Tag: spiritual wisdom

Integrity In All Things (Proverbs 11:3-13)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year C1 Comment
The Narrow Road, by Debbie Clark

Integrity guides the virtuous,
    but dishonesty ruins the treacherous.
Riches don’t help in the day of wrath,
    but righteousness rescues from death.
The righteousness of the innocent makes their path straight,
    but the wicked fall in their wickedness.
Those who do right are saved by their righteousness,
    but the untrustworthy are caught by their own desires.
When the wicked die, their hope perishes.
    Yes, any hope based on money perishes.
The righteous are saved from distress,
    and the wicked take their place.
The godless destroy their neighbors by their words,
    but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.
When the righteous succeed, a city rejoices;
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
A city is honored by the blessing of the virtuous;
    it is destroyed by the words of the wicked.
Whoever despises their neighbor lacks sense;
    a sensible person keeps quiet.
A slanderer walks around revealing secrets,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. (Common English Bible)

Integrity appears to be in short supply these days. No matter whether it’s a church, a corporation, an institution, organization, or governmental administration, it only takes one person in authority who is without integrity to ruin the whole enterprise.

This is why it is so important to never normalize bad behavior and bad speech. It will do no good to simply say, “Well, that’s just the way he is.” Everyone, no matter who they are, must be held accountable for their words and actions. And if we choose to let the unvirtuous person continue in their lack of integrity, then we ourselves become complicit in their unjust activity.

What the unrighteous person fails to realize, is that watching out for number one and taking advantage of others will eventually come back to bite them. The unscrupulous rich person will lose their wealth. The unjust person will come face to face with what their injustice has done. The slanderous person shall be unmasked and seen by all for what they truly are.

The Teacher of Proverbs informs us that evildoers will suffer in their wickedness; whereas the righteous shall be rewarded. Everyone eventually receives what they deserve – whether it’s the righteous or the wicked.

This sort of karmic sense of justice happens both in this life and the life to come. Those who do and say whatever they want, without any integrity, undergo a double-suffering: They’re tormented now in the present, and likely into the future; that is, unless they undergo some Scrooge-like transformation.

The suffering of the wicked is caused by their own stupid foolish choices without any direct intervention by God. God’s law, much like the natural law of gravity, has consequences if you choose to disrespect it. In that sense, the wicked also suffer divine condemnation.

The Lord favors good people,
    but he condemns schemers. (Proverbs 12:2, CEB)

Even though the wicked prosper, by no means is it permanent. And although the righteous are deeply disturbed and troubled by the constant lies and evil machinations of wicked persons, they shall realize a world that is just, right, and good. Injustice and unrighteousness are temporary.

The evil person will surely not go unpunished,
    but the children of the righteous will escape. (Proverbs 11:21, CEB)

It may drive us batty to see that evil is having its way, and that the wicked are doing quite nicely for themselves, but the Teacher seeks to comfort the righteous with the reality that it will not always be this way.

Stolen bread is sweet,
    but afterward the mouth is full of gravel. (Proverbs 20:17, CEB)

We know we’re living in an upside-down messed-up world because the righteous too often suffer and the wicked too often prosper. But it won’t last.

It’s important we remain honest and above board – no matter the circumstances. Whether its in business dealings, leadership, family relations, community involvement, or political activity, its imperative to be a person of integrity without any hint of duplicity.

Dishonesty may get the wicked person where they want to go in the short term, but it has a devastating price to pay. Deals with the devil always do.

Better a little with righteousness
    than great profits without justice. (Proverbs 16:8, CEB)

The Lord is a just God. That means God does more than show justice in all things; justice is a part of God’s very character and makeup. God cannot be unjust because God is Justice with a capital “J.”

Its way above our pay-grade to seek retribution and revenge on another. Exacting judgment belongs to God, and not you nor me.

Don’t say, “I’ll repay the evildoer!”
    Wait for the Lord, and he will save you. (Proverbs 20:22, CEB)

In the past several months, I have largely abandoned social media and electronic conversations with others. There is too much of the godless (cloaked in godly language) destroying their neighbor with their angry words and ignorant misinformation. I don’t want to get sucked into that vortex of ridiculousness. I’ll let the Lord deal with them. I have bigger fish to fry than to get involved in unhelpful and often harmful communication.

I rather choose to focus my time, effort, and words on reminding myself and others of the need for integrity in all things; always remaining prudent; and practicing self-awareness. When Christ returns, I’d like him to find me patiently waiting in quiet trust – instead of spewing a bunch of nasty vitriol that is consistent with Satan, not God.

