“The world is full of ‘experts’.”
Henry Blackaby caught my attention with this opening line in my daily devotional book. He wrote this book in 1998 (updated in 2006).
He probably did not consult “Google” or the internet before writing this statement. In fact, what was the status of the internet in 1998?
- Only 9% of households had access to the internet
- The 41% of adults who went online would have been at work, in a public library or an internet café to get the access
- 57% of non-internet users said they worry “not at all” about missing out on something by not going online – think about this for today’s adult & youth population
- Internet was all dial-up at home – your modem tied up your phone line so if you lived at home with parents or kids, there would be constant fighting for the phone line, right?
- The FCC regulatory classification was that internet access services are “information” rather than “telecommunications” services. What a joke that is today! We now have to “police” what we find on the internet – often it’s mis-information.
- Humorously, in 1998, K. S. Young authored an article titled “Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder”, CyberPsychology & Behavior, 1, 237-244. Imagine what this author would be calling today’s population that can’t even walk down the street without a phone in their hand looking at something powered by the internet?
- Actually, Google was officially launched in 1998.
Blackaby’s statement is really timely. As I write this, national and local elections are just around the corner. In fact, I chuckled as I read his next sentence – “There are people everywhere who want to convince you of the wisdom of their opinion.” Ain’t that the truth?
But his next words are powerful – “Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate.” How adamantly people proclaim their opinion, even if the opinion may be convincingly argued, or if the volume is turned way up, that is not the measure of its wisdom.
However, as he gets to his main point, I am reminded again of my failure to properly assess the “wisdom” of a matter. Blackaby points out the core of wisdom – God says that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time.
In his devotional, he was encouraging those who seek to obey what God has told them but they are meeting resistance and criticism from others who disagree with the wisdom of their actions. And, of course, our human (fallen) nature wants to vindicate ourselves and we want to argue and debate, maybe even loudly and vociferously. Not often successful, right?
As proof of his premise that the “result of a practice proves its validity” and that “time is the best judge of their wisdom”, he adds the wisdom he has gleaned from scripture. And that is actually his point as well.
I love the verse he chose from Luke 7:35:
Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.
Blackaby’s direction is that if you wait patiently, time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could through argument.
Oh, that I could be that patient!! First, I have to tame my tongue which automatically goes into “argumentative mode” the instant the opposing opinion is coming at me. Then I must calm down my mind which is screaming “what kind of idiot am I talking to?” And then I must remember the scriptures Blackaby is telling me hold the keys to the wisdom I desire. Ok, better get to memorizing more of these!!
Yet I know he is right – the wisdom found in God’s Word has been tested and proven true. So why am I not going there first? Why are trends in psychology and current day philosophies crowding in on my decision process? And should I just throw all current stuff like that out the window?
Thankfully, he added the “how to” for me. Whenever I share an opinion (especially trying to coach someone through difficulty), I need to make sure it squares with or comes straight from the Scripture – and not merely my “best thinking”. As he says it, “measure everything you hear against the Scriptures.”
Well, of course, you know what that means. We have to study and know the Scriptures.
I fail as badly as anyone, but I do find the daily practice of being in the Word, either directed there by my devotional readings, or going directly there for specific passages, is invaluable. I have worn out my “concordance” and I do even consult the bigger and better Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. But, hey, did you know this is even available on the internet? Just jump on and plug in your subject.
Then, you know what is next – there are 222 verses containing the word “wisdom”. OK, better set aside some time. But even just picking one and going deeper is valuable – like this one….
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” Ephesians 1:17
This comes from Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus as he was praising them for their faith in the Lord and love for all saints (believers). It makes a wonderful prayer for my family, my grandkids, my friends and I will turn it into one for myself as well. And I will pray that for you as you read this.
Take solace in Blackaby’s closing words in this devotional –
As long as you base your life choices on the Word of God, time will be your defender and will validate the wisdom of your choices. If, over time, you clearly see you are wrong, ask God’s forgiveness and seek a fresh word from God through the Scripture. Then obey that word and watch to see God confirm His wisdom in your life.
I love that we don’t have to be perfect and don’t have to be right all the time, but we just need to stay in touch with Him through His Word and always open to His wisdom. May we all see wisdom’s children as they are revealed over time!
