Fruitful Living

WHAT IS WISDOM?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

INTRODUCTION

We often think of wisdom as intelligence, but we would be mistaken to bring that definition to this literature. When we look at the vast number of topics covered under the heading of “wisdom,” it is easy to despair of finding common ground, for the heading covers artisan skills, scientific knowledge, etiquette, philosophy, psychology, politics, sociology and jurisprudence, just to name a few. Furthermore, the text insists on more than one occasion that the “fear of the Lord” is the beginning or foundation of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 15:33). Does this suggest that none of those disciplines could be successfully engaged without fear of the Lord?

BIBLICAL VIEW

As we consider the way that people thought in the ancient world, perhaps we can best capture the Biblical way of understanding all of this by thinking in terms of worldview integration. In the ancient world, including Israel, order was an important value.

Creation brought order to the cosmos;
Law brought order to society;
Etiquette brought order to human relationships;
Politics brought order to governance and authority.

Ancient wisdom can then be understood as the pursuit of understanding and preserving order in the world. Wisdom is present when order is perceived, pursued and preserved. The people of the day wanted their worldview to fit together like a puzzle — fully integrated, with each piece placed in proper relation to the others. They saw the fear of the Lord as the keystone to this integration process. To “fear the Lord” means to take His person and role seriously.

Order in the cosmos could only be understood through acknowledgment of the One who brought order. Order could only be preserved in society and in life by understanding God’s requirements and expectations. In this way, wisdom can be seen to transcend the basic knowledge or skill related to particular disciplines.

A fool (or any of the other synonyms used to describe such a person): was one who brought disorder into any of the pertinent realms by their behavior or thinking. Furthermore, a fool would be one who did not fear the Lord and therefore tried to find coherence in something or someone else — usually themselves.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD

A reverent awe (holy wonder and respect) of God’s power, majesty, authority and holiness produces in us a godly fear of disobeying or ignoring what He has revealed to us in His Word. This attitude is essential to gaining true wisdom that makes a difference in our thoughts and behaviours. It keeps us from doing things that will destroy us spiritually. The New Testament indicates that a true fear of the Lord in our hearts will be joined by the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY ONE IS UNDERSTANDING. – Proverbs 9:10

Are you a mocker or a wise person? You can tell by the way we respond to criticism. If we are truly wise people who want to please God, we will accept correction. Constructive challenges orr correction from a friend, family member or pastor are some of the ways God uses to mold and strengthen our character according to His plans.

Learning from our critics; is certainly the path to wisdom. Wisdom begins with knowing God. He gives insight into living because He created life. To know God we must not just know the facts about Him; we must have a personal relationship with Him. Do you really want to be wise? Get to know God better and better.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD TEACHES A MAN WISDOM,AND HUMILITY COMES BEFORE HONOUR. – PROVERBS 15:33

If we love wisdom and seek the favor of God and men, then here are the rules for our lives: We need to humble yourself before God and men in the fear of God.

What is humility? It is the knowledge that we are very fallible, very foolish, and very weak. It is the willingness to reject our own thoughts and opinions in order to be taught by God or men wiser than ourselves. It is the ability to take correction, confess our faults, and change our methods based on the instruction of others. It is the discipline to keep our mouths shut, to avoid the conflicts of others, and to forgive their offences against us.

The importance of these two prerequisites cannot be overstated. Moses taught the fear of the Lord (Deuteronomy 10:12), and so did Joshua (Joshua 24:14), Samuel (I Samuel 12:14,20,24), David (Psalm 34:9-11), and Solomon (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). It was the conclusion of Solomon’s experimentation where he states that the whole duty of man is the fear of God: without it we cannot even get started.

When we fear the Lord, we have no fear of man, which corrupts the hearts of most men (Proverbs 29:25). If peer pressure does not bother us, and if threats do not intimidate us, then we will be proportionately wiser by not wasting mental effort or making moral compromise based on what others might think or do. Can we grasp this wisdom?

HOW TO BECOME WISE

Wisdom is, in fact, a divine gift that is granted by God to any believer who asks for it. This is the clear teaching of James:If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5

Yet, how many of us ask? How many of us pray? Solomon asked for wisdom and it is this prayer that unlocked the riches of the world. We read in 1 Kings 3:8 – 13 (ESV):

“And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor.”

The wisdom that we need has three distinct characteristics:

It is Practical. The wisdom from God relates to life even during the most trying times. It is not wisdom isolated from suffering and trials. This wisdom is the tool by which trials are overcome. An intelligent person may have profound ideas, but a wise person puts profound ideas into action. Intelligence will allow someone to describe several reasons why the car broke down. The wise person chooses the most likely reason and proceeds to take action.

It is Divine. God’s wisdom goes beyond common sense. Common sense does not lead us to choose joy in the middle of trials. This wisdom begins with respect for God, leads to living by God’s direction, and results in the ability to tell right from wrong.

It is Christlike. Asking for wisdom is ultimately asking to be like Christ. The Bible identifies Christ as the “wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24; 2:1-7)

CONCLUSION

Yes, wisdom is a bountiful blessing that is available to all. We have only to go to the Lord God and ask for this wisdom. As Paul prayed that the Colossians be granted wisdom, so I also pray for those who read this:

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” – Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV).

Let us always remember that Jesus is the fullness of God’s wisdom. To receive the anointing of wisdom, then, is, in some way, to know the mind of God and to draw close to the one who is wisdom incarnate, even Jesus Christ our Lord:

“but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”-1 Corinthians 1:23-24.

