Jesus sent the twelve disciples out and "...He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease."
(Matthew 10:1) In doing so, Jesus knew that as ambassadors for Him,
they would come in contact with some hostile people. Concerning this, He
tells them, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16) So what does it mean to "be wise as serpents?"
Jesus was using a serpent as an example because they are cunning.
(Genesis 3:1) He tells his disciples, they needed wisdom in the midst of
a world that would seek to take their lives. However, we also need to keep in mind that there are two type of wisdom.
The Apostle James tells us, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But
the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
without hypocrisy." (James 3:13-17) So, naturally, we will be
talking about "the wisdom from above," the Wisdom from God. But why
would Jesus not tell them to use the knowledge that they had received
while listening to His words and while observing His actions? Surely,
they must of acquired much knowledge being with Jesus day and night.
Wisdom shows
us how to use knowledge effectively. For instance, people know it is
not good to smoke, but they smoke just the same. They know it is not
good for their body to stay up late at night, get little sleep day in
and day out, yet they do it anyway. They
know they should not make a glutton of themselves, nor eat or drink
certain things, yet they do it with little regard. They know that they
should not exceed the speed limit on the highway and yet, with no regard,
they do this also. They know, but they are not using their
knowledge. Why? Are they being obstinate? Is it that they just don't
care? Could it be that they enjoy the adverse consequences that come
with such neglect or poor behavior? No, not at all. They simply lack
wisdom. If they were wise, they would cut out all these things that they
know are or could be harmful. So, with that said, let's look at the
Word of God spoken through Solomon...
"Wisdom
calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries
out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city
she speaks her words: "How long, you simple ones, will you love
simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate
knowledge." (Proverbs 1:20-22) These are strong words, but also a
warning that we should listen and adhere to. If we know something, such
as shown in the examples above, and refuse wisdom to use the knowledge
that we have, then we are fools and we hate knowledge. Notice, what Wisdom continues to say, "Because
I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one
regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of
my rebuke. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your
terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction
comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you." (Proverbs 1:24-27)
Just
observing the few examples above, we can see why so many believers
struggle in life. They know but they refuse wisdom and reject the
counsel that wisdom brings and therefore will deal with calamity and the
storms, distresses and anguish of life that could have been avoided,
simply by adhering to wisdom's "...rebuke..." and letting the "words of wisdom be known to you." (Proverbs 1:23) When wisdom is rejected we also see in the time of calamity, "Then
they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me
diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
(Proverbs 1:28-32) Could this be a reason why so many believers
struggle with sickness, disease, financial woes and broken
relationships? Could this be a reason why we see very little expressions
or experiences of God's Kingdom, Power and Glory in His church and
among believers?
Although this may sound hard, there is wonderful news. Wisdom also say, "But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33) PTL! Solomon goes on to tells us, "My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5) So, not one believer has to ever struggle in this life having knowledge but not applying wisdom " For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs
2:6) I want to encourage you to finish reading and meditate on all of
Proverbs chapter two. In it you will find some wonderful promises that
the Lord has for those who diligently seek wisdom.
Finally, I want to leave you with this encouraging word also from God through Solomon, "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh."
(Proverbs 4:20-22) Can we just imagine the abundant and successful life
that we can live now in this life, if we were to have a greater love
for God's Word? If we seek after God's Wisdom, we are actually seeking
after God Himself. Remember what the Apostle John tells us concerning
the Word, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among
us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) To have a love for God's Word is to love God. He and His Word are one. "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." (1 John 5:7) So, let us daily seek after God, "For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Amen...
Monday, March 4, 2024
Wisdom From Above
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