Being Wise – part 3
In part 1 of the series, we looked at the nature of wisdom; and in part 2 we examined the wise applications of taking initiative, i.e. being at cause in the direction of our lives. Now, let us look at the wisdom of being a ‘peacemaker.’
If you are having to make peace, there must be some contention that you are having to deal with – something that is interfering with the highest gifts from God: peace, love, and joy. These gifts intersect; so, any malice towards one of them will also poison the other two.
The most common foes of peace, love and joy, are faithlessness, anger, and jealousy; (see Anger Kills and Right and Wrong Relationships – part 3) – all of which are forms of fear (see Fearless). Where fear exists, there is no love; therefore, neither is there peace nor joy:
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. 1 Jn. 4:18 CSB
These fears are rooted in being afraid that you won’t get what you want, or that you are going to lose something – born from wanting to get your own way, and from practicing covetousness.
For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. Jas. 3:16
In our humanness, we tend to strike back when our peace is assaulted; but that is not the godly model:
…he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:13 NLT
We are meant to model Him:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Eph. 4:31, 32. NLT
If we do that, we take on the characteristics of a peacemaker:
A gentle answer deflects anger… Pr. 15:1 NLT
…love covers all transgressions. Pr. 10:12 NASB
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Lk. 6:27, 28. NKJV
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Rm. 12:18 ESV
This is all part of our godly mandate, an element for advancing His kingdom:
The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil… 2 Tim. 2:24 – 26. CSB
Finally, as you attempt to make peace, God will bless you as well:
…counselors of peace have joy. Pr. 12:20 NKJV
Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor. 13:11 CSB
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” Mt. 5:9 NLT
Peace be with you. Part 4 is coming soon!
Goodnight and God bless.
How to Be a Good Parent – 6
How to be a good and godly parent includes telling our children the truth about boys and girls. Please click on the link below:
https://www.prageru.com/video/gender-identity-why-all-the-confusion/
Being Wise – part 2
In part one of this series, (see Being Wise), we examined what wisdom actually was, and how God stressed the necessity of our pursuing after it. The book of Proverbs, mostly written by King Solomon through Holy Spirit-inspiration, contains a great treasure trove of this divine wisdom.
For wisdom to be beneficial, it must be applied. Some of the proverbs offer a plethora of wisdom regarding its application in marriage: but we’ve already covered that in previous blogposts, (see Right and Wrong Relationships and Part 3 of the same series).
Other proverbs let us examine the wise applications of initiative:
Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest. How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit. Pr. 6:6 – 11. CSB
Jehovah God often displays His wisdom by portraying the consequences of going against it. Yet, doesn’t laziness seem to be a minor offense? Not so. Slothfulness can even rob one of their basic necessities; whereas diligent action brings great rewards:
Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. Pr. 13:4 NLT
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. Pr. 10:4 CSB
Those who don’t take initiative will be subservient to those that do:
The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor. Pr. 12:24 NASB
If this sluggishness spills over into their spiritual pursuits, they can miss out on a good life here and in eternity:
…demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance. Heb. 6:11, 12. CSB
You must initiate your relationship with God; and afterwards, you have to continually take action to keep yourself present in it:
The LORD looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. Ps. 14:2 CSB
Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually [to be in His presence]. 1 Chr. 16:11 AMP
Thus, building and maintaining a relationship with the Lord is a doing. If we don’t act, it will be our undoing. And it will happen from time to time. You know when that is: when we fall short in our obedience to Him. But even then, Jehovah tells us what to do to get back in right relationship with Him:
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin… 2 Chr. 7:14 NKJV
You see that! Humble, pray, seek and turn – all verbs, words of action!
We need to stay motivated to take the initiative. How? By keeping our focus on the vital benefits that we receive from being related to our Creator – like love, peace, abundance, joy and freedom, for now and all eternity:
Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. Ps. 119:2 NLT
I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. Ps. 119:45 NLT
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” Mt. 7:7 NLT
Even love is a doing:
Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us). 1 Cor. 16:14 AMP
And God loves a doer:
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. Jas. 1:22 NASB
Take action. Stay tuned for part 3…
Goodnight and God bless.