Category: Wisdom

Subject: Wisdom

Wisdom’s Way

One truth that is clearly established in scripture is that true wisdom is salutatory, pleasant, and does no harm. One such passage where this is established is Proverbs 9.

“Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars;  She has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table.  She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city,  ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,  ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.  Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding’” (1-6).

This is contrasted with foolishness.  The woman who personifies foolishness, “is clamorous, she is simple, and knows nothing” (13).  She does not make the same preparations as wisdom to welcome and benefit, but foolishness also wants to be heard.

Both wisdom and foolishness want the simple to turn to them.  “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here” (4, 16), but while wisdom desires to enlighten, and to help, foolishness is manipulative and destructive. Consider foolishness’s words, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (17).

If you want favor, listen to and be entertained by true wisdom.  As for foolishness, “…her guests are in the depths of hell” (18).

Walk in Wisdom

Paul’s exhortation is, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6). It seems that the instructions in both verses have reference to how a Christian should behave among those who are not Christians.

They are to walk wisely. This is the general admonition.  It includes the call to redeem “the time.” The word redeem is defined by Strong—to buy up, i.e. ransom. Figuratively, to   rescue from loss, (improve opportunity). Time unused is time lost.  We have limited opportunities to both influence and teach those in the world. A wise Christian will make use of such opportunities to the best of his abilities. This is wise.

A wise Christian will measure his words. His speech will be careful, with a consideration of how they might impact the lost. Graceful speech represents Christ. It is speech where He can be seen. In the words, “seasoned with salt” we see the idea of influence. These words should exclude idle words, corrupt speech, filthiness, offensiveness, curing and lying. They should include soundness, blessings, that which edifies and expresses love for God and man.

Wise talk glorifies God, and is much more likely to bring the outsider to Christ. Our love for mankind is not only seen in such speech, but is demanded by it! May we all take this to heart.

Sermon: Wise Parents

The book of Proverbs, a book of wisdom, is appealed to in showing principles of parenting that will help moms and dads raise children faithful to the Lord.

Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:

<<———><><———>>

“Let him become a fool”

pontificating

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19a).

We are constantly bombarded with the world’s wisdom. It is seen on television as we watch the news, as well as entertainment. It even rears its head when you watch something as simple as sports. Moral issues, civic issues, questions of war and peace. How to help people. What is most important. Who is right and wrong. People argue back and forth, everyone sure they are right, and the other side is not only wrong but evil. But, few talk about God. Even fewer adopt what God has to say!

James warned about this, calling worldly wisdom demonic and divisive (cf. James 3:15). Here in our text, Paul called them fools who hold to worldly wisdom!

They are crafty, but God catches them in their deceit. Their thoughts are futile. (vs. 19b-20). It is misguided to place your trust in their schemes. The world is a mess because of them. “Therefore let no one boast in men” (21a).

Society seems doomed because too many are swayed by the futile thoughts of our cultural and political leaders and influencers. But it is not too late for you and I. We have to reject the wisdom of the world, and become fools for Christ!

Do you want true wisdom? Place your trust in the Lord!

Click below to…

Image

The Good and Bad of Wisdom

Wisdom

In reading on the topic of wisdom, as the concept is treated in scripture, it is interesting to note that it is a rather mixed bag. So, a principle has to be understood from the start. When you read of wisdom in scripture, is the reference to divine wisdom? That is, wisdom that comes from God? Or does it refer to those things that are regarded as wise which come from men? It seems like this is the line of demarcation in determining whether wisdom is “good” or “bad.” Consider the following:

First, being wise doesn’t do you any good if there is no God. This is established by the wise man of Ecclesiastes in chapter 2:12-16. Yes, the wisdom is better than foolishness while you live on the earth. “The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness” (14). But wisdom doesn’t spare you from death. “So I said in my heart, ‘As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart, ‘This also is vanity’” (15). Both the wise and the foolish die. And, eventually the wisdom of the wise man fades into the past, and is no longer remembered, “all that now is will forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!” (16).

