God's Word on That

Tag: wisdom

  • Lessons From Job – Part 3

    God’s questions to Job are not intended to teach, but to stun.  They are not to enlighten, but to awaken.  They are not to stir the mind, but to bend the knee.

    Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing… (Job 28:20-21)

    What is wisdom for us humans? It is not finding all the answers but is an ongoing process of asking the right questions. There will always be a new situation that causes us to ask a new question. This gives us a new view of life.

    God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells (Job 28:23).

    The solution to Job’s [and all our] problems cannot be found in human wisdom. Only divine wisdom can help make sense of suffering

    There are questions at the jagged edge of faith. They are the queries that cannot be reached, that agitate us, and perhaps make us uncomfortable with our religious certainties. “How can I relate to God when nothing makes sense anymore?” “Where can I find God when the world looks so cold and lonely?” “How can I believe in God when there doesn’t appear to be any future for me?”

    Since ancient times wise men have thought they could discover anything if they sufficiently contemplate the world around them through the eyes of philosophy. But we are vulnerable to life experiences which will make us question our answers, and force us to ask unanswerable questions. To acknowledge this limitation opens us to life in a new way.

    The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding (Job 28:28).

    Thus true wisdom for us humans always begins with a proper attitude: fear of the Lord.

    Allow the answers to come from God. His answers are not given in trite, simplistic phrases. Rather, they bypass the mind. His Spirit touches our spirit. Our hearts discover the Presence of the Almighty One, and this produces an unexplainable calm!

    [Taken in part from “Basic Bible Commentary” on “Job” commentary on Job chapter 28.]

  • Seeking Spiritual Wisdom

    Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is “knowledge in action”. Like all knowledge, spiritual knowledge may make you feel accomplished or provide a patch-work relief, but unless you actually implement on your knowledge, i.e. take proper action, your knowledge will simply remain knowledge. It will not transform to wisdom!!

    Wisdom on spiritual things comes from God.

    Who is like a wise man?  And who knows the interpretation of a thing?  A man’s wisdom makes his face shine and the sternness of his face is changed (Ecclesiastes 8:1).

    There is the spirit in man – the breath of the Almighty – that gives him understanding.  It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right (Job 32:8-9).

    But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live in safety, and be at ease without fear of harm.        [Not that harm will never come, but that we will not live in fear because of possible harm.]    (Proverbs 1:33)

    But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere (James 3:17).

    Yes, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:3-5).

    Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33).

    “In the beginning was the Word” = Christ – literally “the Word”, meaning the Messiah – the Wisdom and Power of God – and the first cause of all things; God’s personal expression of Himself to man.     (Living Bible comment on John 1:1)

    All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may follow all the words of this Law (Deuteronomy 29:29).

    You are wise only when you are humble, that the very first bit of wisdom and the pre-requisite for all others is the realization that we are not wise. (Socrates)

    I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, our glorious Father, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better (Ephesians 1:17).

    It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus – who has become for us wisdom from God; that is: our righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

    [Christ Jesus] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).

    He who walks with the wise grows wise (Proverbs 13:20).

    Observe [these decrees and laws of God] carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations (Deuteronomy 4:6).

    Whoever is wise will observe these things and will understand the loving-kindness of the Lord (Psalm 107:43).

    [Be careful.]  With much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief (Ecclesiastes 1:18).

    [Yet] Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 24:14).

    I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me, but I have stilled and quieted my soul… (Psalm 131:1-2)

    Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

  • Seeking Wisdom

    God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight and a breath of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore [simply because he was humble enough to ask] (1 Kings 4:29).

    I [wisdom] love those who love me, and those who seek me [diligently] find me (Proverbs 8:17).

    I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 8:12).

    Be mature enough to realize you still have much to learn.  Be wise enough to know “respect” is something you earn.

    Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing…  Wisdom preserves the life of its possessor (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12)

    Wisdom is better than weapons of war…  (Ecclesiastes 9:18)

    Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city (Ecclesiastes 7:19).

    By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled (Proverbs 24:3-4).

    The price of wisdom is beyond rubies (Job 28:18).

    But where can wisdom be found?  Where does understanding dwell?  Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living [the natural world] (Job 28.12-13).

    Is not wisdom found among the aged?  Does not long life bring understanding? (Job 12:12).

    Wisdom cannot be measured in birthdays.

    It is good to remember that conventional wisdom is usually concerned with justifying itself, not with finding truth. (Rev. F. Everding)

    When pride comes, then comes disgrace.   But with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).

    For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).

    There is no wisdom, no insight, nor plan that can succeed against the Lord (Proverbs 21:30).

