Title: Wisdom and Knowledge/Proverbs 3:11-18
Contents Proverbs 3:11-18
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Today's reading of the Bible gives us practical lessons we need for our Christian life. James, the leader of the early church, especially exhorts us to seek wisdom. The reason is that we all lack wisdom.
Proverbs 3:15 and below have the following lesson: "Blessed are those who find wisdom and those who find understanding, for knowledge is better than gaining wisdom, and its profits better than gold. and riches and honor are in his left hand; his path is a pleasant way, his path is peace. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who find it. Blessed is the one who has wisdom."
He blessed those who have attained wisdom. He said it was worth more than fine gold and more precious than pearls. He points out that longevity and wealth follow those who have wisdom. He points out that the path of wisdom is pleasant, its path is peace, and wisdom is the tree of life to those who find it.
How valuable is wisdom? So the world seeks a lot of knowledge. Everyone wants to go to college to get an education. I also want to go to graduate school. Knowledge is, of course, required. But one thing to remember is that knowledge alone is not enough. You must acquire the wisdom to use the knowledge immediately. We live in the 21st century, in an age of advanced knowledge and science. But it is true that we live in anxieties and fears. We live in the age of atomic bombs and missiles, and there is no refuge in any country after a major war. The entire human race is on the verge of extinction if the nuclear weapons made of this scientific knowledge and technology are misused. Therefore, you should not just seek knowledge. We need to seek wisdom to use this knowledge right away.
Others seek material. Economic development is necessary. You also need money. Human life cannot be lived without material. But material alone is not enough. We need to seek wisdom to use this material right away. How many people don't use their materials right away, ruining themselves and their families? Don't just look for material. We need to seek the wisdom to use the material right away.
There are many who seek authority and power. Of course, power is precious. But we must remember that power must be put to good use. How many powerful people have ruined themselves, their people, and their country by not using their powers right away? Mussolini or Hitler or the Taliban in Afghanistan were vicious powers. You can't just seek power. We need to seek the wisdom to use that power right away.
Young people today seek love. Love, of course, is precious. Here, too, we need the wisdom to find love right away. Love without wisdom destroys oneself, one's family, and one's society. Love also requires wisdom.
So what is wisdom? I can think of a few practical meanings.
First, the word wisdom has a slightly different meaning than the word knowledge. The word knowledge refers to the total amount of knowledge. Wisdom means the intellect and prudence to use knowledge rightly and choose the right path in everything. Therefore, there are people who have a lot of knowledge but are foolish, and there are wise and wise people who lack knowledge. Therefore, knowledge alone is insufficient, and we must strive to acquire wisdom that can use this knowledge immediately.
Second, wisdom means discernment, or prudence to know how to discern. It is prudence to know the difference between true and false, good and evil. Human life requires this discernment skill. We must distinguish between good and evil so that we can walk the path of good. Wisdom is knowing how to discern what is temporary and what is eternal and pursue eternal happiness rather than instantaneous pleasure or benefit.
The world we live in is getting more and more complex. Whether you look at the world situation, the situation of countries, or the situation of the church, wise leaders are needed, and wise elders, priests, deacons, and members of the church are also required.
How, then, can we acquire this wisdom? Where is the quest for wisdom?
Reading and learning the Bible. The Bible is a book that makes us humans wise. Among the Old Testament, the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are called wisdom literature. Especially because it teaches wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is first, so be wise.” 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Also in Psalm 53:1, "The fool says in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt and do abominable evils; there is no one who does good."
In other words, knowing and fearing God clearly is wisdom. Those who deny that there is no God are the most foolish and foolish. So they do all kinds of evil voluntarily. I am not afraid to do evil. Therefore, knowing God, fearing him, abstaining from evil, doing good, and living close to God are the beginnings of wisdom.
Also in the New Testament, Jesus said, “He who hears my words and does them is a wise man who built his house on the rock” as the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. The rich wisdom of God was also revealed in Jesus. If you listen to the teachings of Jesus and put them into practice, you will become a wise person.
Do you want to be the wisest person? Read and learn the Bible every day.
I remember hearing you say this. People who believe in these days buy and keep the Bible, but do not read it. They say that there is a lot of dust on the Bible. will be covered
How about your bible? Fear God by reading and learning the Bible every day. Fear God in all things. Don't go against God's will. Remember that whatever you do before the living God, live only according to God's precepts and His will. Then we can be the wisest people in the world.
Finally, we must pray to God for wisdom. Like King Solomon, we must pray to God for wisdom above all other things in the world. We should always ask God for the wisdom we need to see rightly, think rightly, and act rightly, no matter what we face when we live in this world. God has promised to give generously if we pray.
There are many superstitions, many false religions, and many false prophets and leaders in the world today. At this time, we need wisdom to walk the right path of faith. Jesus Himself said: "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men" (Matthew 10:16)
As believers, we must not forget this lesson. We must read and learn the Bible every day and pray to God for wisdom. Then we can walk the right path of faith in this world.