WALK AS GOD WALKS (6)

“I have taught you in the WAY of WISDOM; I have led you in right paths” – Proverbs 4:11

To WALK AS GOD WALKS is to WALK in WISDOM: “I have taught you in the WAY of WISDOM; I have led you in right paths” (Pro. 4:11). God’s Higher Ways are Ways of Wisdom: “For My thoughts are not your thought, nor are your ways MY WAYS...for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY WAYS higher than your ways...” (Isa.55: 8-9). Wisdom is the ability to discern right from wrong. Knowledge is Power; Wisdom is using that power rightly. Wisdom makes profitable use of knowledge. It is the application of knowledge to reach worthy goals. Without Wisdom, education, enlightenment, or intelligence may be vain!

“Wisdom is the principal thing” (Pro.4:7a). It is the principal Ingredient for winning in all dimensions of destiny. Wisdom is a core Course – not an elective – in the University of Life; a primary component in destiny fulfilment! Favour, fruitfulness, durable riches, longevity, honour, promotion, pleasantness, peace, grace, and a colourful and glorious destiny, all derive from Wisdom (Pro.3:13-18; 4:5-9; Eccl.9:15-18). Wisdom is the divine gift that enables us to make the right choices and decisions in life, and to walk aright. Those who extol wisdom position themselves for significant success in life. Wisdom is key to reigning in life (Pro.8:15). Rarely will a person become anything worthwhile without wisdom. Devoid of wisdom, strength and safety are not guaranteed (Pro.24:5-7).

Wisdom is Divine Know-how – GOD’s HOW-TOs! When God asked Solomon to make a request, his reply was: “…I KNOW NOT HOW to go out and come in” (1 Kgs.3:7). God interpreted this as a request for Wisdom – KNOW-HOW! It takes Divine Know-How to operate in Realms of Glory! Wisdom is God’s creative Tool: “The Lord BY WISDOM founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens” (Pro. 3:19). Wisdom accompanied the Words of Faith in creation. God’s Wisdom – superior intelligence – dictated creation’s order, harmony, beauty and balance. The Light of Wisdom preceded every other element in creation. Without Wisdom any so-called attainment, result, performance, or elevation, is insecure.

We can Walk in Wisdom: “See then that you WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools but AS WISE, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore DO NOT BE UNWISE, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph.5: 15-17). To walk circumspectly is to be cautious; to watch or look carefully at HOW we live; to be mindful of our behaviour, choices and decisions. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1Pet.5:8). Wisdom relates to the use of time and speech (Col.4:5b-6). David prayed: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a Heart of Wisdom” (Psa.90:12). Wisdom maximises time and opportunities and uses words rightly (Jam.3:2, 13-17).

Wisdom comes as we’re enriched in the Word of Christ: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you richly IN ALL WISDOM, teaching and admonishing one another…” (Col.3:16a). None of us is wise by human nature. We were foolish until being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom.12:2). Even so, we must always ask for wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” (Jam. 1:5a). Walking in Wisdom means walking in the Word of God – living out the Word; because God’s Word is His Wisdom! Great men and women of faith through the ages, were distinguished by meditating on and obeying the Word (Jos.1:8).

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 depicts the practical manifestation of Wisdom: “That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands…that you may WALK PROPERLY toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” To walk in wisdom is: to live quietly, diligently, competently, not meddling, idle, or parasitic on others. Christianity is not an excuse to be lazy, nosy, incompetent or unproductive. Ultimately, true Wisdom aims at winning souls to Christ, Who Himself is Wisdom personified: “He who wins souls is wise” (Pro.11:30b; Dan.12:3; 1Cor.1:30). We can think like God and walk as He walks!