UNCOMMEN: Wise Men – Day 4 – Ever seen a case where people redefined something?

Ever seen a time when people didn’t like what a word meant and tried to change it? Ever seen a time when something physical tries to get redefined to suit the needs of others? Ever seen a time when people tried to expand on what a word means? Ever seen a time when people tried to limit what a word means? Ever seen a time when people makeup words and give them whatever definition they want? Ever noticed how the dictionary gets words added to it (800-1000 each year) but the Bible doesn’t?

So where do you put your trust? Which source of truth do you use? Which source of truth can you build your life upon? Is it one that is a firm foundation? Is it one that is dependable and you know won’t change? Are you ok with basing the truth on the creator’s words or the created? Do you look at science from the perspective of understanding God’s creation or to try and come up with your own definition?

Do you believe there is such thing as absolute truth or do you think the truth can change? I remember many years back when I took a law class and each person had a perspective of what happened and yet although they all saw what they saw, what and how they saw it varied based on perspective and so during the mock trial I had to try and pull all the facts together in order to make a decision. Do you look for the real truth or do you just accept each person’s version of the truth even when they conflict?

Do you seek clarity? Do you seek understanding? Do you seek knowledge? Do you seek wisdom? Do you seek the truth?

Scripture for Today’s Devotional:

God’s Word is alive and active! God’s Word is a light unto my feet and a lamp unto my path! We need to consider the context of what is being said in the Bible to be able to better understand it and not just take verses piece by piece as standalone. Today’s verse says “But the wisdom from above is” so let’s go and grab that context so we can better understand!

‘Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and [as a result] be in defiance of the truth. This [superficial] wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].’

James 3:13-18

Let’s be the dads who turn to God for wisdom from above! Let’s be the dads who don’t lean on our own understanding but instead choose to walk in awe and wonder of who God is so as to be able to receive His wisdom into how to apply the knowledge we have! Let’s be the dads who aren’t trying to come up with our own version of the truth by morphing or changing the definitions God has given us! Let’s be the dads who lean in on the truth rather than living in defiance of the truth! Let’s be the dads who turn to God for wisdom rather than allowing earthly, natural, and even demonic sources to try and provide us with wisdom! Let’s be the dads who reach to God for the wisdom that is morally and spiritually pure and undefiled, peace-loving, courteous, considerate, gentle, reasonable, willing to listen, full of compassion, and full of good fruits! Let’s be the dads who are being thrown around by the waves of the times but instead stand on the solid rock, being unwavering, without self-righteous hypocrisy and self-serving guile! Let’s be the dads who have Jesus in our hearts and so are being filled by the fountain of love to overflowing, ripping out, and avoiding allowing a root of bitterness to spoil things! Let’s be the dads who sow seeds of peace in order to produce the right fruits! Let’s be the dads who not only sow peace but also make peace by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals! Let’s be the dads who receive the mantle of peacemakers! Let’s be the dads who “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.“! Let’s be the dads who “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts“! Let’s be the dads who are “counselors of peace and have joy“! Let’s be the dads who “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord“! Let’s be the dads who “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it“!

Today’s devotional has been provided to us by UNCOMMEN.

Reading through today’s devotional, here are some takeaways for me: (check out the devotional on your own too to see if you pick up other nuggets, and please share your findings in the comments)

For more information, please visit https://www.uncommen.org/.

Takeaways from Today’s Devotional:
“Wisdom Redefined“

• Today’s devotional similar to my posts put God’s Word upfront:
  • “Scripture Reference: James 3:17  “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” situations.“
• Let’s be the dads who remember how God defines wisdom!
• Today’s devotional calls out the challenge of living up to today’s verse:
  • “Can you imagine the kind of Holy Ninja you’d be with all of the attributes listed in our focus verse? Let’s do a rapid-fire on the attributes of this type of wisdom. “
• Let’s be the dads who consider the characteristics of wisdom from God (from above):
  • “Pure – This wisdom is without an agenda. God gives me wisdom on how to handle this business deal or which car should I buy. Pure wisdom is to be able to discern what brings God glory in all situations.“
  • “Peaceable – If you’ve ever been on social media and seen someone ranting about politics or religion, you would know they don’t have peaceable wisdom. But think of how we would all communicate with each other if we did.“
  • “Gentle – There are things you know that others do not know due to experience, age, or intellect. It doesn’t mean we have to hold it over them and make them feel inferior. Wisdom with gentleness is a great way to communicate with someone.“
  • “Reasonable – Wisdom that understands that people need to be talked with and not talked at would make for a great communicator.“
  • “Full of Mercy – Wisdom that was full of mercy is just what Jesus offered people when he spoke to them. That should be our goal as well.“
  • “Good Fruits – Wisdom that is full of the fruits of the Spirit would be a great place to lead people to the Good News of Jesus.“
  • “Impartial – Wisdom that is fair and the center of discipleship (Truth & Grace).“
  • “Sincere – Wisdom with sincerity sounds like the kind of teacher or advisor that could make a difference in the world.“
• Let’s be the dads who seek God’s Wisdom based on His definition!
• Let’s be the dads who are looking for wisdom and discernment from God that will be able to glorify Him!
• Let’s be the dads who are peacemakers and seek God’s wisdom to help us live our lives peaceably!
• Let’s be the dads who are gentle, not bulls in a China shop, being considerate of others, considering them more important than yourselves!
• Let’s be the dads who are ready and able to engage with people right where they are not talking down to them or talking at them but taking the care and time to talk with them!
• Let’s be the dads who speak to others and engage with others with compassion and forgiveness!
• Let’s be the dads who invite the Holy Spirit into us and into every situation so that the fruit of the Spirit can and will be produced in and through us! (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)
• Let’s be the dads who are fair seeking truth and grace!
• Let’s be the dads who are looking to make a difference in the lives of our wives, kids, and world by choosing to be sincere!
• Today’s devotional closes with the following thought, questions, and an uncommon challenge:
  • “It’s always beautiful to see God define something like wisdom and take it to a place that we couldn’t get to with our earthly eyes. Don’t just seek wisdom, seek Godly Wisdom.“
  • “Uncommen Questions:”
    • “1. Is the wisdom you seek full of these eight attributes?“
    • “2. Is the wisdom you speak full of these eight attributes?“
  • “Uncommen Challenge:”
    • “I challenge you to seek this type of Godly Wisdom and use it when you speak with anyone in your life. On the other side, seek this type of Godly Wisdom.“