We are always torn between two worlds, heaven and hell; good and evil, light and darkness; spiritual and physical worlds, so our choices must be grounded in sound wisdom. We have only one choice to make between Godly and worldly wisdoms which operate on different principles. Jesus said in Matthew 6: 24; Luke 16: 13, “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (mammon).
Not all wisdom qualifies as sound wisdom. Paul cautioned in 1 Corinthians 6: 12; 10: 23, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. The general guiding principles for our choices or decisions are found in scripture.
Daniel 9: 3 says, then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. Daniel asked God in humility with penitence when he had to make a crucial decision. Paul also affirmed this biblical principle in Philippians 4: 6, do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. Both Daniel and Paul say we must turn to God for our choices, decisions and answers.
What is the nature and origin of wisdom?
Some decisions we make are irreversible and delicate so we must get it right from inception. Wisdom has no substitute so Solomon said in Proverbs 16: 22, wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it. Since wisdom points to our destiny, the bible says in Proverbs 19: 8, to get wisdom is to love oneself. We need sound wisdom in order to make it to our eternal destination.
True and authentic wisdom comes from God because it is pure and lasting. Job asked in Job 28: 20 where does wisdom come from? Solomon answered this question in Ecclesiastes 2: 26 God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy. Isaiah 28: 29 says, the LORD of host is excellent in wisdom. Wisdom is part of God’s nature. Daniel 2: 20 says wisdom and power are his. God who gave wisdom to Paul, 2 Peter 3: 15; wisdom to Moses to lead a difficult people, Acts 7: 22; wisdom to Solomon 1 Kings 4: 29-30; and wisdom to his disciples above their opponents, Luke 21: 15.
God continues to give wisdom to those who ask for it for his work and to his glory and honour. It is written in James 1: 5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. Read also John 14: 13-14.We also read from Job 12: 13, “With God are wisdom and strength. Do we have authentic or sound wisdom?
How and why we keep heavenly wisdom
We must keep wisdom because it is unique. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3: 21 keep sound wisdom and prudence, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Wisdom deserves the same attention which we give to our lives and wealth. He says the way to have (keep) wisdom is in the paths of righteousness, Proverbs 4: 11.
We must fear God in order to keep wisdom, Job 28: 28; Psalms 111: 10; Proverbs 9: 10; Micah 6: 9. We must allow God to teach us how to preserve it, Job 33: 33. We must allow God to teach us how to keep it, Proverbs 4: 11. We must listen to advice and accept instructions from God, Proverbs 19: 20.
Solomon says we must be ready for reproof, Proverbs 29: 15. Some of us detest corrections. We must observe God’s commandment diligently, Deuteronomy 4: 6. We must keep silent before God, Job 13: 5. We sometimes pray but do not listen to what God says. We must allow God to teach us wisdom in the secret of our hearts, Psalms 51: 6. It is the safest place to keep wisdom. We must acknowledge that God is wiser than us, 1 Corinthians 1: 25; 3: 19.
What nature of wisdom do we possess? Are we wise in the sight of God? No wisdom surpasses Christ Jesus because he is God’s wisdom.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we acknowledge you as the owner of true and pure wisdom and on you we call and depend. We acknowledge that our earthly wisdom will destroy us. Graciously teach us to guard your wisdom of life which you have availed to us till eternity. Enable us with teachable wisdom to always seek your face and to depend on you in obedience. Let your wisdom keep us in righteousness always in your holy name as you cleanse us in your blood, Amen!!
