GODLY WISDOM AND WORLDLY WISDOM ARE NOT THE SAME

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 
(Proverbs 8:1)

MEDITATION:
God blesses His children in many ways, and one of the ways He desires 
to bless us is to provide us with Godly wisdom and understanding.
The world often connects wisdom to intelligence, 
but Godly wisdom is much more than an education and retention of facts.

The scriptures link wisdom to understanding.
When we have Godly wisdom, 
we can better understand the words and ways of the Lord.
All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 
To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those 
who have found knowledge. (Proverbs 8:8-9)

The more we understand about the Lord, 
the more we know how to conform to His likeness, 
and the more we want to be like Him.
We learn to like the things He likes, and hate the things He hates.

What are some things He hates?
Evilness of all kinds and arrogant pride are two of them.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech. (Proverbs 8:13)
Notice He doesn’t say He hates the people, 
but He hates the actions of their choices.

If God hates arrogant pride then by default He must love humbleness.
When Jesus walked the earth in human form, He was known for being humble.
He tells us to learn from His example if we want to find ‘rest for our souls’.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and 
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, 
we are reminded to be humble, gentle, patient and to show love.
Be completely humble and gentle; 
be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)

James tells us that the Lord will lift up those who are humble ‘before Him’.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
Obviously we can appear humble to others, but the Lord reads our hearts
and He knows if we are genuinely humble, or if we only appear to be humble.
Some people are proud of being humble 
(doesn’t sound like true humility, does it?).

ACTION:
As with everything else in life, you can choose to become more like Jesus,
or you can choose to continue living your life your own way.
The scriptures tell us that we are blessed and find favor with the Lord 
when we make the right choices.
“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those 
who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For 
those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. But those 
who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” 
(Proverbs 8:23-36)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me in my efforts to become more like Jesus. 
Show me the joy and peace found when I replace my arrogant pride 
with humility. Teach me how to be humble, gentle, patient and able 
to show love to others, expecting nothing in return, but knowing that 
my actions are pleasing to You. I pray for Godly wisdom so that I can
better understand Your Words, and the ways of Jesus. Help me to
develop His characteristics in my own life.”

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