I have been thinking a lot about biblical wisdom in the last few weeks. It is something that is different from wisdom as we use it. Most of the time we apply wisdom to get out of some situation that affects us directly or indirectly. This helps us achieve some goal we have set or overcome some difficulty that comes our way.
The one thing it does not do is expose the motive of our heart. Such wisdom when applied may be laudable, it may look selfless but it does not tell the onlooker the true motive behind the execution.
This is where biblical wisdom is different. Biblical wisdom often uses syncrisis to arrive at its conclusion. It contrasts opposite themes or ideas and at times proposes the outcome of either. This pattern then advises the recipient to choose the proper action and therefore proper outcome.
Here the individual is told to choose between the wife of his youth and the adulterer, to be satisfied by her breasts rather than the fragrance of her whose door leads to the place of death.
In this pattern, the presence of godly wisdom is established. The choice of a particular outcome shows the heart of the one choosing. It just does not put up situations where there is room for manipulation it reveals to all that hear it the clear motive behind the action.
This when applied to our speech reveals to us what is behind our actions. We can self-assess and know how near or far we are when it comes to conforming to the nature of God.
James 1:5 tells us how to get wisdom. Wisdom is personalized in the book of Proverbs and Christ is revealed as the wisdom of God.
Oh the depth of the of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgment and how inscrutable his ways!
Soli Deo Gloria
Biblical Wisdom
April 29, 2014 by Jide Ajayi • Life • Tags: Biblical Wisdom, God, wisdom •
I have been thinking a lot about biblical wisdom in the last few weeks. It is something that is different from wisdom as we use it. Most of the time we apply wisdom to get out of some situation that affects us directly or indirectly. This helps us achieve some goal we have set or overcome some difficulty that comes our way.
The one thing it does not do is expose the motive of our heart. Such wisdom when applied may be laudable, it may look selfless but it does not tell the onlooker the true motive behind the execution.
This is where biblical wisdom is different. Biblical wisdom often uses syncrisis to arrive at its conclusion. It contrasts opposite themes or ideas and at times proposes the outcome of either. This pattern then advises the recipient to choose the proper action and therefore proper outcome.
Here the individual is told to choose between the wife of his youth and the adulterer, to be satisfied by her breasts rather than the fragrance of her whose door leads to the place of death.
In this pattern, the presence of godly wisdom is established. The choice of a particular outcome shows the heart of the one choosing. It just does not put up situations where there is room for manipulation it reveals to all that hear it the clear motive behind the action.
This when applied to our speech reveals to us what is behind our actions. We can self-assess and know how near or far we are when it comes to conforming to the nature of God.
James 1:5 tells us how to get wisdom. Wisdom is personalized in the book of Proverbs and Christ is revealed as the wisdom of God.
Oh the depth of the of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgment and how inscrutable his ways!
Soli Deo Gloria