Stay Blessed!

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Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com

Website: saltandlightgh.org

Fruitful Living

Hope – seeing the unseen

As children of God, we eagerly anticipate this future glory. This hope motivates us to endure present hardships, knowing that they pale in comparison to the joy that awaits us. The ultimate hope of the believer is the eradication of sin and death, and the perfection of our souls in Christ.

The Example of Paul

The Apostle Paul exemplified unwavering hope. He was not afraid of death because he was confident in his eternal destiny. He declared in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8: “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

Facing the future can bring anxiety, but if we believe in Christ, we can share Paul’s confidence. This hope should inspire us to live faithfully, knowing that our eternal home is secure in Christ.

Hope and Personal Transformation

Many of us struggle with our past failures and sins. However, hope in Christ allows us to release our past and embrace the future. Philippians 3:13-14 encourages us: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Rather than dwelling on past mistakes, we should focus on growing in our knowledge of God and deepening our relationship with Him. Our sins are forgiven, and through hope, we can move forward into a life of greater purpose and fulfillment.

Seeing the Unseen

Living by faith requires us to see beyond the natural world. We are called to perceive the unseen reality of God’s promises. 2 Corinthians 4:18 reiterates this truth: “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

This perspective enables us to endure hardships, knowing that our ultimate reward is not found in this life but in the eternal kingdom of God. Hope empowers us to move forward, trusting that God is leading us to a place of fulfillment.

Conclusion

Seeing the unseen is fundamental to a life of faith. As believers, we are called to look beyond the visible and trust in the eternal promises of God. Hope strengthens us to persevere through difficulties, knowing that our present struggles are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us.

Just as Paul pressed forward, undeterred by past failures and present trials, we too must hold on to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Our hope assures us that one day, all suffering will be replaced with joy, and every tear will be wiped away. Let us, therefore, live each day with unwavering faith, keeping our eyes on the unseen, and allowing God’s Word to guide us into His glorious future.

Culled from faithgateway.com.

Stay Blessed!

For further inquiries, please contact us:

Tel: 0243588467 / 0268130615Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com

Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org

By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author

Fruitful Living

Conditions, rules, regulations of fasting (Pt.2)

Who is Required to Fast?

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for every Muslim who meets the following conditions:

Muslim – Fasting is only required for those who believe in Islam.
Mature (Baligh) – A person must have reached puberty.
Of Sound Mind – A person must be mentally capable of understanding the obligation.
Physically Able – A person must be in good health.
Non-Traveler (Muqeem) – Fasting is not required for those traveling long distances.

Who is Excused from Fasting?

Islam, in its wisdom and mercy, has granted exemptions to those who are unable to fast. These exemptions are categorised as follows:

Those Who Are Completely Exempt and Must Pay Fidya

Some people are permanently unable to fast due to health reasons. Instead, they are required to feed a poor person for each day they miss fasting. This is based on the Quranic verse:

“And upon those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, there is a ransom (fidya): feeding a poor person.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

This category includes:

Elderly individuals who are too weak to fast.
Chronically ill patients who have permanent health conditions that prevent fasting.

Those Who Are Temporarily Exempt but Must Make Up Their Fasts

Sick individuals with temporary illness.
Travellers who undertake a journey that permits shortening of prayer (Qasr Salah).
Pregnant women and lactating mothers who fear for their health or their child’s well-being.

The Qur’an states:

“But if any of you is ill or on a journey, then the same number of days must be made up later.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

These individuals must fast later once their situation allows them to do so.

Women in Special Circumstances

Menstruating women: It is prohibited for them to fast, and they must make up the missed fasts later (Bukhari, 1951).
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: They are exempt if fasting poses a hardship. Some scholars allow them to pay fidya if they fear only for the child and not themselves.

Key Things to Observe Before Starting the Fast

Make Up Outstanding Fasts – Complete any missed obligatory fasts before Ramadan.
Confirm the Sighting of the Crescent Moon – Follow the method of local or global moon sighting.
Make the Intention (Niyyah) – It must be made before Fajr (Abu Dawood, 2454).
Eat Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal) – It is Sunnah and provides blessings (Bukhari, 1923).
Be Mindful of Suhoor Time – Stop eating at Fajr time.

Prohibited Actions During Fasting

Eating and drinking during fasting hours.
Marital relations (intercourse) during the day (Bukhari, 1936).
Taking nutritional injections that provide nourishment.
Smoking as it breaks the fast.
Engaging in sinful behaviour like lying and backbiting (Bukhari, 1903).

Recommendations for a Rewarding Ramadan

Increase in worship – Pray Tahajjud, recite Quran, and make Du’a frequently.
Give generously in charity – The Prophet (ﷺ) was most generous in Ramadan (Bukhari, 1902).
Observe I’tikaf in the last ten nights to seek Laylatul Qadr.
Strengthen relationships – Seek forgiveness and maintain ties of kinship.

In conclusion, dear brothers and sisters, fasting in Ramadan is a divine gift and an opportunity for immense rewards. It is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but a means to purify our hearts, strengthen our faith, and attain taqwa.

Let us take this opportunity to repent for our past sins, seek Allah’s mercy, and strive for spiritual growth. May Allah grant us the strength to fast sincerely and accept our efforts in this blessed month.

Ameen.

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