WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
NOVEMBER 17, 2022
TOPIC: USE GOD’S WISDOM
BY T. O. BANSO
“A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe” (Proverbs 28:26 The Living Bible).
The Bible talks about two main kinds of wisdom: the wisdom of God and the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of God is the same as the wisdom that is from above or hidden wisdom while the wisdom of this world is the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, or demonic. It is the wisdom of this age or the wisdom of the rulers of this age.
Paul said, “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:20-21 New King James Version).
Paul further said, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8 New King James Version).
Are you using the wisdom of God or the wisdom of this world – the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, or man’s wisdom? According to Proverbs 28:26, “A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe” (The Living Bible). Do you trust yourself or use the wisdom of God? Don’t be a fool! There’s safety in God’s wisdom.
Some people engaged in lying, dishonesty, or sharp practices, and say they used the wisdom of God. No. The wisdom of God is pure, peace-loving, gentle at all times, willing to yield to others, full of mercy and good deeds, impartial, and always sincere (James 3:17). These features show whether or not you’re using the wisdom of God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10).
Do you trust yourself or use the wisdom of God? The Bible says the wisdom of God was in Solomon and the people feared him. “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice” (1 Kings 3:28 American Standard Version).
Solomon didn’t trust himself or employ worldly wisdom in judging the case between those two women over the ownership of the living baby. The way he solved this seemingly intractable problem could only have been by the wisdom of God.
Don’t trust yourself; use the wisdom of God, which is available to man, especially His children. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version).
Don’t trust yourself because of anything you possess, as Jerusalem trusted in her beauty and played the harlot because of her fame (Ezekiel 16:15). You need the wisdom of God. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25).
The Laodicean church said she was rich, had become wealthy, and had need of nothing, but she didn’t know she was wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17). Don’t let anything you have to make you trust yourself instead of relying on the wisdom of God. Paul said, “In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9 New Living Translation).
How do you get the wisdom of God? 1 Corinthians 1:24 calls Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Therefore, embracing Jesus gives you access to the wisdom of God. Furthermore, the Bible says he who lacks wisdom should ask from God who gives liberally or gladly and does not rebuke or resent (James 1:5). In other words, pray for God’s wisdom.
In addition, study the Word of God; listen to the Word of God; pay attention to the Word of God. The wisdom of God proceeds from His mouth. His Word is full of wisdom. Proverbs 2:6 says the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. You use the wisdom of God by obeying His Word.
1 Corinthians 3:18-19 says, “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, ‘He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness’” (New Living Translation).
God wants to demonstrate His manifold wisdom, through the church, to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose, which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10-11). This will make Christians to be distinguished from the world.
Unfortunately, many in the church are using worldly wisdom, which is of the devil, and not seeking God’s wisdom. But the truth is that Christians can’t beat sinners in their game! “And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light” (Luke 16:8b New Living Translation). The church must repent.
Ask God for wisdom. Don’t trust yourself or lean on your own understanding. The God who filled people in the Bible with wisdom (Exodus 31:3, 6; 35:31; 36:1-2; Deuteronomy 34:9; 1 Kings 3:12; 4:29-30,34, 5:12;7:14) is still doing the same today. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour – Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). He is our wisdom from God (verse 30). Pray for God’s wisdom. Pay attention to the Word of God. It is full of wisdom. Don’t resort to worldly wisdom, which is foolishness before God. Don’t trust yourself; you have many limitations. Depend on the wisdom of God. Use the wisdom of God.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, baptize me with Your wisdom. I shall not trust in myself; I shall use your wisdom, not worldly wisdom. Father, deliver me from any foolishness I am involved in at present and help me not to engage in any form of foolishness again.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President OF Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
