Living out of Wisdom

Word	Definition
Fear	having a deep respect, reverence and awe for God's power and authority (https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-god/fear-of-the-lord/)

As believers, our greatest benefit is the ability to develop into a follower of Christ. While salvation is our biggest gift, we don’t want to miss the fullness of God by being complacent with only being a believer. By submitting ourselves to God and allowing him to lead our lives, we come to develop his characteristics and traits. Him being a good God as we believe him to be, his character begins to change us and yield fruit. And in this, we should take delight.

Let’s explore this idea in Psalms.

“ How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers. - Psalms 1:1 NLT

We are blessed to be set apart from the masses. We are blessed to have different mindsets and moral codes. We are blessed to have the wisdom to call good, good, and evil, evil. It is a blessing to live from a renewed mindset, and actively make decisions from the wisdom imparted to us through communion with God. For we know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).

“Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts.” - Psalms 1: 2 &3 NLT

God's word is our source of stability in a chaotic world. Reading and meditating on his word changes our mindset to reflect the truth of God. His word refreshes us with its consistency and wisdom. As it works in us, our actions begin to reflect our newfound wisdom and yield good fruit in our characteristics.

These changes are developed through our continual meditation on God's word. Because we begin to adopt the mindset of Christ and grow in our relationship with him, we can be successful in all we attempt, with the application of our God-given wisdom.

“Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff. For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. Certainly the Lord guards the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction.” - Psalms 1:4-6 NLT

Contrarily, practicing sin is to adopt a mindset contrary to the knowledge of God. In similar respects, our lifestyle will yield the fruit of a mindset that constantly adapts to ungodliness. This ends in self-destruction.

“Why do the nations rebel? Why are the countries devising plots that will fail? The kings of the earth form a united front; the rulers collaborate against the Lord and his anointed king. They say “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us. Let’s free ourselves from their ropes.” - Psalms 2: 1-3 NLT

Generally, the kings and nations of the earth rebel against the wisdom of God. They see the parameters set by the Lord as shackles and limiting, instead of orderly and wise. Therefore, they spend their time shifting the nations in the opposite direction.

“The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them. Then he angrily speaks to them and terrifies them in his rage, saying “I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.” The king says “I will announce the Lord’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son. This very day I have become your father. Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your personal property. You will break them with an iron scepter; you will smash them like a potters jar.”

So now, you kings, do what is wise; you rulers of the earth, submit to correction. Serve the Lord in fear. Repent in terror. Give sincere homage. Otherwise he will be angry, and you will die because of your behavior, when his anger quickly ignites. How blessed are all who take shelter in him! “ - Psalms 2: 4-12 NLT

God is above all things. His word is truth and created the very foundation of this earth. Rebelling against his knowledge doesn’t change the truth, it just places you on the opposing side of it. Because his word is the foundation of everything, and because he is the ruler of all things, and because his word is true forever and cannot return to him void, the truth taunts those who oppose it. The truth will always be true.

The kings of the earth will ultimately have to submit, because God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to defeat the evil and give us a chance to be reconciled back to him. Through Christ, he gave us a way of living to model. Through Christ, he gave us a way to choose better living. Those who choose to not accept the only way to redemption, through Christ, will experience eternal separation from God, residing in their decision to reject the truth.

Therefore, be glad in being peculiar and set apart. Be glad that we have been given boundaries to help us remain within the parameters of God’s loving protection. Be confident in the truth of God, and surrender to where he is leading you. Be blessed.

Sincerely,

A fellow believer.