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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
January 1, 2014
Spiritual Wisdom
James 3:13-18
Introduction:
James declares there are two Wisdom Systems operating at all times. Because of the disparity between the two, he chose to describe them by condensing them to their lowest denominator. Splaying from both of these descriptors are strands of thoughts, actions and designs which originate from their source base. All kinds of activities and consequences emanate from the two core generators.
Worldly wisdom: has its source in the demonic and is often commandeered by man's abilities, goals and ambitions. Spiritual Wisdom: has its source in God and is vast and beyond earthly boundaries. Listen to what James says about each of them.
James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
NKJV
Determining the source or root of wisdom is the central factor. Brilliance can be achieved from education and native ability, but does not equip one to determine source bases. Divine propensities come from the mind and heart of God. Often it is the saint's duty to determine the origin of proffered wisdom and those determinations are critical.
Men seek to mingle these two elements to no avail. One of the largest digressions from the path of the Spirit, in the modern church, is the attempt to co-mingle these two types of Wisdom. (For example: Marketing constructs may serve worldly businesses, but to employ such strategies for spiritual results goes against the grain of James and the Word.) Worldly wisdom does not readily accept Godly wisdom. They are not compatible. They are most intolerant of each other. More often than not, worldly wisdom despises or loathes the Divine anointing associated with Godly wisdom.
James' litany joins the New Testament writers as he uses just one word for both venues: Sophia. Below is its definition. Since all the writers use Sophia, then it is up to the reader to determine which use is the higher and which is the lower form (worldly or Spiritual). Paul urges his readers to develop skills to make these determinations.
NT:4678 sophia (sof-ee'-ah); from NT:4680; wisdom (whether it is higher or lower, worldly or spiritual): KJV - wisdom. (Sophomore has its roots in this word.)
Note Paul's admonitions in this Colossians passage. (Ask yourself, "What caused Paul to make wisdom and understanding a prayer issue? What did he assure as the result of being filled with Spiritual wisdom?")
Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Again Paul writes:
1 Corinthians 3:18-21
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
KJV
The church's culpability rises when congregations seek to answer spiritual issues with worldly wisdom (the same with families). Over time, I have observed churches and religious organizations employing consultants to bring "programs" for raising attendance, offerings and ratings. On the surface these adjustments appear to work. However, beneath the fabric of their seeming success is the erosion of the anointing.
Jesus taught a parable about an unfaithful servant who used worldly wisdom to accomplish his goal of financial independence. His Godly master audited his activities and discovered his evil.
Quickly, before the word got out, he called on the master's accounts receivable and bargained
with them in exchange for cash and a paid account at great discount. Jesus applauded his use of
skills in the worldly wisdom system. Worldly wisdom has its shrewdness, while the sons of light have their God.
Luke 16:5-8
So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, "How much do you owe my master?" 6 And he said, "A hundred measures of oil." So he said to him, "Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty." 7 Then he said to another, "And how much do you owe?" So he said, "A hundred measures of wheat." And he said to him, "Take your bill, and write eighty." 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
NKJV
In the Old Testament there were two words used to demonstrate the nature of these two systems. One is encountered early in Scripture.
Genesis 3:6-7
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Adamic Reasoning: OT: 7919 (representing the world's wisdom)
sakal (saw-kal'); a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent:
KJV - consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent (-ly), (give) skill (-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (be, behaveself, consider, make) wise (-ly), guide wittingly.
Sixty-three times in the Bible, sakal is translated, wisdom. Most commonly it is used in connection with one being "smart" or intelligent. "Prosperous and skillful" are also synonyms used to describe men possessing some superior trait. However, there is another word which is vastly different to sakal and carries a spiritual significance inside it.
OT:2451
chokmah (khok-maw'); from OT:2449; wisdom (in a good sense):
KJV - skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
Chokmah appears 149 times and is predominately used in connection with "wisdom-anointing."
It may also reflect a special gifting by the Spirit which may be a manifestation of conduct or an explanation for a blessing. (Observe Moses and the works of the tabernacle of meeting.)
Moses accredited the work of the tabernacle to those possessing Godly wisdom Phrases like
Exodus 29:3, "And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."
Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.
Spiritual tasks require the "spirit of wisdom." Under such "task-anointing," nothing stands in the way of the servant of God. The Lord provides His Wisdom when it is His task. (O, that God were the initiator of the tasks framed by modern religion. Instead of tragic consequences, there would be glory to Him who planned and equipped the work).
