A WISE MAN

“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel!" (Prov. 1:5 NKJV).

The world calls a lot of people wise who are not wise from God’s standpoint. This verse tells us who is a truly wise man. In our verse, three things are said about a wise man: they involve listening, learning, and leading.

Listening - “A wise man will hear.” Wisdom begins with a listening ear. It has been said that we have two ears and one mouth which means we need to listen twice as much as we speak. Of course, it makes a big difference with regards to what we are listening to. While many folks prefer to listen to the trash of this world, our verse encourages us to listen to truth, righteousness, and to godly counsel which are only found in God’s Word.

Learning - “A wise man . . . will increase learning.” The wise man ever seeks to learn more. When a man listens, he will increase in learning; not listening means you will not learn much. And no learning is more important than spiritual learning. We will never get to the place where we have learned it all, and this is also true spiritually. Therefore the wise man will always be a student of the Scriptures that he might learn more and more about Divine truth.

Leading - “A man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” Listening and learning means gaining wisdom on how to guide our lives. The word translated “wise counsel” refers to directing and managing a ship on the right course. Today, many lives are shipwrecked because folks go the wrong way. However, the man who listens and learns from God’s Word will not be a shipwreck; he will have a successful voyage through life.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“There is nothing more foolish than an act of wickedness; there is no wisdom equal to that of obeying God!”

Albert Barnes (1798 – 1870) American Theologian

Word Study

Double-minded

In James 4:8 we read, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (NKJV).

Double-minded is the Greek word dipsuchos (δίψυχος = dip'-soo-khos). It is made up of two words: “dis” which means twice or again; and “psuchē” which soul. Thus the word means two-spirited, or two souls. It implies doubt. Figuratively, it carries the idea of indecision or wavering. Literally, dipsuchos means double-souled, and is used only by James in the New Testament.

The person who is “double-minded” lacks integrity; he claims one thing and lives another. A “double-minded” person is two-faced, trying to love both God and the world at the same time. Basically, the “double-minded” can’t decide if God is reliable. However, we cannot maintain a friendship with God and the world at the same time – this is spiritual adultery. Our love for God determines our relationship with Him. Purity of heart, then, implies single-mindedness. The Scripture speaks of having an “undivided” heart and endorses loving God with all our hearts.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would declare “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful” (Psalm 69:20)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 26:38

Did You Know…

In John 18:16-27, Peter denied knowing the Lord Jesus three times beside a charcoal fire. In John 21:9-17, the Lord Jesus asks Peter three times, beside a charcoal fire, if he loves Him....

Bible Quiz

According to the Psalms, how far has God removed our sin from us?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to Romans 3, the feet of the unrighteous are swift to do what? Shed blood (Rom. 3:15)

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

"Eyes are the window of the soul”

“Terrors frighten him on every side, and drive him to his feet” (Job 18:11 NKJV).

“Eyes are the window of the soul” - The expression “eyes are the window of the soul” carries the idea that the eyes reveal things. In the Old Testament, the “eye” denoted the direction of a person’s life. A “good” eye was focused on God. This person is generous to others and convey the single focus of a true disciple. A “bad” eye represent materialism, greed, and covetousness. Those with “bad” eyes have allowed selfish desires and interests to block their vision. This could mean a sort of ‘double vision’ - trying to focus on God and earthly possessions at the same time. This results in spiritual darkness. It is difficult to make progress while trying to look in two directions at the same time. If our aim in life is to get material gain, it will mean darkness within. But if our outlook is to serve and glorify God, there will be light within.

Did You Know – Christian History

Reformation Day is a Protestant Christian religious holiday celebrated on 31 October, alongside All Hallows’ Eve, in remembrance of the onset of the Reformation.

As a young man in Germany at the beginning of the 16th Century, Luther was studying law at the university. After he was almost killed by lightning, Luther promised God he would become a monk. In 1507 Luther did become a priest. However, Luther was disenchanted with the ritualism and dead faith he found in the papal city. There was nothing in Rome to mend his despairing spirit or settle his restless soul.

While teaching Paul’s epistle to the Romans, Luther’s eyes were opened to the glorious truth of justification by faith alone which had become buried under a mound of greed, corruption, and false teaching. Most galling was the practice of selling indulgences – this was a certificate provided by the church which supposedly shorten one’s stay in Purgatory.

So, on October 31, 1517, Luther posted a list of 95 propositions on the church door in Wittenberg. The 95 Theses were quickly translated from Latin into German, printed, and widely copied, making the controversy one of the first in history to be aided by the printing press. Within two weeks, copies of the theses had spread throughout Germany; within two months throughout Europe.

The impact of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation has been enormous on global Christianity. Luther called the Church back to the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9). Luther believed the Word of God was the supreme authority for the Christian faith, rather than tradition or papal decrees. In the process of bringing the Scriptures to the common person, Luther translated the Bible into German, published numerous books and sermons of Biblical teachings, and composed numerous hymns based on biblical themes. Many of his hymns are still sung today.

A Little Humor

“Now, children,” said the visiting minister who had been asked to question the Sunday – school, “With what did Samson arm himself to fight against the Philistines?” None of the children could tell him. “Oh, yes, you know!” he said, and to help them he tapped his jaw with one finger. “What is this?” he asked. This jogged their memories, and the class cried in chorus: “The jawbone of an ass.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Money will never buy repentance!”