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Wisdom


borrowed from http://www.twopaths.com/  


In the Biblical sense, wisdom is the "ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding" (Lockyer p. 1103). The Wisdom teachings of the Bible follow from the two great themes of the Ten Commandments (Appendix 1) and the Greatest Commandments of Jesus (Appendix 2):reverence to God, our Creator, and respect for all persons, everywhere.


Biblical-era life for the Jews and early Christians was harsh (Ward, pp. 37-118). Slavery was commonplace. Tyrannical rule by outside powers was the norm. Women's status in society was distinctly second class. Children were disciplined with beatings. These conditions were often accepted in the Bible as customary for society during those times, but they were not taught as being virtuous or wise. True wisdom is always consistent with the two great wisdom themes of the Bible: reverence to God, our Creator, and respect for all persons, everywhere.


A set of commandments or rules can give us important examples of wisdom, but they are only examples. No set of rules can cover all situations, and it is up to us to generalize the commandments to all cases. Many times, as in this passage from Matthew, Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of those religious leaders who observed the law in its strict, literal sense, but violated its spirit:


"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Wisdom means always acting according to the spirit of the Commandments and not looking for an ambiguity or omission which we can use to evade their true intent.

Wisdom means understanding the consequences of our actions and words before we act or speak. Wisdom means having the knowledge and understanding to recognize the right course of action and having the will and courage to follow it.


Why Follow Wisdom's Path?

Following the ways of Wisdom helps bring us in harmony with God because these ways are in accordance with His will, as revealed in the Bible, and are pleasing to Him.

The ways of Wisdom also bring us in harmony with other persons because respect for others is the very essence of the Commandments. The wisdom teachings of the Bible are much more than an arbitrarily dictated moral code; they form a prescription for living in peace with the people we interact with daily.

Finally, acting with Wisdom brings us in harmony with ourselves, giving us a sense of self-worth and inner peace. This inner peace is achieved because we are acting in accordance with our consciences and avoiding the shame and guilt of following our baser instincts.

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains
understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.

We often fail in our daily struggle to act with wisdom -- it does not come easily or naturally. Although it is easier to follow our less-than-wise impulses, the reward for acting with wisdom is great. When we give it our best effort, the payoff in self-esteem and inner peace will compensate us many times over.

Wisdom oftens takes us on the right road and never down a wrong road.  Wisdom is one of the keys to the Kingdom, when we use Wisdom, we stay away from her sister Folly.  Folly is wicked, cries out for you to take her lead, but her lead, leads you down the wrong path in life.  Folly is sin, sin will take you farther than you ever want to go. 

We need wisdom in our relationships and not folly.  We need wisdom when we talk with our mate and/or our children.  We need wisdom in making decisions in our entire life. 

Wisdom allows us to be obedient to the will of God, but Folly will take us out of the will of God.  Wisdom allows us all the Fruits of the Spirit, but Folly is just the opposite of Love. 


Why has wisdom been on my heart for so long?  It's been on my heart I believe since I became a Christ follower!  I have strived throughout the 26 years to know Jesus and fall deeply in love with Him, discovering who I am in Christ. Sure, I mess up, sometimes on a daily basis!  But I know by forgiving myself for allowing those fiery darts to chink my armor and forgiving others, I am forgiven by God.  In the Lord's Prayer, it says forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me. 

Well, sometimes it's us that trespasses against ourselves.  We allow our thoughts to be those that aren't the fruit, we judge others, we murder with our tongues (talking bad about others, backbiting, gossip, etc).  We have to take our thoughts captive and tell the devil to get lost!  We take offense at things that are done or said, when we really need to roll it off and let it go.  Let God deal with them.  He does, you don't have to pray for it either (that's witchcraft).  God takes over when we allow him to, but we don't need to be a doormat either.  That's where wisdom comes in.  We will take more time and go through wisdom.

With that said, the time is coming when Jesus is returning.  The chaos in the world is showing the birth pains of the coming of the Lord.  But unless you look at the prophecy of the Bible, you look at people like Perry Stone, Tim Lahaye, John Hagee, you must study the OT and the NT to really see this taking place.  I want you to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior so that when Jesus does come, you won't be left behind.  Being left behind will be worse than death!  You will suffer! It makes me sad thinking that that could happen with anyone! 



(NAS, Proverbs 3:13-18)(NAS, Matthew 23:23)

Wisdom is More than Following the Rules




 


Wisdom Defined

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