Got it?

any given day, I come back to the subject of wisdom.
Of the seemingly hundreds of issues related to life’s
choices, each of us must answer some fundamental
questions: what is the wise choice? What kind of wisdom
am I employing? Am I seeking wisdom and confidence
in myself or am I seeking something far bigger? Given the
encompassing nature of wisdom, we thought it wise (pun
intended) to have it as our theme this year at CPC.
In the Bible, James asks his brothers and sisters in Christ
a simple question, “Who is wise among you?” Here is the
full context:
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show
by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness
of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in
your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This
wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly,
sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking
exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the
wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace
(James 3:13-18).
When the question is asked, who is wise among you,
James gives a very clear answer: “Let the wise person
show it by good conduct in the humility of wisdom.” In
other words, if you wonder whether or not you are wise,
or if you are thinking clearly on an issue, then one needs
to look no further than your own conduct and behavior.
The scripture is clear: true wisdom begins with God.
God defines wisdom this way: “Behold, the fear of
the Lord, that is wisdom; and to turn away from evil is
understanding” (Job 28:28). This verse describes saving
faith. Fearing God and departing from evil take place at
conversion. In essence you begin to be wise when you fear
God by trusting in Him and repent of your sins. As long as
you have only human wisdom-or to put it in James’ words,
that which is “earthly, natural, demonic” (James 3:15)—you
cannot know God or true wisdom. Without that critical first
step of conversion, there is no relationship to the Giver of all
wisdom and understanding.
On the other hand, if you have submitted to the gospel in
repentance, you know the “only wise God” (Romans 16:27)
as your Father. His book of wisdom is open to you as a
Christian. The indwelling of God’s Spirit illuminates to you
the wisdom of His Word. Only then are you truly wise.
At CPC, we have daily opportunities to help someone think
wisely about decisions they have before them: a wise choice
regarding the life inside them, wise choices on what they
desire, wise choices on what they watch, wise choices on
how they think about sex, wise choices in relationships, wise
choices in how they will care for their body, wise choices in
parenting, etc.
My hope and daily prayer is that God will grant me wisdom
and discernment to understand in my own heart and life,
the difference between human and divine wisdom (found
only in His word) and that I would make wise choices.