Continue reading “The Good and Bad of Wisdom”

The Patternists: Paul – A Simple Apostle

Paul2

Question: Who was the most educated apostle among Jesus’ chosen men? We know that Peter, Andrew, James and John were simple fishermen in Galilee. Matthew was a tax collector, typically indicating some business acumen. Little is known from scripture about the other seven men’s educational background.

An interesting statement is made about Peter and John after their arrest for teaching “in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). Luke records Peter’s address to the Sanhedrin, and the response of the assembly, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (4:13).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Paul – A Simple Apostle”

The Patternists: Walk in Wisdom

wisdom light

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).

According to these words from Paul, (representative of many other passages that affirm the same), Christians have responsibilities regarding how we interact with those outside the body of Christ. Elsewhere Paul wrote, “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). In our passage in Colossians, this passage instructs us in our speech.

Continue reading “The Patternists: Walk in Wisdom”

There is No Wisdom

Confused

How often the righteous are derided as ignorant and superstitious. We are told that a belief in God is a belief in fairy tales. The truly educated, it is contended, have no use for such a crutch.

The dependence upon scripture as a standard of morality is condemned. As the enlightenment of man continues, our moral standards must evolve and improve. No longer should we judge others with dogmatic contentions about the rightness and wrongness of moral choices others make. Social warriors rail against those with the temerity to speak out against sin.

Even religious people today often follow their own counsel rather than the counsel of God. Doctrinal views are established by the opinions and speculations of men rather than an appeal to the Bible.

The wise man had something to say about these attacks on faith that are present in every generation, but seemingly pervasive in our own:

“There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30).

Such human wisdom is not wisdom at all. It is simply the presumptuous railing of the ignorant, who refuse to hear the words of the Lord.

No man is wise who rejects the wisdom that descends from above (cf. James 3:13-18). Don’t be intimidated by the claims of the unrighteous…they lack understanding.

Click below to…

Image

Things to Learn from the Wise Man

Advice

The book of Proverbs teaches us a myriad of important lessons we need to heed. In doing so, we will both please God, and will enrich our lives and relationships. Here are a few things I have learned by reading the book of Proverbs. (Note: In order, from chapter 1 on, until I run out of space in this article).

True knowledge comes when we begin to fear God (1:7). It is important to listen to parental wisdom (1:8). Ignore evil people (1:11-19). Exercise discretion to avoid the pitfalls of evil (2:11-17). Sexual immorality leads to destruction (2:18-22).

Obeying righteousness leads to a long and peaceful life (3:1-8). Be receptive to God’s chastening, as it brings understanding (3:11-14). When you can help others, do so right then, don’t put it off (3:27-28). Don’t pick fights (3:30). God punishes wickedness and rewards righteousness (3:32-33). Don’t lie (4:24).

Continue reading “Things to Learn from the Wise Man”

Sermon: Fall Meeting 2020, Jeremiah Cox

JeremiahThe following lessons were preached from November 1-6, 2020 during the West Side Fall Meeting.

Brother Jeremiah Cox is the evangelist for the Elm Street church of Christ in El Reno, Oklahoma. He and his wife Zoe and little girl Collins live in Yukon, OK.

 

Sunday Sermon in two parts

Boldness to Enter the Holiest (Hebrews 10)

Sunday Class

Asking for Wisdom in Faith (James 1)

Monday

The Defense for My Hope

Tuesday

Walking in the Light (1 John 1)

Wednesday

Memories from Home

Thursday

The Generic Jesus

Friday

If They Were Here, What Would They Say?

True Wisdom

wisdom light

Paul quotes Job’s friend Eliphaz in 1 Corinthians 3:19 while admonishing the Corinthians to avoid the “wisdom” of the world. The full quote from Job 5 is:

“He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them. They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noontime as in the night” (Job 5:13-14).

This truth is affirmed time and again in scripture. What men consider to be “wise” is often at odds with the Lord and His will.

