In this season, it is absolutely mandatory that we seek wisdom with all our hearts. The rewards of wisdom are outlined in Proverbs 2 and will be used as the reference passage for this discussion. Psalm 90:12 states the following - 12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. The Message Bible interprets the same verse as teaching us to live wisely and well. The sane in verse in the Amplified admonishes God\'s children to get us a heart of wisdom.
The rewards of wisdom are CONDITIONAL! Proverbs 2 shows us this by using (IF) in its opening verses:
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
The conditions are itemized in these Action Items - meaning it requires action of some capacity in the life of a child of God. The key
1) Receive God\'s words - you cannot receive if you don\'t believe - so Faith is essential Rom:10:17 tellls us - "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. " This is a season we must truly hear the word of God so our reward can be full.
2) Hide God\'s commandments in your heart - This further supports the need for faith, but takes it further with the word commandment. No one should be able to sway you to do anything associated with evil or unrighteousness because the commandments of God hidden in your heart will act as a check. You thus will need the Holy Spirit to prevent you from makning life decisions that are not fruitful.
3) Incine thine ear unto wisdom - The point here is that the verse did not mention someone else\'s ear - so you are resposible for making sure you are always leaning and tending towards Godly wisdom. Some people incline their ear to gossip, talebearing and useless discussion in the search for non-profitable information - We can refer to Apostle Paul\'s description of men in conference adding nothing to his life in Galatians 6 - (read this passage at your convenience)
4) Apply thine heart to understanding - Understanding is the application of wisdom. One good example is to know or have the wisdom and knowledge of Proverbs 5:18 which states "Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth." but one turns around and fornicates and/or engages in adultery with another woman. The application of wisdom (understanding) of the word is missing in such a life.
5) Keep search and keep seeking - Pro 2:3-4 admonishes us to search diligently for widsom, knowledge and understanding as something that is precious. Indeed, it is a vital part to sustaining the life of any child of God. Ecc 7:11-12 tells us this regarding widom - "Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it."
Now the rewards of wisdom -
1) Pro 2:5 - 5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. Ecc 12:13 (AMP) states it well - "13All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God\'s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man."
2) Pro2:7-8 - 7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
- This leads me to believe that there is unsound wisdom - which is foolishness - The book of Proverbs treats foolishness in depth. Take time to study it. It is part of diligently seeking wisdom. Wisdom from God will keep you in the righteous path and preserve your ways.
3) Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee - Wisdom and understanding from God will give discetion that can save your life from people, i.e foolish, crooked men and strange women (flatterers and adulteresses) whose\'s purpose in life is to cause a man to fall from the grace of God at their hands even the point of killing or putting a chokehold to the life of any believer. Pro 2:11-19 -
"11Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. "
4) Wisdom, knowledge and understanding from God will enable you to walk uprightly with the "right people" and not the wrong crowd. The outcome if this is the ability to dwell in the land and remain. This means nothing shall move you out of his will and as you remian you will prosper in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pro2:20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 21For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
God Bless You!
Happy Good Friday!!!
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