Godly Wisdom (2 Cor. 3:18-20)

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18-20, NASB)

At my small group the other night, one of our ladies was talking about how she sometimes felt inadequate because she didn’t have a string of letters after her name. She never got a degree, so sometimes she felt … well, less than others. We all assured her that a degree doesn’t necessarily equal superior intellect or wisdom. Often, it means that someone worked really hard to get it, but he or she might not be any smarter than one without a degree.

One of the most intelligent people I know never received a degree, but he knows so much about history, science, geography … much more than I, with my two degrees, know about them.

We so often look at earthly “wisdom” as being something of great importance. And I’m not saying that education and seeking knowledge here on earth is a bad thing. But we Christians have to be careful not to rely too much on the “wisdom of this age.”

This world’s wisdom tells us that fame is important. We should strive for riches. We should live for "sex, drugs, and rock and roll."

The Bible tells us something very different. Jesus told His disciples that they—and we—should be “poor in spirit … gentle … merciful … peacemakers” (see Matthew 5:3-9). We should love others just as Jesus loved us—and He was willing to die for us (see John 15:12).

We should keep ourselves pure:

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD …
(Psalm 24:3-5a)

And “How can a young person [and may I say an old person as well?] lead a clean [pure] life? By carefully reading the map of [God's] word” (Psalm 119:9, The Message).

We should seek righteousness. As the psalmist wrote, "For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield” (5:12). A later psalm asks:

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
(15:1-2)

We are to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).

We need to seek godly wisdom. Instead of—or in addition to—reading the latest bestseller, we should be reading His word. Before we talk to our friends, we should talk to Him.

Seek the Lord’s wisdom because that’s where we learn to be like Christ. Truly wise.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Ps. 139:13-16)

For You formed my inward parts;
         You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Wonderful are Your works,
         And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
    Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
         And in Your book were all written
         The days that were ordained for me,
         When as yet there was not one of them.
(Psalm 139:13-16, NASB)

Fearfully and wonderfully made. 

I often joke when I speak that many of us would agree with “fearfully.” I’m downright scary! you say. But that’s not what “fearfully” means. It means “awesomely.”

Awesomely. Wonderfully.

You are awesomely and wonderfully made. If you have a relationship with Jesus, you are God’s beloved daughter or son. God looks at you and sees such beauty. Have you stopped to think about that?

So often, all we see are the scars, the flaws, the wrinkles. We see the many mistakes. The hidden sin. The times we strayed.

But God doesn’t see all of that. Those of us who are cleansed by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial blood are as white as snow in the eyes of our Abba Father (see Psalm 51). He sees purity where we see sin. He sees beauty where we see ugliness. He sees awesome where we see a big ol’ mess.

Try and see yourself the way your Lord God does. Look through His eyes. Know that you’re awesome and wonderful. 

And you are.

No Unwholesome Words (Eph. 4:29)

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
(Ephesians 4:29, NASB)

Oh, I remember when the English language was rich and diverse. I’ve been a lover of the written world for as long as I can remember. I love to read. I love to write. I even taught English at the college level for over ten years. Yet now, it seems like people’s vocabulary is very limited.

Words that just a generation ago were considered vulgarities are part of our lexicon. One particular “former” vulgarity seems to be used as a noun, verb, adverb, and adjective. Yes, we have a new vocabulary in our culture. But that really doesn’t make it wholesome—or “sound in body, mind, or morals.”

And with the proliferation of ways to interact (internet, social networks, texts), we’re seeing and hearing things we never have before. But that doesn’t really mean it’s edifying—or “instruct[ing] or improv[ing] especially in moral or religious knowledge.”

Are the words we use true and just and honorable? (See Phil. 4:8.) Do they honor our Lord? Do they build up others?

Think about the words you use. Are they wholesome and sound? Will they instruct others’ moral knowledge?

Think about it. And then say it well.