By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. --Proverbs 24:3-6 ESV
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. --Isaiah 11:2 ESV
By the Holy Spirit of wisdom a life is built.
By the Spirit of understanding it is established.
By the Spirit of knowledge all the areas of one's life are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
How are the rooms of our house (the areas of our lives) filled by knowledge with all precious and pleasant riches?
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. --2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. --Colossians 2:2-3 ESV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. --Colossians 3:16 ESV
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. --Ephesians 5:17-21 ESV
How can we not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is?
Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. --Matthew 6:9-10 ESV
The Lord's will is defined by Jesus as “on earth as it is in heaven.” However it is in heaven is what God's will is. e.g. There's no sickness, death, skin disease, demons, or poverty in heaven. That's why Jesus commanded his disciples, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” --Matthew 10:8 ESV Jesus’ (God's) commandments are an expression of His will.
Thus, in order not to be foolish, we need to understand that God's will includes “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” --Matthew 10:8 ESV
Although I don’t want to sound rude, according to the Word of God, anyone who tells us to disregard Jesus’ instructions is a fool, because “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
--Proverbs 1:7 ESV
Perhaps a lower standard for discipleship that excludes obeying Matthew 10:8 by the power of the Holy Spirit provided in Acts 1:8 would make it a little easier to accomplish discipleship in my own power, but I don’t have that luxury to pick and choose which commandments from my Master I will obey and pursue.
To say Jesus’ wisdom and instructions to his followers is expired, non-applicable today, optional, etc. is to scorn the wisdom and Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Personally, I don't want to be the wrong kind of fool, so I don't want to scorn Jesus’ instruction to his disciples. That's just too risky for me.
As I don’t yet measure up to Jesus’ discipleship model, these words of God are convicting for me. This then is my prayer:
Father,
I've sinned against heaven and against You. (1) From these Scriptures I see how far I fall short of your glory. (2) You give us “impossible” commandments like “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.” (3) Then You command us as disciples to model and teach others to obey all these commandments. (4) But we've not understood what your will is and therefore been foolish (5).
We've made up excuses and theologies to excuse us from following you, just like the people in Luke 9:57-62. Now we want to repent--to change the way we think--for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (6) We don't want to be foolish anymore, but to be filled with Your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (7)
We no longer want any theology except Jesus Christ in us, the hope of glory. (8) We don't want to be fools who trust in our own minds, but to trust in You. (9) No longer do we scoff at your commandments and promises, but we confess you Lord as our Teacher, Guide and Counselor. (10) For only then can we have the wisdom to wage war against our spiritual enemies (11).
Thank you, Lord, for filling us with your Spirit as we worship You, ascribing to You all glory, honor, and power. We ascribe glory to the Lamb who was slain, who is worthy to receive all glory, honor, and praise, who appointed His servants to reign in life through Jesus Christ as a kingdom of priests and kings, that this message of the kingdom will be preached as a testimony to all nations--every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. (12)
In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.
To learn how you can enter a love relationship with God, see my article “Have You Heard the News?”
Luke 15:18, 21
Romans 3:23
Matthew 10:8; 17:21; 19:26
Matthew 28:20
Proverbs 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:17-18
Matthew 4:17
Ephesians 5:17-18; Isaiah 11:2
Colossians 1:27-2:10
Proverbs 28:25-26; 3:5ff
John 14:23-26; 16:13-15
Proverbs 24:6; Ephesians 6:12
Revelation 5:9ff; Romans 5:17; Matthew 24:14
