The Life Marked by Wisdom and Balance

The wisdom to balance

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. -Hosea 14:9

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” Matthew 10:16

The life marked by wisdom and balance

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him James 1:5

Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 1:19

“With God are wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. Job 12:13

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes

wisdom. Pro 11:2 the price of wisdom is more than pearls. Job 28:18 And he said to mankind, ‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom,

and to turn away from evil is understanding. Job 28:28 For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of

your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. Luk 21:15 The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, Pro 9:10 Solomon

Why Wisdom

Types of WisdomEarthly wisdom

EducationalStreet WiseDemonic WisdomSensual Wisdom

Heavenly or Godly Wisdom

The wisdom to balance

QUESTION"It is not uncommon that our priorities in life

end up in conflict with one another and we start asking for advice and direction but are often dissatisfied with the simplistic answers we get.  It is at those times that we need wisdom, Godly wisdom.  So what does this Godly wisdom look like? And how can it help us balance our priorities?

That is what we will try to answer in this talk."

Life marked by wisdom and balance

Spiritual prioritiesFinancial prioritiesFamily prioritiesPhysical prioritiesMental prioritiesSocial prioritiesWork priorities

The wisdom to balance

The wisdom to balance

Questions1) What is Godly Wisdom?2) How can we obtain Godly wisdom3) How can Godly Wisdom help us balance

our priorities (How can we learn the wisdom to balance)?

The wisdom to balance

If, our conversation and words have produced disorder, anger and troubles rather than healing, it has not been God’s wisdom, but rather a false wisdom. “This wisdom is not that which comes down

from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic” (James 3:15). It finds its source in one of three places: in earth-bound motives, in sin, or in Satan himself.

False Wisdom

This is the kind of wisdom we do not want. We want God’s wisdom from above, wisdom that helps and heals, that brings about peace and joy in our lives, that increases love and good feelings among our friends, families, and among the entire congregation.

False Wisdom-cont

Questions1) What is Godly Wisdom?2) How can we obtain Godly wisdom3) How can Godly Wisdom help us balance

our priorities (How can we learn the wisdom to balance)?

The wisdom to balance

God is the source of all WisdomBut the wisdom that is from above is first

pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

Godly Wisdom

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13)James is talking about our entire manner of

life, not just words. But we cannot eliminate words from what he said. He goes on to mention bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14), things which are normally expressed by destructive communication. “And where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). Unwise words harm rather than heal.

Godly wisdom

Wisdom also submits to our Lord and to His commandments. Proverbs 3:13-14:

“Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom,and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences], For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of itbetter than fine gold.”

Godly wisdom

Questions1) What is Godly Wisdom?2) How can we obtain Godly wisdom3) How can Godly Wisdom help us balance

our priorities (How can we learn the wisdom to balance)?

But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)

How do we obtain godly wisdom

James gives us steps. “But the wisdom from above is (1) first pure, (2) then peaceable, (3) gentle, (4) reasonable, (5) full of mercy and good fruits, (6) unwavering, (7) without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

If we train ourselves to live by these standards we can be wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves and gain Godly Wisdom.

How do we obtain godly wisdom

Through PrayerAsk and you shall be given…. Luke 11:9

Through the BibleYour words are a lamp unto my feet and a light

unto my path….Psalm 119:105Through ReadingsThrough Love

The greatest of these is love...Through PracticeThrough Contemplations

How do we obtain godly wisdom

Begin and end the day with GodBe wise as serpents yet gentle as dovesJesus wants us to conduct ourselves wisely,

but without hurting ourselves or others that is-- harmless as doves.

How do we obtain godly wisdom

Strategy - End the Day With GodSet aside 15-30 minutes each night evaluating your day. Ask yourselfWhat choices did I make today? How does God

feel about them? How did I relate to others? Is there something I need to seek forgiveness for before going to bed? What were my challenges and opportunities in living a Holy life?

How do we obtain godly wisdom

Questions1) What is Godly Wisdom?2) How can we obtain Godly wisdom3) How can Godly Wisdom help us balance

our priorities (How can we learn the wisdom to balance)?

The wisdom to balance

Lazy vs Busy vs Frantically BusyThink about how many things you are currently involved in on a week-to-week basis. Now ask yourself, how many of those things have a specific leading from the Lord? Routinely, we take on responsibilities and even "fun" activities that are more life draining than they are life sustaining. I strongly urge you to partner with God and allow Him to create your schedule by asking Him, Is this something You want me/us doing?

obstacles to a balanced life

Strategy -Balancing ActGod loves balance, he provided both spiritual nourishment and physical nourishment-love and compassion and as His children He wants us to balance the things in our lives.

With balance in mind, are we spending to much time in a specific area of our life? (perhaps football or basketball season, bars, parties, women, etc), and little time in the other areas of our lives (perhaps church, family, fitness, achieving goals)? Is there a way we can wisely balance our priorities?

Using Wisdom to Balance our lives can we be better contributors to society?

Set Boundaries Be a weighing scale, and monitor areas that are getting out

of balance.

Balancing our priorities

Strategy – Have goals in lifeThere are many things we strive to achieve in life. Here are a few: healthy self-esteem, a good education, and success, wealth. But how about wanting to develop a personal relationship with God above anything else? God desires we hunger and thirst after Him, and seek Him more than any other person/thing in the world. What are we thirsty for?

Sit down and write your own life goals. Take into consideration your God-given gifts, talents, abilities, and passions.

Balancing our priorities

Strategy - Set limitationsNo good thing does God withhold from us. As His children, we may ask him for more material possessions, more friends, a promotion on our job, or a new house. Certainly there is nothing wrong with any of these things. At the same time, what we may need is more grace, more peace, more joy, or to spend more time with Him to fill up our mind, will, emotions, and body with what they crave – His presence.

Balancing our priorities

Learn to be content with whatever God has given you and with whatever state you are currently in realize that God has put you there for a reason. Put God first and ask for the Heavenly wisdom which can guide your life. God does talk to us and we need to listen to Him.

Balancing our priorities using Godly wisdom helps put in perspective the important things in our lives and at what stage in our lives priorities change and become more or less important to us

If you do - then you will be able to find true peace, contentment, joy and happiness

Do not worry about tomorrow or what tomorrow may or may not bring, for sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

The wisdom to balance-summary

God wants us to continue to grow in His knowledge, grace and power. And in that growth process there will be new advances, new things, new adventures, new opportunities and new promotions that will occur during the course of our lives. But we even have to keep all of this in proper balance and perspective. If we are always concentrating and focusing on what God may do for us in our futures - we will never be able to fully enjoy what He has just done for us in our present.

The Wisdom to Balance-Summary