Developing Christian Character:
The Characteristic of Wisdom.
Character: - is defined as the pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; it is wisdom, humbleness, purity, reverence, moral constitution, moral firmness, self control, integrity, truthfulness, honesty, commitment, thoughtfulness, thankfulness, generosity, love, sharing, helpfulness, responsibility, thoroughness, trustworthiness, respect, fairness, courage, diligence, desire for excellence, perseverance, self discipline, determination and faithfulness.
This is what Jesus portrayed while he was here manifested in the flesh. The reason that he was able to portray these characteristics in His everyday life was because of what was in control of His mind. We must realize that what we believe in our minds, what we allow to determine our intellectual make up will personify itself through the actions that our bodies carry out rather that is good or evil. The devil desires to have control of the mind, because he knows that to gain control of the mind he can cause you to defile the body, which is the temple of the Holy Ghost and he knows that God will not dwell in an unclean temple. This ultimately causes one to be further and further away from God until they are ultimately lost for all eternity. God was in control of the mind of Christ; therefore, Jesus was able to manifest these characteristics in His normal everyday life. He was able to quite a blood thirsty mob that was hell-bent on stoning a woman caught in adultery because His character was purity which caused those to be able to see that they were not in themselves pure. When He was called a winebibber He didn’t loose His temper, He portrayed meekness and gentleness, compassion and understanding, His moral constitution was pure, He exemplified honesty, generosity, helpfulness, self-control, and humbleness.
How a Christian deals with the circumstances of their life speaks of their character. Understand the word Christian means Christ like. It was first used in Antioch, the people were called Christians because they portrayed Christ. Their talk, walk, and most importantly their actions were like Christ. So the people began to call them Christians as a slander and mockery. Therefore just because you go to someone’s church does not automatically make you a Christian, it only makes you a church member. However your actions classify and categorize you as either a Christian or a sinner. A crisis in your life does not necessitate character, but it does reveal it. Adversity in our lives is the fork in the road where a person chooses one path or the other. We must understand that character is more than just talk, anyone can say they have integrity, self-control, wisdom, and moral firmness, but their actions are the true indicator of their character. For example if a person is walking down the street and finds a wallet with a thousand dollars in it, everyone will say I have integrity to find the owner and return the wallet to the rightful owner, but when you are broke and in need and you find the same wallet your true character will personify itself in the actions you consciously decide to carry out. Character is who you are when no one is looking Psalm 90:8 says: “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance”. Your character determines who you are brings lasting success with people.
Character Is A Choice. Joshua 24:15 says: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This is the God given right of everyone the ability to make a choice it is free will.
Jesus was the ultimate example of character our desire should be to be like Christ, which is the meaning of the word Christian. When you chose the right choice in a situation we grow more into the image of Christ. The Bible says “Let this mind that is in Christ Jesus be also in you.” Jesus portrayed the characteristic of wisdom.
WHAT IS WISDOM?
Knowledge– is facts, data
Understanding – is the ability to interrelate knowledge and give it meaning. It helps you make sense of the facts that knowledge gives you.
Wisdom – is the action that results from or the ability to respond to knowledge and understanding. Wisdom puts truth into action
We will look at the characteristic of Wisdom. Understand that wisdom is not just some theoretical book knowledge that has nothing to do with everyday life. Wisdom in not impractical knowledge that is used only in some fantasy world but is realistic understanding of how to live. There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is an accumulation of facts. We go to school to gain knowledge, study the Word of God to gain knowledge of who He is. Wisdom is the practical understanding of how we use that knowledge to live. Knowledge is what we learned. Wisdom is the ability to apply that which we have learned. Wisdom has an element of knowledge. Knowledge, on the other hand, does not have an element of wisdom. The Army has a slogan that says “You won’t read it in a book, you’ll live it.” Wisdom is living it.
Wisdom consists of the ability to discern. Discernment is simply being able to separate what’s true from what’s false, what’s right from what’s wrong, what’s good from what’s bad, what’s worthwhile from what’s worthless. It is the wisdom of being able to know the driving force behind a situation.
