Wiser With Jesus: Overcoming the Temptations that Hinder Your Relationships, Steal Your Time, Mar Your Decision-Making and Thwart Your Purpose

by Zack Eswine

Dive into the godly wisdom of Proverbs with Zack Eswine’s guide to living well.

The biblical book of Proverbs exemplifies how to live life on this earth in the best way possible. However, rather than giving us step–by–step instructions on how to live a more efficient, productive, and successful life, the ancient book of Proverbs encourages us to meditate on the person, posture and pace of wisdom.

In our pursuit of wisdom as Christians, we find that ultimate wisdom is embodied in Christ. We must pursue wisdom as we would a person, relationally and with love. The posture of wisdom is one of humility and teachability, and the pace of wisdom encourages meditation rather than immediate action.

In this valuable book, Zack Eswine shows us how these things play out in our everyday lives. He emphasizes the importance of relating wisely to people, including to ourselves, before considering how to grow wiser in life skills. But to grow wiser of heart, whether with people or with life skills, wisdom invites us to prayer and community. Biblical wisdom invites us to seek wiser hearts in communal rather than lonely ways.

This book is a treasure for anyone seeking to live life more wisely.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Devotional

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

zack is an author, pastor and mentor seeking words for living humanly in Jesus.

Reviews

[Bo Ties · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. I think every Christian should read it. it is written so well, it's thought provoking, heart breaking, and full of hope. You might find yourself saying, I have been a fool, but Eswine paints a beautiful picture of how to be wise by following the One Greater than Solomon.

This is probably the best Christian book I've ever read.

[A Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't commend this book to you enough. It's the book I wish I had when I was young, that I'm so very grateful to have going into middle-age, and one I will keep revisiting into old age and the sunset years of my life.

The book speaks to Christians of all ages, helping us to identify the various postures of the heart (spoken of in Proverbs) and treats them with Scripture. The author writes pastorally, as one who has learnt many lessons of wisdom the hard way and he includes helpful stories to help us understand the application of Scripture (or in some cases not). He speaks of the menu of loves of our hearts and choosing and curating these wisely. He also speaks of identifying the various postures of the heart in others and how to sculpt our interactions with them wisely.

This book is saturated in Scripture; Proverbs, Psalms, Job, the Gospels..Manner for the soul. It will lead you in repentance before the Lord and re-building founded on His Word as you examine your heart.

So often we exhalt those who are "successful" Christian ministries, but how many of these end up crashing and burning for lack of wisdom? Perhaps as the Church this is something we should speak more of and exhalt each other to more?

Helpful interview with the author https://youtu.be/q1Xr6JWwMSY?si=ZRmLA...

[Wes Van Fleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that is so easy to read but so deep in wisdom that one chapter at a time almost feels like too much. Eswine writes with such beautiful prose and simplicity that you feel like you are talking with a friend. He explores different areas of wisdom, and foolishness, that ultimately lead readers to the One greater than Solomon. Incredible book!

[Matt Allhands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed. Zack manages to convey deep gospel truths with profound emotional clarity - be ready to feel like the book is reading you a little.

[Hanna Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to start to the year!

[R. Spangler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared. As soon as you open this book the author is going to take your hand and explore the contours of wisdom—showing you how it sees you through the peaks and valleys of life, the kind of people you’ll meet along the way, and the different questions you’ll answer and choices you’ll make as you go. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were sections of this book (especially the last three chapters) that I really loved. Eswine is gifted writer and his treatment of the steadfast love of the Lord, of time, and of aging and dying were beautiful. And throughout there were some very good meditations on wisdom and its applications. He gives vivid illustrations of themes from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

