GOT WISDOM Part I - Why You Need Wisdom

GOT WISDOM

Part I

Why You Need Wisdom

Intro:

For age’s people, philosophers, religious leaders and academicians have wrestled with this question. The great lecturer and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson says

“A wise person knows there is something to be learned from everyone.”  While this is a true statement I am not sure it embodies all that wisdom is.

The ancient Greek Philosopher and Scientist Aristotle affirmed that

“The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure but to avoid pain “Good thoughts on wisdom but something still seems lacking. 

Saint Augustine the great theologian and bishop of Hippo surmises that “wisdom is reading every page of the book of life and traveling far and wid.”  This is very poetic but how exactly do I read every page of the “book of life”?

I have heard definitions for wisdom ranging from:

“Wisdom is about what we know and don’t know” to “The Wise are those who have the courage to become vulnerable”.

I ask again. What is wisdom? Is it something the slow walking bearded Monk who emerges from a cave after a vow of silence possesses?

Could the millennial with holes in her jeans and dread locks possess wisdom?  Is it simply ancient or is it modern? Does Hollywood model it for us in movies?

Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about wisdom:

“Wisdom, sapience, or sagacity is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. Wisdom is associated with attributes such as unbiased judgment, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, self-transcendence and non-attachment, and virtues such as ethics and benevolence”.

Merriam Webster says Wisdom is:

1. Ability to discern inner qualities and relationships

2. A wise attitude, belief, or course of action

3. The teachings of the ancient wise men

Does all of this have you scratching your head?  I have scratched mine a time or two. To simplify things I am going to give you my definition of wisdom.

Wisdom is discerning the practical knowledge required to give you optimal results in any given situation.

That’s it. It’s that simple as far as I am concerned. It makes sense for wisdom to be practical. It doesn’t make sense as a purely theoretical concept. Wisdom must produce finite results. It can’t exist just to make people gawk at profound statements. It must be more than a tweetable phrase that goes viral. Wisdom must do something. It should build things. It ought to solve problems. It has to establish new norms. When I discern the practical knowledge that gives me the best results I have embraced wisdom.

I. HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND TO WISDOM 

1.      Don’t forsake it

Prov. 4:6

Do not forsake her…

(‛āzaḇ)  meaning to leave, to abandon, to loose.

2.      Love it

Prov. 4:6

“love her…”

(ehabe) flirt with, endear yourself to

3.      Exalt it

Prov. 4:8

“Exalt her…”

(sālal) A verb meaning to build up, to lift up; to exalt. It means to hold someone or something in a position of a high or excessively high reputation or worth

4.      Embrace it

Prov. 4:8

“…She will bring you honor, when you embrace her”

(ḥāḇaq) A verb meaning to embrace. Its most common meaning is to embrace someone in a show of affection

5.      Ask for it

James 1:5

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6.      Seek and search for it

Prov. 2:4

If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures.

II. 20 REASONS YOU NEED WISDOM 

1.      Wisdom is number 1

Prov. 4:7

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

2.      Nothing Compares to it

Prov. 8:11

¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

3.      It’s Superior to Strength

Eccl 9:16

¹⁶ Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength

4.      It Solves Problems

5.      It’s better than weapons of war

Eccl 9:18

¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.”

6.      It is better than money

Prov 16:16

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

7.      It has power and character

James 3:13-15

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 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.

8.      Long Life is Attached

Prov. 3:13-16

Happy is the man who finds wisdom…Length of days is in her right hand

9.      It Carries Creativity

Prov. 8:12

I wisdom dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge of witty inventions.

10.  It’s ways are pleasant and peaceful

Prov. 3:13-17

Happy is the man who finds wisdom… Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

11.  People around you need you to have it

Gen 41:33-41

³³ “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. ³⁴ Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. ³⁵ And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. ³⁶ Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.” ³⁷ So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. ³⁸ And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” ³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” ⁴¹ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

12.  It produces Stability

Is 33:6

Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times.

13.  It provides Direction

Eccl 10:10

¹⁰ If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

14.  It provides Discretion

Prov. 2:11

 A plan

15.  It Results in Happiness

Prov. 3:13

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.

