Most everyone in this world thinks they are wise. The rich and famous may believe they are wise because of all the wealth and fame they have obtained. The successful businessman may believe he is wise because of his cunning climb to the top. Politicians may believe they are wise beyond the little people they represent because of their place of prominence and power.
The religious man thinks he is wiser than the lesser men within church buildings. Even the fool and the lazy man think he is wiser than seven other men combined. Just enter the realm of social media and start a discourse on any subject, and you will find that many believe they have more understanding than the next guy.
The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly. Proverbs 26:16 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15
But who is truly wise, and what is wisdom? Where does it come from, and how can you obtain it? You certainly can’t buy it off the shelf, and it seems obvious that many people who think they are wise are not. As a matter of fact, many are not too bright either, considering the many foolish things people do all over the world. Unfortunately, no one seems to be the exception to the rule because we have all been foolish at least once or twice.
But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’; And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire. Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold. “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
Then God saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. And to man, He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ Job 28:12-20,27-28
Did you know this is what God says wisdom is? “The fear of the Lord.” If you genuinely desire wisdom, you must fear the Lord and do as He commands. Have you ever heard of His Ten Commandments? Thou shall not lie, steal, kill, lust, and more. He calls for all men to fear Him and repent of their sins. Turn away from their sinful behavior; follow and obey Him. A wise man fears the Lord and does as He commands, fearing Him who made him.
But sin is the greatest obstacle between God and man. The lack of fear, which leads to uncaring behavior towards Him, proves they know nothing of who He is. A wise man will tremble before the Lord concerning his sin. Because he understands that he is piling up punishment for himself as wages for every sin committed, and there is a day of judgment coming for those who do wrong.
God has said, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Ezekial 18:20
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
He has given you a choice. Either turn to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins by repenting and turning away from evil. Or you will have to suffer the punishment for every sin you have committed on your own. It is the wages you have earned for your wicked deeds.
Yes, it sounds harsh, “wicked.” But that is what breaking His Law and rebellion against God is. He sees you as a criminal, and He has to punish every criminal who does not turn to Jesus and follow Him. He will send you to Hell to suffer great torment for all eternity if you do not turn to Jesus. He gives us a symbolic example: we should cut those sinful things away from us so we will not be tempted to disobey God.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ Mark 9:43-44
Praise the Lord; God abounds in goodness, mercy, grace, and love toward you. Think about all the good things you enjoy every day. He is the one who has showered you with all good things.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
He loves you so much that He sent Jesus Christ to die for your sins. He intentionally sacrificed His life on the cross and was raised from the dead so you may live. He is perfect and never sinned, yet He suffered for you. He wants to forgive you, but you must put away your worldly wisdom, which is no wisdom, and fear the Lord. Realize that you are a sinner on your way to Hell because you will be found guilty of sin. But you can throw yourself to the feet of the judge and cry out for mercy.
Because Jesus took your punishment, He can forgive and show you grace and mercy. To give you eternal life in Heaven if you believe in Him and follow His commands. Be truly wise and fear the Lord who made you, who knows every deed, thought, and motivation of your heart from your first day until the day you die.
Think of your life. How many times did you come close to dying? Know one knows; you could die tonight in your sleep. Only God knows. He has given you time after time to turn to Him. Do not wait any longer. Seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Repent and turn from sin today. Fear the Lord and be wise. He searches the world over to find the ones who will follow and obey His every word.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-19
The Soul Sower 