    For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight (Ecclesiastes 2:26).

    Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For through Me your days will be many and years will be added to your life (Proverbs 9:10-11).

    The Fear of the Lord teaches man wisdom (Proverbs 15:33).

    Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  All who follow His precepts have good understanding (Psalm 111:10).

    Fear of the Lord – that is wisdom.  And to shun evil is understanding (Job 28:28).

    Fear of the Lord adds length to your life (Proverbs 10:27).

    Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments… (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

    Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers (Proverbs 6:20).

    If you are facing a trial today, spend some additional time in prayer asking the heavenly Father for wisdom.  He delights to hear from us, and answers our prayers for such things.  Acknowledge that you are dependent on God and express your trust in Him as the only source for healing and direction in life.

    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given… (James 1:5)

  • Let Us Seek Wisdom

    “Christ” = literally “The Word” meaning the Messiah, the wisdom and power of God and the first cause of all things; God’s personal expression of Himself to man. (The Living Bible, note on John 1:1)

    Let us seek God’s Wisdom, since He created the universe around us.

    “God is with us”. When I walk with this knowledge, I find that even though all of life is the same, everything is different.

    Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise (Psalm 111:10).

    “I owe no one anything,” God declares. “Everything is mine.” God owes no explanations, no excuses, no help, no favors, nor debts. — But He still gives.

    Grace = God’s work; His idea; His expense; His discretion.

    For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly – as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

    For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself (Galatians 6:3).

    By shear faith in Christ Jesus we gain access to all God’s treasures: joy, peace, wisdom, eternal life… (What is left?)

    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 (James 1:5).

    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness – that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    Scripture will make you wise; wiser than people around you. Notice I said wiser, not more knowledgeable. A wise man is one who can distinguish what is fundamental from what is trivial; who knows what life is about and who acts appropriately whatever the circumstances.

    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. But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

    All that is physical is passing away. As long as I keep holding on to it, I continually set myself up for disappointment. If all I see is how you look and what you have, I will miss the point that you – like me – are a hurting spirit looking for home.

    Put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge – into the image of its creator (Colossians 3:10).

    The Bible reveals God has a plan for every life, and if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of that plan.

    Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him (Luke 8:18).

    God transformed you into a new person — live like it!

  • Rewards For Loving

    God of Heaven, the great and awesome God … keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His commands (Nehemiah 1:5).

    We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… (Romans 8:28)

    Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him… (James 1:12)

    Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness (Proverbs 14:22).

    Let love and faithfulness never leave you… (Proverbs 3:3)

    He who loves pleasure will become poor; he who loves wine and oil will never be rich (Proverbs 21:17).

    [Yet] He who pursues righteousness and love finds live, prosperity, and honor (Proverbs 21:21).

    You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness… (Hebrews 1:9)

    Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for… (Proverbs 16:16)

    He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious will have the King for his Friend (Proverbs 22:11).

    A Friend loves at all times… (Proverbs 17:17)

    He who covers over an offense promotes love… (Proverbs 17:9)

    Love covers all transgressions (Proverbs 10:12).

    Let those who love the Lord hate evil… (Psalm 97:10)

    A time of love and a time of hate… (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

    Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil.  Cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). 

    Hate evil.  Love good.  Maintain justice in the courts (Amos 5:15).

    Maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always (Hosea 12:6).

    For I, the Lord, love justice… (Isaiah 61:8)

    Aim for perfection.  Listen to my appeal: Be of one mind; live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11).

    What you heard from me keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love… (2 Timothy 1:13)

    Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace… (2 Timothy 2:22)

    The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…  [Instead] pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:10-11).

    Therefore love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:19).

    A man who loves wisdom makes his Father glad… (Proverbs 29:3)

    He who gets wisdom loves his own soul… (Proverbs 19:8)

    I love those who love me [wisdom]; and those who seek me, find me (Proverbs 8:17).

    To endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries (Proverbs 8:21).

    Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1).

    Better a day of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it (Proverbs 15:17).

    Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days – keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:12-13).

    For in Christ Jesus neither [good nor bad, black nor white] means anything; what matters is faith working through love (Galatians 5:6).

  • Temperance Is Highly Prized

    Temperament has a great deal to do with our religious views and with the emphases we lay on spiritual matters generally… The Scriptures, critical self-discipline, honesty of heart, and increased trust in the inward operations of the Holy Spirit will save us from being too greatly influenced by temperament. (A. W. Tozer)

    A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered (Proverbs 17:27).

    A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly (Proverbs 14:29).

