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.)
Words have long fascinated me (I learned to read shortly before I turned four). I once taught English (for twenty-eight years) and still enjoy opening a dictionary and tracing word origins. All of that study has its place, but it is not as important as pondering carefully the spiritual significance of speech. Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” A babbling brook is a fine thing, but a babbling being is not. Proverbs 15:2 states, “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” The goal of the godly should be sanctification, including in our speech. II Timothy 2:15 commands, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” I Peter 3:15 similarly commands, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Thus, if we study God’s Word with care and reverence, we can speak wise and winsome words and win some to the truth of Jesus Christ and His salvation.