Deuteronomy 34:9
9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him
1 Kings 3:28
8 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
The Lord wants his people to exercise spiritual wisdom just like He does. He wants the maturity that such brings to the believer. To walk in power and execute judgment requires more than a modicum of spiritually anointed wisdom, however. (Higher caliber thinking and doing leads to mastery in faith.) It was God who said that last days' saints would do exploits in Him.
Daniel 11:32-34
Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
NKJV
A glimpse into the lives of God's anointed will reveal that manifesting spiritual wisdom is not a choice-- it is a demand. To operate in worldly wisdom is to be in opposition to God's wisdom.
I Corinthians 1:19-28
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.
KJV
There are several postulates surrounding the subject of Spiritual Wisdom: Listed below are ten of them; however, the list could include many more. One could take I Corinthians 2 alone (the entire chapter) and be overwhelmed (even as in Proverbs) with lessons about Spiritual Wisdom.
1. There absolutely exists a "wisdom of the righteous."
Luke 1:15-19 (Speaking of John, the forerunner)
15 and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
(Last days preachers, seeking to prepare a people for His return, would do well to
concentrate on the "wisdom of the righteous." The great writings of the New Testament came through Godly wisdom. O' How much we need to return to
messages based and delivered in the power of imbued Spiritual wisdom.)
2 Peter 3:15-16
Also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
(Never has there been such a day of twisting as this one.)
2. Spiritual Wisdom challenges the perceived wisdom of the world
Romans 16:19-20
I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
NKJV
The book of James, especially chapter 3 (quoted above) bears this out.
3. Spiritual Wisdom rejects the foulness of earthly wisdom and man's reason.
Isaiah 29:14-16
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden."
15 Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the LORD,
And their works are in the dark;
They say, "Who sees us?" and, "Who knows us?"
16 Surely you have things turned around!
Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay;
For shall the thing made say of him who made it,
"He did not make me"?
Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it,
"He has no understanding"?
NKJV
(This could be spoken of the political and religious systems of today. The curse of nations is when God removes His Wisdom from the hearts of leaders.)
Colossians 2:23 (The absence of Spiritual Wisdom in realms of religion is in these
Verses.)
23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
NKJV
4. Spiritual Wisdom imbues its recipients with spiritual insights (heavenly views of earth's conditions). Review this excerpt from Brian Troxel's December Bible Study.
"Truly, truly, I say to you,
you will see the heavens opened"
JOHN 1:51
How wonderful is the spontaneous response of Jesus to Nathanael's heartfelt declaration "Rabbi, You are the Son of God!" An "open heaven" is really the ability of an individual to see and understand the things of God; to see past the appearance of a thing and to see the substance and reality of that which is real, eternal and true. The open heaven is not available based on our intellect, cleverness or schooling. It is open to all on the basis of Faith, Obedience and Purity of heart.
5. Spiritual Wisdom calls for a steady stream of infusion and a committed heart of humility to receive it.
Ephesians 1:17-19
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
KJV
6. Spiritual wisdom originates in God and comes from God.
1 Corinthians 1:24-25
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
NKJV
Rom 11:33 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! NKJV
Revelation 7:11-12
The elders and the four living creatures, fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.'
NKJV
7. Spiritual Wisdom is the reason the world is searching for Spiritual Fathers (like Paul, John, Peter and many saints of the past ... Those who know deep things of God.)
1 Corinthians 4:15-16
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
NKJV
8. Spiritual Wisdom is required among the righteous ... I have never known a truly righteous person without it.
Proverbs 10:31
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom
NKJV
9. Spiritual Wisdom is the last day's defense against deception [as seen in religion's highest levels (Popery, Warren)].
2Timothy 3:12-17 (salvation in this passage is inclusive and refers not only to
the new birth, but wholeness of being.)
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV
10. Spiritual Wisdom is required in worship and praise (There can be no true worship without the evidence of this kind of Wisdom. Worship is the Wisdom of the Father interacting with the God-Wisdom of His children.)
Psalms 111
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
All who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
All these traits are compounded in the saint's life. Not one of them is missing (or is irrelevant to modern times). The gifts of the Spirit depend on Spiritual Wisdom and those who excel in their use are the same ones who become giants of faith. Brainless pronouncements must end. Blind blurtings have had their day. Passionless ploys have whimpered their last note. Ludicrous lashings about trivia are halted. This is the Day of the Lord, and we cry out for His Wisdom!
Until Next month,
Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.
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