Hear and Be Wise
by Jim Person
Wisdom comes from hearing words and seeing the fruit of them, whether it is God’s wisdom or man’s wisdom which needs to be revealed. How often we act on unreliable words from a source with evil motivation. Today numerous people believe unproven words which have not been measured by the fruit of time, nor placed before the throne of God. Not only do they take them in and believe that they are true, but they also act on them. This is folly.
Proverbs is a book of wisdom which has stood the test of time. That is proven by its fruit. I personally have taken words and phrases from the book of Proverbs and specifically applied them in my life. One such phrase, ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath’, transformed my life and delivered me from quite a few difficult situations. I found that wisdom begins when you place God first in your life.
Solomon’s words are like a bell ringing in my spirit, ‘Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed. My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course.’ (Proverbs 23:17-19). I need God’s wisdom for when I’m shaken up by others’ actions and start reacting in various ways.
Paul speaks about being transformed in our minds in Romans, Chapter 12, and it is in our thinking that most of our battles rage. But God’s wisdom brings clarity to our minds, as we honour Him. We need that wisdom to rightly discern the situation or information which has influenced our decisions.
Here is an illustration of this. Someone once confessed to me that they had based their opinion of me and my wife upon rumours that had been spoken about us. They now realised their error in believing a lie which had been spoken from an evil intent, because, over time, this person had seen the fruit of our lives and the evidence of God’s blessings on our ministry.
As their repentance was uttered, they were acting wisely. They were humbling themselves and humility brings godly wisdom. A haughty person, full of their own self-importance, will despise godly wisdom.
Prayer: Your presence brightens every one of my days. I will lift my hands in unconditional surrender and unceasing praise to You, my Lord. I know that My imperfection was swallowed by Your perfection. Teach me Your ways of wisdom, so I may multiply Your miracles upon the earth. I need Your spiritual guidance for real life. I know my own wisdom brings death to my life and to the lives of others. I need You, Jesus. Refresh my thinking and help me to align my heart in accordance with Yours. Help me to hear Your voice and gain understanding. Amen.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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