To Be Truly Wise

SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 9:1-18 (NRSV)

The wise and foolish women

Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
"You that are simple, turn in here!"
To those without sense she says,
"Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight."

Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.
A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you;
the wise, when rebuked, will love you.
Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

The foolish woman is loud;
she is ignorant and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the high places of the town,
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
"You who are simple, turn in here!"
And to those without sense she says,
"Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
But they do not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.


DEVOTION

I have heard it said more than once that wisdom is the right application of knowledge.

I often tell my students that lots of people are smart. We can read and study books, newspapers, magazines, journals, and websites; we can gather and memorize a lot of information and then regurgitate it at will.

When we do this, we show that we are intelligent enough to gather knowledge; but this does not prove that we are truly wise.

See, knowledge can be used for good or evil. It can be used to build up or destroy. It can be used to protect life or destroy it.

Wisdom, on the other hand, finds its source in the fear--or reverence--of the Lord! As we walk in adoration and respect for God, we will always act in ways that multiply Love on the earth. As we walk in compassion for all of God's children, we will make choices that cause us to "lay aside immaturity, live, and walk in the way of insight."

I truly believe that the only way to walk in the way of insight is to allow Spirit to be our guide. Spirit will always cause us to apply our knowledge, in the ways of wisdom, by sharing and abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

As we walk in the way of wisdom and of Spirit, we are invited to partner with God as we remake the world in the image of the one named Love who gave his life on Calvary's Tree to atone for our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Because of Jesus' great love and sacrifice, we are able to truly walk in wisdom. Will you do so today?


Let us pray: Holy God, you are the source of all wisdom. I can know nothing apart from your Spirit. Please breathe on me afresh and grant me your eyes to see your world as you do. Give me your heart to love and serve others. Help me to always walk in reverence for your Holy Name and to bear the good news about Jesus to everyone whom I meet. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta