Wisdom From the Word

July 17, 2000

Proverbs 19:11: A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (NIV)

The book of Proberbs teaches us that wisdom is the principal thing. Wisdom is the key to success in life, and true wisdom comes only from God.

No reason exists for the child of God to lack wisdom. James exhorted the people lacking in wisdom to simply ask God for it. If a believer asks in faith for wisdom, God will give it.

What is wisdom? Here is my simple definition of wisdom. Wisdom is knowing the right thing to do in a situation. Wisdom also gives us the ability to understand how things works. With wisdom we see that consequences are sure to follow our actions. With wisdom we see the importance of always doing the right thing.

In Proverbs 19:11 we learn that a man with wisdom will exercise patience. Why is that? Well the man of wisdom understands that through faith and patience he will inherit the promises of God. The man of wisdom will learn to wait in patience instead of flying off the handle in anger, because he knows that faith works by love. If he allows strife into in his life, he will hinder God's work.

Recently I heard a person with very little Biblical knowledge say: Good things come to those who wait. That is a Biblical truth, even though it has become a worldly maxim. Many of us have fallen short of the purpose and blessing that God prepared for us, because we grew tired of waiting with patience.

The grace to wait comes to those with wisdom, because they see the reward that will come to the person who exercises patience.

Verse 11 also says, it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

In this life we will always have ample opportunity to be offended. But the wise man learns to overlook an offense.

Why is that? Once again the wise man sees the consequences of his actions. He sees that offense will seperate him from the fullness of the blessing of God. He sees that the consequences of walking in love and forgiveness will be both the full manifestation of God's blessing in his life, and the knowledge that God himself is pleased with him.

Jesus was clear in his teaching that forgiveness is mandatory and not an option. As recorded in Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus said, For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Sadly, many who confess faith in Jesus Christ have practiced unforgiveness for years. Unforgiveness is a major reason for the deadness of many churches.

But this is the hour for believers to rise up, determined to walk in the light of God's wisdom. As more and more believers commit to walk in the totality of God's wisdom, the love and power and blessing of God will be in much greater manifestation. To the point that the unbelievers will look at us and want to know more about the Jesus we serve.

Today decide to make wisdom the principal thing in your life. That is one decision you will never regret.

Wayne L. Williams

wayne@fotwm.org