Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Prov. 8:11
We live in a society that values wisdom. People spend thousands of dollars to make sure their children receive a top-notch education. In some parts of America, parents compete to get their toddlers into the most prestigious preschools to “guarantee” their future success. They do everything they can to fill their minds with knowledge. Unfortunately, many people view Godly wisdom as an intellectual endeavor as well.
We often believe that if we know Bible facts, we know the Bible. We strive to gain a head knowledge of God. That’s a good start, but it should not be our ultimate aim. In fact, God says in Proverbs 2:10, “Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Throughout the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of a changed heart. It is only when God’s word enters our minds and transforms our hearts that our actions will bear Godly fruit.
Too often, we excuse our ungodly behaviors blaming them on our weak flesh or Satan’s schemes. Sometimes we even minimize our own responsibility and decide that since we are believers in Jesus, we’ll just let God’s mercy take care of us. If that is our attitude, we are being unfaithful to God.
Think about it. If your children have a “head knowledge” of you and your expectations, give lip service to you by saying, “I love you,” and “I’m sorry” when they disobey, but never do anything to change their behaviors because they know you’ll forgive them since they are your children, would you truly believe they loved you? Then why do we do that to our Father? Would you tolerate that behavior? Then why should God?
1 Thessalonians 4:7,8 says, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” And why does He give us His Holy Spirit? So that “He may strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” 1 Thess. 3:13. Therefore, hide God’s word in your heart so you will not sin against God. “My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Prov. 4:20-23. True wisdom is Godly wisdom. And Godly wisdom will transform your life. May you be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I Love My Sweetie
I Love My Sweetie
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Easy Way or the Hard Way
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom. Prov. 15:33
“Don’t tell me what to do! It’s my life and I’ll make my own mistakes!” Those words have been shouted by both rebellious teenagers and adults at parents, pastors, teachers, and friends for generations. We all want to spare others from making the same mistakes we made, from walking down paths we know will lead to destruction. Despite our best intentions, we are often seen as meddlesome and irritating. The old adage, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” is true in many regards…even in our spiritual walk.
Sometimes, as believers, we want to take what we think is the easy way. We go through life doing our own thing until something major or catastrophic sends us running to the Father. We gain a basic understanding of God and His truths, and we coast on autopilot until a life situation forces us to look more intently at God’s word. We want to make our own mistakes and then ask God to fix the mess we find ourselves in. Sounds a little like a rebellious teenager doesn’t it? And yet, what we won’t tolerate from our children, we do ourselves to the Father. 2 Peter 1:3-4 illustrates how God, like a loving parent who wants to spare his children from the pain of mistakes and ignorance provides a solution. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” So, where does this knowledge of Him come from?
Proverbs 1:1 says, “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life…” Solomon, the man who received his wisdom directly from God shared with us what God taught him about wisdom. We can either try to gain wisdom through trial and error or we can follow the advice of Solomon who said in Prov 2:1-5, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Notice all those action verbs—it’s going to take some serious effort on your part.
Then he promises, “Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you,” Prov. 2:10-11. Do you need any better promises than that? How about these: Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you, 4:6; Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, 2:12; Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her, 8:11; He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers, 19:8; and, Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off, 24:14.
God’s wisdom is found in God’s word. Every day we should be actively and eagerly searching the scriptures to discern God’s good and perfect will. If you don’t know where else to start, may I suggest the book of Proverbs? Remember, its whole purpose, according to Proverbs 1:1 is to help us attain wisdom. You decide, do you want God to teach you wisdom the easy way (through his word) or the hard way (through your own experiences)? Wisdom will be taught—one way or the other.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
“Don’t tell me what to do! It’s my life and I’ll make my own mistakes!” Those words have been shouted by both rebellious teenagers and adults at parents, pastors, teachers, and friends for generations. We all want to spare others from making the same mistakes we made, from walking down paths we know will lead to destruction. Despite our best intentions, we are often seen as meddlesome and irritating. The old adage, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” is true in many regards…even in our spiritual walk.
Sometimes, as believers, we want to take what we think is the easy way. We go through life doing our own thing until something major or catastrophic sends us running to the Father. We gain a basic understanding of God and His truths, and we coast on autopilot until a life situation forces us to look more intently at God’s word. We want to make our own mistakes and then ask God to fix the mess we find ourselves in. Sounds a little like a rebellious teenager doesn’t it? And yet, what we won’t tolerate from our children, we do ourselves to the Father. 2 Peter 1:3-4 illustrates how God, like a loving parent who wants to spare his children from the pain of mistakes and ignorance provides a solution. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” So, where does this knowledge of Him come from?
Proverbs 1:1 says, “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life…” Solomon, the man who received his wisdom directly from God shared with us what God taught him about wisdom. We can either try to gain wisdom through trial and error or we can follow the advice of Solomon who said in Prov 2:1-5, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Notice all those action verbs—it’s going to take some serious effort on your part.
Then he promises, “Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you,” Prov. 2:10-11. Do you need any better promises than that? How about these: Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you, 4:6; Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, 2:12; Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her, 8:11; He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers, 19:8; and, Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off, 24:14.
God’s wisdom is found in God’s word. Every day we should be actively and eagerly searching the scriptures to discern God’s good and perfect will. If you don’t know where else to start, may I suggest the book of Proverbs? Remember, its whole purpose, according to Proverbs 1:1 is to help us attain wisdom. You decide, do you want God to teach you wisdom the easy way (through his word) or the hard way (through your own experiences)? Wisdom will be taught—one way or the other.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
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