THE SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM
"Wisdom, the wisdom of God, is not something that is acquired by man, but something that is bestowed by God upon His elect. It is a divine endowment and not a human acquisition." - Spiros Zodhiates
Proverbs 9:1 says - "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars."
What exactly are these seven pillars which hold up her house?
In this particular message, we would like to examine seven characteristics of Wisdom that - when applied to any believer's life - can act as pillars in upholding and strengthening his or her walk with the Lord.
Pillar #1 - Wisdom Comes From God
James 1:5 tells us - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..."
Notice that the Apostle James did not instruct us to go to a Seminary, University, or Trade School to get Wisdom. Nor did he tell us that we would find it on the Internet or get it through experiencing various and sundry situations throughout life. Although many have gleaned it at certain institutions of higher learning, from the Internet, or by undergoing various trials in life - others have come away from these same places and situations none the wiser.
James forthrightly identifies the true source of all Wisdom as being God.
Proverbs 2:6 adds - "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
Pillar #2 - Wisdom Is Profitable To Direct
Ecclesiastes 10:10 says - "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct."
This particular Scripture is referring to the axe that has lost its edge and requires more strength to cut with it. It is wise to keep all tools sharpened ahead of time, so that when we do need them, they are ready for use and will easily accomplish the task at hand.
"Wisdom is profitable to direct" simply means that using prudence, shrewdness, and skillfulness in our daily affairs gives us the advantage...a gain...the excellency...and brings success.
Isaiah 49:2 makes reference to our mouths being as a sharp sword - "And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword..." However, if we allow the iron of our "sword" to become blunt and do not whet its edge through diligent Bible Study and Prayer, then when God opens the doors to use us, we "wear ourselves thin" - trying to accomplish His Work while being "dull" in the Spirit.
"Wisdom is profitable to direct" - Our work for the Lord will be so much more effective and less taxing when we keep ourselves "sharpened" in the Spirit. Much will be accomplished requiring less strength.
Pillar #3 - Wisdom Is Better Than Strength
Ecclesiastes 9:16 says - "Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength..."
In other words, Wisdom is more valuable, appropriate, becoming, beneficial, and acceptable than might, bravery, force, mastery, or power. How can that be? Simply because a prudent man can very easily outwit a man who has a robust body and the ability to physically overpower him.
Proverbs 24:5 tells us - "A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength." Again, Ecclesiastes 7:19 says -"Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city."
Watch out for the man or woman who is filled with God's Word! Even though they may appear non-threatening in the physical, yet - in the spirit - they exude a boldness and prevailing resolution about them that cannot be shaken.
Pillar #4 - Wisdom Is Better Than Weapons Of War
Ecclesiastes 9:18 tells us - "Wisdom is better than weapons of war..."
It is of greater benefit than all the implements, articles, vessels, and instruments of battle.
Spiritually speaking, there are no greater examples of this concept than as found in Psalm 119:98 and Luke 21:15 -
Psalm 119:98 says - "Thou through Thy commandments hath made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me."
Luke 21:15 says - "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist."
Because God's Word is always in the Psalmist's mind and eye ("for they are ever with me"), he is enabled by the Wisdom flowing from the Scriptures to rise superior to all of his foes. He is skilled with a better understanding of God...the Duties of Life... and Life in general.
Through the divine precepts, he gleans the understanding also of his enemies' ways and strategies and - in turn - is enabled to outwit them. When the time comes to speak, he is promised "a mouth and wisdom." What does this mean? God bestows on him an abundance of Wisdom so that - with an irresistible eloquence - he is able to give a ready answer that all opposition can neither refute nor withstand.
Pillar #5 - Wisdom Is A Defense
Ecclesiastes 7:12 tells us - "For wisdom is a defense..."
In other words, Wisdom is a shelter. Figuratively speaking, it serves as a shadow - the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. It provides perspective in questionable and chaotic circumstances. Undoubtedly, it is a great advantage to every man in every situation. Possessing the Wisdom - which comes from above - protects us from all harm and danger as exemplified in the following passages of Scripture -
Proverbs 2:12-15 says - "To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil...Whose ways are crooked..."
Proverbs 2:16-18 says - "To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death..."
Pillar #6 - Wisdom Gives Life
Proverbs 3:16-18 says of Wisdom - "Length of days is in her right hand...She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her..."
How do we get this Life that Wisdom offers?
In Proverbs 1:23, it is recorded that Wisdom cries out to all mankind -"Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you." Again, in Proverbs 9:5-6 we read of the call of Wisdom to all to turn to her ways - "Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding."
She gives Life unto all those who will forsake their foolish and sinful ways.
Pillar #7 - Wisdom Excels Folly
Ecclesiastes 2:13 says - "Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness."
Wisdom is far more advantageous and profitable to us than foolishness. Therefore, we are instructed by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4:5 to "walk in wisdom" and in Ephesians 5:17 to "be ye not unwise." In Romans 16:19, we are instructed to be "wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." Ephesians 5:15 tells us - "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." In Psalm 90:12, Moses prayed - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." In Matthew 10:16, the Lord Jesus told us to be "wise as serpents."
Wisdom has seven pillars which uphold her house. All the pillars - in turn - rest upon a single foundation. That foundation is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11 says - "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Is this your foundation today?
Is your spiritual house upheld by Wisdom's seven pillars?
If so, when the storms of life beat against your house, you can be certain that it will surely stand.