For me, Proverbs isn’t simply a nice book of the Bible to read. Rather, it is vital knowledge to internalize and learn from. Without the wisdom of Proverbs, I’m undone and adrift. I need these short pity statements of experiential truth to help me understand how to talk and act in this fallen world.

This is why its important to read Proverbs slowly, carefully, prayerfully; to meditate upon these wise statements; and to reflect on putting them into practice. Integrity in everything – both speech and action – will serve us well, now and forever.

Wise God, may divine wisdom shape my thoughts, decisions, and actions each day as I seek to live by the Spirit. Lead me into all truth as I submit wise teaching; and to You as my Counselor and Guide; through Christ my Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Wisdom and Power (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
By Bible Art

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the testimony of God to you with superior speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were made not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (New Revised Standard Version)

When it comes to proclaiming the gospel – the good news of Christ’s person and work – both the message and the messenger are important.

The Apostle Paul was dialed in and focused on the Cross of Jesus Christ. Although he could have used various methods of persuasion, he was determined to set aside all other means of proclamation, and declare Christ’s Cross as the message and method itself.

This means that Paul also deliberately faded himself into the background, in order to have the Cross of Christ in the foreground. He emphasized his own weakness, his fear and trembling, in order to highlight the strength and majesty of God.

Paul wanted the messenger to point to the message – which meant that all of his speaking allowed God’s Spirit and power to show itself through him, rather than in spite of him.

The Corinthians came to believe the message not because of a big showy demonstration of Paul’s strength, intellect, and wisdom. Instead, they embraced Christian belief because of spiritual power and effort.

If it is spiritual wisdom and power centered in the message of Christ’s Cross which saves us, then it is also more than good enough to sanctify us, as well, and be the core from which all of the Christian life emanates from.

The Apostle understood that he is God’s agent, God’s ambassador, but that God alone is the One who saves humanity and delivers them from sin, death, and hell.

Christ Carrying the Cross, by Martin Schongauer, c. 1480 C.E.

Paul’s argument doesn’t have anything to do with making sure that the word “cross” is said in every sermon and conversation, or that Christians have only one thing to talk about.

Instead, the Apostle wanted the Corinthian Church to distance themselves from their typical of use of worldly philosophical wisdom, in favor of a distinctly spiritual wisdom which demands a certain kind of ministry:

The cross of Jesus Christ is to be the central event in which all of Christian life and ministry revolves around. In other words, the shape of Christianity is cruciform.

And since the cruciform nature of Christianity is our reality, our wisdom is to be received and flow from the Cross of Christ. To do less is to rely upon a different power other than the distinctive spiritual power of Christ’s death.

It isn’t any one of us which breaks through to another’s spirit; the power of God compels a person to listen, receive the message, and be given faith to believe, grow, and spiritually mature.

When the good news of Christ’s person and work takes root and develops within us, then what comes out of us is spiritual power, and not our own homespun worldly human wisdom.

“Wisdom” is the ability to take a body of knowledge and apply it to concrete situations in life.

So, when it comes to spiritual wisdom, Christians mature in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus; then, they learn to take this important body of knowledge and apply it to all of the various circumstances and situations they are faced with every day.

This isn’t to say that worldly wisdom has no merit or significance, or that it is misguided. Rather, it means that this sort of wisdom doesn’t have the ability, the strength, or the power to move and change us, or others, toward deliverance and new life. We need the wisdom of the Spirit for that. And Paul insisted that this wisdom comes from the Cross of Christ.

The crucifixion of Christ is the wise guide for all of the Apostle Paul’s theology, message, and ministry. That singular event was like a massive meteor hitting the ocean of humanity, with a powerful tsunami of spiritual power and grace still making waves up to this very day.

Indeed, the Cross of Christ impacts all of creation, the entire universe. The person and work of Jesus Christ has cosmic implications for the salvation and deliverance of everything from the grip of evil.

