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“Enter by the narrow gate… Beware of false prophets… Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man….” (Matt 7:13, 15, 20, 24 NIV84) [see these verses in their context below]
Wisdom
Wisdom can be defined in many ways. How wisdom is defined is based on its context and how the word is applied or used. Some basic words used to define or describe wisdom are—discernment, insight, sound judgment, good sense, applied knowledge, and understanding.
The wisdom of the world is defined and limited by its context—the world.
In philosophy (love or pursuit of wisdom), wisdom is knowledge framed with words, concepts, and speculative thought through the use of logic and reasoning in an attempt to understand the world and how best to live in it.
The wisdom needed for conducting business includes knowledge and understanding of culture and demographics, economy, history, market trends, and the needs and dreams of people.
Street wisdom is an applied and practical understanding of how to survive daily life in an often antagonistic and hostile environment. It is highly subjective and passed on by those who survive most successfully.
All of these forms of wisdom have their place in this world. But the wisdom of God—true wisdom—is different.
Insights to consider
The wisdom of God is the basis for life in the Kingdom of God (Heaven). It transcends worldly wisdom and is literally not of this world, as the apostle James pointed out—
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17 NIV)
In fact, Paul the apostle declared—
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Cor 1:20 NIV)
Even the more practical wisdom found in the book of Proverbs is based on God’s wisdom—
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Prov 9:10 GW)
The admonitions in Proverbs encourage attaining and developing discernment and discretion, echoing the Lord’s exhortations throughout the Sermon on the Mount.
The wisdom from above is described by Jesus in the Beatitudes and enables the citizens of God’s Kingdom to live in this world in a way that honors God.
Though unbelievers in this world consider faith in God to be foolish, Jesus reminds us of the blessings of God’s wisdom based on our trust in God.
True Wisdom
As citizens of the Kingdom of God who learn the true way of life, we are enabled to gain true wisdom. True wisdom helps us choose the right path in life, gain discernment and discretion, and teaches us how to stand strong in the midst of the difficulties of life in this world.
Jesus gives us true wisdom in four practical and valuable warnings in Matthew 7:13-27.
We need to be wise in choosing our path in life because it is a choice between life and destruction. Choosing the path that leads to life is not an easy or popular one.
We need to be on our guard so we’re not deceived by false prophets who appear to be what they are not. We need to see them for who they are by their life’s example rather than their words.
We need to understand how our relationship with the Lord is more important than what we do. We need to be true citizens of the Kingdom of God whose lives are surrendered to the Father.
We need to build a strong foundation for our lives grounded in the truth we understand and put this truth into practice in our daily lives, so we may stand strong through the storms of life.
These four warnings need to be considered and continually kept in mind if we want the true wisdom of God for a true way of life.
If you lack wisdom, the apostle James exhorts us to seek it from God. God gives true wisdom in a generous and gracious way to those who ask for it (James 1:5).
Do you have true wisdom?
Reflection—
The wisdom of God is the foundation of life for the citizens of God’s Kingdom—the true way of life. But we need to use discernment and discretion to pursue this path of life.
Prayer Focus—
If you lack true wisdom, then ask God for it. When you receive true wisdom, ask the Lord to guide you with this wisdom to remain on the path that leads to true life.
Devo Scripture Text
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.“
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
(Matthew 7:13-29 NIV84)