WALK IN WISDOM

Have you ever been told to do something as if it is a simple request when in reality it is a great challenge? Paul's admonishment: "See then that you walk circumspectly (i.e. carefully), not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the Will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:15-17) is that kind of challenge (See Col. 4:5).

Consider the importance of wisdom and how we are to walk in it. The apostle James encourages us to ask God for it. James also tells the Christian that God promises that wisdom: "will be given" to him (1:5). James also tells the child of God how he should show his wisdom and understanding in the way he conducts himself (Jas. 3:13).

King Solomon wrote that his proverbs would help his son to have wisdom and understanding (Prov. 1:12). Paul told Timothy that the Holy Scriptures would make him wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). Paul warns all Christians that the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. He then points out t hat it is the wisdom of God that we find in Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:17-30) The wisdom of God was prached by the apostles, and their preaching and teaching was written for our learning and for our guidance into the wisdom that God wants us to have (1 Cor. 2:4- 7; Eph. 1:7-11,17-21; 3:8-12; Col. 1:9-12).

We are not to live as fools but as wise men (Eph. 5:15). Many of the proverbs address what a wise person would do and what a foolish person would do. The following proverb is an example "To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom" (10:23). Our daily goal should be all about making wise choices because "the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise" (Prov. 12:15).

A person who walks in wisdom redeems the time that he has knowing the days are evil (Eph. 5:16). The world around us is filled with people doing evil every day. No matter how wise in Christ we may be, there will always be grief and sorrow -- "For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (Eccl. 1:18). The child of God will use his time each day to make wise decisions in matters of his own life and in his interaction with the people around him.

Christians are challenged to know the will of God. Knowing the will of God can help a child of God make wise and godly decisions. Wisdom comes from the Word of God. We can know and apply the teaching of God to every decision we make in life. "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" (Prov. 15:33). Our humble willingness to admit what little we know and how dependent we are on God's Word is the path the wise will walk.

By Ron Drumm.

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