Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Our all-church study on
“Bible Fluency” took a look this week at the books of “wisdom’ in the Word
of God. What is true wisdom? The original Webster’s 1828 dictionary states that
true wisdom is the right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable
ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect,
or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the
faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if
it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what
is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness.
Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with
discretion. It differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the
exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound
judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a
species, of which wisdom is the genus. Wisdom gained by experience, is of
inestimable value. In Scripture theology, wisdom is true religion; godliness;
piety; the knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to his
commands. This is the wisdom which is from above. The wisdom of this world,
mere human erudition; or the carnal policy of men, their craft and artifices in
promoting their temporal interests is called “fleshly wisdom”.
Job 38:36 “Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given
understanding to the heart?
Our Study explains that
wisdom includes practical lessons learned by observing the world, borrowed
freely from wherever helpful wisdom could be found in the world, as long as it
does not contradict our belief in the one true God. The fear of the Lord is
worshipping submission. The book of Proverbs teaches that although there is
practical wisdom available throughout all the cultures of the world, true and
lasting wisdom starts with worshipping and reverent submission to the Lord.
Seek wisdom as God commands. Get true wisdom at all cost. Do not expect God to
tell you exactly what to do when you have to make a decision. Pray about
decisions and seek God’s specific guidance.
Psalm 51:6 “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part. You will
make me to know wisdom.”
Most of what people pursue
as “wise” is actually empty and futile. The book of Ecclesiastes asks which
parts of life are without significance and a waste of time (vanity, temporal, meaningless,
like a vapor which is here then quickly gone, or like chasing aster the wind …
everything this side of heaven is passing away. So, we are wasting out time if
we are pursuing the things of this world as the goal of our life. Laughter,
fun, partying, recreational alcohol and drug use, greed for money, real estate,
seeking immorality, greatness, even wisdom apart from God and doing good with
no ultimate purpose are meaningless in the end. The one with the most at the
end is dead, just like the rest. Constructive criticism is “skeptical wisdom”
in light of the big picture of fearing and obeying God. Maybe, we’ll start
pursuing the things that are really important, once we realize how empty most
of our pursuits on our own really are. Solomon sums it up in
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Now all has been heard; here is the
conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his
commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including
every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” But, the beginning (or fountain) of all true wisdom is
submissive and reverent worship (fear) of the Lord. Everything begins and ends
there.
1 Corinthians 1:19-25 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the
law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For
since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not
know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” Jews
demand signs and Greeks
look for wisdom, but we preach
Christ crucified: a
stumbling block to Jews
and foolishness to
Gentiles, but to those
whom God has called, both Jews
and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
wisdom of God. For the
foolishness of God is
wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is
stronger than human strength.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
In Christ, Brian
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