Consider that wisdom is often associated with illumination. A truly wise man has insight, an ability to “see” that is not available to the foolish. And yet, Eliphaz talks of the “wise” as groping at noontime as in the night. The only explanation for this is that the wisdom noted in the passage is not true wisdom.

“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 26:12).

Remember that true wisdom descends from above (cf. James 3:13-17). Any time the wisdom of men conflicts with the mind of God, it is counterfeit. It has no real ability to illuminate and guide a man in the way he should go. As Paul notes, the thoughts of the wise, “they are futile” (1 Corinthians 3:20).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 2:5-6).

Click below to…

Image

The Lord’s Counsel

wisdom2

“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand” (Proverbs 19:20-21).

Wisdom comes from instruction. The reason for this? Wisdom is the perceptive application of truth. In order to act wisely, one must first know the truth. God’s truths, ultimate truths, are revealed in His word. If a man listens to those who know those truths, and comes to know them himself, he has established a foundation for wisdom. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

Men often reject wisdom for their own desires and goals. Truly, “There are many plans in a man’s heart.” Men design wicked, selfish and foolish plans that result in ruin. “No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil” (Proverbs 12:21).

Their evil ends in ruin for two reasons. First, it is foolish. That is, what they do is most often self-destructive. By rebelling against God’s plans, they reject counsel that is designed to benefit man. God’s knows best, and yet men consistently reject His good counsel.

Second, rejection of God’s counsel leads to judgment. God said to Israel, “Woe to them, for they have fled from Me! Destruction to them, because they have transgressed against Me!” (Hosea 7:13).

Be wise. Listen to and heed God’s counsel. “The Lord’s counsel – that will stand.”

Click below to…

Image

Walk in Wisdom

Salt2

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).

This past week I had reason to answer via email an article an institutional preacher had written, defending the practice of supplying a “fellowship hall” and kitchen to facilitate the common meal of a congregation.

The article was sent to me by one who believes that practice to be scriptural, but who has presented herself kindly as a seeker of truth. I prayed long, and carefully crafted a response to facilitate understanding and not to unnecessarily offend. In effect, I tried to follow the admonition of Paul in the passage above.

The intent of teaching is to convict and correct. To prejudice the hearer/reader through inappropriate rudeness or crassness is not conducive toward gaining a proper response from your audience.

Though our Lord and others spoke harshly to hypocrites and dishonest individuals, the truth seeker was always treated with kindness.

Think of that the next time you consider “shooting off” a response via email or social media. Or “shooting off” your mouth when discussing God’s word. Our purpose is to win souls, not drive them away!

Click below to…

Image

The Wise and the Foolish

Apollos Aquila Priscilla

Listening to the radio last week, the sports commentator was discussing a coach’s evaluation of one of his rookie players. He noted that the young man was very smart and teachable. He mentioned that this player seldom made the same mistake twice, and he never had to correct him more than once. Because of this aspect of his character, the coach was confident that the player would have a successful career as a professional.

The conversation brought to my mind the words of Proverbs 17:10, “Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.” With each of us there is the potential for mistakes. These may come from ignorance, or perhaps because we have been taught wrongly in the past. What distinguishes the wise man from the fool is whether correction is accepted.

Continue reading “The Wise and the Foolish”

How to Become Wise

Wisdom

“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand” (Proverbs 19:20-21).

In these two verses is a concise explanation regarding the origin of wisdom. There are three aspects to gaining wisdom. Young people consider this carefully!

“Listen to counsel and receive instruction”

Wisdom is gained by listening to the wise. The wise have either themselves listened to others, or they have learned from their own mistakes. The problem with learning from your own mistakes is that those errors may have consequences. To avoid sadness and heartache, listen to those who have already obtained wisdom!

“that you may be wise in your latter days”

Wisdom is gained with time. The young person who recognizes his relative inexperience and ignorance is ahead of the game. Rather than embarking on any endeavor with a fool’s confidence, he seeks counsel.

“nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand”

It doesn’t matter a man’s age or experience, if he departs from God’s will, he is a fool. True wisdom has its origin with God, not man. Never depart from it!

Click below to…

Image