Wisdom - 5/11/08am

There’s a number of subjects that come up that almost always result in someone saying something like, “It’s obviously not wise, but the Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong, so we can do it!” The implication is that God finds it acceptable for those of us who claim to follow Him to make unwise spiritual decisions, is it not?

I would like to take a few moments and look at what God truly thinks of these “unwise, but acceptable” decisions.

First, let us consider what sort of wisdom we are NOT speaking of.

Worldly Wisdom
Vain philosophies, wrong thinking, and “wisdom” that contradicts what God says.
I Corinthians 1:17-20 God’s will contrasted with worldly wisdom
I Corinthians 2:-9 The wisdom of this world, compared with God’s wisdom
James 3:13-15 Worldly wisdom contrasted with Godly wisdom
Ecclesiastes 11:12-18 Solomon writes that worldly wisdom is vain


Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 Fear of God is the start of wisdom

Solomon
I Kings 3:5-15 Solomon asks for and receives wisdom
God is pleased
I Kings 11:1-13 Solomon fails to follow wisdom, and the kingdom is taken
Which aspect of Solomon do you follow in your life?
Proverbs 8:10-11 Wisdom is more important than riches, even Solomon’s riches

How do we get wisdom?
Proverbs 4:7 Get wisdom
Example - Paul
II Peter 3:15 Paul was given wisdom by God
Example - Timothy
II Timothy 3:14-17 Knowledge of scripture leads to wisdom
Scripture is given by God
Proverbs 10:13-14 Knowledge and wisdom go together
Proverbs 2:6 God gives wisdom
James 3:17 We should pray for wisdom

Following After Christ
Matthew 7:23-27 Christ grew in wisdom, should we not follow His example?

Proverbs 7:4 Wisdom should be held close to us, and be important
Proverbs 10:23 Wisdom should be what we want and enjoy



Acts 6:17 The seven are chosen, with wisdom being a criteria
Psalm 19:7 God’s word makes the simple to be wise
Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom
If we are not pursuing wisdom, and course God wants for us, are we truly seeking Him first?

Scripture clearly teaches that we must be wise. Are we willing to follow Christ, and live wisely? Or will we continue using the excuse, “it’s ok, just unwise?” Will we continue to exercise our will over God’s will? If we do so, can we really be claiming to follow Christ?

And finally, one last verse to consider:

Ephesians 5:15-17 Walk Wisely, redeeming the time

We are redeeming God’s time. Are we using it wisely? Or will God be unhappy with how we are using it? Our lives are not our own. Our time is not our own. We are redeeming the time one way or another. Are we redeeming it wisely, as God wants? Are we wisely understanding God’s Will? Or do we ignore God in this matter and exercise our own will over His? Will God find our wisdom acceptable? Are you, in fact, walking wisely redeeming the time?