"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue
will be cut off".
Proverbs 10:31 (ESV)
How can you tell who is truly wise? If you turn on the television that is a host of competing voices claiming to offer sage advice. Morning news channels showcase a variety of professionals, while daytime talk shows offer a parade of so-called experts. The evening news, presenting itself as even more distinguished, exhort the words of political & financial analysts.
Professional Counselors and Psychologists offer their perspective, which is generally different from the perspective of Psychiatrists. Social Workers and Teachers come at life from their own unique point of view, whereas University Professors constantly preach from their own soap box. The local farmer, or business owner, believes he (or she) has discovered a 'down-to-earth' style of wisdom, while the area pastors boldly claim to be the possessors of true wisdom. Even your favorite uncle, and least favorite cousin jump in and offer their own versions of wisdom.
In an age of competing voices, how can we determine who is truly wise? Proverbs tries to simplify the problem for us. It basically tells us not to try to recognize wisdom, but instead look for something else: righteousness. According to Proverbs, only those who are righteous possess wisdom, so if we find a righteous person, we have also found a wise person.
Who in your life is marked by the Fruit of the Spirit? Who is kind, and patient, and grace-filled? Who is slow to anger, and never holds a grudge? Who love God with their entire being, and loves everyone around them---even their enemies?
Find that person, and learn from them. They possess the wisdom you seek.
Professional Counselors and Psychologists offer their perspective, which is generally different from the perspective of Psychiatrists. Social Workers and Teachers come at life from their own unique point of view, whereas University Professors constantly preach from their own soap box. The local farmer, or business owner, believes he (or she) has discovered a 'down-to-earth' style of wisdom, while the area pastors boldly claim to be the possessors of true wisdom. Even your favorite uncle, and least favorite cousin jump in and offer their own versions of wisdom.
In an age of competing voices, how can we determine who is truly wise? Proverbs tries to simplify the problem for us. It basically tells us not to try to recognize wisdom, but instead look for something else: righteousness. According to Proverbs, only those who are righteous possess wisdom, so if we find a righteous person, we have also found a wise person.
Who in your life is marked by the Fruit of the Spirit? Who is kind, and patient, and grace-filled? Who is slow to anger, and never holds a grudge? Who love God with their entire being, and loves everyone around them---even their enemies?
Find that person, and learn from them. They possess the wisdom you seek.
Prayer
Merciful Father,
Grant me the eyes to see the wise around me,
grant me the humility to learn from them,
grant me the perception to see
that all wisdom originates in you,
Amen
Merciful Father,
Grant me the eyes to see the wise around me,
grant me the humility to learn from them,
grant me the perception to see
that all wisdom originates in you,
Amen
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