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The Salt Newsletter

Welcome to The Salt Newsletter, a weekly email where I aim to provide insight from scripture and teach you how to teach this to someone else. 

In Acts 1:1, Luke states that in his gospel he wrote about all that “Jesus began to do and teach.” An important model for us all because it isn’t just important for us to do what scripture says. We should be quick to teach it to others as well. Why? Because we’re the salt of the earth and that’s how you and I will make disciples of all nations!

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THIS WEEK
How To Gain Wisdom

read time 5 minutes

As we reflect on the past year, it’s natural to recall moments that are scarred with regret or sadness. Perhaps there were instances where words, actions, or opportunities slipped through your fingers. There might have been moments when you said to yourself, “I can’t believe I just said that.” I can certainly relate to this.

Stepping into the new year, the secret to a revitalized beginning doesn’t lie in dwelling on “what could have been”. Instead, we need to cultivate wisdom. The ability to be wise will open doors you didn’t realize were possible for you. This seems obvious, but the reason why people fail to grasp the power of wisdom is because they often confuse it with knowledge. Wisdom and knowledge are two distinct things.

Let me explain with a simple example. 

Imagine you're trying out hunting as a new hobby. You have a brand-new rifle, and you're out in the quiet woods, excited to test it. You spot a deer in the distance which is a perfect chance to use your new gear. You check your ammo, adjust your gun's focus, and make sure everything's set. But then, you notice something important—the deer is accompanied by its tiny offspring. 

Immediately, you decide not to shoot.

In this situation, knowledge is knowing how to use your gun—understanding its parts and how it works. But wisdom goes further. It's realizing that even though you can use the gun, shooting wouldn't be a smart move because of the baby deer under her care.

Knowledge is how to use a gun. Wisdom is choosing when to use a gun.

So then, how do we gain wisdom?

Scripture is quite clear. Proverbs 9:10 reads, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”

Does this mean that we’re to be terrified of God? Absolutely not. This proverb reminds us that wisdom is an indispensable compass for navigating the complexities of life, and it is rooted in having a reverence for the Lord.

Allow me to illustrate: Imagine cruising down a highway with a posted speed limit of 65 MPH. You find yourself neglecting basic traffic rules—no seatbelt, music blaring, phone distracting, and your speedometer hitting 80 miles per hour. However, off in the distance, you spot a police officer stationed at the roadside, ready to pull you over if caught. In a split second, your actions align with the established rules of the road. The music is turned off, your seat belt is quickly fastened, your speed drops down to 64 miles per hour. You pass by the cop as if nothing happened at all.

Why did you do this? You did it out of a respect and reverence for the authority figure of the road—the police officer.

The fear of the Lord, then, becomes the reverence for His Authority in the intricate journey of life. As we extend our respect to His Word, His standards, and His rulebook for the road of life, wisdom effortlessly becomes a natural byproduct.

Be readers of the Word of God DAILY. Seek to practice what’s in the Bible. You’ll end up finding that situations and conversations that normally leave you blank minded, will be met with wisdom and insight from above.

This year as you read and learn God’s word you’ll find yourself in a state of alignment with God's will. Then you’ll notice that the aspirations you pray for are spoken into existence because you’re operating within the confinement of His guidance, not your own.

So, as we step into the tapestry of the new year, let's not merely strive for the accumulation of knowledge. Instead, let's embark on a deliberate pursuit of wisdom from God’s Word— then decide (through discernment) when and how to apply the knowledge we acquire. 

Here's to a year that transcends the boundaries of mere learning, letting the Holy Spirit guide every aspect of your life.

TEACH THIS LESSON TO OTHERS

1. Define Wisdom: Read Proverbs 9 with a friend. Begin to discuss what it means to fear the Lord. Explain that the fear that scripture is talking about isn’t a human fear. It’s more like a level of respect!

2. Discuss Areas Wisdom is Needed: Make it practical. Talk through specific situations in your lives that require wisdom. See how fearing the Lord and trusting His Word brings out potential solutions. Problem with a coworker? Issue at school? Nervous about the future? How can you apply wisdom over knowledge?

3. Areas That Need Surrender: Discuss any parts of life that have not been surrendered to the Lord. You can fear and have a reverence for Him but still be caught up in sin that you can’t get out of alone. Now would be a great time to disciple through this.

4. Pray: You’ve just discussed areas where wisdom and solution is needed. Pray that the Lord continues to grant wisdom (His Word says that He will give it to those who ask).

A PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

I pray for all my readers who are asking for wisdom. Your Word says in James 1:5 that if any of us lacks wisdom, we should ask You and it will be given.

Lord, many of us are battling relationships that are under siege, worries at work and school, uncertainty on decisions we need to make. We won’t succeed in 2024 without your wisdom from on high. Please grant this to us as we navigate the new year.

Help us to be the hands and feet of you in everything we do and everyone we encounter.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.