Wisdom Saves


Proverbs 2:12-15

12Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, 14who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

Crocodile

There was a video circulating in social media. Two young ladies were taking selfie picture next to river bank. Then suddenly, a crocodile photobombed unexpectedly; it spoiled the fun. What is worse was, the crocodile grabbed one of the young ladies and pulled her into the river. Have you seen that video yet?

Many comments cannot readily believe, if the video was real or just manipulated.

While comments have doubts about the authenticity of the video, the horrible scene illustrated foolishness in carelessness, unmindfulness and not concerned of the surrounding; it is unfortunate and regrettable circumstance. It is very advisable to make sure everything is safe and secured when taking selfie pictures at unfamiliar places, unless your intention is to make or record tragic incidents of yourself.

Our human tendency is to relax; we choose not to be bothered about anything.

Is it instinctive to favor peace of mind over unconcerned recklessness? It shows wisdom to be aware and concerned about safety. Defensive lifestyle illustrates wisdom; it eliminates or limits possible failure that may spoil the enjoyment of activity.

Actually, many concerned individuals would suggest that safety is prerequisite of pleasure. Even at workplaces and anywhere, safety is responsibility of everyone. Driving for instance is fun but reckless drivers can easily destroy it.

Now, if we are very much concerned of our physical safety, we should be much more concerned of our eternal safety. The Lord Jesus Christ warned in Matthew 7:21: 21Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 

Life on earth is full of uncertainty. Nobody will stay safe on earth forever.  I wish to grow old but everyone will leave this earth eventually. And, our lifestyle practically proves if we enter heaven or not. Make sure that you practice your faith in Christ. When it’s your time to leave this earth, are you sure that your faith delivers you into heaven?

1.  Deliver

12Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways.

The English term “save” can be interpreted as “deliver.” When one is imprisoned, trapped or even fell into bankruptcy, that person wants to be “saved” or taken out from such horrible situation. Likewise, before a horrible situation happens and do not want go through, you can avoid, evade, flee, and “delivered” from it. How?

Christ is our Savior; he is our deliverer. With his help, we choose righteous paths. His Holy Spirit reveals wickedness and helps us avoid it. It says in 1 Corinthians 1:24:  24To those whom God has called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Godly wisdom delivers us from trouble. When godly wisdom is functional in us, it should remind us that Christ has performed his lordship or authority as Lord in our life.

This world is polluted with wicked schemes. It is always best to be cautious; yet, reckless and senseless activities had defiled our society. What can we do about it?

Gambling

Gambling is not literally mentioned in the Scripture which church-goers may use to justify gambling and lotto, and some churches had even hosted “Bingo” games to finance their church activities. Is it hard to find stories of individuals who suffered because of addiction to gambling? If you may know someone, who has problem of gambling problems and struggles to be freed from it, pray how, when and where you might convince them that they need godly wisdom from the Lord.

And, if you are very sincere and serious in your faith as Disciple of Christ, he said in Matthew 16:24-26, 24Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

To comprehend the intensity of the Lord’s requirement for his disciples, we must submit to the leading of Christ and make sure we have godly wisdom. The Lord Jesus himself enables us to follow him, if we let him take over our lives. Of course, it’s foolish to be idle and do nothing; we should search and read godly instructions to know which right path to follow and avoid lifestyle that are not acceptable to the Lord. It says in

Psalm 37:4, 4Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

How do we take delight in the Lord, so that, he fills our heart with godly desires? For us to take delight in the Lord is actually regenerating work of God’s grace in us. And, we need to be filled and empowered by his Holy Spirit and delight in the Lord.

Personally, how do we practically know when we take delight in the Lord then?

2.  Delight

14who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

It’s natural instinct for humans to resist the Lord and follow worldly lifestyle.

It is godliness to avoid perverse, crooked, devious or corrupt practices, but we need to rely upon the Lord to guide us to righteous paths, activities or decisions.

Have you ever sensed some kind of suffocation when you hear obedience to God? Have you ever sensed some sort of resistance, when you hear godly instructions that contradict you favorite habit?

Friends, it is a reality that we should not ignore. We need to address the feeling of resisting the Lord and not disregard it.

Bait

If you have gone fishing, you may have known that it is very wise to choose the best bait for fishing. When fish are hungry, they may readily grab any bait. And, if you know which bait that fish like the most, even when they aren’t hungry they’ll still bite it.

Similarly, Many Christians are easily attracted to worldly lifestyle. Why? It is human natural tendency is to be attracted to popular trends and lifestyle in this world.

Anything that God prohibits can be considered as worldly which can lead to sin.

What can we do? Apostle Paul testified about his struggle in Romans 7:21-25. 21Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

As believers of Christ, we should be very dependent upon him all the time; it is best to be prayerful because naturally, we are inclined to do thing that God prohibits. Does it please God, if we do good things on our own initiatives? It says in Hebrews 11:6:  6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

How do we rely upon the Lord? We always ask for his guidance, and he reveals which right path to follow. See? You are very careful when you drive, but other drivers are careless and reckless. Godly wisdom dictates careful driving not recklessness.

Apostle Paul admonished us in Philippians 2:12-15, 12Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

It’s foolish to be reckless. Anytime could be our time; so, don’t be complacent in your faith! Christ the wisdom of God can helps us practice our faith in him.

Pray for increase of faith, wisdom and understanding; you need them for sure.

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