Only Those Who Exercise Their Faith In God Will Always Exercise Knowledge In The Correct Way If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5, 6) Let Him Ask In Faith - https://youtube/watch?v=t-WHQhAq0HE WHAT A POWERFUL MESSAGE. Knowledge is not enough. Today the Lord wants us to understand that there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between WISDOM and knowledge. Consider for a moment these words from Plato. “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they would like to say something.” Only God can help us to remain in the category of the wise. The Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines knowledge as “A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas.” While the same dictionary defines Wisdom as “The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them.” So from these two definitions it’s clear that we can have knowledge but NO WISDOM. In today’s lesson the Lord is reminding us that wisdom is the application of knowledge. Having knowledge is not enough. The devil has knowledge about God but he lacks the ability to apply this knowledge in the correct way. In James 1:5, 6 we are told how the knowledge we have can be translated into wisdom. We must ask God, through faith, for the ability to use or exercise knowledge in the correct way. Only God alone knows the right use of the knowledge that He has given to us. While there is a focus on the right use of knowledge, we must not overlook the fact that we must have knowledge in the first place for us to use it in the right way. God cannot help us to be wise in our actions unless we have fortified our minds with the word of true. I guess this is what the writer of the lesson said, “By learning to reflect the character of Christ in our own lives, we live out the truth as it is in Jesus. That is true wisdom.” I pray that we will continue to spend quality time acquiring knowledge so that God can take this information to help us to use or exercise it in the right way. Men, women, and youth, God requires you to possess moral courage, steadiness of purpose, fortitude and perseverance, minds that cannot take the assertions of another, but which will investigate for themselves before receiving or rejecting, that will study and weigh evidence, and take it to the Lord in prayer. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Now the condition: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. This petition for wisdom is not to be a meaningless prayer, out of mind as soon as finished. It is a prayer that expresses the strong, earnest desire of the heart, arising from a conscious lack of wisdom to determine the will of God. After the prayer is made, if the answer is not realized immediately, do not weary of waiting and become unstable. Waver not. Cling to the promise, Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. Like the importunate widow, urge your case, being firm in your purpose. Is the object important and of great consequence to you? It certainly is. Then waver not, for your faith may be tried. If the thing you desire is valuable, it is worthy of a strong, earnest effort. You have the promise; watch and pray. Be steadfast and the prayer will be answered; for is it not God who has promised? If it costs you something to obtain it you will prize it the more when obtained. You are plainly told that if you waver you need not think that you shall receive anything of the Lord. A caution is here given not to become weary, but to rest firmly upon the promise. If you ask, He will give you liberally and upbraid not. Here is where many make a mistake. They waver from their purpose, and their faith fails. This is the reason they receive nothing of the Lord, who is our Source of strength. None need go in darkness, stumbling along like a blind man; for the Lord has provided light if they will accept it in His appointed way, and not choose their own way. He requires of all a diligent performance of everyday duties. Especially is this required of all who are engaged in the solemn, important work in the office of publication, both of those upon whom rest the more weighty responsibilities of the work, and of those who bear the least responsibilities. This can be done only by looking to God for ability to enable them faithfully to perform what is right in the sight of Heaven, doing all things as though governed by unselfish motives, as if the eye of God were visible to all, looking upon all, and investigating the acts of all. (Testimonies, vol. 2, pg. 130 – 132; Ellen G. White) God longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you. To every one who constantly yields his will to the will of the Infinite, to be led and taught of God, there is promised an ever-increasing development of spiritual things. God fixes no limit to the advancement of those who are filled with the knowledge of His will and in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Those who make God their efficiency realize their own weakness, and the Lord supplies them with His wisdom. As day by day they depend upon God, carrying out His will with humility and wholeheartedness and strictest integrity, they increase in knowledge and ability. By willing obedience they show reverence and honor to God, and are honored by Him. The case of Daniel reveals to us the fact that the Lord is always ready to hear the prayers of the contrite soul, and when we seek the Lord with all our hearts, He will answer our petitions. Here is revealed where Daniel obtained his skill and understanding; and if we will only ask of God wisdom, we may be blessed with increased ability and with power from heaven. (My Life Today, pg. 110 – Ellen G. White)
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 10:35:36 +0000
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