Needing More Light

One of the greatest gifts God bestows upon His born-again children is wisdom. Wisdom is portrayed in the Bible as a gift more precious than gold. Wisdom is defined in Ewell’s Evangelical Dictionary of Theology as “Divine wisdom given by God, that enables humans to lead a good and true and satisfying life; it cannot be derived by human intelligence.”

With all that has happened in our country lately, the days seem devilishly dark. Darkness is nothing more than the absence of light. Where the church has failed its flock is trying to apply human reasoning and wisdom to issues that can only be solved through heavenly wisdom. Instead of seeking earthly experts, we should be searching for divine discernment:

“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1-5)

In the passage above there are three “if’s,” implying what Solomon has written is conditional. This means these things will only happen if we take certain actions.

First, we are to receive the words of someone trying to guide us. This means we should have wise Christians helping to disciple our lives. But not only do we need to receive these words, we have to hold onto them as something of great value. That is still not enough; we must apply the words we receive to our lives. We must live out our faith.

Second, we need to anguish for discernment. Our desire to understand an issue from God’s standpoint should be utmost in our prayer life. We need to pray for biblical discernment. We need to study the Scriptures and understand what God is teaching us. It should be our heart’s desire to know what God wants us to learn.

Lastly, we need to search for wisdom as though we are searching for a lost treasure. This treasure is greater in value than any lost holy grail or even the secret recipe to Coca-Cola. The knowledge will we gain is God’s knowledge. We will not be all-knowing like God, but we are promised to at least understand the fear of the Lord.

The only way that I will not only understand God’s wisdom, but also seek it is to live a holy and righteous life. If I am not reading God’s Word, worshipping with His people, and honoring the Lord Jesus Christ with my life, then my heart’s desire will not be to find wisdom. I will be satisfied living in the dark without knowing I need more light. I’ll just be stumbling along in life:

“Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” (Hosea 14:9)

It never ceases to amaze me how many Christians I know seek wisdom outside of the Bible. The first question I’ll ask a believer when he or she is seeking guidance is, “Are you reading your Bible?” Most times, if the answer is yes, it is not in search of an answer.

Some will say they’re seeking God’s guidance through prayer, and that is good. However, the Bible clearly tells us that wisdom is available by reading God’s Word:

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

I’m not going to ask you if you need more light; we all could use more wisdom. My question to you is, where are searching for it? Are you buying the latest self-help book, listening to the most popular preacher’s sermons, or are you searching your Bible for the truth?

Is the only time you’re opening your Bible is on Sunday when your pastor tells you to turn to a certain passage? Dear brothers and sisters, you are depriving yourself of one of the most valuable gifts God has ever bestowed upon mankind.

Will you receive it?

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2016 David Jeffers

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