Be Wise

Be very careful, then, how you live…not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Ephesians 5:15-17

Hello sweet friends.  I hope you are having a pleasant week and enjoying the cooler weather.  Today I would like us to reflect on the meaning of wisdom and the meaning of knowledge.  We live in a world where it is easy to gain knowledge, but how do we gain wisdom?  What exactly is wisdom?  Knowledge is defined as facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education.  Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting.  We can possess a significant amount of knowledge and not make wise decisions.  Charles Spurgeon stated, “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge.  To know is not to be wise.  Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it.  There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool.  But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”  Our Heavenly Father is the one who sets the standard and determines what is true, what is right, and what is lasting, therefore we must look to Him and His Word for wisdom. 

Colossians 4:5-6 – Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  You and I come in contact with people every day who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Those who never accept Jesus as their Savior and LORD will spend eternity separated from God in Hell.  Just this should propel us share the Good News – the Salvation Plan with those we come in contact with each day.  When sharing the Good News, we must always be gracious and respectful.  No one will listen to the message we desire to share if they sense disrespect in our attitude.  When we truly care about the soul of those we meet, we will respond to them with compassion and grace.  I encourage you to be aware of those you come in contact with each day.  Share the Good News – the Salvation Plan.  Proverbs 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.  

Many people wish to be considered important by worldly standards, but God reveals in His Word in Daniel 12:3 – Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.  Worldly importance and status are temporary, but you and I can be “eternal stars” by sharing God’s salvation plan and leading people to God’s righteousness.  Do you desire to be radiantly beautiful in God’s sight?  Do you desire to please your Savior and LORD?  Share Him with the world. 

Prayerfully examine your character.  Do you claim to be wise?   Wisdom can be determined by the depth of a person’s character.  James 3:13-17 – Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  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.  God is revealing to us in His Word that those who are wise are peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.  Seek God’s help to live a life pleasing to Him and a life filled with wisdom.  God tells us in His Word in James 1:5 – If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 

I encourage you to pray and ask God for wisdom in each and every situation you encounter.  Immerse yourself in God’s Word where you will find direction.  God is faithful and He will provide.  Psalm 11:10 – The fear of the LORD us the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.  To him belongs eternal praise. 

Dear Heavenly Father… I pray today for wisdom as we live in this world that has turned from You.  LORD, as we encounter unbelievers, place a desire in our hearts to share the Salvation Plan with them with graciousness and kindness.  Help us to understand that there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom.  Place a desire in our hearts and lives for godly wisdom.  In Jesus Precious Name I Pray…..Amen