Wisdom Factor Series

“The Wisdom/Counsel Factor”

(The Fatherhood of God Pt 6)

Review

Dads play a vital role in our development. Many of the talents or traumas we have today stem from our interaction with our fathers. Scripture employs the image of a father as one way to explain God’s relationship to His creation. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

In spite of historical and personal experiences of disastrous fathers, Scripture portrays God as our great loving heavenly Father. Jesus introduced the disciples to this intimate view of God in His model prayer. He addressed God not as Yahweh (the Great I AM) or Adonai (Lord or Master) or Elohim (Almighty God) but FATHER. There are a number of characteristics we all longed for in a father. Many can be found in our Heavenly Father.

I. The Likeness Factor

II. Unconditional love and acceptance factor

III. Protection and security Factor

IV. The Presence Factor

V. The Wisdom Factor

A. Our Father’s Wisdom

Life in a broken world can be difficult; even excruciating. Life in a broken world often becomes twisted, complicated and confusing. What shall we do? Where do we turn? How shall we live? How do I handle life’s difficulties? As a loving heavenly Father God stands ready to provide wisdom for living. After all, He is the all-knowing God. He knows everything about everything everywhere in every age. He knows actuals and possibles. He knows what was and what might have been, what is and what will be. Paul called Him the “God only wise.” Paul offered up this most powerful praise for God’s wisdom. Romans 11:33-36

Not only does God know about all things in general. He also knows all there is to know about me personally. Psalm 139:1-6 Hebrews 4:13

Our Heavenly Father knows everything about you and yet still loves you. My sin, my sorrows, my thoughts, my intents, my dreams, my failures and successes, my frustration, my pain, my confusion, my struggles. He not only knows but encloses me in His loving care and directs my life with His loving hand.

B. Our Father’s Direction and Counsel

We would expect a good father to provide direction for life in a complicated and scary world.

Our Heavenly Father is such and father who provides personal direction in life.

Proverbs 3:5-6; Psa 31:3

God directs us to Himself. God directs us to particular geographic locations. God directs us to influence and be influenced by certain individuals. God directs us to particular ministries and tasks. Set aside Paul and Barnabas. God prepares the stage for particular events to occur. God provides specific wisdom for particular decisions and circumstances.

James 1:5-8 Psalms 73:24 Proverbs 16:9

God communicates with us personally. John 10:27-28

So where do we get this council of God?

1. The Counsel of Scripture

Scripture provides a framework for understanding the world of nature, people, events, the spirit world and the world of the future. Scripture may not address every issue we may face, but it certainly provides the framework for understanding the issues and the necessary principles for making God honoring choices. It is not outdated. It contains the necessary tools for dealing with life in every generation. The Scriptures offer insight into life that allows us a greater perspective. Don’t expect God to tell you what to do if He has already clearly spoken on the subject. God’s apparent failure to provide direction may in fact be caused by something beyond our present understanding. The Proverbs provide general wisdom and counsel related to living life in a broken world. Proverbs 1:1-7; 6:22-23 2 Timothy 3:14-17

God communicated the truths necessary for life in this world and then supernaturally superintended their written form for us to study today. God also speaks to life situations called the “rhema” of God. This is the application of truth to a particular situation. God speaks His direction. It is His word to us. It may happen in a sermon, through a song, reading a verse, hearing a testimony. God provides a particular personal application to a current issue.

2. The Counsel of the Holy Spirit

Besides the Scriptures, the continual presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit offers wisdom, insight, direction, truth and encouragement as needed along the way. God is a very present help in time of trouble. John 14:16-17 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

At times, God will specifically speak to our heart. It is not necessarily an audible voice but an internal witness, a divine prompting to our spirit with specific direction. This internal witness is not infallible because our ability to hear is not infallible. We all know examples of those who justify their actions by timing the Lord told them. God’s internal communication may be blocked or misinterpreted by our own inability to discern His voice. Such direction must always be crosschecked with other factors. It will never contradict the clear teaching of the written word and must be evaluated Biblically. God will confirm His direction with additional sources of direction and counsel.