Course Content
Wisdom is being able to discern the right course of action, done for the right reasons and carried out at the right time. Wisdom begins as the acquiring of knowledge, but develops into character.
Jesus Christ said, "Wisdom is proved right by all of her children" (Luke 7:35 NIV). The proof of wisdom is in the results produced by decisions.
Points to build on
Remember that spiritual wisdom comes from God, and you must ask Him for it.
Proverbs 2:6-7 "For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up wisdom for the upright..."
Search the Bible for knowledge and understanding. Wisdom must be sought after and learned.
Proverbs 2:1-5: "My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as hidden treasure; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God."
Seek wise counsel.
Proverbs 1:5: "A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel."
Proverbs 11:14: "Where there is no counsel the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."
Proverbs 12:15: "The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise."
Proverbs 15:22: "Without counsel plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established."
Once you make a decision you must take action towards its completion. We must put forth the needed effort to make our decisions successful.
Proverbs 10:4-5: "He who deals with a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes one rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame."
Proverbs 21:5 NIV: "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."
Application
Most people make decisions based on emotional reactions or with a shortsighted view of consequences. Wisdom leads to the development of a decision-making process that first seeks the teachings of the Creator of Life, and then finds ways to apply those principles to the practical problems of everyday living.
Gary Petty is a 1978 graduate of Ambassador College with a BS in mass communications. He worked for six years in radio in Pennsylvania and Texas. He was ordained a minister in 1984 and has served congregations in Longview and Houston Texas; Rockford, Illinois; Janesville and Beloit, Wisconsin; and San Antonio, Austin and Waco, Texas. He presently pastors United Church of God congregations in Nashville, Murfreesboro and Jackson, Tennessee.
Gary says he's "excited to be a part of preaching the good news of God's Kingdom over the airwaves," and "trusts the material presented will make a helpful difference in people's lives, bringing them closer to a relationship with their heavenly Father."
