The Wise or the Foolish

Psalm 90:11-12..........11 Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. NKJV

When we read through the book of Proverbs we find a lot on the differences of the wise and the foolish. An individual, either male or female will have a disposition, a marked trait that points to their upbringing in a specific area and having qualities that make them distinct from other people. We have short hair, curly hair, blonde hair or even gray hair but that does not mean who we are as a person We grow up learning a certain language, the integrity or lack of integrity, a strength or bent towards having a heritage that shows in a respect to serving God, or lack of serving God in regard to whatever nation we are born.

I may resemble my dad more than I favor my mom. I may have his hair coloring, and shape of his face but my nose resembles my mom's nose. I may tell the stories my dad would tell when I was a child. I may favor him in many ways, but in truth, I am to look for truth, and it is seeking God's wisdom for my life.

We are either known by a reputation that proceeds us, what comes out of our mouths, and either we are at peace where we are positioned in life or outwardly always striving with others. Yes, we are known by our character.
Whatever that personality is and how one reacts to that around them, will certainly tell others a lot about them. If all hell is breaking loose, do we remain at peace in God or do we yell and throw things?
Is what comes out of our mouth glorifying God or ourself? Is what I say encouraging to others and their lives?
In my estimation, I believe the greatest gift besides our salvation in Jesus Christ is to have a heart of wisdom. We can turn on the evening news and find a lot of chaos, and we find those choosing to have it their way and kill others. We find others choosing to quarrel about something rather than sitting down and talking about the situation.
Proverbs 15:5 tells us that a fool despises his father's instruction, but he who that is yielding to correction is prudent.

My question is: are we foolish or are we wise?
Foolish: from the Greek word "Moros", which one who is stupid or dull.

Proverbs 12:15.....15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise. NKJV

The scripture states that one who walks as a fool is doing what feels right in his own eyes. But to be wise according to this verse means that one is to heed counsel of the wise. God's word is filled with counsel to lead us into peace and a smooth pathway.
Psalm 27:11-12........11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence. NIV

If I follow after the wisdom of God, I stay on a straight path. When I heed His correction and teaching I stay in a safe place that guards me by His Word.

James 3:17-18....17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NKJV

Always asking God for “the wisdom that comes from heaven [ which ] is first of all pure, peaceable (peace-loving), considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”

According to this scripture verse, God's wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy AND GOOD FRUIT!

Do our lives mirror this scripture?

Do we have the fruit that looks like a peacemaker, a wise man or woman who holds back our feelings? Or are we the hypocrite.............oh my!

Matthew 5:14-16………..14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

Jesus said that we are to BE A “light of the world”. Are men seeing our light shine for Jesus or ourselves……?

John 8:12…………….12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." NKJV

Jesus is the source of our “light”.

So is my “light” shining, flickering or just burned out?

Have we lost our purpose? Is life’s storm blowing like a “NOR' EASTER” against our “light”?

Have we neglected to keep that light shining for all to see?

If it is like a Nor'easter blowing against our light, we know that these specific storms can occur the year around, but are stronger and more intense in the months of September through April.

Problems can come and go in our lives. But trouble should never overtake us for we are to be overcomers according to the word of God.   1 John 4:4-6.................4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
NIV

What are some ways that God’s light shines through our lives?

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ……………4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. NKJV

His light is to shine in our hearts for it is God who commanded for light to shine out of darkness. When we renounce the shame, the dishonor, and receive His mercy, when we choose to walk in His ways that are right and are upright in the eyes of God, our hearts are no longer veiled. We see clearly to walk in His light and learn the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

If we can look into the face of our children, and learn their ways and know their good and bad traits………..surely we can know and recognize a good God. Surely if our focus will turn towards YOU our Father and read YOUR word and apply it to our lives, we can inhale YOUR presence and see YOUR wisdom in our daily decision making. For everything we do, in line with God's Word will show the world we are different. We will stand and pray for others when all hell is breaking loose.

We will not flaunt ourselves before the world, but raise the Word of God and expect to see His faithfulness in our lives and those we love and pray for each day.

Proverbs 4:7-9................7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor." NIV

No, we do not have to flaunt ourselves but it is God who will exalt us when we highly esteem His wisdom. Though it cost all we have, when we esteem and delight in wisdom, to embrace it and not let go, then we will see ourselves come to a place of honor as she sets a garland of grace on our heads and present us with a crown splendor.  We become the one whom the Lord delights in and the one whom the Lord brings honor to in His love and mercy for us. We are then, no longer the forsaken and the the one of reproach.

Proverbs 29:11...... A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. NKJV

When we refuse to believe that we are always right in our own eyes, but seek the counsel of God’s word we find more peace and wisdom. When we are willing to receive instruction then we become those who will hear, and not react but give time for God to speak and our prayers to work when we pursue the justice of God for any situation. When we choose to not strive with others, we become the peacemaker.

Father, today we have the choice of being a fool or the wise. I pray in Jesus' name, that we be those who will be the wise for we understand that any fool can start a quarrel. (Prov. 20:3) May Your Light shine in and through us this day and everyday. We renounce the shame and receive Your mercy. Today I pray that all would choose to walk in ways that are right and upright in YOUR eyes O'God. May we expect to see YOUR faithfulness in our lives and in those we pray for today and every day.Your Word God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.(Psalm 119:105)  I thank YOU today for godly Christian counselors, godly parents, godly pastors, wise friends and fellow believers that YOU our Father have placed around us when we see the necessity to make some major decisions for our lives. May our walk in YOUR wisdom be to YOUR honor and glory. May we always heed Your counsel and shun the advice of the world. Let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify You our Father in heaven. Amen.

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