Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
We love to be wise in our own eyes. We gather degrees, study philosophies, and read self-help books while we neglect our regular devotions. We are impressed by scholars, leaders, and pundits while we criticize our pastors. We spend time listening to the news, watching television, and tirelessly texting while we skip our prayer time. We seek wisdom from everywhere but its real source.
I am as guilty of this as anyone. I fret over the topic of my PLUS posts throughout the week, wracking my brain for something worthwhile to write. More often than not, this leads me nowhere. Yet, without even thinking about it, the next topic will come to me just in time during a period of regular prayer or daily devotions. Each time I’m surprised, but I shouldn’t be. Nothing that I have to say is wise, but everything God has to say is.
Abraham Lincoln wrote the following in his journal in 1829: “I feel humbled and mortified by the conviction that the Creator has gifted me with intelligence almost in vain. I am almost twenty two and have as yet attained but the threshold of knowledge.” Lincoln’s thoughts help reveal the difference between knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom. Knowledge can be attained through studies and intelligence is a characteristic gifted by God. The application of the combination of these, wisdom, is in vain without the Lord.
American Christians need to stop seeking wisdom apart from God. Man’s wisdom is not wisdom at all. PLEASE REGULARLY PRAY THAT THE LORD WOULD HELP AMERICAN CHRISTIANS RECOGNIZE OUR DEPENDENCE ON HIS WISDOM. More than anything, this nation needs citizens who zealously seek the Lord’s wisdom. Gaining true wisdom is not a tedious chore; it’s there for the asking.