How to live more wisely part 3

You know God has promised us if we ask He will bestow on us His wisdom (James 1:5). He also says, Proverbs 28:26 "Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." Safe from what? Well from the attack of Satan. We are not fighting a battle of flesh and blood, we are fighting a battle against Satan and his armies. If we ask God for wisdom, He will give it to us, but with this comes the need for its shelter! Let me tell you after last nights post, Satan turned around and tested me in nearly EVERY verse I discussed and was encouraged by. So tonight I am resting in the security I have been given by the promise of God's wisdom and its protection! I am wise enough to expect it again tomorrow!



Here is the balance we need!

Ecclesiastes 7 15-22 The Message
15-17 I've seen it all in my brief and pointless life—here a good person cut down in the middle of doing good, there a bad person living a long life of sheer evil. So don't knock yourself out being good, and don't go overboard being wise. Believe me, you won't get anything out of it. But don't press your luck by being bad, either. And don't be reckless. Why die needlessly?



18 It's best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it. 19 Wisdom puts more strength in one wise person Than ten strong men give to a city. 20 There's not one totally good person on earth, Not one who is truly pure and sinless. 21-22 Don't eavesdrop on the conversation of others. What if the gossip's about you and you'd rather not hear it? You've done that a few times, haven't you—said things. Behind someones back you wouldn't say to his face?






Ecclesiastes 7 15-22 NIV
15 In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness. 16 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? 18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.[a] 19 Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city. 20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. 21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you— 22 for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

So this one stumped me for a while. How can you be over righteous or over wise?

You can do this by putting yourself on a pedestal or becoming perfection seeking and forget that you will never be perfect. I WILL NEVER BE PERFECT! What a relief that is! I remember where I have come from  for there was a time when Idid not know the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2).  Standing tall in righteousness or should I say on a lofty stool of over righteousness will only cause us one thing-- a painful tumble to the floor. Once again we can't go back to where we started. Our time will run out and we will perish for eternity. Avoiding extremes means that we remember what Paul said-- everything is permissible but may not be beneficial. When we convict others in an extreme scenario and hold so tightly to our guns in a matter that is of no real importance in the grand scheme of life and eternity we set ourselves up for condemnation. BECAUSE no one can follow the law; no one is perfect and has never sinned. We lay out a law for others to follow while we ourselves can not keep it. Do not take to heart the things people say. The only real authority is the Holy Spirit. When we participate in Gossip we may turn around and find ourselves the subject of next weeks rant! Haven't we all done this to people we care about? Even though we said these hurtful things about those we love, it does not change the fact that we love them. Remember this when you are hurt by a loved one!

Part 4 comes tomorrow. I hope Satan realizes he is not going to win and leaves me alone, but if not, I will rest in the wisdom God has handed me written down in the Bible for me NOT to forget. It is hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against him.