True Wisdom

True wisdom rests on God’s power and not our own.  When Paul sent his first letter to the Corinthian church; in it he spoke about true wisdom.  Read what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

I know God’s Word says that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord!!  This Tidbit goes along with this; Paul knew that unless the Lord builds the house, he would labor in vain that built it.  We could learn from what Paul had to say here when we witness or teach or preach to others.  Sometimes we act like we know it all, and I for one have been guilty of this.  I have heard it said that people don’t want to know how much you know until they know how much you care.  

If we come before people with our own pride and arrogance, what will really be accomplished?  I hate to say this but I have no doubt turned people off in the past because of the way I presented the Good News, acting like it was my way or the highway, so to speak.  We can easily turn people off when we act all high and mighty and knowledgeable, but in the end accomplish nothing but hurtful feelings.  I am ashamed of the way I have presented the gospel at times.

True wisdom always comes from the Lord, and what is true wisdom; like I said earlier in this Tidbit the fear of the Lord is true wisdom.  I will add this as well, we need to realize that we will accomplish nothing on our own!!  I believe that all the good things that anyone accomplishes in life are with the Lord’s help, even though they may never give Him the credit for helping them.  I have tried to adjust this problem by listening to Ravi Zacharias and his team of apologetics because they help me learn how to present the Good News in a way that people are more likely to receive it without compromising the truth.

There is something else I want to add here and that is the importance of discernment, knowing who we are talking to.  Sometimes we act like everyone knows all about the Word of God but many people have no idea what we are even talking about when we present it to them.  This will take prayer and seeking the Lord for His wisdom.  Paul did speak wisdom to the mature, read verses 6-13 in that same chapter, “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”      

Now the natural man, or the non-believer, does not accept the things of the Holy Spirit for they are foolishness to him.  Read the rest of that chapter in verses 14-16, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

Unless the Holy Spirit convicts non-believers of their sins and the Lord opens their eyes and ears and removes the veil from their minds, they will never understand the Good News of the gospel of Christ.  This is why we need to have discernment when speaking to them.  We can’t do anything to receive this free gift of grace but depend on the Lord, who made this possible many years ago.  Now read 2 Peter 3:8-9, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

When a person is convicted through the Holy Spirit of their condition before the Lord and truly repents by turning away from their sins, then their eyes and ears will be open and the veil will be removed from their minds and they will be able to understand the things of God.  I have read some very upsetting things from some who claim to be believers.   We believers can learn a lesson from Paul and use discernment when we speak the Word of God, however we bring it forth!!  Loving your neighbor as yourself only comes from someone that is truly born-again.  I hope this has been a help and an encouragement to you.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!

PS don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord, for He is truly worthy!!