Ways To Wisdom

One of the most important elements of godly living is the willingness to offer assistance to others.  As Christian examples we are charged with being involved in each other’s lives and, when necessary, intervening when someone else needs help.  While this is all well-and-good; what happens when we are the ones on the receiving end?  How do we accept it when people come to us with suggestions on how we should be living and how we can attain a greater degree of purity or spirituality? 

Solomon addressed this issue when he prompted his readers to be prepared to receive his words and other types of intervention in their lives.  He introduced the book by noting, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel …”  (Proverbs 1:5).  Later, he would write, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” (Proverbs 12:15).  So, how do we set aside foolishness and seek wisdom when it is offered to us? 

1.  Dump the ego.   The wise individual seeks to get better, not to always be seen as being right.   The self-serving craving to be perceived in the most favorable light can defeat an attempt to grow and learn.  A desire to develop must supersede the pride of always being viewed as being right.

2.  Solicit assistance.  There will always be people who are willing to tell us we are wrong.  The key is finding a cadre of advisors we trust to have our best interest at heart.  Once we identify this group, we have to be willing to listen to them.  They need to feel the freedom to critique us without fear of defensiveness.  As we choose this group we need to know ourselves well enough to decide if we will respond better to those who push us or those who nurture us.

3.  Be invested.  If we are going to seriously consider surrounding ourselves with wisdom, we need to take advantage of what they have to offer.  If we aren’t going to heed the advice; we should come to that conclusion before investing ourselves and other’s time in the process.  If people make suggestions, we should try to implement them.  If people offer input, we should be willing to listen. 

4.  Pray for wisdom.  The insight of mankind can be an asset; but, true revelation comes from God.  In fact, James put it this way, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and  without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5).   Modern sages are wonderful resources who have the ability to positively influence our lives;  yet, absolute understanding comes from the One who created wisdom.

Are we looking to improve who we are?  With the help of our brethren and our God the potential that can be unleashed from inside us is incredible!


Popular posts from this blog

Mother's Day - 2018

When Paul wrote to encourage his protégé, Timothy, he reminded him, “ For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother  Lois  and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that  it is  in you as well.” (II Timothy 1:5) .   I don’t find it odd that these two women influenced Timothy’s ministry because I have experienced it as well.    I have been surrounded by women who have shaped my perspective on life.   As we honor Mother’s Day I would like to thank a few “Moms” who have influenced me.   Elaine Wharton – The thing I appreciate most about my mother is the spirituality that she and my father infused into our family, but there is something else that stands out.   My mom taught me that I am a valuable person.   We all have critics trying to shape our lives – sometimes what we need is a biased cheerleader.   As a child and as an adult she was my cheerleader. Grace Perryman – My mother-in-law...
Read more

Important Issues

How important are issues in the church?  Throughout our religious history certain teachings have tended to define and have developed into central themes of our faith.  So, here is the question for the day:  “How important are the issues that seem to be important to us?”.  Before we go any further, I would like to offer the following disclaimer – I do not have an agenda, nor am I on a mission to joust at any windmill.  I present this discussion to help us focus on what we have allowed to define us.  I am comfortable with our fellowship, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t step back and take a look at what we believe and why we believe it.  As I thought about our beliefs I got to wondering how we got to where we are and if all points are equal – not to us, but to God.   We have developed a comfortable formula for determining our worship and defining spirituality, but is He as comfortable with it as are we?   When we assess what we do, h...
Read more

The Gospel Truth

During a recent Communion Service Scripture reading I was struck by a portion of John 19.  I am sure that I have read it scores of times, but this time it really got me to thinking.  When John recorded the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion he wrote, “ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.” (John 19:35).   In the midst of making some incredible claims about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus John pauses to say, “believe me”!   As I got to thinking about the importance of this statement it reminded me that we all have to be honest with the gospel – not just John (whose words would transcend time) – but every one of us.   Even though we have the written Word available to us today, we must treat it with honesty and we must be transparently truthful when discussing it.   So, how do we make this happen? 1.   We must know what the Bible say...
Read more