On the practical daily level of things, none of this is about trying to do or be better, to somehow work harder at being a Christian or doing Christian mission and ministry. The fact of the matter is that we can only give to others what we have received from God. This means that:

  • The Holy Scriptures are to be received with reverence and fear, as a message given for us to learn and know so well that it becomes as familiar to you as the backdoor of your house.
  • The Christian life is about dying to self, taking up one’s cross and following Christ. If we desire the power of the resurrection, then this will first require embracing and allowing the powerful suffering of the cross to do its work.
  • Faithfulness is at the heart of living. Our task is to show up, pay attention, and speak the truth in love, and let God use this to accomplish the Divine holy will. Being married to outcomes and consequences will likely lead to reliance upon worldly wisdom, and eventually disappointment.
  • The Cross of Christ is what everything and everyone hinges upon. The world does not revolve around you nor me. So, let’s get in sync with the Spirit of God and rely upon the cruciform power provided for us by means of Christ’s death.

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.

Wise Living Is Clean Living (Proverbs 15:1-17)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.

When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense.

The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.

Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

It is foolish to ignore what your parents taught you; it is wise to accept their correction.

Righteous people keep their wealth, but the wicked lose theirs when hard times come.

Knowledge is spread by people who are wise, not by fools.

The Lord is pleased when good people pray, but hates the sacrifices that the wicked bring him.

The Lord hates the ways of evil people, but loves those who do what is right.

If you do what is wrong, you will be severely punished; you will die if you do not let yourself be corrected.

Not even the world of the dead can keep the Lord from knowing what is there; how then can we hide our thoughts from God?

Conceited people do not like to be corrected; they never ask for advice from those who are wiser.

When people are happy, they smile, but when they are sad, they look depressed.

Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance.

The life of the poor is a constant struggle, but happy people always enjoy life.

Better to be poor and fear the Lord than to be rich and in trouble.

Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate. (Good News Translation)

Here is today’s Proverbs lesson in my own colloquial words:

A calm and kind response sucks the anger out of the room, but hot-headed words set the place on hellfire.

A level-headed person gives helpful answers, but a know-it-all only keeps on babbling nonsense.

Just because you cannot see God, doesn’t mean that God cannot see you, both the good and the bad.

Kind words given to another person are life-giving, but unkind words catapulted at a person ends up crushing their spirit.

You can tell a fool by how their refusal to accept counsel from their parents, but a wise person freely receives parental instruction.

Wise folk understand they need to save for a rainy day, but fools spend everything they have, then wonder why they’re in dire straits.

Wisdom and common sense are akin to one another; foolishness and nonsense are two peas in a pod.

The Lord perks up when the righteous pray, but does a face palm when the wicked offer up anything.

The ways of evil people make the Lord nauseous, but the way of the righteous is delightful to God.

A stupid dog doesn’t live very long, because he won’t heed his training or learn from any natural consequences.

If God can see everything that goes on with death and destruction, why would not the Lord see all things within your own heart?

Prickly people won’t listen to advice, and they refuse to consult anyone when making decisions.

Truthful persons smile when they’re happy and frown when they’re sad, but falsehood smiles when it’s sad and frowns when it’s happy.

Learners are curious about life, but ignorant folk only feed on tabloid information.

Once in survival mode, it’s hard to ever get out of it; but those who thrive have learned how to be content in any circumstance.

It’s a whole lot better to be poor and right with God, than to be rich and on the wrong side of the Lord.

Peanut butter sandwiches eaten on the floor with love are much more delicious than eating a filet mignon with hatred around the table.

Our words reflect what is truly the attitude of our heart. And our attitudes betray what we actually think about God and others.

If you drop a foolish person into a roomful of people, it’s like putting a rotten egg in with the rest of the eggs when making an omelet. Or, to put it according to an old adage, “One bad apple spoils the whole bushel basket of them.”

This is why it’s the responsibility of everyone to develop wisdom and a virtuous life. A faith community, a neighborhood, a workplace, a family, or any group of people are adversely affected whenever there’s one arrogant fool amongst them.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)

It only takes one drop of arsenic to ruin a gallon of water and make it undrinkable. And if you choose to drink it anyway, well, you’ll suffer the consequences.

And this is why purity of heart, righteousness, justice, and goodness are so very important. It’s also why holiness is placed as a premium in Holy Scripture, because impurity ruins the community and defiles any group of people.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:16-18, NIV)

Wise living is clean living, in every sense of a person’s complete self – in body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The Book of Proverbs can help us with that.

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, so that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble. Amen.

Lady Wisdom Is Speaking (Proverbs 8:1-31)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Lady Wisdom, by Mikayla Ragsdale

Doesn’t Wisdom cry out
    and Understanding shout?
Atop the heights along the path,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand.
By the gate before the city,
    at the entrances she shouts:

I cry out to you, people;
    my voice goes out to all of humanity.
Understand skill, you who are naive.
    Take this to heart, you fools.
Listen, for I speak things that are correct;
    from my lips comes what is right.
My mouth utters the truth;
    my lips despise wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    nothing in them is twisted or crooked.
All of them are straightforward to those who understand,
    and upright for the knowledgeable.
Take my instruction rather than silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold.
Wisdom is better than pearls;
    nothing is more delightful than she.

