our standard and our sifter. We must be faithfully praying for our children and grandchldren to have discerning hearts.
LikeLike
I have long been saying that technology is inhibiting our ability to communicate face to face. I pray almost daily for discernment, and with the rise of AI, am finding myself praying even more. This morning you have brought me such peace and assurance with the reminder that the Holy Spirit will guide me always into all truth, and it will always be His Truth.
LikeLike
It reassures me to remember that God the Holy Spirit is much more interested in guiding me than I usually am at following.
LikeLike
If I were in Solomon’s pajamas, I probably would have asked for some time to think about it. 🙂 I always feel I need time to look at things from all angles. Which might be telling–he knew right off wisdom was what he most needed.
I love the promise that the Holy Spirit will guide us into truth and remind us of it. And I also love the point that we have to put God’s truth into our minds in order for Him to remind us what He said.
LikeLike
That’s a great point, Barbara. I would hate to have to answer a question like that on the fly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I Cor. 2 talks about how those who are spiritual can evaluate all things. I think soaking in God’s Word truly builds discernment as well as practicing what He reveals.
LikeLike
Absolutely! It’s like a tea bag. We need to soak for a long time!
LikeLike
Thank you for this insightful post. I need to work on #2 “Listen to what people aren’t saying” and of course continuing to learn God’s word.
Your encouragement and insight in the Grace & Truth Link-Up mean so much! I’m honored to feature your post on my Pinterest board—see it here: https://www.pinterest.com/embracingtheune/grace-truth-christian-link-up-featured-posts/.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Maree!
LikeLike
This is true: “Solomon’s response revealed that he was already a wise man, for he recognized his lack.” As the saying going, the wise man knows he doesn’t know; the fool doesn’t know he doesn’t know. It always makes me wonder: what do I think I know now that I will find out later isn’t accurate? Gotta stay open always to get wisdom.
LikeLike
Ooof, that’s a very sobering question, but I suppose that’s where our growth process happens. May we submit to God’s working in our lives to keep us always open!
LikeLike