TRUE WISDOM

"I think God wants me to be a world-famous musician."
"I'm just curious to know what it's like to have one time. Then I can resist."
"If God made me gay, doesn't He want me to be happy?"
"I decided that I will make that person feel bad for hurting me."

A variation of all of these comments has been made in my office in recent weeks. They lead to the interesting question, "How do I know if I am hearing from God's voice or my own?" When two very logical options stand before me, and I can justify them both as seeming to be wise, is there some sort of a simple test to determine true wisdom? I think there might be.

Actually, there are two kinds of wisdom, according to the Bible. There is worldly wisdom, and wisdom from above. Both are called wisdom, because they seem wise on at least one level. I can live a consistent life following either kind of wisdom. But there are some clear symptoms of each, listed by James (chapter 3).

Here's how to know if my wisdom is from the earth: it is full bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Jealousy and ambition lead to disorder and every kind of evil, but they will get me "ahead" in this world. So any so-called wisdom that feeds the sense of jealousy or ambition in me is not from God. Period. If I measure my "wise" idea against the rule of jealousy and ambition, I will see whether it is worldly or not.

Of course, Satan will pose as an angel of light, and his demons are capable of saying lots of seemingly-wise ideas. But God gives us the Holy Spirit, or the spirit of holiness, and He will always, without fail, lead us to what is pure. Purity, both short- and long-term, is what the Spirit provides. Wisdom from above is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.

So the next time I am faced with the question of "whose wisdom," I hope to remember to ask the simple test question, "AMBITION or PURITY?" Then I will know where that wisdom came from.

"LORD, I want to hear Your voice. The voice of others speaks so loudly some days that Your quiet wisdom is almost drowned out. But I am determined to know You, to hear Your voice, and to know Your ways. And I will follow You all of my days. And I will follow You all of my days. In the name of Jesus. Amen."
-ker