Journal Prov 3 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” Prov 3:21-26
Observation: There is something special about wisdom and discretion that the Holy Spirit wants to communicate…
Analysis: What is so special about wisdom? And why do I need to exercise discretion or learn to be discreet?
Isn’t that antithetical to being open and transparent—especially concerning witnessing of the Gospel? Well—like in some places in the Bible, it is, and it isn’t. One of the principles that I have learned is that, concerning reading and learning to apply the commands of the Bible, there can be two commands, perhaps looking like they contradict each other, that God intends for them to be synthesized in the Disciple’s daily practice.
Wisdom, then, is knowing the Word of God well enough and being dependent on the Holy Spirit thoroughly enough to bring the appropriate biblical precept/principle/doctrine/scripture to memory, so that I can be secure in what I decide to do in any particular action.
What does “not-wisdom” look like, then? Note: Solomon identifies unwise people as fools; I tend to lean into “stupid” myself (as it more identifies the way I feel about myself most often).
Just from the Proverbs reference above, not-wisdom (or unwise) has these prevalent characteristics:
- Insecurity (or security based on a faulty foundation perhaps?)
- Stumbling quite a bit
- Fear. Not the wholesome Fear of the Most High, but fear of the unknown like when a person is about to go asleep
- Sudden terror
- My ruin if I know I have edged over into a wicked practice
Perhaps the “peace which passes understanding” (Phil 4:7) is a by-product not only of the Holy Spirit but of gaining and seeking for Wisdom?
I don’t care for the adrenaline surge that accompanies fear found in the world. I am grateful for it, because it puts me on alert, but perhaps it is also one of those things that came because of Adam being kicked out of Eden. (Just a stray thought…I have those at times over the weirdest things.)
Therefore, among all the other subjects disciples are to pursue, pursue Wisdom and catch it; let it be my adornment and life for my soul.
Prayer: Father, you let me wonder about your Word and I so appreciate it. Keep me from wandering to error and let my focus be solely upon you and the Gospel of Redemption.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes