OUR WORLD HAS A VAST SUPPLY OF KNOWLEDGE BUT A TERRIBLE LACK OF WISDOM
A vast amount of knowledge is available today, at our finger tips, in books, on line, on our smart phones. While the world could always use more facts and more accurate knowledge, what society really needs the most is wisdom which is the ability to apply what we know for good results. We live on a planet of bursting data and knowledge but a stark lack of wisdom. Moral wisdom is most lacking regarding human relationships ans happiness. Some are wise and others are fools. Why? What is the ultimate source of wisdom? People need to desire wisdom and appreciate the tremendous value it has for their lives.
Proverbs 3:13-14 NKJV 13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
How many of us truly appreciate the value of wisdom? It is really is more valuable than riches. A rich person will soon be in trouble without wisdom and may soon lose his wealth as well. People do not value knowledge or wisdom. Most go through school without trying to learn too much or to maximize their opportunity for knowledge. This apathetic attitude is even more true regarding wisdom; then even more true regarding Biblical wisdom. Understanding God is the core and, starting point for deep wisdom.
WHO DO WE TRUST FOR REAL GUIDANCE?
The starting point for a valuable life is wisdom from God. He is the fountain of true wisdom regarding how to live a happy life. The Bible is the best source of wisdom. We know it is inspired by the creator God by fulfilled prophesies. Therefore the Bible is inspired and infallible. God's word is the ultimate source of wisdom.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV 23 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.
Wisdom is personified by the Bible writers. It is the most valuable item in the universe, more valuable than wealth and health and strength. Glory in knowing God and his wisdom they will benefit us more than anything else. Paul further elaborates on this theme.
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 NKJV 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
Paul is telling the believers that they were not wiser than others. The opposite was true among the Corinthian believers. However, because they knew Jesus, they would be wiser than the great men of this world. Trust that God knows what is best for our lives. Why did the worldly pagan society go so astray?
Romans 1:21-23 NKJV 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Mankind can get wisdom the hard way by making painful mistakes or we can acquire wisdom from God's word. The beginning of wisdom is fear and respect for God. Atheists are already venturing on a dead end.
GROWING IN WISDOM AND HAPPINESS BY APPLYING TRUTH
People learn by actually doing what they know is the correct action. A person could read the true principles of how to drive a car safely, but must practice driving to master this vehicular wisdom. Doing something the wrong way is costly.
James 1:22-25 NKJV 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Wisdom is applying knowledge correctly. This society is full of data but not a lot of wisdom. We now have more sickos than ever before in our history. People do not know as in the past, how to deal with others or how to raise our children . Wisdom has fallen in the streets! God's laws and principles of behavior will never alter or change and always work. Political correctness concepts change every few years.
Proverbs 4:6-7, "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."
Wisdom provides protection from the many horrible mistakes we humans can make in our lives.
BE NOT WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES
Most adolescence from age 14-22 think they are so smart and wiser than that the older generation. This plague of pseudo wisdom can lead to many painful mistakes of youth. We outgrow it somewhat, hopefully. Humility in these areas are vital to growing in wisdom.
Isaiah 5:20-21 NKJV 20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
Our society is based on secular principles. Academia pretends that evolution is more than just a theory and that mankind can guide itself without Biblical principles. Much of Western civilization at times, and America, very much so, were based on Judaeo-Christian ethics. But no longer! Follow all of the Ten Commandments and you will be blessed. All people should be taught that to strive to obey these core laws of God the best we can is the way to happiness, also the way to avoid a lot of problems in life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
All of us need to depart from evil and the ways of this world. It is difficult to choose God's ways over those of the general society. Yet it is the spiritually wise thing to do. We need an unreserved commitment to God. Note the phrase 'with all your heart'. We must choose Jesus Christ and his ways and not the world. Jesus warned that one would have to go against the flow in order to follow him.
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV 13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Most people in today's age will not find true spiritual wisdom. Hollywood is surely not the best guide. We have to have our minds open to believing in ALL the Bible. If we have found crucial Biblical truths then we must go all the way in our attempts to follow Jesus Christ. Those so blessed will be in the first and top wave of converts put into God's family. What an opportunity. Be truly wise and follow this priceless opportunity.
Romans 8:18-19 NKJV 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
A half heart-ed golf swing will put you in the rough. A half heart-ed tennis swing will not get the ball over the net. We need to commit ourselves to following the ways of Jesus and his wisdom.
Revelation 2:1 NKJV 1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
Those of us in the first calling will lead the world into learning to obey God. This world will thereby become a paradise full of the wisdom of God. Further we can also gain protection from the coming calamity to befall this unwise, God rejecting society.
Revelation 3:8-10 NKJV 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name...10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
In conclusion: KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT, LOOK NEITHER TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT, BUT ONLY ABOVE TO OUR LORD GOD OF ALL MIGHT AND WISDOM.
