I absolutely LOVE today's passage. It does the thing to me that most of the proverbs do. First I feel happy because I think I qualify, through salvation, to be classified as that person. Then I have a huge reality check and feel like there's some work to do.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
How often do we just talk straight out of opinion or feeling, without actual knowledge of God's view?
I've touched on this in the beginning of our study, but we really do have a tendency to have conversations about, say, politics. We will go on and on about our views and what we think is right for "society," and "future generations." Some of that comes from what we know of God's word, morally. But usually the more popular views are those that make us feel good.
There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge.
This is what Wiki says about wisdom-
"Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that universal principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action..."
And here is what is says about knowledge-
"Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience oreducation. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. It can be implicit (as with practical skill or expertise) or explicit (as with the theoretical understanding of a subject); and it can be more or less formal or systematic."
Knowledge is based on fact. Even someone who does not know God can read the Bible and feel educated about it.
Wisdom, however, is acquired through overall observations about situations and outcomes.
I love that the definition even emphasizes that wisdom "often requires control of one's emotional reactions." This is so important. We never make wise choices when we are being led purely by emotion. It's what leads people into additions of any kind from attention to spending to drugs to pornography. Emotions are great when we can use them to relate to others or identify them to understand a need in our own lives. But they can be totally destructive if we are not the ones in control of them, and yes, you do have the ability. fruit of the Spirit
Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Let's look at this culturally. This woman runs a business, runs a household, she has servants working for her, she meets the needs of her husband and I'm going to branch out and say that she is also responsible for the education of her children. At least until the boys reach the age where they begin being trained in Jewish law. The girls, though, likely stayed under her instruction until they married.
That is a big responsibility to take on- Managing people and teaching children.
It would be preposterous to think that she could just "wing it." The only way to be able to lead others is to first be led by God. We are so fortunate to live after Christ's death and resurrection. That means that we get to consult, not just wisdom, but the Spirit that is living within us. That's pretty amazing. And it really takes the pressure off.
I'm speaking to home school moms right now! Don't you dare get overwhelmed by your responsibility to teach. Get on your knees, lady! (Physically or metaphorically..)
Honestly, I won't hold back on this one. Everyday that I have logged on here to write, I read the passage and think "what am I going to say about that..??!" and then God just leads me. I can't explain it, except that he does. On that note, I hope that this is more than just rambling to you. I hope each of you are taking something, anything from this! He will show up. He will fascinate you. He will surprise you.
It's perfectly reasonable to be organized. It's even better to go in with a plan.
And as a side note, I don't claim to be perfect at this, but, we as parents need to watch the way we speak to our kids. It doesn't matter if you're frustrated or tired. When we show our children that we are emotionally swayed by their actions, we are teaching them that our love for them is conditional. We also set ourselves up for failure once they figure out how to play us, which starts sooner than we'd all like to think. Even if you have to fake it, treat your kids with dignity, respect and love all the time. They deserve an emotionally safe environment.
I have heard it said that we have 2 ears and only one mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak. I think we, as Christians have another way to listen that's not so audible. When we decide to open ourselves to His instruction, we will have a really hard time misguiding others.
I'm going to stop talking now-
Lindsay
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