Its important that when we ask/pray for wisdom that our demeanor before God is: humble, willing to receive instruction from God, ready to listen and submit.
The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. (Proverbs 15:33)
Fear of God means a healthy reverence or respect for God. If we have this respect for God and His ways, we are ready to be taught or instructed or chastened by God. Chastening from God is for our good.
If God chastens / disciplines the ones He loves, and I’m glad He does, I would like to have the wisdom to make this unnecessary. Solomon prayed for wisdom and the bible says: God gave Solomon abundant wisdom and understanding … (1 Kings 4:29 WEB)
My daily prayer is to gain wisdom, so I can stay in God’s will. This may ultimately lead to favor.
However, we may still have trials and tribulations, but this is usually different from disciplining us for our iniquities. God chastens us to bring us in step with His will. How can we possibly incur less chastening or correction from God? I find it helpful to read Proverbs in the Old Testament to find out what is foolishness in God’s eyes and what pleases and displeases Him. Also, we can seek God with our whole heart, study Scripture, pray, attend a home fellowship, attend a Bible believing church, and seek godly council.
Sometimes, I think of King David, who was a man after God’s own heart. My desire is to be a woman searching after God’s own heart. This may be gained by praying to God to search my heart, and show me the error of my ways (impure motives and ungodliness). Our hearts are deceitful, and we don’t even know our own heart, so we need the Holy Spirit to show us our iniquity. David prayed,
Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalms 139:23-24 WEB)
I love to pray this Scripture because it leads me to being set free. After God reveals my iniquity, I can confess my sin and turn away from it. After I confess my sin, God seems to change my heart to be aligned with His. And just maybe I won’t need to be disciplined. I love that God corrects us for our own good.
By the way, if you continue to sin, continue to confess your sin to Jesus, who is our high priest. Our human tendency regards “stubborn to eliminate sins” is to put distance between ourselves and God. It is better to keep close to God and have the humility to keep confessing our sin. And to pray God gives us the grace and understanding to get rid of these sins.
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
(James 4:6 WEB)
God doesn’t punish us, since Jesus took our punishment on the cross and paid the price in full for our sin. There is no condemnation in Christ. ( Romans 8:1, John 3:17) He disciplines us because He loves us and desires to help us become more like Christ. I encourage you to try David’s prayer and ask the Lord to search your heart. Trust the LORD! He WILL set you free.