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.
Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138
Proverbs 9:1 says - "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars."
What exactly are these seven pillars which hold up her house?
In this particular message, we would like to examine seven characteristics of Wisdom that - when applied to any believer's life - can act as pillars in upholding and strengthening his or her walk with the Lord.
Pillar #1 - Wisdom Comes From God
James 1:5 tells us - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..."
Notice that the Apostle James did not instruct us to go to a Seminary, University, or Trade School to get Wisdom. Nor did he tell us that we would find it on the Internet or get it through experiencing various and sundry situations throughout life. Although many have gleaned it at certain institutions of higher learning, from the Internet, or by undergoing various trials in life - others have come away from these same places and situations none the wiser.
James forthrightly identifies the true source of all Wisdom as being God.
Proverbs 2:6 adds - "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
Pillar #2 - Wisdom Is Profitable To Direct
Ecclesiastes 10:10 says - "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct."
This particular Scripture is referring to the axe that has lost its edge and requires more strength to cut with it. It is wise to keep all tools sharpened ahead of time, so that when we do need them, they are ready for use and will easily accomplish the task at hand.
"Wisdom is profitable to direct" simply means that using prudence, shrewdness, and skillfulness in our daily affairs gives us the advantage...a gain...the excellency...and brings success.
Isaiah 49:2 makes reference to our mouths being as a sharp sword - "And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword..." However, if we allow the iron of our "sword" to become blunt and do not whet its edge through diligent Bible Study and Prayer, then when God opens the doors to use us, we "wear ourselves thin" - trying to accomplish His Work while being "dull" in the Spirit.
"Wisdom is profitable to direct" - Our work for the Lord will be so much more effective and less taxing when we keep ourselves "sharpened" in the Spirit. Much will be accomplished requiring less strength.
Pillar #3 - Wisdom Is Better Than Strength
Ecclesiastes 9:16 says - "Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength..."
In other words, Wisdom is more valuable, appropriate, becoming, beneficial, and acceptable than might, bravery, force, mastery, or power. How can that be? Simply because a prudent man can very easily outwit a man who has a robust body and the ability to physically overpower him.
Proverbs 24:5 tells us - "A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength." Again, Ecclesiastes 7:19 says -"Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city."
Watch out for the man or woman who is filled with God's Word! Even though they may appear non-threatening in the physical, yet - in the spirit - they exude a boldness and prevailing resolution about them that cannot be shaken.
Pillar #4 - Wisdom Is Better Than Weapons Of War
Ecclesiastes 9:18 tells us - "Wisdom is better than weapons of war..."
It is of greater benefit than all the implements, articles, vessels, and instruments of battle.
Spiritually speaking, there are no greater examples of this concept than as found in Psalm 119:98 and Luke 21:15 -
Psalm 119:98 says - "Thou through Thy commandments hath made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me."
Luke 21:15 says - "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist."
Because God's Word is always in the Psalmist's mind and eye ("for they are ever with me"), he is enabled by the Wisdom flowing from the Scriptures to rise superior to all of his foes. He is skilled with a better understanding of God...the Duties of Life... and Life in general.
Through the divine precepts, he gleans the understanding also of his enemies' ways and strategies and - in turn - is enabled to outwit them. When the time comes to speak, he is promised "a mouth and wisdom." What does this mean? God bestows on him an abundance of Wisdom so that - with an irresistible eloquence - he is able to give a ready answer that all opposition can neither refute nor withstand.
Pillar #5 - Wisdom Is A Defense
Ecclesiastes 7:12 tells us - "For wisdom is a defense..."
In other words, Wisdom is a shelter. Figuratively speaking, it serves as a shadow - the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. It provides perspective in questionable and chaotic circumstances. Undoubtedly, it is a great advantage to every man in every situation. Possessing the Wisdom - which comes from above - protects us from all harm and danger as exemplified in the following passages of Scripture -
Proverbs 2:12-15 says - "To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil...Whose ways are crooked..."
Proverbs 2:16-18 says - "To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death..."
Pillar #6 - Wisdom Gives Life
Proverbs 3:16-18 says of Wisdom - "Length of days is in her right hand...She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her..."
How do we get this Life that Wisdom offers?
In Proverbs 1:23, it is recorded that Wisdom cries out to all mankind -"Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you." Again, in Proverbs 9:5-6 we read of the call of Wisdom to all to turn to her ways - "Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding."
She gives Life unto all those who will forsake their foolish and sinful ways.
Pillar #7 - Wisdom Excels Folly
Ecclesiastes 2:13 says - "Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness."
Wisdom is far more advantageous and profitable to us than foolishness. Therefore, we are instructed by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4:5 to "walk in wisdom" and in Ephesians 5:17 to "be ye not unwise." In Romans 16:19, we are instructed to be "wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." Ephesians 5:15 tells us - "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." In Psalm 90:12, Moses prayed - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." In Matthew 10:16, the Lord Jesus told us to be "wise as serpents."
Wisdom has seven pillars which uphold her house. All the pillars - in turn - rest upon a single foundation. That foundation is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11 says - "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Is this your foundation today?
Is your spiritual house upheld by Wisdom's seven pillars?
If so, when the storms of life beat against your house, you can be certain that it will surely stand.
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
Subscribe to Daily Bible Messages at - connie@walkingintruth.org.
Walking In Truth Ministry | P.O. Box 383016 | Duncanville | TX | 75138
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