    A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hot-tempered and reckless (Proverbs V 14:16).

    A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

    A quick-tempered man does foolish things and a crafty man is hated (Proverbs 17:17).

    A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension… (Proverbs 15:18)

    An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins (Proverbs 29:22).

    A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty… (Proverbs 19:19)

    Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man; do not associate with one easily angered, for you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared (Proverbs 22:24-25).

    Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife (Proverbs 21:19).

    Better a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).

    All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man.  But no man can tame the tongue!  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:7-8)

  • Discipline Is Not a Bad Thing

    Be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. (Titus 1:7-8)

    He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding (Proverbs 15:32).

    At the end of your life you will groan; when your flesh and body are spent you will say, “How I hated discipline!  How my heart spurned correction!” (Proverbs 5:11-12)

    My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves… (Proverbs 3:11-12)

    From heaven He made you hear His voice to discipline you (Deuteronomy 4:36).

    Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty (Job 5:17).

    Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord… (Psalm 94:12)

    Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord our God disciplines you (Deuteronomy 8:5).

    He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him (Proverbs 13:24).

    Discipline your son, for in that there is hope.  Do not be a willing party to his death (Proverbs 19:18).

    Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15).

    Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.  Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (Proverbs 23:13-14)

    Discipline your son and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul (Proverbs 29:17).

  • God’s Kind of Self-Control

    God’s definition of self-control is to be strong in a thing, masterful and temperate; it involves temperance and discipline.

    Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding (Proverbs 23:23).

    He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored (Proverbs 13:18).

    Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1).

    He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17).

    For these commands are a lamp, this teaching a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way of life (Proverbs 6:23).

    A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence (Proverbs 15:5).

    Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die (Proverbs 15:10).

    When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so we will not be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).

    And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.  Because the Lord disciplines those He loves and punishes everyone He accepts as sons.”  Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.  For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and every one undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children.  And not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respect them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Heavenly Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:5-11).

    Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline… (Revelation 3:19)

    Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you (Psalm 32:9).

    Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so became a laughing-stock to their enemies (Exodus 32:25).

    They turned their backs to Me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again they would not listen or respond to discipline (Jeremiah 30:33).  

    Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline (Jeremiah 17:23).

  • We Have Our Part To Do

    Lord, I have come with weeping; I have prayed as You brought me back. You will lead me beside streams of water on a level path where I will not stumble, because You are my loving Father (Jeremiah 31:9) and You have promised.

    God can direct our paths if we will but let Him

    My Merciful God I have learned the hard way that nothing good lives in me — that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do good but cannot carry it out (Romans 7:18). But in You I have the power I need.

    Father God, Almighty One, You have warned me for my own good not to trust anything about my heart unless it is fully surrendered to You. My heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. I will never be able to understand it. Yet You, the Lord God, search the heart and examine the mind (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Please help me to recognize that the primary target of deception is my heart. In other words, I must be careful not to trust feelings and emotions on their own. I must wear the breastplate of righteousness so I will do the right thing even when I don’t feel like doing the right thing. In the meantime, Lord Jesus, I ask You, please, to knead the right kind of feelings into my heart until I can become strong in this.

    Father, please work in me to understand that sometimes You lead me also on certain paths to humble me and to see what is in my heart (Deuteronomy 8:2). Not that You don’t know already, but You want to show me. Purify my heart, Lord, so You will take joy in what we find.

    Loving God, Father, I am now one of Your chosen people. O God, I acknowledge and accept as fact that I am wholly and dearly loved. In response, teach me how to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. “To put on the nature that is mercy in action, kindly in heart, and humble in spirit… and above everything else to be truly loving” (Colossians 3:12 Phillips).

    Father, I desperately need Your Spirit to rid myself of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like a newborn baby, lead me to crave pure spiritual milk, so by it I may grow in my salvation (1 Peter 2:12).

    O Mighty God, please help me to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate and to show true humility toward all men (Titus 3:2).

    Father, You have said fear of the Lord is to hate evil. You hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech (Proverbs 8:13). Edify me to have a healthy fear of You that abolishes pride, arrogance, and perverse speech.

    Dearest God, as one of Your own children, please direct me to flee from sin and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).

    Father, help me to remember in my impatience that the end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

    Father, You are teaching me that pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10). Please help me to discern the pride that is involved when I am quarrelsome.

    Lord God, please tutor me gently to listen to advice and accept instruction, so that in the end I will be wise (Proverbs 19:20).

    Lord God, You have told me that in the last days many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate one another (Matthew 24:10). O Father, please keep me from ever turning away or turning cold.