I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence;
    I have found knowledge and discretion.
To fear the Lord is to hate evil.
    I hate pride and arrogance,
        the path of evil and corrupt speech.
I have advice and ability,
    as well as understanding and strength.
By me kings rule,
    and princes issue righteous decrees.
By me rulers govern,
    and officials judge righteously.
I love those who love me;
    those who seek me will find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
    as well as enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold;
    my crops are better than choice silver.
I walk on the way of righteousness,
    on the paths of justice,
    to provide for those who love me
        and to fill up their treasuries.

The Lord created me at the beginning of his way,
    before his deeds long in the past.
I was formed in ancient times,
    at the beginning, before the earth was.
When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs flowing with water.
Before the mountains were settled,
    before the hills, I was brought forth;
    before God made the earth and the fields
    or the first of the dry land.
I was there when he established the heavens,
    when he marked out the horizon on the deep sea,
    when he thickened the clouds above,
    when he secured the fountains of the deep,
    when he set a limit for the sea,
        so the water couldn’t go beyond his command,
    when he marked out the earth’s foundations.
I was beside him as a master of crafts.
    I was having fun,
    smiling before him all the time,
    frolicking with his inhabited earth
    and delighting in the human race. (Common English Bible)

Statue of Sophia (Wisdom), Sofia, Bulgaria

Wisdom is available. Wisdom is speaking to us. Wisdom lives with prudence. Wisdom enjoys God. And wisdom is personified as a woman (think about that before you have a round table discussion with all men).

To seek, cultivate, and teach wisdom is a worthy pursuit, in and of itself. The benefits of wisdom are great and profound, better than any earthly material thing, like silver or gold.

Actually, wisdom is quite an abstract ideal to pursue, which is likely why it helps to have it presented as a beautiful woman.

Proverbs are wise sayings; they are short pithy statements of experiential truth. This means that wisdom is less universal than it is situational. In other words, the Book of Proverbs is not a textbook or a manual on wisdom; it is rather something to be familiar with when we are facing difficult situations and thorny problems.

If there is a constant universal to all of the wisdom, it is to acknowledge and respect the presence of God in the world. All things change, except God. The Lord is the ever-present Being who is consistently right, just, and good all the time.

This may be why wisdom seems elusive. We can get to know God better and better for an eternity, and yet never exhaust getting to know God completely or fully.

Wisdom is like that. It’s too big, too variegated. There is no such thing as “Wisdom For Dummies,” that is distilled into a neatly bound book.

Truly, wisdom is rather slippery. It is not something to be mastered, but a grand sage presence to be mastered by. We must let Lady Wisdom have her way in our lives.

Lady Wisdom is in opposition to the temptress, the foolish one, who lures people into evil, and young men into the trap of misconduct that will alter their lives forever.

Just because Lady Wisdom has been around a long time – as old as the world – her beauty only increases over time; and her compelling message winsome.

The wise Lady still maintains a childlike wonder amongst God’s creative work. She revels in this world of delight and discovery. It’s fun to be alongside God and enjoy such a large and expansive playground of wonder.

Joy and levity are just as much at the heart of wisdom as brevity and seriousness. If Lady Wisdom can delight in the humans God has created, then we have much to learn from her in discovering how to frolic and play with our fellow creatures in good and wholesome ways.

The metaphorical image of wisdom as a beautiful woman who beckons us, is in competition with other voices that tempt us with quick and tidy happiness. Those other voices, however, never get around to mentioning the cost of their so-called solutions.

To court with foolishness is to make the devil’s bargain. It will only result in regret.

The best and straightest road to wisdom is by loving God and honoring God’s instructions. We get some help in this worthy endeavor through the wise sayings of Proverbs, and by means of Lady Wisdom’s sound advice.

We are called to keep up a pursuit of wisdom throughout the duration of our earthly lives – which means there is a lot of mystery to Lady Wisdom yet to discover; and there is much more to know about her.

Blessed God, help me to pay attention to your good friend, Lady Wisdom, so that in all my words and ways I may live into mercy, purity, and peace; and so, glorify You and enjoy this life you have given me. Amen.