JULY 3, 2016

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” 
― William Shakespeare

JOB 26-28

Job continues to debate his friends and states that true wisdom comes only from God...

20Where then does wisdom come from?

Where does understanding dwell?

21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,

concealed even from the birds in the sky.

22Destruction^b and Death say,

“Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”

23God understands the way to it

and he alone knows where it dwells,

24for he views the ends of the earth

and sees everything under the heavens.

25When he established the force of the wind

and measured out the waters,

26when he made a decree for the rain

and a path for the thunderstorm,

27then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;

he confirmed it and tested it.

28And he said to the human race,

“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,

and to shun evil is understanding.”

 

ACTS 11

Peter is questioned by the other apostles for eating and preaching to the Gentiles...Peter explains...

15“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with^a water, but you will be baptized with^b the Holy Spirit.’ 17So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

JOURNAL 

The gifts of wisdom are hidden many times in experiences and circumstances that often I would on the outset deem as evil. Yet God uses it...confounding my own wisdom so that I would trust him. Job understands this from and through his experience. 

Peter and the apostles are also corrected in their exclusivity in believing that salvation and the love of God is only for the Jews. God uses dreams and circumstances to teach Peter that his love is for all. 

This affirms again that relying on my own view of "right and wrong" is a deadly act. For on my own I do not have the capacity, wisdom or understanding to determine good and evil. This is why even though God has blessed me with talents and tools and gifts...they are only used well when I seek the wisdom of God. Otherwise I am operating arrogantly and independently and as a result will pretty much be guaranteed to make foolish choices.

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

 ~ JAMES 3:13-17