Wisdom is not for the elite few. Wisdom is available to everyone who will seek it. James 1:5 says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Wisdom is the ability to discern the best path from among all the other seemingly fascinating and sensually stimulating ideas as we deal with the everyday struggles and problems of life. We must understand that true wisdom however is not predicated on the intellectual make up of a person, it is not based upon just what is learned, but is predicated upon ones faith in God. The Biblical concept of Wisdom is not based upon philosophy or the rationale of man’s mind, but is based on the character of Christ.
The book of Proverbs is a book that reveals wisdom and the benefits a person will receive that has wisdom as well as the punishments that will befall them if they deny wisdom.
Wisdom: Proverbs #1 “1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.”
Proverbs: the word means to speak in a figurative language, an allegory. It was written by Solomon whose name means peaceable, the son of David the king of Israel. Before we are able to build upon the characteristic of wisdom we must first have a solid foundation. Numbers in the Bible play a very significant role, the number 7 is God’s number and represents perfection and completeness, the number 3 represents the fullness of the Godhead, the number 10 represents Divine Order, and the number 12 represents Divine Government. Within the first five verses (the number 5 means grace) of Proverbs chapter 1, there are 12 words we must build upon to fully be able to develop the characteristic of true wisdom.
2 To know wisdom
1) wisdom: hokmah.(hoke-mah) Hokhmah is the first and most general term used in the Bible to define wisdom, and includes moral intelligence, skill for living right, wise behavior, orderliness in life, control, restraint, obedience, prudent planning, prioritizing of one’s goals according to God’s will, time management, and diplomacy. When Wisdom is personified as a lady in chapters 1, 8, and 9, Hokhmah is her name. Hokhmah is not speculative or philosophical thought admired by the Greeks and some Orientals, but rather a pragmatic code for day-to-day decision making and life conduct, calculated for success, pleasing to both God and man.
and instruction;
2) instruction: musar’. (myo-sar) Musar is how one acquires Hokhmah. Wisdom cannot be obtained through experience and common sense alone. It must be taught by an instructor who disciplines. Musar means chastisement, reproof, warning, restraint, correction, discipline, doctrine, and rebuke. Musar is the painful aspect of learning. One possesses musar if he is able to recognize his own unruly passions, habits, and temptations, and submit himself to an authority figure that helps him gain control over them. The Bible says we are to crucify the flesh daily. This is painful to the flesh because the flesh desirers a certain level of comfort and complacency, but when we bring this flesh under subjection then we are able to attain a level of wisdom.
to perceive the words of understanding;
3) understanding: biynah’. (bee-nah) Biynah is the simple ability to know right from wrong. Its root meaning is "to distinguish, to separate." Biynah is what Solomon prayed for at Gideon in 1 Kings 3:9 "... that I may discern between good and bad." Proverbs 4:7 says: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
4) instruction of wisdom: sakal’. (sok-all) Sakal means successful prudence. It is more than knowing what is right. Sakal is doing what is right. It is the natural next-step after biynah. It means to prosper by dealing prudently, to have good success, and guide one’s affairs wittingly.
justice,
5) justice: tzedek. (tsed-dek) Tzedek is righteousness. It is the moral or legal right by which one may act in confidence. It is incorporated in the name Melchizedek.
and judgment,
6) judgment: mishpat’. (meesh-pot) Mishpat is a judicial verdict and its penalty. Mishpat is a clear discerning of the spirit and motive of other people and the spirits that are motivating them, and the levelheaded determination of how to treat them. It is knowing whom to include in one’s friendship, and whom to eliminate. Mishpat is having the forthrightness to give someone their due, and seeing the matter disposed rightly. This is equal to consciousness, which is the faculty that decides the lawfulness of our action as to what is right and what is wrong based absolutely upon judgment and not knowledge that has been taught. Titus 1:15 says “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and believing is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
and equity;
7) equity: mesharim. (mesh-ah-reem) Mesharim, it suggests all the complexities of fairness. Meshar offers an attempt at evenness and concord. It is the peacemaker’s gift, the art of compromise striving to satisfy both parties in a dispute where neither is more at fault than the other. It is a call for agreement. Peacemaking. The word peacemaker is not just referring to be peaceable or the keepers of peace; however, it is talking about the ones that brings peace to an un-peaceable situation. Understand that a peacemaker is not a characteristic but a responsible activity belonging to every Christian
To give subtility to the simple,
8) subtilty: ’ormah. (or-mah) Ormah is shrewdness. It can be good or bad. The serpent was subtle with Eve. It was in him the ability to mislead. In the good sense, it is the guard against being misled. Ormah in the marketplace refrains one from buying worthless or unnecessary things regardless of their attractive advertising pitch. Ormah in spirituality means not being duped by false teachers and erroneous doctrines. Ormah in society means not being pulled into the wrong relationships. Not being misled.
to the young man knowledge
9) knowledge: da’ath. (die-ath) Da’ath is awareness of the rules and the facts. It is the acquiring of all available sets of information before making decisions. Da’ath is education. Its beginning is the fear of the Lord, its result is power. Knowledge is light or enlightenment of who and what God is.
and discretion.
