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“Of making books, there is no end, and much study wearies the body” (Ecc. 12:12b). This was a popular quote during finals week among the college students. Their brains were on overload and there was no more room to cram more information.
When I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts degree from Harding University, having studied Communication Disorders and Spanish, I was ready to conquer the world. I thought I knew it all and that grad schools would be lining up to receive me. Those who promoted the idea of gaining a year or two of experience before entering grad school didn’t make sense to me. I remember naively thinking, “But I know it all now, fresh out of school.” I shudder to recall my prideful and ignorant thoughts.
However, grad school would wait since God had a different plan for my life and I proceeded to follow him into full-time ministry instead.
I soon learned that it is not about what you know, but how you apply it and your attitude toward learning.
Listening to non-Christians before I blurted out all of what I knew from Scripture enabled me to reach them with the message they most needed to hear.
I began to close the gap between knowing something and being able to teach that something in a way that communicates to others.
You can obtain all the knowledge in the world, but until you put it into practice and can teach it to others, it’s worthless. And experience is often the best teacher.
I am grateful to the many patient teachers in my life (God being the best of all!) who have imparted a love of learning, not just teaching.
The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.
And the wise men in Matthew 2 knew this well. The wise men sought wisdom. The wise men sought Jesus.
What wisdom are you seeking today that you can then share with others?
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What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Was it because of the person saying it? Or the timing of what they said? Was it because you could hear the love and humility behind the comment?
Now think of the worst advice you’ve ever heard. What made it so bad?
If you go to Pinterest or Instagram, you can find a myriad of witty sayings and pearls of wisdom presented in artistic form. You could fill the walls of your house with the best and most encouraging of these quotes.
However, many of the creative sayings shared or responses penned do not benefit and bless when we boil it down to their true meaning. The statements are meant to build up self and not others. They invite comparison and judgment, which breed discouragement and competition.
When seeking advice and encouragement, we should use a filter to see if the pearl of wisdom comes from the one who paid for the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:45). James gives us some clear tests that can help us discern between godly and worldly wisdom in chapter 3:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:13-18)
Today, instead of going to Pinterest, Instagram, or Facebook for advice, seek some godly wisdom through scripture. God really does know what he’s talking about.