As I said in an earlier post, I have recently been reading through the book of Proverbs. This book is intended to show how God’s people can avoid peril and enjoy life by living in the way God intended. A key term in this book is “Wisdom.” Below I have picked up where I last left off and have listed some truths about and characteristics of godly wisdom. I have also included Scripture references from the book.

A wise person has discernment.
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way. Proverbs 14:8

A wise person does not rely solely on intuition.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12

A wise person uses critical judgment.
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15

A wise person is cautious.
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16

A wise person has self-control.
A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. Proverbs 14:17

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29

A wise person is generous.
Blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 14:21

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. Proverbs 14:31

A wise person speaks softly.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

A wise person welcomes reproof.
Whoever heeds reproof is prudent. Proverbs 15:5

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. Proverbs 15:32

A wise person shares knowledge.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge. Proverbs 15:7

A wise person seeks council.
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

A wise person earns an honest living.
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27

A wise person weighs matters carefully before giving advice.
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Proverbs 15:28

Wisdom is better than worldly wealth.
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Proverbs 16:16

There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Proverbs 20:15

A wise person is humble.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18-19

One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23

A wise person improves with experience.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3

A wise person is teachable.
A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:10

Listen to advise and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20

Reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. Proverbs 19:25

A wise person listens before speaking.
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13

A wise person values integrity.
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Proverbs 19:1

A wise person is generous.
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17

A wise person fears the Lord.
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. Proverbs 19:23

A wise person is not controlled by substances.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverbs 20:1

Human wisdom does not compare to God’s.
No wisdom, no understanding, no council can avail against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

A wise person desires a good reputation more than high social status.
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

A wise person does not accrue debt.
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7

A wise person does not withhold discipline from his/her child.
Do not withhold discipline from a child. Proverbs 23:13

A wise person does not envy sinners.
Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-18

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Proverbs 24:19-20

A wise person chooses friends carefully.
Hear my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards, or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. Proverbs 23:19-21

A wise person does not give false witness.
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Proverbs 24:28

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. Proverbs 25:18

A wise person does not seek revenge.
Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.’ Proverbs 24:29

A wise person humbles himself/herself and is then exalted.
Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, ’Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. Proverbs 25:6-7

A wise person does not rush to judgment and seek justice in haste.
Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Proverbs 25:8

A wise person shows love toward his/her enemy.
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink…and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

A wise person learns from his mistakes.
Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

A wise person understands that time is precious.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1

A wise person interacts with others of the same character.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

A wise person confesses and forsakes sin and finds mercy.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13.

A wise person trusts in the Lord.
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26.

"Quote" of the Week

“In Proverbs, the words wise and wisdom are used at least 125 times, because the aim of the book is to help us acquire and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of daily life.” –Warren Wiersbe

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:14

‘God’s works of providence are, His most holy, wise, and powerful; preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions’(Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 11). If creation was a unique exercise of divine energy causing the world to be, providence is a continued exercise of the same energy. By it the Creator, according to His own will, keeps all creatures in being, involves Himself in all events, and directs all things to their appointed end. God is completely in charge of His world. His hand may be hidden, but His perfect rule extends to all things.’

It is sometimes supposed that God knows the future but does not control it; that He upholds the world, but does not intervene in it; or that He gives general direction, but is not concerned with details. The Bible emphatically rules out all such limitations of His providence.

‘The Bible clearly teaches God’s providential control (1) over the universe at large, Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11; (2) over the physical world, Job 37; Ps. 104:14; 135:6; Mt. 5:45; (3) over the brute creation, Ps. 104:21, 28; Mt. 6:26; 10:29; (4) over the affairs of nations, Job 12:23; Ps. 22:28; 66:7; Acts 17:26; (5) over man’s birth and lot in life, 1 Sam. 16:1; Ps. 139:16; Is. 45:5; Gal. 1:15, 16; (6) over the outward successes and failures of men’s lives, Ps. 75:6, 7; Luke 1:52; (7) over things seemingly accidental or insignificant, Pr. 16:33; Mt. 10:30; (8) in the protection of the righteous, Ps. 4:8; 5:12; 63:8; 121:3; Rom. 8:28; (9) in supplying the wants of God’s people, Gn. 22:8; 14; Dt. 8:3; Phil. 4:19; (10) in giving answers to prayer, 1 Sam. 1:19; Is. 20:5, 6; 2 Chr. 33:13; Ps. 65:2; Mt. 7:7; Lk. 18:7, 8; and (11) in the exposure and punishment of the wicked, Ps. 7:12, 13; 11:6. (L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology 2d rev. ed. [Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1941], p. 168.).’

Describing God’s involvement in the world and in the acts of rational creatures requires complementary statements. For example, a person wills an action, an event is triggered by natural causes, or Satan shows his hand—yet God overrules. Again, people may go against God’s will of command—yet they fulfill His will of events. People’s motives may be evil—yet God uses their actions for good (Gen. 50:20; Acts 2:23). Although human sin is under God’s decree, God is not the author of sin (James 1:13-17).

God’s 'concurrent' or 'confluent' involvement in all that occurs does not violate the natural order, ongoing casual processes, or the free, responsible agency of human beings. God’s sovereign control does not take away the responsibility and power of second causes; on the contrary, they are created and have their roles by His appointment.

