A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25v11)
Today we conclude our studies on practical Christian living as found in the Book of Ephesians. In previous weeks we have considered the instruction to live lives worthy of our calling, not one of futility, but of love and light.
In chapter 5 verse 15 to chapter 6 verse 24 we are called to live a LIFE OF WISDOM. Because wisdom is foundational to Christian living a whole Book in the Bible (Proverbs) is devoted to it. We often confuse wisdom with cleverness. Big mistake!
Wisdom involves discernment and discretion and adds value to others and glory to God whereas cleverness is all about manipulating situations to our advantage. People who do not live wisely are forever trying to put out fires by means of human cleverness and leave a trail of hurt and damage behind them often involving innocent family, friends and society. So how do we get wisdom? Godly wisdom only comes about through being saturated in God’s Word and committing it to memory. Then we will be fore-armed to handle every particular need or situation. Wisdom is active and as a result it means making the most of every opportunity (verse16). We cannot live a life of wisdom if we have out of control behaviour so we must allow the Holy Spirit freedom to change us and develop fruit in our lives which includes patience and long suffering. Thankfulness to God in all situations (verse 20) can only come about if we have wisdom because wisdom puts everything in perspective and enables us to have the confidence ‘that all things work for good to those who love the Lord’. The wise man submits to God’s will and understands that this leads to submission to one another (verse 21). This can sometimes be very hard, but if Christ is to be captain of our lives submission has to filter down to marriage (v32), relationship between children and parents and between employee/employer.
Finally, from chapter 6 verse 10 to the end of the epistle we are reminded that a life of wisdom requires us to put on the full armour He has provided. No soldier waits until the enemy fires the first arrows before putting on the armour for then it will be too late. Verse 18 reminds us that wise people are to ‘be alert and always pray’ not just for themselves, but for all fellow Christians. This presupposes that we are intimately concerned and involved in their lives so we can pray intelligently and with relevance.
In conclusion, if we really want to become wise, we should read a chapter of the Book of Proverbs every day, meditate on it and put it into practice.
God Bless, Graeme Greenwood