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XII.
Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 136
:
Wisdom
1. WHY are we told to
get wisdom?
"Wisdom is the principal thing;
therefore get wisdom." Prov. 4:7.
NOTE.-Wisdom implies the ability to judge
soundly and deal sagaciously. It is
knowledge, with the capacity to make due use
of it. One may have abundance of
knowledge, and at the same time possess
little wisdom.
2. Of how much value is
wisdom?
"She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou canst desire are not to
be compared unto her." Prov. 3:15.
3. What blessings
follow the acquisition of wisdom?
"Exalt her, and she shall promote
thee: she shall bring thee to honor,
when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to
thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of
glory shall she deliver to thee." Prov.
4:8,9.
4. Who gives wisdom?
"For the Lord giveth wisdom?" Prov.
2:6.
5. How may it be
obtained?
"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." James 1:5.
6. When Solomon became
king, what did he ask the Lord to give him?
"Give me now wisdom and
knowledge." 2 Chron. 1:10.
7. How did the Lord
regard this request?
"And the speech pleased the Lord,
that Solomon had asked this thing." 1 Kings
3:10.
8. How was Solomon's
prayer answered?
"And God said unto him, Because thou
hast asked this
thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life;
neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast
asked the life of thine enemies; . . .
behold, I have done according to thy words: lo,
I have given thee a wise and an understanding
heart. . . . And I have also given thee that
which thou hast not asked, both riches, and
honor." Verses 11-13.
9. Are great men always
wise?
"Great men are not always wise:
neither do the aged understand judgment." Job
32:9.
10. What is the
beginning of wisdom?
"The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have
all they that do His commandments." Ps. 111:10.
11. By what means was
the psalmist made wiser than his enemies?
"Thou through Thy commandments
hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they
are ever with me." Ps. 119:98.
12. Why did his
understanding excel that of his teachers?
"I have more understanding than all
my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my
meditation." Verse 99.
13. What effect does
wisdom have upon the countenance?
"A man's wisdom maketh his face to
shine." Eccl. 8:1.
14. In what did Christ
say the children of this world excel the
children of light?
"For the children of this world are in their
generation wiser than the children of
light." Luke 16:8.
NOTE.-That is, they show more prudence, more
cunning, and more intelligence about their
business than do Christians concerning the
things of God's kingdom. "They show more
skill, study more plans, contrive more ways,
to provide for themselves than the children
of light do to promote the interests of
religion."- Dr. Albert Barnes.
15. In what did the
apostle say he would have us wise, and in what
simple?
"I would have you wise unto that
which is good, and simple concerning
evil." Rom. 16:19.
16. How many kinds of
wisdom are there?
"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them
that are perfect:
yet not the wisdom of this world. . . .
But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God
ordained before the world unto our glory." 1
Cor. 2:6,7.
17. How is worldly
wisdom regarded by God?
"For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God." 1 Cor. 3:19.
18. What is the
character of that wisdom which comes from God?
"But the wisdom that is from above is
first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good
fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy." James 3:17.
19. What wisdom are the
Scriptures able to give?
"And that from a child thou hast
known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15.
BROAD is the road that leads to death,
And thousands walk together there;
But wisdom shows a narrow path,
With here and there a traveler.
Deny
thyself, and take thy cross,
Is thy Redeemer's great command;
Nature must count her gold but dross,
If she would gain that heavenly land.
The
fearful soul that tries and faints,
And walks the ways of God no more,
Is but esteemed almost a saint,
And makes his own destruction sure.
ISAAC WATTS.
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