Great Is Your FaithfulnessSample

Faithful to Give Wisdom

A memory came to mind this week about a lunch date I shared with a long-time friend of mine who, at the time, was 80 years of age, Betty. She recently transitioned to her heavenly destination nearly two years ago, but I find she's still teaching me life lessons to this day. As Betty had officially lived more than twice my number of years, I made it a practice to call her on a fairly consistent basis and visit. Still ringing in my head are the words she began our lunch conversation that day with: “Bridgette, what are we going to do about this world we are living in?” I cannot fully grasp all of the many changes that have transpired throughout her life’s journey since the 1930s. And yet she was asking me such a loaded question!

“I’m not sure I have all the answers, but I plan to keep doing what I’ve been doing, Betts. It has worked for me thus far. It is simple. It is elementary. But it has kept me thus far,” I quipped. “Beyond that, I plan to pray He comes ever more quickly.”

She giggled with her high-pitched cackle, one that I most certainly believe should be trademarked, and said “sounds like a good plan!” But then she went on to tell me how she had been handed a book in the weeks prior concerning an End Times belief theory. As she read over the first few pages she quickly ascertained the direction it was headed–a direction that did not line up with her foundational principles grafted from God’s Word. “I took that book promptly back to the people who lent it to me and let them know I couldn’t read it. It defies what I believe to be true,” she said, emphatically.

Verse 7 of chapter 14 in Proverbs clearly states, “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.” (NKJV) If you have not noticed, our world is obsessed with all things labeled ‘supernatural’ and ‘spiritual’…even ‘inspirational’. But not everything that the secular world deems to be such is such. It is all too easy to naively take in foolishness because it wears a familiar label. But how can you tell?

God is faithful to provide wisdom when we ask for it.

James, the half-brother of our Savior Jesus Christ, wrote to the dispersed Jewish believers with the express purpose of challenging them to stand firm. He recognized it would be far more comfortable to sit down amidst the persecution and turmoil, and his writing prompted them to remain true to the Truth of what they believed. How could they do that while living in a God-defying culture? By divinely downloaded wisdom and discernment. James wrote in chapter one, verse five, of his letter, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (ESV)

Wisdom is a gift of God, with its only requirement to receive being a life lived without reproach. To live "without reproach" means to conduct oneself in a manner that is honorable, blameless, and free from legitimate criticism. It signifies a life of integrity, where one's actions, character, and decisions are consistently beyond reasonable disapproval. This does not require sinless perfection but rather a commitment to high moral and ethical standards.

As my dear friend Betty vigilantly guarded her own tenured soul from misguided teaching, be reminded today: you and I can follow the lead of saints who have gone on before us and refuse to take in false truths by asking the Giver of wisdom for more of what we will need to know the difference.

Tomorrow we will unpack some further teaching on this subject, giving you guidelines for seeking out instruction from timeless truths.

Dig a Little Deeper

Perhaps there's a situation in your life right now--at home, at work, in this world--where wisdom is required. Stop right now and ask God for divine wisdom. Wisdom doesn't come with years lived, as there are plenty of old fools. Wisdom comes from God. And it's a gift He is faithful to give you today.