I can't give the book a higher rating, though, because there were places where it traffics in a kind of troubling cluster of false dichotomies: propositional vs. relational, theology vs. wise love, creedal vs. embodied and authentic. (Some of those are my categories, but I think the dichotomies are there.) By doing this, Eswine divides what ought not to be separated. Better to say that propositional knowledge of theological clarity and creedal heritage are REALLY important...and can also be held without biblical wisdom. We need both . Nowhere are the former explicitly denigrated, but they are subtly downgraded in some of the applications and illustrations. I wish this weren't so, because other parts of the book were so good.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with other books that Zack Eswine writes, this isn't your typical Christian nonfiction book. Another reviewer called the writing "whimsical," and that captures some of it. Eswine is also just a really good writer - he doesn't just get from point A to point B; he does it in a very crafted and deliberate way. He also has a way of evoking emotion - I found myself tearing up multiple times while reading this book. Sometimes the writing style made me feel a bit obtuse - like I wasn't catching on to the point because he was going about it in too much of a fancy way, but hey, I tend to be a bit impatient in my reading life. This is a book to chew on.

Speaking of the subject matter, it is a bit of reflection on Proverbial literature - the categories of the naive, the fool, and the scoffer are prominent in the first half of the book - with examples from Jesus' life and ministry to illustrate each chapter, since he is the embodiment of God's wisdom. It works pretty well. The second half of the book goes through some practical decision-making scenarios, applying wisdom. It feels a bit scattershot about which topics it covers.

Definitely an above average read.

[Nick Lees · Rating 4 out of 5]

My early impressions of this book were frustration by the writing style, as it is more whimsical than I prefer. However, each chapter contained content that kept me engaged and reading. As the book progressed, I enjoyed it more and more. There is a lot of helpful wisdom and life lessons within. I realized as I finished it that it resonated a lot with what God has taught me over the years and it gave me a good framework/questions to consider to continue to grow in wise living. It may be a good audiobook.

[Melissa | hellomelissakay · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS —

I read this book slowly over several months with friends and this was absolutely the way to do it. The book is not long - just 10 short chapters and a post script — but they each deserve to be savored and slowly read to give time for reflection and just time to breathe.

Zack’s writing is poetic and has a bit of whimsy to it, which mirrors his preaching if you’ve had a chance to hear it. His exposition of Proverbs meanders with intention and provides so much to reflect on from a heart perspective.

This will be a book I absolutely come back to again. I highly, highly recommend!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Types of people- naive, foolish, scoff, crushed in spirit. Jesus treats each person differently.
Seeking wisdom is seeking a ‘wiser than Solomon.’ It is seeking Jesus Himself.

« Wisdom is beholding the sacred meaning of the world. »

« Wisdom teaches its students to grow attentive and to be intentional regarding the love tokens of God for our day. « 

« Good work tethered by inner rest with God is not missing out. »

« Thriving work depends upon strategic rest. »

[Geoff Gobbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful book catering for young and old alike. I would have valued this years ago. It helped as there was a tour through Proverbs. A regards guidance it was great. If there are two options before you, the Lord gives freedom to choose either. The predominant issue is, how goes wisdom dictate?As we follow Jesus, he is our mentor for wisdom. Yes!

[Erica Gagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my kids hoping it would help with decision making and time management and perhaps get them to put their phones down a bit more often in exchange for deeper human interaction.

They haven't cracked it yet.

I couldn't put it down. Seems I needed it more than they.

Just like Jesus, isn't it?

[Rebecca Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to know what to write in a review about this book. It was brilliant, so insightful about what I'm like and what I more often see in others and about the best way to walk to godly wisdom. The thing that stuck out to me the most and will stay with me is being satisfied by Jesus' steadfast love every day and that being what I live for and what I desire to bring me the most satisfaction.

[nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eswine's writing has had a significant impact on my life and ministry. I was privileged to work through this book with an online cohort led by Pastor Eswine. Beautifully written and extremely practical, I can't wait to give this book to many others.

[Karen Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. There is a lot here to ponder and take forward. Eswine is such an interesting writer. It has been a while since I have read a book in this genre and I found it refreshing, interesting and helpful.

[Courtney Bach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep and though provoking reed. Initially wasnt convinced I knew what the author was getting at, but I figured out his writing style and enjoyed the book!

[Lauren Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll want to reread this book occasionally