Thursday: Walking in Wisdom
Daily Lesson for Thursday 19th of March 2026
What is the most important truth that we, as Christians, can know? Of course, it is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that, through faith in Him, we can have eternal life. This is a truth that we could have never figured out on our own. Instead, it was a truth that had to be told, or revealed, to us. And it has been revealed to us—in the Word of God.
There’s a great deal of truth, knowledge, and wisdom that we would never have known were it not for what God has revealed to us in His Word. But this knowledge and wisdom have not been given to us just as knowledge, just as something to know. Rather, we are to live out in our own lives this truth, this knowledge, and this wisdom.
Read Colossians 4:5-6. In what situations does Paul indicate we especially need to “walk in wisdom”? Why might that be?
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
Unfortunately, as Christians, sometimes we are anything but Christian! And, as Paul indicated (quoting Isaiah 52:5), Israel was also a stumbling block for unbelievers: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you” (Romans 2:24). How we act toward others, especially those not of our faith, matters a lot (see Titus 2:5, 2 Peter 2:2). A Christian home, a gathering of youth for prayer rather than for mischief; simple kindnesses; and a calm, patient spirit speak volumes to those who are watching to see whether our profession is genuine or not.
In Colossians 4:6, Paul focuses especially on the words we speak: “Let your speech always be gracious” (ESV). More than simply kind or polite, the words we speak should be prompted and permeated by God’s grace through the influence of the Holy Spirit.
“Seasoned with salt.” Opposite to the world’s definition of “salty” speech, our words should be fitting and appealing to those we address.
“That you may know how you ought to answer each one” (NKJV). Only the Holy Spirit can give us the right words at the right time for the right purpose and prepare the minds of the hearers for the message we “must” share (here, too, dei is used—see yesterday’s comments on Colossians 4:4).
|
Think about your words, your actions, and how you walk before others. What message are you sending about your faith and what it means to be a Christian? |
I was an irritating git when I was a kid. I read a lot and remembered a lot of what I read.I knew a lot of science and geography stuff. And in conversation, I knew when other people were wrong. I liked to strut my superior knowledge. Being right was awesome. It took a few bloody noses and more time than it should for me to learn that being right meant that most of the time you had to let other people be wrong and to shut up about it. It was a tough lesson to learn when you are a primary school kid. Wisdom comes through the battle in the playground.
And sometimes, in our spiritual journey, we are so right and we need to tell others that we have got it right. Somewhere along the line we have to learn that being right comes with the responsibility of keeping quiet and let our living do the talking. Today more than ever, Christians need to show we are on the side of graciousness rather than belligerence.
God is the source of biblical wisdom and knowledge. Paul emphatically states that wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). Knowing God and giving Him reverence is wisdom in the biblical sense(Proverbs 1:7). It is impossible to walk in the biblical wisdom without walking with Christ (God) who is the source. This wisdom leads to salvation. If we truly desire to be wise, and walk in the wisdom, we should strive to do the following pre-requisites:
1. We must diligently study and meditate on the Word of God (Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:16–17)
2. We must obey what the Word of God says (James 1:22)
3. We must ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. Divine intervention is need to give us the understanding and revelation of spiritual things. Otherwise the canal mind will only desire the foolish things of the world (Galatians 5:16)
4. We must have a personal relationship with the sources of wisdom (Christ). The Bible says that knowing Jesus as the Saviour is the noblest true wisdom (John 17:3). The wisdom and knowledge which saves should be our greatest desire. Jesus wants us to live the knowledge that we know.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:2, NLT)
Amen, God is the source of biblical wisdom and knowledge. Therefore, be connected to the source of wisdom daily.
Choosing words that build up, not break down.
Forgiving quickly instead of holding grudges.
Our beliefs and values no matter how Godly they are, if they are not lived out to bless others they are useless. Our Godly beliefs and values are realized in our advocacy for the marginalized and the oppressed, in our respect for every human race, in our regard for justice for every person and disregard for corruption. It is my prayer that I will be wise in my speech and interaction with others.
The lesson writer starts out with a question: “What is the most important truth that we, as Christian, can know?” The answer following this question is: “Of course, it is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that, through faith in Him, we can have eternal life.”
I consider that even before this could be believed as ‘Truth’, heavenly wisdom had to be present. Without it, we would not have been able to believe that there is a God, which God to believe in, and that Jesus Christ is His Son. A God who had a very specific relationship with His Son which He lived out for us to see, learn from, and emulate.
I consider that the weakness in Christianity, its lukewarmness, might be due to our reluctance to believing this as fact. Why are there still so many issues hampering the Christian Faith? Why do Christian acts and words not speak louder when expressing heaven’s language of Love for mankind?
Is it possible that Christians have started to just go along with instituted religious traditions as it regards spiritual ‘Truth’? If one is truly convinced and convicted by the Spirit regarding the full impact of God’s revealed Truth, would this not lead one to wanting to live expressing this Truth fervently?
Jesus lived by faith a full life before He gave it up for us to live our life in Him – as He lived – ‘walking in Wisdom’. If Christians truly believed that there is only one God, and His Son Christ Jesus to be His ‘Living Word‘ given to all who believe, can there by any room for mischief, any room for cutting corners or trying to excuse shortcomings? Prov.29:23; Isaiah 66:2; Phil. 2:8-9.
First of all, a true Christian has to be transparent. Christians should never act like Christians; they should live up to what they are at the moment. The necessary changes are the work of the Holy Spirit, and people have to see that a Christian also grows as a person.