On the morning I would be one of the 12 jurors selected to attend a trial for a man accused of theft, the Lord directed me to Proverbs 3:7-8. It reads in the King James version, "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones."
In the original wise means, cunning man, subtil, wisehearted. There is a wisdom that James describes as being earthly and demonic (James 3:15).
Although the trial was just a little over one day it proved difficult who or what to believe. The woman bringing the charges was the accused girlfriend. Her testimony was unclear and wavered on many key points. The man accused of theft, defended himself with a lawyer sitting beside him to consult if he needed assistance.
I couldn't help but think of King Solomon's first case of two prostitutes accusing each other of killing her baby in the middle of the night. Only God inspired, heavenly wisdom, was able to reveal the identity of the true biological mother of the living baby.
Still the Lord was going much deeper than my desire to ask for wisdom in every day life decisions and important matters like someone's guilt or innocence in a courtroom. I had to confess that I was wise in my own eyes. I judged by what was felt, seen or heard to draw some conclusions (right or wrong) about a problem or situation. On those occasions that I was right in my judgment, it soon became apparent that I was arrogant.
Wisdom rooted in arrogance gives the devil a foot hold. Satan fell from heaven because of pride and rebellion.
True wisdom is when we embrace the fear of the Lord and it causes us to move away from evil. A fear that keeps us from thinking too highly of ourselves or our abilities. Rather we are "right sized" in our relationship to God and understand we can ask for wisdom without falling prey to pride. The benefits of God's wisdom is healing to our minds and bodies. When we think we know the answer or solution to problems independent of God, we only bring unnecessary stress to our bodies.
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