Seeking Wisdom

For Friday, November 11, 2005
Proverbs 14:6

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

The sad irony that Proverbs teaches is that the people who need wisdom the most - the fool, the scoffer, the wicked - are the ones least likely to attain it, while the wise are the ones who find it and profit from it. The scoffer/fool just doesn't "get it." Like Simon the Magician who tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, the fool doesn't understand what wisdom even is. He sees the wise make right decisions to solve problems and he confuses their wisdom for cleverness; he sees them profit from wisdom and thus regards wisdom as a mere tool to use for his advantage. He does not understand that wisdom has to do with character. Wisdom comes out of a right character, and it molds character. But the fool doesn't want his character changed. He wants to change others to get his desires.

And so the scoffer seeks wisdom in vain. How is your wisdom hunting going? Understand that the issue is not so much you finding wisdom, but having a character in which you invite wisdom to find you and to mold you. Pray that the Holy Spirit - the true Giver of Wisdom - will keep you still and open your heart and mind to him.

A Lying Nature

For Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Proverbs 14:5

A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.

The observation of this proverb is that for some people lying makes them uncomfortable, while for others it is second nature. I think of a movie in which a "city-wise" cop is teamed with two "do-it-by-the book" cops. All through the movie, he tries to loosen them up and tell lies whenever necessary to keep out of trouble with the police department. They are not bad cops, just officers having to break some rules so they can get the bad guys. Finally, the movie ends with the two other cops telling a lie to their superior officer, and, thus, the movie ends happily.

Lying has become not only second nature, but esteemed as a virtue for achieving good ends. I remember reading a book by a successful Christian salesman, who gives example after example of techniques based on lying. The premise is that as long as the salesman truly believes in his product, then he may take liberties with his stories.

Today, you will have opportunities to speak the truth or to lie. What will be in your nature to do? Will the thought of telling a lie make you squirm, or will the idea of telling the truth be too unnerving? Will your struggle be over how to tell the truth in love and in a way that glorifies God? Or will your struggle be over how to fudge the truth convincingly and get your way?

Lord, if I must struggle with truth telling, let my struggle be over how to tell the truth for the welfare of my neighbor and for your glory. Amen

Worthwhile Investment

For Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Proverbs 14:4

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

When there are no oxen, the farmer does not have the trouble of feeding them or cleaning up after them. He can keep his barn nice and neat. His one problem is that he cannot plow his fields! If he desires abundant crops, then he needs his oxen and must be willing to invest in them. The moral, then, is that if we desire to reap wealth, we must be willing to put in the labor and make the sacrifices to produce a harvest.

Our church could save a lot of money if we did not spend so much on missions and ministry. Our facilities would be far easier to maintain if we gave them a rest during the week and not host a school or conduct weekly meetings and ministry. All we would lose would be abundant crops of souls saved and the saved discipled.

Risk and sacrifice are necessary for achieving worthwhile goals. The risk may be money or emotional vulnerability or pride; the sacrifice may require years of preparation or hard labor. What makes the risk and sacrifice acceptable to undergo is the greatness of the goal.

What is your goal today? To make a deal? To pass a test? Here was the apostle Paul's goal that gave him the motivation to suffer and to achieve beyond ordinary ability: "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahed, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

Wise and Foolish Speech

For Monday, November 7, 2005
Proverbs 14:3

By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

When David was still on the run from Saul, he asked for food from a rich rancher named Nabal to feed his men. Nabal, as a fool, rebuffs the messengers sent to him. As a miserly, harsh man, Nabal does not consider the ancient custom of showing hospitality to those requesting his help, particularly, as in this case, to those who have treated his servants well and fairly. As a fool, he doesn't consider his own vulnerable position. David has a small army and can take what he wants. He does not consider how much he will be offending a man renowned as a warrior.
Fortunately, Nabal has a wife who is discerning, and by her wise action and words, she preserves the life of her husband and all the men.

Are you foolish or wise with your lips? Here are some warning signals. Do these remarks charactize you?
"I pride myself in speaking my mind."
"People always know where they stand with me."
"I'm not afraid to shoot from the hip."
"I call it like I see it."

If you make such remarks; if you don't see what these remarks really convey, then you may be in the fool's camp. Because what is missing in the remarks is a wise understanding of your own limitations and sin. Our minds are clouded with sin. However clear a perspective we may think we have, it is quite likely we do not see clearly. We have limited mental abilities, and even the wisest mind is nevertheless clouded with sin.

To speak wisely requires humility. It requires the right goal - to glorify God. If you simply ask yourself this question before you speak, wisdom will come to you to know the right words: Will what I am about to say glorify God? For glorifying God is ultimate wisdom.

Lord, may my lips glorify you today. May my speech be informed by the Holy Spirit. May my words honor Christ. Amen