ùGROW IN WISDOM
These are all wise words from Solomon that were passed on from his father King David.
One night Solomon had a dream, and God promised to give him anything he wanted. HE CHOSE WISDOM so that he could LEAD GOD'S PEOPLE, as his father had. God granted him this, with great riches and fame. Unfortunately, like his father, Solomon fell into a trap of becoming a womanizer. He turned away from God and the older he became the further he drifted from GOD'S TRUTH. He worshipped the idols of his ungodly wives.
But he wanted to pass these words onto his sons and daughters, so they would not fall away into folly.
"WISDOM has built her house. She has made her seven columns (pillars)....Stop your foolish (simple) ways and you will LIVE. Be a person of UNDERSTANDING (walk in the way of INSIGHT)....Teach (instruct) a wise man and he will become even WISER (still). Teach a good man (the righteous) and HE WILL LEARN EVEN MORE. The fear of the Lord (respect) is the beginning of WISDOM, and KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY ONE IS UNDERSTANDING." Proverbs 9:1,6,9&10 (NLT/NIV)
1. HANDLING CRITICISM
"If you correct someone who makes fun of WISDOM, you will get INSULTED. If you correct an evil person, YOU WILL GET HURT. Do not correct someone who makes fu1n of wisdom, but correct a wise man and HE WILL BECOME WISER." Proverbs 9:7&8 (ICB)
When someon criticizes or gossips about us, we dont't like it. We often want to fight back! Constructive criticism annd personal attacks are not comforting, especially when they come to us at a young age. Growing up I was teased a lot at school every day. It was hard to leave these words in the past - I had lot of resentment and rejection over many years.
But I realized this was not WISE BEHccAVIOUR! We need to be HUMBLE AND POSITIVE. It has taken me many years to seek forgiveness. There are still days I still think about words that are spoken - maybe in jest - but still hurtful. I need to make sure my words are CHRISTLLIKE and that that they BUILD OTHERS UP not TEAR THEM DOWN. It may not be easy, but THANK GOD you have a "TOOL OF WISDOM" that can make you stronger, that can "add to our learning" and our response can help us GROW IN LOVE LIKE CHRIST.
"Constructive feedback is more affective. A right relationship with God will increase our wisdom and help us to grow in understanding." Nicky Gumbely
"These wise choices are especially important with out WORDS. If someone hurts your feelings you can react in a number of ways. We can GET ANGRY or we can ignore their personal attacks. This can hurt, especially when it criticizes our work. They can poison relationships. Satan's cruellest artillery and weapons are GOSSIP, ACCUSSATIONS AND REJECTION. But GOD'S WORD IS HEALING! Jesus is our great physician." Max Lucado
2. RESPONDING TO SUFFERING - MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES
"He is rewarded by HIS WISDOM. But the person who makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it." Proverbs 9:12 (ICB)
"Do you think the Galileans are worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you will perish." Luke 13:2&3 (NIV)
Jesus shows His extroadinary WISDOM in hIS TEACHING. We don't suffer because of our sins or natural disasters. They are not our punishments. But our sins are dangerous if we don't repent and follow Him.
"Leave your simple ways behind and you will LIVE. LEARN TO USE GOOD JUDGEMENT." Proverbs 9:6 (NLT)
Have you faced a decision? A right way or a wrong way? An easier way or hard way - wisdom or folly? Here again we have a WOMAN - wisdom calling out to the "simple minded". She invites the fools to a banquet, where they will "eat, drink and be merry (folly)"; but the the wise will also come, "using good judgement".
Wisdom begins with KNOWING GOD and HIS WORD. Understanding and analyzing the TRUTH. It is a reward that comes when we ignore FOLLY (selfishness). The woman calls folly to her house, but it is not the RIGHT DECISION - it is not LIFE, it is death. Which way will you follow? Which way do you want to end up?
" Stop compromising bad habits and return to God. God's standards are WISDOM AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. Folly is willfully going your own way. WISDOM leads to a life that is GOOD and folly ends in death." David & Pat Alexannder (1994)
"The actions of the wise and good people are contrasted with the foolish and evil people. We need to live HONEST LIVES and make WISE CHOICES." Max Lucado
3. REVERENCE TO GOD
"You are the children of the Lord your God ..... You are a people, whho acre called to be HOLY to the Lord your God..... You have been chosen to be a treasured possession." Deuteronomy 14:1a,2a,2c (NIV/ICB)
"Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord and understanding begings with knowing God, the HOLY ONE. The wise person is REWARDED BY HIS WISDOM" Proverbs 9:10 &12 (ICB)
In Proverbs 9:10 we are told that reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In Verse 12, we are told that our wisdom will be rewarded. Thank you Lord that we are a "treasured poseesion" and we will grow daily in your wisdom if we continue to be honour you.
This would have to be one of my favourite verses, not only because I love worshipping and honouring my Father God; but simply on those days when I feel "old" and "unworthy", it's nice to know I am still His "treasured possession".
4. THE WAYS OF FOLLY
"Do not be shaped by the world. Instead be changed by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you. And you will be able to know what is the GOOD AND PLEASING WILL OF GOD." Romans 12:2 (ICB)
"Foolishness is like a loud woman. She does not have WISDOM OR KNOWLEDGE. She sits at the door of her house, it is at the highest place in the city.....She says to those who are not wise: "Come in here, you foolish people! Stolen water is sweeter. Stolen food tastes sweeter." Proverbs 9:13,14,16&&17 (ICB)
We are back to the picture of a "woman", calling out to thhe foolish people she knows who are easily led into her ways - the ways of the world. Help us Lord not to "fall into folly", for the "stolen water" is not sweet or refreshing. And food "eaten in secret" does not taste good. You don't want to lack "good judgement" but you want to follow the words and will of God and His Son Jesus. You want to live an EVERLASTING LIFE full of joy, wisdom and PROMISE.
"Have you been nurturing what you believe is a "harmless habit". You may be like the man who is continually led into the woman's house to "drink her sweet water" or "alluring food". Stop that compromising habit today and RETURN TO GOD before it's too late." Gordon McDonald
"If you think yoou arre strong you should be careful you do not fall. The only temptation that has come to youis that which evveryone has. But you can trust God who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. And when you are tempted, and he also will give you a way of escape, so that you will be able to stand it." 1 Corinthians 10:12&13
. I was very blessed to be brought up in a Christian family, but my parents were always out serving the "City Missions" - the homeless and out in the world. I went to a State School, and although I always wanted to go to Bible College - into ministry - I always knew my leading was into the "world". I always had this PROMISE!!
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but you protect them from the evil one.....Make them ready for service through the TRUTH. Your teaching is TRUTH. I have sent them into the world, the same as you sent me into the world. I am praying not only for those disciples but also for those who will ever believe in me, through their message. I pray that THEY MAY BE ONE , just as You and I ARE ONE - as you are in me, Father, and I am in You. And MAY THEY BE IN US so that the world will BELIEVE YOU SENT ME." John 17:15, 17&18, 20&21 (NIV/ICB/NLT
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica
"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" - 2015, Tyndale House Publishing
"INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S BIBLE", - 2015, Tommy Nelson
ALEXANDER, David & Pat (1994), "Proverbs 9- Lion Handbook to the Bible - Fourth Edition", Lion Hudson Publishers
GUMBEL. Nicky & Pippa, 2009/2026, "The Bible in One Year - Seven Ways to Grow Wisdom - Proverbs 9" , Alpha/You Version
LUCADO, Max, "Just Like Jesus", 1999, Word Publishing
MCDONALD, Gordon, "Rebuilding the Broken World", 1988, Thomas Nelson
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