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God's Offer of Wisdom
• Enid Adah Nyinomujuni • Proverbs 2:6, Matthew 7:24–29, 1 Corinthians 1:30, James 1:5
Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to make an important decision, but you weren’t sure how to go about it? Do you sometimes fear that taking a wrong path would cost you—maybe jeopardizing your happiness or your relationships—and yet you’re not sure of the right path to take?
Often times, we find ourselves in situations where our knowledge and understanding is limited, and we don’t know what to do, or even where to start. If we’re going to make good decisions, we’ll have to apply wisdom. Wisdom is like a lamp that illuminates the way where there is darkness. And the Bible tells us that God is the source of wisdom (Proverbs 2:6).
We see this in 1 Corinthians 1:30. Paul writes to people who have put their trust in Jesus: “God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.” Jesus is our wisdom, and through His death and resurrection, we can be in relationship with God.
And God wants to help us. In James 1, God invites us to ask Him for wisdom, and He promises to give it to us (verse 5). So whenever we need to make a decision, we can ask God for help. One of the ways God guides us is through His Word, the Bible. James goes on to say, “Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says” (verses 21-22).
This passage echoes something Jesus said: that a person who hears His words and does them is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock (Mathew 7:24). So if we live according to God’s Word, then our decisions will be built on a firm foundation.
When we are at a crossroads of decision-making, wondering which way to go, we need not grope in the dark. God is there, ready to light the way (John 8:12). Let us accept God’s offer of wisdom so we can make good decisions in every situation. • Enid Adah Nyinomujuni
• Where do you need wisdom? Consider taking a moment to talk to God about this.
• Are you ever afraid of making the wrong decision? There are some situations in our lives where there isn’t a right or wrong choice. And no matter what happens, as Christians, we can know that Jesus will be with us through everything we face. How might this truth give you hope?
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)
** Unlocked은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 원본으로 듣고 싶으신 분들은 홈페이지 Unlocked.org로 들어가시면 < September 14, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**
The Power of the Tongue
• Jacob Bier • James 3, Proverbs 18:21
In James 3, we are given metaphors for what our "tongue" (or the words we say) is like. James says our words have inherent power, and that power can be used either for good or evil.
He explains the power of the tongue with two analogies: the bridle of a horse (verse 3) and the rudder of a ship (verse 4). Have you ever ridden a horse? Horses are large, powerful creatures, but they
can be turned this way and that by a small bridle. In the same way, large ships made of wood are driven by powerful winds at sea, but a single pilot can control a ship by turning a thin rudder.
The bridle and the rudder are comparatively small, yet they possess great power. In the same way, the tongue is one of the smallest parts of the body, yet it packs enormous power.
The tongues of Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill during World War II illustrate the inherent power of the tongue. On the one hand, Hitler’s passionate, angry speeches appealed to the worst in people, stoking the fires of resentment until they flared up into war and genocide. On the other hand, Churchill spoke boldly over the radio to the people of England, uniting them to resist Hitler and work together for the good of their neighbors. The tongue is a small, simple thing, but its inherent power is capable of much. We must be wise in how we use it. • Jacob Bier
• How can we be wise in how we use our words? Jesus said, “What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45). Without Jesus, all of our hearts are corrupt, but if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose again, His Holy Spirit begins to transform our hearts to be more and more like His. As we rely on His love for us, we can use our tongues for good (John 15:1-17; 1 John 4:14-16).
• Throughout the Bible, God commands His people to pursue justice for the oppressed and to love our neighbors. What are some practical ways we can do this through our speech?
The tongue can bring death or life. Proverbs 18:21a (NLT)
