The Distinction of Wisdom

Studying the prophecies about the last times, I clearly see that the wise will become winners and endure all trials. And, of course, I immediately count myself among this group of people, believing that it cannot be otherwise, and I calm down. It turns out that to be wise is simply to give your consent to such a state of mind and after that consider yourself as such. In Proverbs 26:12 I read: "Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them." I ponder.

In the society of cultured people, it is not customary to call unreasonable people stupid, and one should be polite to every person. If I find myself in a society of ignoramuses, my wisdom may give them reason to make me an object of ridicule and mockery. But wisdom from above is not afraid of such trials and does not leave its owner.

If I consider myself wise, then I need to pass a Biblical test and compare my compliance with God's standards. God will surely show me all my weaknesses and strengths.

The Bible teaches that wisdom is given by God. Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." He endows it to those who perform service, work for God's cause and glory, who fear God, showing obedience to all His commands, to those who thirst to be wise and ask God for it.

One of the vivid examples of receiving wisdom from above is King Solomon. He also left us many proverbs about how to distinguish the wise from the fool. In Proverbs 1:7 we read: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Seekers and owners of wisdom love to research all Biblical texts on this topic, compare them with their lives, reflect on their inconsistencies, seek solutions to complex issues in God's guidance. We find an example of the wisest Man in Jesus. And if I want to be like Him and learn from the narratives of His life to apply these same principles of obedience and love to myself, which He possesses, then by this I give God the authority to make me what Christ was. Looking at Christ, I am transformed under the influence of the Holy Spirit into the same Image.

Wisdom also affects the spheres of my life in the world. God wants His children to be reasonable in everyday matters as well. He gives them wisdom and understanding in everything their everyday life is connected with. But at the same time, I myself must show genuine interest in my development and self-improvement.

We will all face the choice of path and decision-making. And my corrupted heart will draw me to follow the majority, but a wise approach will keep me on the right path. In Proverbs 14:15 we read: "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps."

Recent events will put me before a difficult choice that will cost me many worldly benefits and privileges. Times and politics are changing with particular speed. If I believe that all changes are temporary, everything will soon become the same, and it's worth calmly going with the flow, then there is no wisdom in this. The captain of any ship knows that sailing with the current is very dangerous, as it is impossible to control the ship. Therefore, it is necessary to start the engine and create opposition to the water flow in order to guide the ship on course and not let it turn around.

In childhood, we competed by launching boats along a stream, and I watched how they spun around their axis and constantly got stuck on various obstacles and barriers. We had to help from the outside so that they could somehow reach the finish line.

But my life is not a game of streams, and "somehow" will not work. When I hear Babylon's proposal about what I need to do to, for example, improve my health, I'm not in a hurry to agree, but I begin to investigate this issue. In Proverbs 27:12 we read: "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."

Wisdom teaches a person to delve into every matter, investigate all questions, understand the depth and foresee the consequences. It is directly related to my will and gives it commands to make the right decisions.

Reading these lessons, you have the wisdom to see something useful in them and extract it for your benefit. Also, wisdom protects your mind from quick agreement with what may not correspond to your understanding, and then critical thinking turns on, and you begin to compare all available knowledge, your experience, Biblical texts and common sense, comparing what you read with everything that will be revealed to you in this study. And God will surely show you in the true light everything that needs to be properly understood.

The question of my personal salvation is very important, and therefore special wisdom is needed to understand if I am on a dangerous path. It will be unwise to entrust my salvation to the power of other people so that they decide for me how to live and act. While I am an infant in Christ, I need teachers and mentors, but as I grow, independence in all matters in the light of God's will is expected of me, and there is special wisdom for me in this.

"It is written" - this is the very first factor that must meet all the requirements and criteria of my decisions. I must have fear of violating God's rules and laws, and this is the beginning of wisdom.

The wise virgins not only studied the truth but also did what was revealed to them. They followed all the advice and did what the Lord called them to do. The unwise knew God's will, but for some reason postponed following it for later. And this "later" turned into "too late."

What could be more foolish: to buy a plane ticket, check in, check your luggage, come to boarding and carelessly oversleep your flight? If in the world such a problem can be solved with additional expenses, then in the matter of salvation this door closes forever, and no one will open it anymore.

The enemy of the soul will make me many offers under the guise of common good and order. But here too, special wisdom is needed to understand and foresee the consequences of my choice. Detailed study of any issue is not a sin. But when someone begins to decide for me how to live and what to do, wanting to become my mind, honor and conscience, then it is worth resisting such people. My humble agreement to the decisions of other people without prayer and research will not testify to wisdom. But when I have already researched everything, weighed and decided, then I am already able to make quick decisions and follow them. The experience of previous trials and errors will protect me.

Love is an endless continuation of the beginning of any wisdom. It will preserve the decision of my will in the right spirit and will not let foolishness guide me. Where love begins, eternal sources of Heavenly blessings open up. Faith in God helps me to see the invisible, and love helps to act correctly and live in what my faith leads me to. And if I lack wisdom in something, love will cover everything and endure everything.

Although wisdom is given by God just like that, for free, but personal efforts must be applied to its development, investing a lot of time and straining the whole mind. And the reward for the wise and loving will be great. They will turn many to God and shine like stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3.

Questions for reflection on this chapter

1. Please read James 1:5; 3:13-18; Prov. 2:6; 21:30; Eph. 1:16-18; 5:14-18; 1 Cor. 1:23-29; 2:4-8; 3:18-20; Job 12:13; 38:36; Ex. 28:3; 31:3-6; 35:31; 1 Kings 3:7-13; Matt. 25:2; Ps. 90:12; Prov. 3:7,35; 4:7; 8:1-36; 12:15; 13:20; 14:24; 17:16,24; Eccl. 7:7 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. What wisdom does the Lord want to see in us?

4. Why is it so important to be wise at the end of time?

5. What is the difference between the wise and the not so wise?

6. What should I do if I understand that I am stupid? Should I trumpet about it everywhere? Eccl. 10:3

7. If I have a thirst for knowledge of God and His will, will God give me the wisdom to satisfy this need?

8. If I want to know God's plan for myself, but do not have the wisdom to understand it, will the Lord endow me with the gift of wisdom?

9. Are people born wise into our world?

10. Why is it pleasing to the Lord to deal with those who desire to be wise in Him?

11. What is the difference between God's wisdom and the wisdom of this world?

12. Is wisdom from above needed to understand what time we live in and what I should do to be saved?

13. Do you think you have become wiser by studying in this School?

14. What has changed in your life during your study at the Agape Love School?

15. Will the Lord take all the wise to Heaven?