EXPLORING THE RICHES OF GODLY WISDOM

(Prov 9:4-6 Living Bible)
Come, you simple ones without good judgment;
{5} come to wisdom's banquet and drink the wines that I have mixed.
{6} Leave behind your foolishness and begin to live;
learn how to be wise.

(Prov 9:9-10 KJV)
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
{10} The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

James 1:5 (KJV)
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, without reproach;
and it shall be given him.

(1 Cor 3:18-21 KJV)
Let no man deceive himself.
If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world,
let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
{19} For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
{20} And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
{21} Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

WISDOM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is Wisdom?
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).
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 God's 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 God and His will, 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. The Holy Spirit is also not convicting us of disobedience, but is giving us the "Peace of God which passes understanding".

(Prov 3:13-18 KJV)
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
{14} For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
and the gain thereof than fine gold.
{15} She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
{16} Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
{17} Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
{18} She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
and happy is every one that retaineth her.

(Phil 4:4-9 KJV)
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
{5} Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
{6} Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
{7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
{8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
{9} Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:
and the God of peace shall be with you.

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 submit fully to the Wisdom from the Holy Spirit, the result is inner peace and harmony with the will of God.
Based on a study found at : http://www.twopaths.com/introduc.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is wisdom?

When we begin to recognize that our life is about God, not about us - that is the beginning of wisdom. The Bible tells us,

(Proverbs 1:7 KJV)
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

(Prov 9:10-11 KJV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
{11} For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
and the years of thy life shall be increased.

(Job 28:28 KJV)
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
and to depart from evil is understanding.

(Psa 111:10 KJV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:
his praise endureth for ever.

(Psa 112:1-8 KJV)
Praise ye the LORD.
Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
{2} His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
{3} Wealth and riches shall be in his house:
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
{4} Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
{5} A good man showeth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
{6} Surely he shall not be moved for ever:
the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
{7} He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
{8} His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,
until he see his desire upon his enemies.



How do we get more wisdom?

1) Ask God for it
(1 Ki 3:5-14 KJV)
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said,
Ask what I shall give thee.
{6} And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy,
according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee;
and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
{7} And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father:
and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
{8} And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people,
that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
{9} Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people,
that I may discern between good and bad:
for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

{10} And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
{11} And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing,
and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself,
nor hast asked the life of thine enemies;
but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
{12} Behold, I have done according to thy words:
lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart;
so that there was none like thee before thee,
neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
{13} And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour:
so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
{14} And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk,
then I will lengthen thy days.

James 1:5 (KJV)
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, without reproach;
and it shall be given him.

2) Read God’s Word and learn from Him and His riches in Wisdom.

(Psa 119:97-104 KJV) MEM.
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
{98} Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies:
for they are ever with me.
{99} I have more understanding than all my teachers:
for thy testimonies are my meditation.
{100} I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
{101} I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
{102} I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
{103} How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
{104} Through thy precepts I get understanding:
therefore I hate every false way.

3) Fear God, and depart from evil.
Know God by reading His word and obey the insights and directions He gives you.

(Psa 34:11-19 KJV)
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
{12} What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
{13} Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
{14} Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
{15} The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
{16} The face of the LORD is against them that do evil,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
{17} The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth,
and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
{18} The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
{19} Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.


Next time you think you are wise in your eyes, remember, you may be knowledgeable and have some insights in your small world, but compared to the Wisdom of God, you (and I) know little. And even if we added all of our combined wisdom, compared to God’s, it is nothing.

(Prov 3:1-12 KJV)
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
{2} For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
{3} Let not mercy and truth forsake thee:
bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
{4} So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

{5} Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
{6} In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
{7} Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
{8} It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

{9} Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
{10} So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

{11} My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
{12} For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;
even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Lord Jesus, build in us a healthy fear and reverence for You.
Cause us to soak up the wisdom of Your Word - the perfect words of wisdom and life.
Help us to be humble. In your Name we pray. Amen.

Based on a study found at : http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/meditating/kk_wisdom.htm

God's blessing on each of you,
rECj/LJG