10) discretion: mezimmah’. (mez-e-mah) Mezimmah’ is prudent planning, the natural follower to da’ath. It is the sagacity to see ahead, and provide accordingly. Mezimmah’ counts the cost and devises the best method before proceeding. It works smarter, rather than harder. It is thought of as "witty invention." Ability to plan ahead.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;
11) learning: lekah. (lek-ah) Lekah is the love of learning. It is the ability to teach with such grace that the hearers love learning. Lekah is the humility to realize that true education never ends. One who has lekah is never a "know-it-all," but is ever a "learn-it-all."
and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
12) wise counsels: tachbulah’. (tok-boo-lah) Tachbulah’ literally means "knowing the ropes." It is a nautical term, describing a sailor’s marvelous skill at maneuvering his craft in either favorable or contrary winds. Tachbulah’ is steermanship, good guidance, and sound advise. It is skill at navigating through complex matters. It draws on the experience of those who have been through it all before, and have mapped the course. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we are compassed by so great a cloud of witness…”
The purpose of this book of Proverbs. It was written so people may know wisdom and instruction, (Hebrew word: muwcar moo-sawr’ from properly, chastisement; reproof, warning, also restraint, chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke); to perceive the words of understanding (to be thoroughly familiar with the character and propensities of). To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice,( the principle, a decision, or its execution) and judgment (perception)and equity (gentleness or mildness); 4 to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. .” Proverbs are useful to everyone, but they are especially designed for the simple, to give subtility to them. The instructions are plain and those that receive them receive the benefit, though they be simple are made subtle, to know the sin they should avoid and the duty they should do.
A lot of people presume wisdom is something you’re born with, but that’s not true. Yes we all are born with consciousness, which is of the spirit and is the capacity to know right from wrong, but wisdom is something that we learn. This learning is based upon our faith in God. Since wisdom is learned it is open to anyone with an willingness and the humbleness to learn. Even you.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings” The Bible says in the book of Revelation “He that hath an ear let him hear” To hear is to take heed to, hearken. The Hebrew word “shama” means to hear intelligently, with the implication of attention and obedience. A wise man will hearken with obedience to God and will increase his learning and will attain (seize the opportunity) of wise counsel (advice). The rejection of wise counsel is the opposite of a humble character, which is not Christ-like; therefore, causes a person to miss the mark of being a Christian. The definition of sin is to miss the mark.
Understand that there is plenty of advice in the world today. We have talk shows and advice columns that project to offer a decision. Friends and family members often give advice. There is good advice and there is bad advice. However in order for any counsel to be beneficial to you you must be teachable, this is the concept of increasing in wisdom and understanding. A person that feels that have all knowledge will never be able to be taught. The statement you can’t teach and old dog new tricks is a lie, there is always room to learn more, especially about Christ. Some people have too much pride to be teachable. Some people are too stubborn to be teachable. Some people are too self-sufficient to be teachable. To understand a proverb is to be able to hear a wise saying eventhough it may be in a figurative language and apply it unto oneself.
WISDOM BEGINS WITH A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.
Verse 7 says: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” You must have a solid foundation of a proper understanding of a relationship with God if you want to have the characteristic of wisdom. If a person does not consider a spiritual side to life than he is a fool. To obtain wisdom, true wisdom which comes from the Lord, there has to be a connection, there must be relationship. Think about some kind of appliance in your home, example: computer, VCR, DVD, toaster, TV. In order for that appliance to work it must have a relationship, be connected into the power source, if there is no relationship with the power source then that appliance will not work. In order for the you to develop the character of wisdom there must be relationship between you and God. The fear of the Lord is not to be afraid of God but to reverence Him. A fool on the other hand has no regard for God they have no relationship with Him. Sure they have knowledge of Him, but they are not able to apply who He is, what He is, or where He is in their lives simply because they lack relationship and because they don’t have relationship they have no wisdom.
