Roadmap to Godly Wisdom in Modern Age



As sunlight floods my room, I find myself lost in thought, pondering a question that has haunted me all weekend- "Am I wise?"

This simple yet profound question beckons us all at some point, and in this quiet moment of self-reflection, it is beckoning me to explore the essence of wisdom and its transformative power in our lives.

As I sit here, pondering these things in the quiet sanctuary of Kora’s Diary, I am reminded of a simple truth illuminated by the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 10:10.

In this single verse lies a profound revelation—that wisdom is not merely a trait that can be possessed but a journey to undertake, a path toward honing the tools of our existence.

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Welcome to Kora's Diary! 

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Defining Wisdom

At its core, wisdom is more than mere knowledge or intelligence. James 3:13 beautifully articulates wisdom thus-

“Do some of you think that you are wise? Do you think that you are clever? If so, show that you are wise by the way that you live. Be kind to other people. Do things that are good. That is what it means to be wise.”

Wisdom is the ability to be, discern and act on what is right, kind and good. It is about applying knowledge in ways that benefit ourselves and those around us. A person who possesses vast knowledge and understanding but lacks the humility to use it for the betterment of others is not truly wise.

Just as a keenly sharpened axe is far more effective than brute strength alone, wisdom empowers us to approach life's challenges with finesse and precision, sparing us from the pitfalls of folly and guiding us toward paths of righteousness.

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Practical tips for cultivating wisdom

The books of James and Proverbs, often referred to as the "Wisdom Books" of the Bible, offer invaluable guidance on how to cultivate wisdom in our lives. Let us delve into some practical tips inspired by these teachings.

Fear the Lord- In Proverbs 9:10, we are taught that to be wise, one must first respect the Lord with fear- "If you want to be wise in the way that you live, first you must respect the Lord with fear. If you know God, the Holy One, you will understand what is right." 

The notion of “fearing the Lord” goes beyond mere trepidation. It's a recognition of God's sovereignty, power, and holiness, prompting us to willingly approach God with humility, acknowledge his authority, submit to His divine guidance and instructions and align our will with His.

This reverence forms the bedrock of true wisdom, grounding us in a relationship of trust and dependence on God who holds all knowledge and understanding.


Ask God for Wisdom- James 1:5 urges us to ask God for wisdom, knowing that He is ready to give generously to all who seek it- “But maybe you need to know how to be wise. Then ask God to help you. He is ready to give everyone what they need. And he never says that it is wrong to ask. So God will help you to be wise.”
Proverbs 2: 6-7 echoes this sentiment stating “It is the Lord who gives wisdom to people. He teaches us to understand things, so that we know what is true. He helps good people to be wise in how they live. And he keeps honest people safe"

Live Wisely- James 3:17 provides a blueprint for wise living which is living in a completely good way, bringing peace, showing kindness, listening to others, forgiving and doing good deeds.

By cultivating a reverent fear of the Lord, asking God for wisdom and living wisely in our daily lives, we can unlock the full potential of wisdom and experience its transformative power firsthand.

Perhaps you need to navigate a challenging situation with grace and patience, or you need the discernment to make a difficult decision that aligns with God's will. It may even be the humility to admit our mistakes and seek forgiveness, please know that true wisdom is not about perfection, but a continual journey of growth and transformation.

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Weekly Challenge

Before you speak or act, no matter how pressured you feel, take a moment to pause and reflect. This week, I challenge you to implement the following steps before you speak or act.

i.          Pause and invite God into the situation- ask God for wisdom to guide your thoughts, words and actions.  

ii.         Take a deep breath and count slowly to 6- to center yourself and regain perspective amidst the chaos of daily life.

iii.        Ask these 3 questions in your mind: (a)  Is this a good thing to do?  (b)  Is this kind to others?   (c)  Lord, what are your instructions?

iv.        Listen to your heart- pay attention to any nudges or insights that arise, guiding you toward a wiser course of action.

Reflect and journal on these every day this week and share your experiences and reflections in the comments below. How did implementing the weekly challenge impact your week? What lessons did you learn? How did God’s wisdom guide you?

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Join the Conversation

Dear reader, as you embark on this odyssey with me, remember- wisdom is not a destination but a continual evolution—a perpetual sharpening of the soul's axe. Remember the words of Proverbs 4:7: "Learn to be wise, because wisdom is the most important thing to have. Make sure that you learn to understand things well."

As we draw near to the conclusion of this post, I want to extend a heartfelt invitation to You. Kora's Diary is more than just a platform for sharing thoughts—we are a community, a gathering place for kindred spirits seeking wisdom and personal growth.

I invite you to share your thoughts, reflections, and insights in the comments below. Perhaps you can recall a time when you found yourself at a crossroads, unsure of the path forward, only to be led by the gentle whispers of God’s wisdom. Or maybe you've struggled with the challenge of truly letting go and allowing God to take control. Share your thoughts, stories, struggles, and triumphs – for in doing so, we can learn from one another and grow together.

And don't forget to spread the word! Share this post with friends, family, and anyone else who might benefit from the wisdom and encouragement found within these pages. Together, we can amplify our impact and illuminate the path for others on their journey toward enlightenment.

May we embrace this journey and be steadfast in our pursuit of this precious gift, trusting that as we draw near to God, He will draw near to us and pour out the wisdom we so desperately need.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Till we connect next Sunday!

Always be happy. Pray at all times. Whatever may happen to you, continue to thank God. God wants you to do that because you belong to Christ Jesus- 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18.


Note:

Photo credit

Ecclesiastes 10 Easy English Bible

James 1- Easy English Bible

James 3- Easy English Bible

Proverbs 2- Easy English Bible

Proverbs 4- Easy English Bible

Proverbs 9- Easy English Bible


Comments

  1. EmmanuelApril 28, 2024 at 2:43 AM

    Thanks a lot Kora for providing deeper insights into the meaning of wisdom, This will go a long way to reshape how i view life and approach it with more wisdom as explained in James 3:13.

    ReplyDelete

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