A HEART FOR WISDOM
(week 34/14)
OLUBI JOHNSON
Proverbs 17:16 KJV: Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Here the scripture shows that it is possible to pay the price to get wisdom but not have the heart to act on it.
In other words, not have sufficient grace and mercy to act on the wisdom to experience its benefits: the knowledge of something is not the experience of its reality.
Simply KNOWING what to do and even desiring to do it is no guarantee it will be done IF THE HEART DOES NOT RECEIVE SUFFICIENT GRACE AND MERCY AND SO LIFE AND POWER TO BE ABLE TO DO.
Why is this so?
God gives us His grace and mercy on a DYNAMIC, DAILY AND HOURLY basis AS THE ATTITUDE OF OUR HEART CHANGES.
Proverbs 11:2 KJV: When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
1 Peter 5:5 KJV: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
James 4:6 KJV: But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
This is why it is VITAL to
Proverbs 4:23 KJV: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
How do you do this?
1. DAILY set your will to submit to God:
Psalms 16:8 NIV: I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
2. Repent of your sins and forgive others as often as it is necessary:
Matthew 18:21-22 KJV: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
3. Maintain an attitude of honesty of heart:
2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
4. Practice taking a lower position than you truly deserve, TRUSTING GOD to exalt you in due season.
Luke 14:8-11 KJV: When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; (9) And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. (10) But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. (11) For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
5. Avoid contention: mention a contentious issue only once and subsequently keep silent TRUSTING GOD TO EXONERATE YOU
Proverbs 13:10 KJV: Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 26:4-5 KJV: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. (5) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
As you exercise your heart in these things, you will develop and maintain a heart for wisdom!