Of the evils that infect God’s world (spiritual, moral, and physical) the Bible says: God permits evil (Acts 14:16); He uses evil as a punishment (Ps. 81:11-12; Rom. 1:26-32); He brings good out of evil (Gen. 50:20; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28; 13:27; 1 Cor. 2:7-8); He uses evil to test and discipline those He loves (Matt. 4:1-11; Heb. 12:4-14); but one day He will redeem His people from the power and presence of evil altogether (Rev. 21:27; 22:14-15).

The doctrine of providence teaches Christians that they are never in the grip of blind fortune, chance, luck, or fate. All that happens to them is divinely planned, and each event comes as a new summons to trust, obey, and rejoice, knowing that all is for one’s spiritual and eternal good (Rom. 8:28).

Sproul, R.C. Providence. The Reformation Study Bible. Orlando: Ligonier Ministries, 2005. 900.

I have recently been reading through the book of Proverbs. This book is intended to show how God’s people can avoid peril and enjoy life by living in the way God intended. A key term in this book is “Wisdom.” Below I have listed some truths about and characteristics of godly wisdom and have included Scripture references from the book.

A wise person fears the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7

A wise person does not walk in the way of the wicked.
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us…” do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths. Proverbs 1:10-11, 15

Wisdom is a divine gift and a human task.
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Proverbs 1:23

A wise person receives wise instruction.
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding…then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-2, 5

A wise person trusts in the Lord instead of human understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes. Proverbs 3:6-7

Wisdom is better than worldly wealth.
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. Proverbs 3:13-14

Wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 8:11.

A wise person welcomes instruction.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. Proverbs 9:8-9

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 12:1

A wise person knows when to be quiet and listen.
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Proverbs 10:8

A wise person is humble.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

A wise person practices self-control.
The annoyance of a fool is known at once, but the wise ignores an insult. Proverbs 12:16

A wise person speaks kindly.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18.

A wise person speaks truthfully.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 12:19

A wise person partakes in honest hard work.
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Proverbs 12:24

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Proverbs 13:11

A wise person keeps good company.
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise. Proverbs 13:20

More words of wisdom from Proverbs to come when I complete my study of the book.

"Quote" of the Week

"Proverbs shows that humans may live by a right way or a wrong way, a wise way or a foolish way. The right way is not the easy way, but those who live by it find great reward." -Kendell H. Easley

Most people, if asked, have an image of Jesus ingrained in their mind, especially around Christmas. Many stories are told and songs are sung of a child wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. Although this image communicates truth, it is only truth in part emphasizing Jesus' humanity, which could unintentionally deemphasizing deity.

I have recently noticed some confusion with the kids of Fellowship Fort Smith, during our Sunday morning study of the life of Christ, about who Jesus is and how he relates to God the Father. For example, after a lesson discussing Jesus' life on earth and how He was subservient to the Father when fulfilling His will, some students informed me that they thought of Jesus as being less than equal to the Father. Although evangelicals believe this conclusion to be false, this answer is an indication that the kids are wrestling with the difficult balance of Jesus' deity and humanity.

Yesterday we discussed John 1 because the beginning of the chapter gives a clear teaching of both Jesus’ distinctiveness from and likeness to the Father. Below is the outline I used, which can be found in chapter 5 of J.I. Packer’s classic book entitled, “Knowing God.”

Jesus is eternal (v. 1)
In the beginning was the Word

• Jesus, like the Father (Genesis 1:1), had no beginning. He has always existed and will continue to exist forever.
• A side note I shared with them was that the Holy Spirit (The Third Person of the Godhead) also had no beginning and will continue to exist forever (Genesis 1:2b).

Jesus is distinct from God the Father (v. 1)
And the Word was with God

• Here there is a distinction made between the Father and the Son.
• Jesus is not the Father, but with the Father. The Father is not the Son and neither are the Holy Spirit and vice versa.
• Because this is true one can safely assume that God exists in three persons.

Jesus is God (v. 1)
And the Word was God

• Jesus and the Father are one.
• Although the Bible is clear that God exists in three persons, it also emphasizes God’s oneness (1 Timothy 2:5).
• One must then conclude that God is one in essence and three in person.

Jesus is the Creator (v.3)
Through him all things were made

• Like the Father and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1), Jesus is involved in the creation process.
• Scripture teaches, “For by (Jesus) all things were created” (Colossians 1:16a).

In Jesus is Life (v. 4)
In him was life

• Packer affirms, “There is no physical life in the realm of created things except in and through (Jesus)…Life is given and maintained by the Word” (56).
• In other words, “If Jesus did no exist, neither would we.” He gives life and maintains it. This means that he has given us life and is actively involved in keeping us alive.

Jesus became a man (v. 14)
The Word became flesh

• The baby in the manger = the second person of the Godhead made man.
• According to Packer, “The Word had become flesh: a real human baby. He had not ceased to be God: he was no less God then than before; but he had begun to be man. He was not now God minus some elements of his deity, but God plus all that he had made his own by taking manhood to himself (57).

Let us remember this Christmas season that the baby in the manger was God made man. According to Packer, “The Christmas message rests on the staggering fact that the child in the manger was—God” (57).

A SHORT PSALM THAT SAYS A LOT

Below is a great Psalm that speaks of God as being both transcendent and immanent. When explaining Psalm 113, author R.C. Sproul affirms, "God is both transcendent (vv. 4-6) and immanent (vv. 7-9); (meaning) above creation but present with His people."