Listen Closely for Wisdom's Voice

Proverbs 9:6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9 looks specifically at both wisdom and foolishness. Reading through the entire book of Proverbs I have “heard” wisdom’s voice – but did I apply the wisdom I heard to my life?

In the very first verse of this Proverb I read “Wisdom has built her house.” As I began to think about this sentence I thought about the actual process of building a house. I haven't personally had the opportunity of building a house but I know many of my friends have. I can remember them talking about going to meet the builders and picking out the different wallpapers and flooring. It took time to complete the finished product, the house. So if I apply building a house to this verse, it means I can’t expect to be wise all of a sudden. It’s a continual process that takes time. Wisdom begins by stopping my foolish ways (v. 6) and starting to respect the Lord (v. 10).  I have to grow in Him; learn from Him; listen to Him and to the advice of trusted others. 

It is important to stop here and define who a “trusted other” is. A “trusted other” is someone who has gained wisdom themselves by putting their faith, hope and trust in the Lord.  I urge you not to go to “friends” seeking guidance for your life when they themselves are not walking in the light of Christ. It is so important to seek out friends that have already obtained the wisdom we desire. Friends who haven’t obtained the wisdom we desire can lead us astray.

Proverbs 9:17 warns “stolen water is sweeter, and food eaten in secret tastes better.” I know that I can get wrapped up in the “things” of this world. After all, if sin wasn't so much fun no one would do it… right? Take a look at what the very next verse, verse 18, has to say. “But these people don’t know that everyone who goes there dies, that her guests end up deep in the grave.”

Well meaning friends who don’t know Christ can lead us down a worldly path to death and destruction. I am trying to live a life that honors Christ, so it is up to me to seek out those friends who give me Godly counsel.

When we live wisely; we will live life to its fullest – because wisdom adds years to our lives. (Proverbs 9:11)

Related reading: Matthew 7:13 – 14, Matthew 7:21 – 23, Galatians 6: 7 – 8, Matthew 6:24, Romans 6:23

Are your friends wise?

Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with one of my best friends. Although we remain in contact during the week via text and phone calls, we really don’t get the opportunity to spend time with each other. When we find time to have dinner, go to a movie or just hang out we jump at the chance and make the most of it. Last night, I think we determined we hadn’t actually seen each other since February when we celebrated my January birthday. Four months sure sounds like a long time not to see your closest friend in the world…doesn’t it?

As I read through 1 Samuel 18 – 19 this morning in my quiet time, I was reminded of why she and I are such good friends…especially as we strive to walk down the path God has planned for us. In these 2 chapters of 1 Samuel, I read about the friendship between David and Jonathan. This friendship was one of the closest and deepest recorded in the Bible. Chapters 18 and 19 show us how their friendship began and the strength and loyalty it possessed during a time of great trial (1 Sam 18:1-4, 19:1-2).

When you think about developing a friendship with someone what comes to mind first? Why do you become friends with them? I think the most common answer is “because we like spending time with them and we have various things in common”. David and Jonathan’s friendship wasn’t just based on things they had in common, it went much deeper than that…it was based on their strong commitment to God. In Chapter 19:1-2, when Saul told Jonathan he wanted to kill David, Jonathan disobeying his own father to protect David from harm. When David came to Jonathan for advice, Jonathan encouraged him with the truth – even when it was a painful one. Their friendship didn’t let anything come between them; career nor family problems.

While my friend and I have many things in common and like spending time together, there is something even greater we share…our love for Jesus Christ and our desire to follow him wholeheartedly. I know when I come to my friend for advice she will give me truth based on God’s word. At time I may not like to hear what she is saying but, I never have to question the source of her advice. A true (genuine) friend speaks the truth no matter how much it hurts to hear…believe me I am speaking from experience.

Do you have friends in your life who will tell you the truth from God’s word or, do your friends just tell you what you want to hear based on flattery and lies?

Proverbs 13:20 (NCV) Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer.

The Thick of the Fight

Ephesians 6:10 – 18 (MSG) And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

We commit to living our lives for Christ; to take off the old self and put on the new (2 Corinthians 5:17), to do things that please and bring honor and glory to Him. So why do we feel so beat up and deflated sometimes?  Why are we living in all this chaos and heartache? Why does it seem like things… life changing, tough things… keep getting piled on top of us?

One reason… Satan and his minions have to work over-time to distract us from our lives in Christ. He is so angry that the more we know and grow in Christ, the closer we get to Him. When we take a step closer and say “Yes!” to Christ, Satan’s blood boils! He hates us even more. In Christ, we are a force with which to be reckoned… and Satan knows it.

We have been given the weapons to defeat Satan, our adversary.  But how well do we use them? I know for me sometimes, it’s so easy to take my eyes off of Christ and not use the weapons when chaos begins to brew. Instead of focusing on Christ and relying on the armor of God, I tend to focus on the unpleasantness of the situation… anyone with me?

Last night I was given a good visual reminder of using the armor of God during the thick of the fight. It involved the shield of faith. When I think about a shield, I think about the Roman soldiers and the shield they carried into battle. This shield covered most of the front of their body. When the soldiers would come under direct attack, they would lock their shields together for even greater protection. There was safety behind the line of connected shields.

This concept is just as true for us today. It’s so important for us to be in community with a group of like-minded people. We do not have to walk through these battles alone. With Christ as our leader and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we too can band together as brothers and sisters in Christ with our shields of faith locked together and protect ourselves from Satan’s fiery arrows.

Do you have Godly friends that will stand with you in the thick of the fight? If not, I encourage you to find a group of people who will love and encourage you, pray with you, and hold you accountable. You don’t have to fight the battle alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV) By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.

Ephesians 6:16 (NIV) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.