Wisdom
Wisdom Brings Truth | Wisdom Part 2
November 12, 2023 • Ps Anthony Liebenberg • John 10:27, Isaiah 28:23, Proverbs 2, James 3:13, Proverbs 3:5
Wisdom is very important in our lives, we need it to navigate life. The truth is we don't know everything. Pastor Anthony continues with this important and insightful series of wisdom. Wisdom doesn't come from nowhere, it comes from knowledge and understanding. It comes from hearing God. If our lives were regulated by different people and media then we would not be able to achieve anything. However, if we listen to God then things become easy to navigate. John 10:27 teaches that if we are His, then we will know His voice and follow Him. So who are you listening to? What are you listening to? What are you looking for? Who are you looking for? Where you look is where you stand, it’s what you become. We usually embody what we listen to and look for. If we look for wisdom then we will become wise. God gives wisdom and discernment to those who seek Him. If our hearts are full of malice, anger and unforgiveness then it becomes hard for us to be wise. It's all about the posture of our hearts. What we don't always understand is that wisdom protects us, it saves us. We learn this in Proverbs 2. There are two types of wisdom - godly wisdom and that of the world. We get godly wisdom when we surrender with all our hearts (James 3:13-18). So we need to strive for the wisdom of God. This means reflecting on what we are looking at and where we are looking to. Where we look is where we'll be. If we keep looking at the past then that's where we will be. Psalm 34:4-5 tells us that those who look to the Lord are radiant - that is what we should aspire to. TRUTH BRINGS WISDOM & GUIDANCE When we focus on truth then and seek truth then we will be guided into wisdom. The world calls bad good but Truth calls it what it is. - Jesus calls it what it is. Godly wisdom equals His truth. Proverbs 23:23 teaches us the importance of truth and Wisdom. It tells us to “Buy truth, and do not sell it; Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Godly wisdom = truth. King Solomon uses 4 powerful words: Truth, Wisdom, Instruction & Understanding. - "Truth" is that which accurately describes reality; it is something factual. - "Wisdom" is a capacity to act according to truthful information. - "Instruction" is the general practice of acquiring knowledge and wisdom, usually by learning from a more experienced person. - "Understanding" suggests someone experienced enough in their wisdom to teach those principles to others. In most cases, these teachings don't need to be purchased, in the literal sense. God makes these qualities available for free. As mentioned, Truth defines our reality and that's why the devil tries to distort our reality. The devil will always try to give you his own interpretation of truth. So, that's why we need to lean into God's truth and ways. James 1:5 tells us that we can ask for wisdom and God will grant it to us. He can lead us into His truth if we ask for it. We also learn truth when we study His word because it's a lamp unto our feet. WISDOM FOR OTHERS: What we need to know is that wisdom is not only personal but it's for others as well. WISDOM FOR THE FUTURE: We need wisdom for tomorrow. We need it to navigate the current climate and world. God wants us to dream with great imagination but He also wants us to have wisdom. We can do all this - dream and plan only if we ask Him to help us, to reveal things in our lives. Wisdom is understanding the difference between a life with God and a life without God. Without Him we walk in darkness but in Him we have protection, goodness, and life. So, let’s come back to what we started off with. Whose voice are you listening to?
Wisdom For Today | Wisdom
November 5, 2023 • Ps Bruce McCleland • James 1:19–20, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Hebrews 12:1–2, Proverbs 2, Proverbs 4
In this new series of Wisdom, Pastor Bruce takes us through a thought provoking journey of getting wisdom and how we can use it to navigate our daily lives. The truth is we all need wisdom. We need wisdom in every sphere of our lives - whether it be to navigate this world or just going through daily challenges - we need wisdom for today. Imagine if everyone had a say in your life, if everyone was constantly in your ear interrupting you, what would that be like? What would it sound like if your life was regulated by all the people in it, social media and the media? You would not be able to hear anything, you would not be able to process anything and you would not be able to hear God. That is what happens when our lives are dictated by public opinion. We lose focus on what's important and miss the voice and instruction of God because we are focused on what the world is saying. So in order to not be trapped by what’s going on around us, we need wisdom. We need wisdom to discern what to take in and keep out. Hebrews 12 verse 1 tells us to run our race with endurance and focus on Jesus. However, we can only do this if we have wisdom. If we are focused on all the noise around us then we won’t be able to endure the race. As human beings, sometimes we worry about the wrong things and impose our own insecurities on ourselves, but if we focus on God and choose wisdom then life will be easy to navigate. Proverbs 2 and 4 teach us the importance of wisdom in our lives. Wisdom helps us make correct decisions. As scripture says, we need to GET WISDOM and hold on to instruction. With knowledge being so easy to access these days, It's not only about gaining understanding and knowledge but it's about gaining understanding and knowledge of the fear of God and being scared to live without Him. That is the difference between the world’s definition of wisdom and scripture’s definition of wisdom. The book of Proverbs tells us that the beginning of wisdom is to get wisdom because outside of God, all wisdom is just knowledge. So what does it mean to have wisdom for today: - Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. It means having discipline, discernment and discretion. - Wisdom is generational, it is passed down through legacy, and passed forward generously. It will build you, encourage you, direct you, counsel you, correct you and humble you. It serves you. Wisdom can be divided into two: Wisdom in Thought and Wisdom in Action. WISDOM IN THOUGHT - Through Understanding o Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known. - Through Discerning o Proverbs 14:6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. - Through Reflecting o Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. o Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. WISDOM IN ACTION - Through Discretion o Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. o Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. o Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. - Through Humility o Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom o Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. - Through Forgiveness o Proverbs 19:11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. Scripture says that the beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all. So, the question is, are you seeking wisdom?