LET’S SEE WHAT A GOD FEARING PERSON IS..
¨ A God fearing person is one who is obedient to God. The Bible says obedience is better than sacrifice. Understand that obedience is not slavery, but is the free will of one to bring into compliance their will with those over them in order to accomplish that, which needs to be accomplished.
¨ A God fearing person hates evil. This doesn’t mean you hate the person committing evil, but you don’t tolerate the evil being done. Proverbs 8:13 says: The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate.”
¨ A God fearing person’s life is prolonged. Proverbs 10:27 says: “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.”
¨ A God fearing person is at the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 says: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
¨ A God fearing person turns from sin and towards a holy life. Proverb 3:7-do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverb 16:6-Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
¨A God fearing person has security. Proverb 14:26- He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
¨ Fear of God makes life better right where you are. Proverb 15:16- Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Fearing God brings contentment where as riches will never bring contentment.. Those who fear the Lord have a sense of satisfaction about themselves.
¨ Fearing God brings blessings to you and your family. Proverb 22:4- Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
The person that develops their relationship with God and fears Him attains the characteristic of wisdom, the person who fails to do so will never be able to apprehend the true Godly wisdom that is their inheritance. The one that rejects or doesn’t fear God rejects doing what wisdom requires. If you study the Bible but never pray, you’ll likely have a lot of head knowledge about what wisdom looks like, but it won’t be applied to your life. If you pray but never study the Bible, you may well see the problems you have, but you won’t have the practical knowledge of what the
right course of action would be.
THE BENEFITS OF WISDOM
WISDOM INSTRUCTS
Verse #8 says: “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” The book of Proverbs is written as a father talking to his son. Here Solomon with a fatherly compassion and the love and caring a father has for his family encourages the young man to listen to wisdom, which is classified here as a father and mother. A mother will do everything in her power to ensure her children are taken care of and protected. When you heed to true Godly wisdom you will be protected and cared for.
Wisdom Honors
Verse #9 says “For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck.” These were symbols of greatness in the sight of man. Kings and political figures where adorned with these types of ornaments which set them apart from everyone else. When we hear the instruction of God and forsake not His laws He separates us from everyone else. That is the meaning of 1st Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”
Wisdom Gives Warning
Verses #10 - #14 Solomon teaches the young man not to consent to the way or the enticement of sinners. In other words when we listen to wisdom we are not conformed to this world, but are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Solomon tells the young man to listen to the words of his father and obey the laws of his mother. We understand that this is a commandment of the Lord it is in fact the first commandment with a promise. Exodus 20:12 says: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” A parent will give the child the best advice possible based upon experience. Experience causes knowledge and produces wisdom. So he instructs the young one to listen HEARKEN to the words of his father and obey his mother, because they have experienced things that he has not experienced and are able to tell him the danger of things because the have experienced them and now have developed wisdom based upon their experience. In the spiritual we must listen to our spiritual parents for they have experienced fighting the adversary down through the years and because of this experience have developed wisdom; therefore are capable of instructing the younger ones how to be able to attack and counter-attack the devil when he comes. That’s the meaning of He calls the old because they know the way and the young because they are strong.
We must listen to the wise counsel of those that have been fighting this fight for they have good advice; however, we must be willing to listen. He that hath an ear let him hear.
Understand that wisdom is manifested in the mind of each of us; God speaks to mankind, not through the brain or the ear, but through the mind. Remember we stated that the conscious is not predicated on outside influence, but is founded on the absolute lawfulness of God. It knows what is absolutely right and what is absolutely wrong based on God’s judgment and not man’s will. Therefore true wisdom, which is of God, speaks to the mind of man. That’s why we must be transformed by the renewing of the mind in order to hear and attain true wisdom. True wisdom is the voice of God.