16.  It’s a spiritual gift

1 Cor. 12:8

 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit.

17.  God wants to display His wisdom through You

Eph 3:10

¹⁰ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places

18.  Jesus increased in wisdom

Luke 2:52

⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

19.  Wisdom is Hidden in Christ

Col 2:2-3

Both of the Father and of Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

20.  Wisdom provides special skill

Exo 31:1-5

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³ And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴ to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵ in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.

III. HOW IS WISDOM RECEIVED 

1.      Divine Impartation

1 Kings 3:4-15

2.      Asking

James 1:5

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

3.      Human Transfer

Deut 34:9

⁹ Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses

AUTHORIZED (Part V.) Transacting Kingdom Business

AUTHORIZED

(Part V.)

Transacting Kingdom Business

Luke 10:19

¹⁹ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Throughout this series we have been discussing that we are authorized to transfer Kingdom reality into the earth realm. God’s goal has always been to transfer heaven to earth through his called out ones. During this year of Access we must take our responsibility seriously and impact the realms our sphere of influence with the glory of the Kingdom. Let’s discuss how Kingdom business is transacted.

I. LIKE GOD

1.  We are made in the image and likeness of God

Psalm 8:4-5

⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? ⁵ For You have made him a little lower than the angels (Elohim), And You have crowned him with glory and honor. ⁶ You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet

Gen 1:27

⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

2. We are called to govern the earth like God governs heaven

Gen 1:26

⁶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Dominion means authorization to carry out God’s purpose. Notice He did not say let us have dominion He said “let them” have dominion. Dominion was given to us. God himself choose to be subject to this principle. God did not originally create man for heaven. He was created for the earth. And He will still live on the earth for all eternity. Rev 21:1. Our Job is to make earth like heaven. We are to fill the earth with Kingdom rule. Our dominion mandate authorizes us to do such.

Psalm 115:16

¹⁶ The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.

   3. There are laws in the spirit realm that all spiritual beings must respect

Job 1:8-12

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” ⁹ So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” ¹² And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

This verse shows there were limits (laws) governing what Satan could and could not do. He was not allowed to attack at will.

Eph 6:12

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1 Cor. 10:13

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

II. METHODS OF GOVERNING

1. God speaks faith filled words

Gen 1:1-3

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. ³ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

 2. Words create law in the spirit realm

Mark 11:12-14

¹² Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. ¹³ And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

Mark 11:20-23

²⁰ Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. ²¹ And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” ²² So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. ²³ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Matthew 15:28

²⁸ Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 8:13

¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

The condition of the heart and the words of the mouth is what creates reality.

·   Rom 10:17 (word is rhema) – Faith comes by hearing the known will of God for us

·   John 15:7 Abide in me and my words (rhema) abide in you then you can ask what you will and it shall be done for you.

3.  Science and Words

a.    Everything is made of atoms

b.    Atom is made of an extremely small nucleus and a cloud of electrons going around it

c.    Electrons are made of “leptons” and Protons and neutrons are made of “quarks”

d.    These photons are non-local

e.    Quarks – vibrating packets of energy that have frequency

f.     They are not always there as a particle. It’s in a wave like state (everywhere at once) until a human being interacts with it.

g.    The attitude of the person looking at it affected what it became

h.    Spoken words are unseen vibrations – They travel through space in a wave state and have a frequency. A frequency is how many waves it makes in a certain wavelength.

i.      The smallest building blocks of matter also exist in a wave state and have a certain frequency.

The very atoms around you wish to serve us

                       

Mark 4:35-40

³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

1 Kings 17:1

And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

III. FAITH FILLED ACTION

1.  Acting on your belief

Mark 5:25-34

²⁵ Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, ²⁶ and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. ²⁸ For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” ²⁹ Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. ³⁰ And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” ³¹ But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” ³² And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. ³³ But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. ³⁴ And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

     2.  Acting on a Word

2 Kings 13:14-19

¹⁴ Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!” ¹⁵ And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. ¹⁶ Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. ¹⁷ And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.” ¹⁸ Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. ¹⁹ And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.”