Looking back to when you were a young child, do you think that you were always “wise” with all of your decisions? I think that we can all admit that we have all done some dumb and ill considered things when we were young. We were children without experience and wisdom, and at times we may have listened to things that were just not factual or true, and made some bad decisions because of it. As adults we have quite a few more years of experience behind us that we can use to guide our decisions, decisions that we certainly would not have made as children. We have gained wisdom.
“Wise” means “having or showing experience, knowledge, or good judgment; keen discernment; deep understanding,” and Jesus taught that we need to be wise in our life.
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
A child can place their faith in the wrong people, without proper instruction or direction. Look at how many children and young adults go missing every year, whether by misplacing their belief that a person is good and kind, or are careless about where they go. The world is not a place that is always filled with people who love each other. There are those who are not Christians and do not love others. There are some who don’t care about what they do, or who they hurt. We need to be wise and have good judgment in what we do, the places we go, who we speak to, and the manner in which we speak.
Even Jesus when there were people in the area that wanted to kill or capture Him left the area. (John 10:39). The Pharisees tried to entrap Him in His speech, so they could have an excuse to put Him to death. But our Lord was and is very wise. And when the Jews in Damascus sought to capture Paul, he was let down the wall in a basket and escaped. (Acts 9:25). They didn’t continue to hang out in the areas where they would be harmed. They left.
1 John 4:3 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
Not everyone who claims to be a Christian truly is one in their heart and in their actions. You will know a person by their fruits (Matt 7:20). Anyone can claim to be something that they are not. Remember it teaches us in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
The devil is a deceiver, and can come in many different forms. He is a cunning, crafty liar, and is going to try to turn as many people as he can away from the truth found in Jesus. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
We need to strengthen ourselves through the instruction and reading of the Holy Scriptures. We need to become wise, and put on the armor of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Each day, think about the Lord’s prayer. “…deliver us from evil.” Pray for wisdom and understanding so that you make the right decisions in your life.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 