Wisdom is Steadfast
Psalm #1 says: “Blessed is the man that walketh no in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinner, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in this law doeth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Wisdom is not enticed by the sinner. Wisdom is steadfast on the right path. Wisdom causes your steps to be ordered by the Lord and not run to mischief. Proverbs 6 talks about the six things that God hates. Wisdom understand this because true wisdom is the voice of God; therefore, when we listen and are obedient to wisdom we will not be so easily caught up in the entanglements of sin, but will be steadfast and unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord.. The Bible says lean not to thy own understanding, many people feel they are capable of handling sin on their own and find themselves caught in traps and pitfalls, but when you listen to the voice of wisdom, your eyes are open to the traps and snares that lay wait and you are not trapped in that snare, but are able to be lead around it.
THE VOICE OF WISDOM / THE VOICE OF GOD
The Plea
In the 20th verse wisdom is personified as a women, the Greek word for wisdom is “Hokmah”, when personified as a woman her name is Hokmah. The personification of wisdom as a woman represents Jesus, because Jesus came into the world humbly, with tenderness and meekness, if you read the 31 chapter of Proverbs you find the description of a virtuous women how she is meek and gentle and cares for her family.
She crieth without: she doesn’t limit or confine herself to those that are safe in her household, but she crieth without of her comfort zone. She uttereth her voice in the streets: she spreads herself publicly to all. With distinction and in a clarion voice her voice is heard in the chief place of concourse, in the midst of troubles and tribulations. She cries with such compassion and love and begs how long will you simple ones love simplicity, how long will you scorners delight in your scorning. How long will you be content in living that life and rejecting wisdom Why is it that ye fools hate knowledge. She says turn ye at my reproof and I will pour out my spirit unto you I will make know my words.
The Judgment
“Because I have called you and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. But ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof.”
The Punishment
1. Laugh at your calamity.
2. Mock when fear cometh
3. Desolations
4. Destruction
5. Distress
6. Anguish
7. Prayer not answered
8. Seek me when it’s to late
9. Reaping what they sowed
10. Filled with their own devices
The number 10 in the Bible means Divine Order. Thus we have the Ten Commandments they are the divine order of God, there were ten plagues that plagued Egypt, the divine order of God, here we find the ten things that happen to those that refuse to listen and obey wisdom, the divine order of God.
Verse #31 says “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
2nd Chronicles 7:14 says: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Conclusion
The characteristic of wisdom is to consciously be able to make the proper decisions in any situation in your life. It is not leaning to your own understanding, but being able to do as the psalmist said “Where He leads me I will follow.” We have been given the ability to choose right from wrong, the characteristic of wisdom will cause us to choice right over wrong every time. However to fully develop the characteristic of wisdom we must be humble, we must have the same mind that Christ had. We must get out of ourselves and get into the spirit. The song-writer said while I was in the spirit God showed me somethings, explained somethings, and arranged somethings. In order for this to be done requires wisdom, the wisdom to get into the spirit. My character of wisdom will cause me to pray when no-one else is praying, it will cause me to read the Word of God when no-one else is reading, it will cause me to show love and compassion and not seek reward and acknowledgment, because true character is what I portray when no-one else is around.
Proverbs chapter 1 is a road map in that it outlines life in only two ways--the way of wisdom and the way of folly. There is only heaven and hell, right and wrong, there is no in between; therefore, you must choose ye this day whom ye will serve. The Bible says in Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go thereat because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Wisdom leads to peace and security, while the way of wicked ends with death and destruction. Everyone is on one of these two paths. The way of wicked is characterized by evil men who seek material gain through violence, who deny wise counsel, and do everything contrary to the Will of God. The way of wisdom is entered by fearing God and forsaking evil.
Because of sin our nature is to lean to the way of the wicked because it seems satisfying to the flesh; however, we must make a conscious decision to be on the path of wisdom. To enter the way of wicked, one simply chooses to follow that which encourages him to do what comes naturally and to reject wisdom’s call. To enter the way of wisdom we must recognize sin, reject temptation, and choose to pursue wisdom in the fear of the Lord. Everyone is required to make a decision concerning the fear of the Lord, either to fear God or to resist Him .
We are admonished to receive wisdom, to hear the voice of the Lord, turn from our wicked ways, repent for our sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, but the choice is yours. God created us as free-will beings; therefore, we must make the decision of which path we shall travel. As parents tell their children not to do drugs, not to drink alcohol, not to have unsafe sex because they are aware of the dangerous repercussions that will result, the ultimate choice on rather or not they will do those things is totally up to that child. We are children of God, but the choice is up to you Chose ye This Day.
Elder Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr
Boanerge Ministries.
