Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty… acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours. (James I (J. I.) Packer)
We all desire to live wisely. I do not think any person wants to live foolishly, constantly making mistakes. God has been bringing this idea of wise living into my thoughts for several days now and from several sources – books, quotes, our pastor’s sermon Sunday and my devotional.
Here is what I am learning —
Our hearts are fickle. We desire to live wisely and yet our hearts will deceive us. We can think we are right and doing right and still be wrong. Only when we weigh our decisions with and before God’s Word, will we be able to make wise choices. And for the record, the wise choice or decision may still be the more difficult, the more unpleasant, the more painful thing to do. But the reward will be great.
Only with the Spirit’s leading will we do the right thing, make the right decisions and live wisely. We cannot do it on our own.
So the question I found myself pondering these last few days was this one –
How do I learn to live wisely?
And God so graciously and in His mercy replied through His Word this morning,
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)
It comes with practice. We need to be trained to focus on His ways, His thoughts, His desires. Practice means doing the same thing or something every day. Practice is the way we develop or learn a habit, the means of becoming proficient at something. My desire is that if I am going to become proficient at something in this life, may it be that I am proficient in hearing His truth above my wandering heart. Every single time.
May we put His Words into practice.
May our minds be turned upside down.
May we build on the Rock.
May we get wisdom.
Today I am joining with these blogs …. Soli Deo Gloria and Unite and Testimony Tues. and Titus 2sday and Teaching What Is Good and Teach Me Tues. and Tell Me A Story and Titus 2 Tues. .
Dear Joanne
It took me quite a while to realize that Jesus is the wisdom of God; When we love Him wisdom becomes sort of common sense!
Luv XX
Mia
When we love Him…and understand how much He loves us…then wisdom does become second nature, Mia, because our hearts are rightly aligned and we want to please Him.
Sheila – Yes, I love how you stated that our hearts are rightly aligned. Then His desires truly become the desires of our heart.
Mia – Your comment made me think of something a woman speaker once said….”God makes me smarter than I am.” I am beginning to realize just how true that is! Blessings!
We need to be trained to focus on His ways, His thoughts, His desires. Practice means doing the same thing or something every day. Practice is the way we develop or learn a habit, AMEN Joanne…intentionally giving Him our attention everyday so as to grow more like Him and hence more wise. Visiting from Teaching What is Good.Blessings…
Sheila, I am so glad that you shared your thoughts yesterday. It is so very true – if we do not intentionally give Him our attention, we will not give it all. May we be more intentional this year. Blessings, Joanne
Intentional! Amen!
So often when God really wants me to hear a lesson, He repeats it over and over again to me. I’m hate it for the people around me who have to continue to hear the lesson as well, but it’s the best way for Him to get my attention!! Great post, Joanne and thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday. “May our mind be turned upside down.”
Holly – Repetition works for me as well 🙂 Never thought about those around me who must hear it as well 🙂 But I bet there are more repetitive learners than just us. Thanks for sharing here with me!
I am reminded of what James asked of us. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.” I agree with Mia that he might have meant common sense. May we obtain more wisdom through asking and practicing its use. Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell me a Story.”
Good thoughts from James. May we ask more often so that we receive.
Thank you, Joanne, for this timely post.
Marilyn
Mare – You are very welcomed! May you continue to study His Word & apply it to your life in richer ways in 2014! Love, Jo
Sometimes I find myself in situations where I’m very likely (and do!) make mistakes. I’m certainly not making a deliberate choice to go down the path of disobedience, or consciously making poor judgment, but often I don’t try hard enough to avoid it either! However, I have learned that these circumstances can also be situations in which I have the greatest opportunity to make progress, and they provide me with challenge to grow. I continue to learn that He forgives so that I can move on to a faithful life of obedience. 🙂
Wonderful post dear friend! 🙂
Blessings and love,
Denise
It’s those days that we pick ourselves up, thankful for His grace & mercy & forgiveness, and move forward in Him. Blessings!