Those Who Follow Wisdom Will Go In The Way Of Understanding And Avoid The Folly Of Ignorance And Foolishness Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. (Prov. 9:6) I Surrender All - https://youtube/watch?v=KRZDHmlmKCU The choice will always be ours. Do we want to follow the advice given to us in the word of God or do we want to follow ourselves? Many times we think we understand what is best for us. But most times the results show that we don’t have a clue. This morning the writer of the lesson reminded us that unless we decided to follow the wise counsel given us to in the word of God we are going to remain ignorant and foolish. We must remember what the word of God says in 1 Cor. 3:19 – “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” Some of us believe that we know what is best for our lives. We continue to following the cunning devices of the world and wonder why we are always having problems. The word of God said “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14)” Instead of taking the wise advise of the Lord, we come up with all sorts of interpretation to justify our carnal nature. And when we find ourselves in problems because we have disobeyed the wise counsel of the Lord, we ask God to solve the problems for us. When will we realize that the wisdom of this world is foolish? Some have even used this text to say that Paul was talking about getting into a relationship with someone who is not a Christian. In other words we can get involved with someone who is a Christian even if they are not a member of our faith. Clearly we did not read the rest of the passage to see that God was really warning the Corinthian brethren and by extension us about geting involved with persons who haven’t surrendered themselves totally to the control of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who has not given themselves over to the control of the Holy Spirit is a member of the army of Satan. We must remember what Jesus said about the wheat and the tares. They are together in the church and must grow until the day of the harvest. Additionally, Jesus said that not all who say Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of God. So in this wise counsel from the Lord, He is reminding us that righteousness in the indicator which we should use to determine our friendship with others. Membership in a congregation doesn’t determine our state of righteousness. Total surrender to the Holy Spirit will result in the bearing of fruits that demonstrate through the light we shine that God is in control of our lives. I pray that we will continue to take the wise counsel of the Lord, found in His word, so that the folly of ignorance and foolishness will be replaced by the way of understanding. To every man, God has assigned a place in His great plan. By truth or falsehood, by folly or wisdom, each is fulfilling a purpose, bringing about certain results. . . . In the eyes of the world, those who serve God may appear weak. They may be apparently sinking beneath the billows, but with the next billow they are seen rising nearer to their haven. I give unto them eternal life, saith our Lord; . . . neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:28). Though kings shall be cast down, and nations removed, the souls that through faith link themselves with Gods purposes shall abide forever. (This Day With God, pg. 352 – Ellen G. White) The more closely Gods word is searched, and the better understood, the more vividly will the student realize that there is, beyond, infinite wisdom, knowledge; and power. Those who seek to find out God as he is revealed in the pages of inspiration, will learn the hard but useful lesson, that human intellect is not omnipotent; that without divine help, human strength and wisdom are but weakness and folly. (Review and Herald, September 25, 1883 – Ellen G. White) True wisdom is a treasure as lasting as eternity. Many of the worlds so-called wise men are wise only in their own estimation. Content with the acquisition of worldly wisdom, they never enter the garden of God, to become acquainted with the treasures of knowledge contained in His holy Word. Supposing themselves to be wise, they are ignorant concerning the wisdom which all must have who gain eternal life.... The unlearned man, if he knows God and Jesus Christ, has a more enduring wisdom than has the most learned man who despises the instruction of God. Divine wisdom is to be a lamp to your feet.... Everything that can be shaken will be shaken; but rooted and grounded in the truth, you will abide with those things that cannot be shaken. (Sons and Daughters, pg. 183 – Ellen G. White) Awakened as from a dream by this sentence of judgment pronounced against him and his house, Solomon with quickened conscience began to see his folly in its true light. Chastened in spirit, with mind and body enfeebled, he turned wearied and thirsting from earths broken cisterns, to drink once more at the fountain of life. . . . He could never hope to escape the blasting results of sin; he could never free his mind from all remembrance of the self-indulgent course he had been pursuing; but he would endeavor earnestly to dissuade others from following after folly. . . . (Conflict and Courage, pg. 196 –Ellen G. White) Those who regard it as brave and manly to treat the claims of God with indifference and contempt are thereby betraying their own folly and ignorance. While they boast their freedom and independence, they are really in bondage to sin and Satan. A clear conception of what God is and what He requires us to be will lead to wholesome humility. He who studies aright the Sacred Word will learn that human intellect is not omnipotent. He will learn that without the help which none but God can give, human strength and wisdom are but weakness and ignorance. He who is following the divine guidance has found the only true source of saving grace and real happiness, and has gained the power of imparting happiness to all around him. No man can really enjoy life without religion. Love to God purifies and ennobles every taste and desire, intensifies every affection, and brightens every worthy pleasure. It enables men to appreciate and enjoy all that is true, and good, and beautiful. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, pg. 53 – Ellen G. White)
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:59:41 +0000
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