WALK IN WISDOM

“WALK in WISDOM toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” – Colossians 4:5

To walk in perfection is to WALK IN WISDOM: “WALK in WISDOM toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Col.4:5). First, Paul emphasised the priority of prayer in spreading the gospel. He specifically requested prayers of open door for the Word as well as clarity and courage of heart and mind (vv.2-4). He then pinpointed the Primacy of Walking in Wisdom. “Wisdom is the Principal thing” (Pro.4:7a). Wisdom is a core Course 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 are products of Wisdom (Pro.3:13-18; 4:5-9; Eccl.9:15-18).

Wisdom is the use of knowledge to reach worthy goals. Having knowledge and using it are quite different. Wisdom makes profitable use of knowledge. Those who extol wisdom position themselves for significant success in life. Rarely will one achieve or become anything worthwhile without wisdom. Wisdom is the key to reigning in life (Pro.8:15). Devoid of wisdom, strength and safety are not guaranteed in life (Pro.24:5-7). Let’s examine the goal, portrait, and “How” of Walking in Wisdom.

The Goal of Walking in Wisdom toward outsiders is to win them to Christ: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Pro.11:30). Wisdom seeks to win souls and lead them to righteousness (Dan.12:3). True wisdom aims at leading people to Christ, who Himself became for us “Wisdom from God – and Righteousness…” (1Cor.1:30).

The Portrait of Walking in Wisdom is practically depicted in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “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 means: to live quietly, work hard, be competent, don't meddle, and don't be idle and parasitic on others for your livelihood. Never give people the impression that Christianity makes one lazy, nosy, incompetent or unproductive. Wisdom will never bring reproach on the faith as it avoids offensive behaviour.

Walking in Wisdom “adorns the doctrine” and reinforces the gospel (Tit.2:10). Wisdom doesn’t offend custom, mores or cultural expectations that are not sinful. Wisdom also relates to use of time and speech: “redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person” (Col.4:5b-6). Wisdom maximises time and opportunities and uses words creatively (Eph.5: 15-17; Jam.3:2, 13-17).

The “How” of Wisdom: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you richly IN ALL WISDOM, teaching and admonishing one another…” (Col.3:16a). Wisdom comes from divine enrichment in the Word of Christ. None of us is spiritually wise by nature. We are foolish until we are 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 or living out the Word, because God’s Word is His Wisdom! The great men and women of faith were distinguished by following the Word.

Isaac walked in God’s Wisdom. When famine ravaged the land and multitudes migrated to Egypt for greener pastures, God instructed him to remain and sow in Gerar (Gen.26:2-4). Isaac gave up his agenda, followed divine leading and prospered exceedingly in the same land that had been impoverished by famine. He “waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great…” – the envy of the Philistines (Gen.26:12-14). It is wisdom to do what God says, even when they don’t appeal to human reasoning. Joshua walked in the Word and instructions received from the Lord, and recorded remarkable victories for Israel (Jos.1:8; 8:1-24).

David prayed: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a Heart of Wisdom” (Psa.90:12). The exemplary Christian life comes through earnest prayer and deep meditation on His Word! Then, you’ll start to think the way God thinks and walk in His higher ways for a colourful life and glorious destiny (Isa.55: 8-9).