Ephesians 5:15-17 – Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wiset by understandings what the Lord’s will is.
In this writing, Paul continues the thought on being imitators of God, on loving one another, the body of Christ. And so to deal with the issue of how we live with one another, he states that we must be careful how we live with one another. Not as wise, but unwise. So I want to take some time and discuss about wisdom. The best way to deal with the question of wisdom is to tell the story found in the old testament of Solomon in 1 Kings 3:3-14.
David had passed away, and Solomon, a young man, was made king of Israel. I can only imagine how Solomon must have felt. One of anxiety, awkwardness, unknowable possibilities. Solomon was in a place of uncertainty. Would he be a good king? Would he serve the people well? Would he be a successful king?
Yet, in spite of all that Solomon had to do, the writers state one thing; Solomon continued to walk in the ways of his father David. This means that Solomon worshipped the Lord, he sought the Lords favor in everything.
The first thing we need to remember concerning wisdom is that it begins in awe of God. What do I mean? Psalms 111:10, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When we realize the majesty of God, when we stop and take a moment to think about God, God’s goodness, God’s mercy, God’s grace, we stand in awe, in amazement of God. When begin to realize that God is a good God, a wonderful God, a God that is worthy of being praised.
We also begin to realize that God has placed us in this place. God has opened and closed doors that have allowed us to be here at this moment and time. God has lured us into places where we have experienced and learned, in order to serve the here and the now. And when we have stopped to think about this, we realize that where we are at is a special place, that we are being called to the here and the now, to be people of influence, a community of change. That is the beginning of wisdom, the time when we see that God has given us the opportunity to make a difference. When we realize that, we also realize that we cannot do this on our own. We need more than knowledge, but how this knowledge will benefit and best shape the world around us. This is the beginning of wisdom. It all begins with awe of God.
And this is where Solomon began. Solomon understood his limitations. He was a young man, a king, leading a great nation. The first thing he would do is worship God, because if it were not for God, he would not be in the point he was in. He worshipped God, because God is always the beginning of all things.
And in one of the times Solomon is sacrificing, he is confronted by God in a dream. And in this dream, God asks him, “Tell me what I should give you.” What a statement. It is like a genie in a bottle. “you have three wishes. Ask, and it shall be given to you.” If you were asked that question, what would it be? Debts cancelled? Riches? A place in Florida?
This question makes you think, what do we really want? at this moment right now? Well, I can tell you that at every moment, at every instant, in every crisis, God asks, what do you want? What should I give you?
But what is the most interesting is Solomon’s response. He did not ask for riches. He did not ask for success. He is asked for discernment, for wisdom to judge. He did not ask God to take him out of the situation he was in. He did not want to be out of the evils and dangers in life. He asked for discernment between right and wrong. Solomon was asking of the Lord for wisdom to lead the kingdom.
And that brings us to the question, What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Knowledge is an important part of life. Knowledge are the facts and skills a person,we, acquire through our experience. We need to experience in order to attain knowledge. There is no other way. Knowledge requires an action, something we must do. How many times have I wished I could just connect a cable to my brain and have everything downloaded to it. But that is not how it works. The brain cannot remember unless an action is taken; a movement of the eye, the twist of a hand, the circling of the salt to tell how much you need to season the rice. An action must take place in order for the mind to remember this new information. Knowledge are the facts we learn, the bible verses we remember, experiences we go through. Knowledge is the information that fills our mind. The bible says that we die for lack of knowledge. We need to always attain knowledge. Knowledge is where wisdom springs forth. We cannot make decisions without information, without knowledge of the situation, because without knowledge there can be no understanding. People are lost because of lack of knowledge. Let us acquire knowledge, the most that we can, in order to be best equipped for the next word, which is wisdom.
Wisdom is the ability to understand and qualify the choices we make from the facts we have acquired. It is the quality of taking what we know and to discern what is the best choice. It is understanding when is the right time to discipline your child and when to hold them, it is understanding when to speak up and when to remain still, it is when to reap the harvest, and when to sow. Wisdom is both the thought and action. It is the ability and quality of good judgement based on the knowledge we have acquired, and what we have experienced.
Now this brings us to a very powerful thought. Go back to the question: What should I give you? Will it be riches? Long life?
Let me show you why asking for these items do not work. The answer is simple. Each of these reflect what we want. It reflects that we only desire for ourselves. Solomon could have done that here, but he does not. In this story his focus was how he could deal fairly with the people in his context, his place. He was in a place of influence. If he would have focused on himself, he would have lost what could have been, his life and his world would have taken a different path.
But that is not the case. He took his place seriously. Solomon knew that he was placed here for the adventure of a lifetime, and he could not take it unless he received wisdom to judge fairly and honestly. To discern is the ability to make good judgement. Discernment is the action of wisdom. Wisdom does not come without a choice being made, because that is when wisdom is sought out, through times of crisis, and times of choice. Wisdom is given or attained when those matters arise.
So let us go back to Ephesians. Be careful how you live, to be wise, taking advantage of every opportunity. Know the Lord’s will. And to speak to one another in psalms and music. How is wisdom developed or spoken of here? Wisdom then, is knowing what is right and wrong in the treating the body of Christ. Words and actions, actions and words harm one another. Wisdom calls us to know right and wrong and discern correctly. When we choose the wrong, it hurts the rest of us. May we choose the correct path, one that lifts up the body of Christ, and not brings them down.
When Solomon asked for wisdom, God gave to him riches and honor as well. In a way, if we choose wisdom, we can live life abundantly. Wisdom helps us to make right choices for our life and the life of others. Wisdom looks for what is best for the life of the church, which builds up with singing psalms and hymns and songs.
Each one of us here are as important as Solomon. We are called to a place in the here and the now. In that space we are an influence. So the question becomes, what do I do? Do I destroy with my words and actions? Or do I lift up? How do I do it? God has given us a great responsibility, this great life of ours. With that in mind, we need wisdom at every moment that brings us life, a life that meets not only our needs but the needs of others. Wisdom, which is both understanding and discernment, is what we need.
May the Lord lead us to understand the will of God, one of justice and righteousness so that we to can live wisely, seeking out justice and righteousness.