Wisdom

Wisdom

Have you ever tried to discern whether someone was giving you wisdom from above or a story to fulfill their own agenda?  Seems more and more, the longer I live there is an absences of trust in the world and man's word.  Maybe, I myself have heard just one too many stories, only to realize that the phrase "what's in it for me" is hidden deep within it, like the thorns protruding from the cactus.  It's not too often you hear a beautiful story about love, going the extra mile and having a worn sole to prove it.  Or the story of "do unto other as you would like them to do unto you."  Or giving to a person those things they desperately need, like love; just imagine it would be like giving water to the flower so it could produce a beautiful bloom! 

Most stories are riddled with untruth, exaggeration and plain, old, lies.  Maybe I have a biased view because I am a single woman who has experienced the great advancements in technology and dating online?  Believe me, I have heard my share of stories! 

With the internet and technology so prevalent, its so much easier to tell that little untruth, until it turns into an ugly lie, hurting not only the one you told it to, but those around you.  Or the constant joke that is filled with little digs and little lies; Oh, that won't hurt anyone, it's just a joke, they say!  This world is not only filled with lies but also with hatred and the ugliness it produces.  How can we recognize wisdom when these ugly things swirl around us like bees to honey? 

 So, I don't want to focus on negative things, nor do I want to live in a reality that is dark and unpleasant.  Again, I turn to the words of a loving Savior.  His teaching and instruction helps me keep my mind on things above, on heavenly places where there is only truth.  In Colossians 3:2 - it says to set your mind on things above and not on things of this world.  And again in Philippians 4:8 - it says

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true,whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — ifanything is excellent or praiseworthy — think on these things. 9Whatever you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, put these things into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

A friend and I were talking about what God's wisdom looks like and how to recognize it.  In James 3:17 it says, but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  When I think about it, this is how my friend is with me.  I think everyone needs to have a friend like this to talk with and to fellowship with, especially in today's world.  We all need a friend that shows the qualities of Jesus, the qualities of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness and patience.