What to Do - Making Decisions
Proverbs 19:8 tells us "Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor, and those who love learning will succeed.
" At first, when looking at this Proverbs verse, one can assume that you can learn everything by going to school, getting the right mentor, etc...
However, when we dive deeper into it, we get the real meaning.
In the world we live in, wisdom is most important.
In various locations throughout the Bible, it's mentioned that wisdom is above gold and silver and is priceless.
Before wanting material wealth, or anything else for that matter, we are to search after wisdom.
So what is wisdom, exactly, and how do we acquire such a thing? Well, wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord.
Fearing God is not a scary thing.
It's the beginning of freedom actually.
To "fear" God is to want to do HIS WILL instead of mine and love my neighbor as I love myself.
Yes, easier said than done but realize, it doesn't have anything to do with fear in the sense that we are used to.
We need to not think of this type of fear as being afraid God will strike us down with a lightning bolt if we do something wrong.
That's not the case.
So when we fear the lord the way we are supposed to, then we are able to understand and accept HIS knowledge and way of doing things.
Proverbs is great for wisdom.
The entire book teaches you how to stay out of trouble.
It's a practical self-help book inspired by God himself.
How often do we reach for other books in a bookstore looking for "how to live victoriously" or other things when right there in your Bible, the answer is given.
I'm convinced that to acquire wisdom you need to open your Bible instead of using others' words as your source.
James 1:5 says "But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it.
He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you.
" That's great news! So if wisdom is acquired by asking for it, and God isn't going to look for reasons not to give it to me (criticizing), then why don't I just ask for it? Pride.
That's why.
For some reason we think that WE don't need to ask.
Well, asking is the beginning of humility which then will allow us to do GOD's will and not our own- see it goes full circle! So, if you want wisdom in a situation, ask God for it.
BELIEVE and don't doubt (don't second guess yourself thinking you're not worthy to receive it, etc) and God with be faithful to His word and give you wisdom.
The key, I've found, is to ask for wisdom and then search the scriptures (Proverbs is a GREAT place to start) BEFORE making decisions.
If you wait until you think you are in trouble you will try to use the Bible as a fortune telling book to get you OUT of the situation.
If you use the Bible to MAKE your decisions, you can be sure that if you are using wisdom- the benefits you reap from the decision will be of God.
" At first, when looking at this Proverbs verse, one can assume that you can learn everything by going to school, getting the right mentor, etc...
However, when we dive deeper into it, we get the real meaning.
In the world we live in, wisdom is most important.
In various locations throughout the Bible, it's mentioned that wisdom is above gold and silver and is priceless.
Before wanting material wealth, or anything else for that matter, we are to search after wisdom.
So what is wisdom, exactly, and how do we acquire such a thing? Well, wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord.
Fearing God is not a scary thing.
It's the beginning of freedom actually.
To "fear" God is to want to do HIS WILL instead of mine and love my neighbor as I love myself.
Yes, easier said than done but realize, it doesn't have anything to do with fear in the sense that we are used to.
We need to not think of this type of fear as being afraid God will strike us down with a lightning bolt if we do something wrong.
That's not the case.
So when we fear the lord the way we are supposed to, then we are able to understand and accept HIS knowledge and way of doing things.
Proverbs is great for wisdom.
The entire book teaches you how to stay out of trouble.
It's a practical self-help book inspired by God himself.
How often do we reach for other books in a bookstore looking for "how to live victoriously" or other things when right there in your Bible, the answer is given.
I'm convinced that to acquire wisdom you need to open your Bible instead of using others' words as your source.
James 1:5 says "But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it.
He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you.
" That's great news! So if wisdom is acquired by asking for it, and God isn't going to look for reasons not to give it to me (criticizing), then why don't I just ask for it? Pride.
That's why.
For some reason we think that WE don't need to ask.
Well, asking is the beginning of humility which then will allow us to do GOD's will and not our own- see it goes full circle! So, if you want wisdom in a situation, ask God for it.
BELIEVE and don't doubt (don't second guess yourself thinking you're not worthy to receive it, etc) and God with be faithful to His word and give you wisdom.
The key, I've found, is to ask for wisdom and then search the scriptures (Proverbs is a GREAT place to start) BEFORE making decisions.
If you wait until you think you are in trouble you will try to use the Bible as a fortune telling book to get you OUT of the situation.
If you use the Bible to MAKE your decisions, you can be sure that if you are using wisdom- the benefits you reap from the decision will be of God.
Source...