(Prov 26:7 GNB) A fool can use a proverb about as well as crippled people can use their legs.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” The last six proverbs have been about fools and the next six will be as well. One of the goals of walking with God and developing in His Word is growing in His wisdom. When we come to God we do so with a set of ideas, beliefs, values, convictions, and etc.; along with many years of formal and informal education. The day we accept Jesus as Lord we do so without a clean slate. No, our slate, by that point, has been filled with knowledge, experiences, and thousands (or millions) of past decisions. When we accept Jesus as Lord we are Born Again, at that moment, our spirit is regenerated by God’s Spirit and it is a wonderful and everlasting experience. The problem is that we, like God, are tripartite beings. God is Father, Son, and Spirit. We are spirit, soul, and body. Once we are Born Again our spirit is “saved,” but our soul and body have not been changed. Our spirit was changed instantly, our soul must be changed progressively and our body will be changed eventually (1Cor 15:52).
Since our spirit has already been changed and our body will eventually be changed, then what should be our focus today? You got it! The transformation of our soul. Our soul is comprised of our mind (the way we think), emotions (the way we feel), and will (the way we choose). When we come to God our soul is already conditioned to think, feel, and choose a certain way. Most of us came to God with a soul that was not conditioned to think, feel, and choose in ways that are pleasing to Him. Dr. Finace Bush says, “This new man in and old body needs a new mind!”
Now, you may be thinking, what does that have to do with this verse? Actually, a great deal. Our heavenly Father does not want us to merely read His Word for personal enjoyment, He wants us to apply it. However, since a fool is devoid of divine wisdom, he will never be able to maximize the Word of God, nor experience the impact the Father wants the Word to have in his life. I am not calling you a fool, but I am saying that ALL of us where foolish about the things of God when we came to Him. Our mind must be renewed (Rom 12:1,2) to think the way God thinks, in order to fully apply the wisdom of His Word to all the Father blesses us to put our hands to do.
Have you ever said a joke which caused all your friends to laugh, only to hear one of them repeat the joke and completely mess it up? Or have you ever briefed your boss on something, after putting long hours and hard work into it, only to have him or her ‘drop the ball’ when attempting to relay the message? I could give other examples, but the point is that divine wisdom is no good in the hands of a person who does not have the ability to properly apply it.
So what does this mean to you today?
1. The Word of God cannot be fully understood and applied by human intellect alone.
2. God is a Spirit, therefore He is Spiritual, not sensual. God speaks to our Spirit, not to our senses. That is why the Word of God often does NOT make sense and it requires faith to apply.
3. The Word of God is a Spiritual sword that can pierce through bondage, pain, shame, and guilt, but it does no good in the hands of someone who is spiritually devoid. Spiritual things must be discerned by Spiritual people.
Closing Confession: Father, I declare, by faith, that I can read, understand, comprehend, and apply Your Word. Your Word is the standard I live by. I open the pages of Your Word and I sit with the author Himself; the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives me supernatural insight, wisdom, revelation, and understanding concerning the spiritual meaning of Your Word Father. I live by faith, because I live by the Word. Your Word may not make sense to my soul, but I receive it by faith in my Spirit and I apply it with my entire being. Your Word produces resulsts in my life and because of it I become a lamp in the midst of darkness, and hope in the midst of despair. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
