You Need Wisdom
'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6:46-49 NIV)
This passage of scripture is a parable told by Jesus called "The Wise and Foolish Builders." The Bible tells us numerous times the importance of wisdom. Proverbs 3:13, 14 says, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she (wisdom) is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold." Proverbs 8:11 also says, "for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." But, what is wisdom and how do we get it?
Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Job 28:28 says, "…fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil-is understanding." In both verses, the word fear means "reverence". So the first place to start in obtaining wisdom is in reverence toward God.
Next, we must know His Word. II Timothy 3:15-17 says, "…and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures; which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
But does reverence toward God and knowing God's Word make you wise? No, just knowing the Word is not enough; we must also put God's Word to work in our lives. One way of defining wisdom is "the correct application of knowledge". Having knowledge will not do anyone any good if they do not apply the knowledge.
Jesus, in talking to his disciples said in John 13:17, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." James 1:22 also says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…" James goes on to say in verse 25 of chapter 1, "…the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does." In Matthew 7:24, Jesus says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Do you reverence God? Do you know God's Word? Are you a doer of His Word? Then you are on your way to becoming wise! But what if you don't know God's Word or how to apply it in certain situations? Ask God for the wisdom. James 1:5 (NIV) says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it (wisdom) will be given to him."
At this time, in this country, with these present circumstances, the church today, more than ever, needs to implement Godly wisdom. We are a chosen people-for such a time as this!
Michael R. Smith