“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can break my heart” I don’t know who said this, but I think it is true. Others’ words have definitely left some scars on my heart, but I know that my words have also cut people. Recently a friend told me that sometimes he needs tough skin to talk to me. That made me sad. Not the self pity type of sad but the I’m-sorry-I-can-make-people-feel-that-way type of sad. As a result of our conversation I went back through an old journal and decided to study out wisdom. I went back to a study in 1Corinthians on how to discern Godly wisdom from worldly wisdom.
1Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no division among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
James 3:13 (NIV) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Godly wisdom unites while worldly wisdom divides. I will know Godly wisdom by humility and its fruit. I need to watch my life, my actions. My actions and words need to be peace-loving, considerate and full of mercy. When I don’t do these things I can not be unified with my friends.
I can only maintain peace and strive towards unity when I look to the cross. God’s wisdom is summed up in the message of the cross.
Philip2:1 (NIV)If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
If God is my power, wisdom and righteousness I must proclaim it. Worldly wisdom leads me to focus on myself. I must stop trusting in my wisdom and eloquence and let God use me. When I put myself, my feelings, my needs before others my words are inconsiderate and abrasive. When I do not take the time to pay attention or listen to what the other person may need I can come across harsh and cause disunity. My prideful behavior and actions can only incite pride in others. God’s wisdom can only be spiritually discerned.
And ultimately it comes down to the bigger picture and the right perspective of Matt 23:23 that the law, justice, mercy and faithfulness are all important. My wisdom is just plain dumb. Just because someone else has hurt me does not give me the right to go and hurt others in order to “protect myself” or think that my harshness will prevent me from being hurt again – this attitude is selfish. God is in control and he commands me and all of us to seek his wisdom and not rely on our own.