Putting the I into WISDOM
The Christians who have most influenced me for good have had a fully functional familiarity with the book of Proverbs. They were (and are) able to take their considerable knowledge and apply it to their lives, providing both godly examples and godly advice. Join with me as each of us endeavors to put the I into WISDOM. Let us seek to exemplify God’s wisdom in our daily lives. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
One of my favorite quotations comes from President John Adams (not to be confused with his son, President John Adams): “Facts are stubborn things.” Wrong words can fool some people – perhaps even many people. However, even the smoothest of talk cannot cover the rough rightness of the truth. Proverbs 26:23-28 considers this issue. Even an ornate and ostentatious glaze cannot change the fact that a pot is made of clay (verse 23). A glib speaker may be charming (verse 25 “fair”), but the disguise will be lifted “before the whole congregation” (verse 26) and will ultimately be destroyed (verse 27). Verse 28 is particularly convicting: lying (bad things that are untrue) is equated to flattery (good things that are likewise untrue). Both disguise reality by altering perceptions, but facts remain true. Remember, our faith is fact-based. The current assault of truth is preeminently an attack on God the Son, Jesus Christ, Who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Our words should always promote truth, for truth leads us to the Savior, Jesus Christ.