WHERE THE PATHS MEET
FEBRUARY 2013
Lisa Maki
If there is something that men have sought for all these years, it is wisdom. The very fall of man was due to a desire for higher wisdom. Eve was tempted by the devil when he said to her:
For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity (Genesis 3:5).
There is something about wisdom that makes us want it. With wisdom comes the ability to know things that others don’t. With wisdom comes the ability to lead people. With wisdom comes the ability to make decisions that create major impacts.
Though wisdom is a common desire for all men, its meaning and substance is totally different between these two categories: worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.
Worldly wisdom defined
But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth. This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices (James 3:14-16).
Godly wisdom defined
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity) (James 3:17).
Worldly wisdom is what a person attains without Jesus Christ or without total and full surrender to Him; while Godly wisdom is what a person attains through Jesus Christ and total surrender to Him. Thus, godly wisdom is true wisdom.
Godly wisdom starts with a reverential fear of God. This entails the highest respect for Him and His sovereignty, as well as an earnest desire to know Him and His perfect will. God’s Word and His Wisdom go hand-in-hand. Yet, without translating God’s Word into our everyday circumstances, we don’t gain wisdom. It is through the application of what we learn from God, through His Word, that we acquire and develop godly wisdom.
Though godly wisdom is more spiritual than intellectual, we still need to use our minds in exercising it. This is actually one aspect about godly wisdom that a lot of Christians have failed to realize.
Proverbs 8:1-2 says: Does not skillful and godly Wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice? On the top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, stands Wisdom.
This Scripture clearly says that wisdom stands “where the paths meet”. What are these paths?
Let’s go back to verse 1 which says: godly wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice. Wisdom and understanding are the two paths. While wisdom represents the spirit, understanding represents the mind or common sense. Thus, wisdom is where our spirit and common sense meet.
Let me give you a very clear example here.
The Word of God says that we should love our enemies. It is godly wisdom to practice this and apply it in our daily lives. It is godly wisdom to forgive because the Bible says so. However, it is also common sense to be careful of letting our enemies into our inner circle.
Let me be more specific.
A woman was sexually harassed by a man. She was humiliated and hurt. She knows that she has to continue loving this man even if he is her enemy. If she doesn’t use her common sense, she will allow this man to enter her house and something worse may happen the second time around. If she uses her common sense, she will love this man by praying for him and releasing forgiveness for him but still being careful of not being around him.
Now this is wisdom balanced with common sense. This is what the Bible refers to as “where the paths meet”.
Another example would be the Biblical principle of giving. Though it is wise to give the very last you have, it is common sense to think about your own needs and your family’s needs. 1 Timothy 5:8 says that if a man can’t provide for his family, he is worse than an unbeliever. Yet, how many Christian leaders out there are so generous in helping others, yet are neglecting their own families?
Again, wisdom balanced with common sense is the key.
So if you want to have godly wisdom, remember to go “where the paths meet”.
For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity (Genesis 3:5).
There is something about wisdom that makes us want it. With wisdom comes the ability to know things that others don’t. With wisdom comes the ability to lead people. With wisdom comes the ability to make decisions that create major impacts.
Though wisdom is a common desire for all men, its meaning and substance is totally different between these two categories: worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.
Worldly wisdom defined
But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth. This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices (James 3:14-16).
Godly wisdom defined
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity) (James 3:17).
Worldly wisdom is what a person attains without Jesus Christ or without total and full surrender to Him; while Godly wisdom is what a person attains through Jesus Christ and total surrender to Him. Thus, godly wisdom is true wisdom.
Godly wisdom starts with a reverential fear of God. This entails the highest respect for Him and His sovereignty, as well as an earnest desire to know Him and His perfect will. God’s Word and His Wisdom go hand-in-hand. Yet, without translating God’s Word into our everyday circumstances, we don’t gain wisdom. It is through the application of what we learn from God, through His Word, that we acquire and develop godly wisdom.
Though godly wisdom is more spiritual than intellectual, we still need to use our minds in exercising it. This is actually one aspect about godly wisdom that a lot of Christians have failed to realize.
Proverbs 8:1-2 says: Does not skillful and godly Wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice? On the top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, stands Wisdom.
This Scripture clearly says that wisdom stands “where the paths meet”. What are these paths?
Let’s go back to verse 1 which says: godly wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice. Wisdom and understanding are the two paths. While wisdom represents the spirit, understanding represents the mind or common sense. Thus, wisdom is where our spirit and common sense meet.
Let me give you a very clear example here.
The Word of God says that we should love our enemies. It is godly wisdom to practice this and apply it in our daily lives. It is godly wisdom to forgive because the Bible says so. However, it is also common sense to be careful of letting our enemies into our inner circle.
Let me be more specific.
A woman was sexually harassed by a man. She was humiliated and hurt. She knows that she has to continue loving this man even if he is her enemy. If she doesn’t use her common sense, she will allow this man to enter her house and something worse may happen the second time around. If she uses her common sense, she will love this man by praying for him and releasing forgiveness for him but still being careful of not being around him.
Now this is wisdom balanced with common sense. This is what the Bible refers to as “where the paths meet”.
Another example would be the Biblical principle of giving. Though it is wise to give the very last you have, it is common sense to think about your own needs and your family’s needs. 1 Timothy 5:8 says that if a man can’t provide for his family, he is worse than an unbeliever. Yet, how many Christian leaders out there are so generous in helping others, yet are neglecting their own families?
Again, wisdom balanced with common sense is the key.
So if you want to have godly wisdom, remember to go “where the paths meet”.
Lisa Maki is the founder, publisher, and editor of God'z Gurlz. More about Lisa at ...
http://www.godzgurlz.com/regular-contributors.html
http://www.godzgurlz.com/regular-contributors.html
