Shaped by Wisdom

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Victory Life Church, Durant (Central) — Sunday, November 12, 2023

Introduction

Jesus is calling us to be the light of the world as He is the light of the world, and to let our light shine for the world to see, not let it be hidden. 

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

John 8:12 (ESV) Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The light we are called to shine is our character transformed by the character of Christ.

Life marked by Love // Life pursuing Holiness // Life shaped by Wisdom // Life filled with Power

Ephesians 5:7-18 (ESV) ⁷ Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for at one time you  were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. ¹³But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, ¹⁴for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

What is Wisdom?

Wisdom (Khokhmah in Hebrew) is an attribute of God which He utilized to create the world, which He wove into the fabric of creation and how it works. When people are making good and wise choices, they are tapping into khokhmah. When someone is making poor and evil decisions, they are working against God’s khokhmah. 

Wisdom: “khokhmah” — חָכְמָה — Skills, applied knowledge

One of the first people filled with the Spirit of God in Scripture is the one God appointed to build all of the Tabernacle and worship structures and furniture, Bezalel. And being filled with the Spirit of God is connected to having “wisdom,” which in context was the ability to craft magnificent works of art. Wisdom in Bezalel made him a skilled artisan. 

Exodus 31:2-4 (NKJV) “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works…”

In the New Testament, the Greek word used is sophia, (or a variant sophos), referring to the quality of having knowledge, skill, and experience in the sense of mastery in a subject or trade through practice and learning. 

Wisdom: “sophia” — σοφία —  the sense of mastery through practice and learning

Colossians 3:16 (ESV) ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom…

Ephesians 5:15 (ESV) ¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

A wise person is one who lives with skill and ability. 

God’s wisdom is for all arenas of life. In describing the Israelites who will follow God’s law, what their testimony will be to the surrounding nations is wisdom. 

Deuteronomy 4:6 (ESV) Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”

In Proverbs 8, she states that God used wisdom to architect the physical and the moral fabric of creation.

Proverbs 8:30-31 (NLT) I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!

Therefore, anytime humans access this wisdom and live by it, they are living by a divine architecture of the universe or a divine word that created all things. Folly, also personified as a lady, is to resist this order, live against the grain of the universe, which in the end will give you splinters.

Proverbs 8:35–36 (NLT) ³⁵For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. ³⁶But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.” 

Proverbs 8:12–21 (NLT) ¹² “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. ¹³ All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. ¹⁴ Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. ¹⁵ Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. ¹⁶ Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. ¹⁷ “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. ¹⁸ I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. ¹⁹ My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! ²⁰ I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. ²¹ Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries. 

Getting wisdom is like the “cheat code” to living the good life in God’s good world. 

Proverbs 4:5–8 (NLT) ⁵ Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. ⁶ Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. ⁷ Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. ⁸ If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. 

How do I get it? The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

The Fear of the Lord is a moral mindset; it is to humble ourselves before God, to recognize that “I am not God”: I do not get to make up my own definitions of good and evil.

Knowing God is crucial to understanding His world and how to live in it.

Proverbs 9:10 (MSG) “Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-GOD, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.”

Psalm 25:12-14 (ESV) Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 

How to Walk in Wisdom

Ephesians 5:15-21 (ESV) ¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

“[Wisdom] is knowing God, maturing in our relationship with him and walking with him so closely and perceptively that we are enabled to develop a godly character, live thoughtfully and make proper choices in life.” ~ Walter L. Linfield

Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV) ²¹submitting to one another in the fear of God.

The Fear of the Lord is not studying about God, but living in reverence before God. 

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV) “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

Wisdom Shining the Light

Ephesians 5:14b-16 (ESV) Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Isaiah 60:1–3 (ESV) ¹Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. ²For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. ³And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 

Colossians 4:5–6 (NLT) ⁵ Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Isaiah 33:5-6 (NKJV) “The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.”

Concluding Prayer for the Church

Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV) ⁹And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ¹¹May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Scriptures for Further Reference

Many times in the Old Testament, be “wise” is connected to skill and ability, as in these texts:

Exodus 31:6 (ESV) “And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:”

This same verse in the New King James Version says it this way:

Exodus 31:6 (NKJV) “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:”

I Chronicles 22:15 (NKJV) Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work.

Exodus 35:25 (NKJV) “All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.”

“Wise hearted” (KJV)  — Exodus 35:10, 36:1-2, 4, 8; 

Deuteronomy 1:13 (ESV) Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.

Proverbs 3:19 (ESV) ¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 

Colossians 3:16–17 (ESV) ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Matthew 10:16 (ESV) ¹⁶ “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 

Matthew 11:19b (NLT) “But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.” 

1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV) And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 

1 Corinthians 3:10 (ESV) ¹⁰According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 

Psalm 25:14 (MSG) God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones he confides in. 

James 1:5–8 (NLT) ⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 

James 3:13–18 (NLT) ¹³ If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. ¹⁵ For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. ¹⁶ For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. ¹⁸ And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. 

Colossians 2:1-3 (ESV) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Kings 10:4–9 (ESV) ⁴And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, ⁵the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. ⁶And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, ⁷ but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. ⁸ Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! ⁹ Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”

Isaiah 33:5-6 (ESV) “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.”

Isaiah 33:5-6 (NLT) “Though the LORD is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness. In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.”

Footnotes

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