April 10: Built By Wisdom: Heaven’s Blueprint for Your Life

In a Nutshell

Pastor Reuben emphasized that after establishing foundations of faith, love, humility, and the fear of the Lord, our lives (our “house”) are built through wisdom. This wisdom, originating from God, is crucial for making right choices, discerning truth, and constructing a life that honors Him.

Anchor Verse

“Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.” – Proverbs 24:3-4 (NKJV)

Unpacking the Word

“Wisdom is the principal thing,” Pastor Reuben reminded us, quoting Proverbs 4:7. It’s not just important; it’s paramount. The sermon stressed that our spiritual house – our life, family, and contribution to the church – is built through wisdom (Proverbs 24:3). This isn’t just worldly cleverness; it’s the “mind of Christ,” knowing and doing the best thing in any situation because we are influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Reuben highlighted a critical point: love without wisdom can be dangerous. We can be deceived or make costly mistakes, thinking we’re acting in love but lacking discernment. Wisdom protects us. It helps us distinguish between good ideas and God-ideas, between genuine need and manipulation. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to grow in wisdom during His earthly life (Luke 2:52).

Crucially, the sermon distinguished between two kinds of wisdom (James 3): wisdom from above and wisdom from below. Demonic wisdom is characterized by bitter envy and selfish ambition, leading to confusion and evil. Heavenly wisdom, the kind we need to build with, is “pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” These characteristics, Pastor Reuben noted, are like the seven pillars upon which wisdom builds her house (Proverbs 9:1).

This heavenly wisdom is both a mindset (knowing what to do) and a character quality (being pure, peaceable, etc.). These are linked; as Romans 12:2 says, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Praying for wisdom (James 1:5), especially during trials, allows God to shape both our thinking and our character. As we walk in the fruit of wisdom (meekness, purity, peace), God entrusts us with more of the mind of wisdom (Daniel 2:21 – “He gives wisdom to the wise”).

Building with wisdom means allowing God’s truth and character to shape our decisions, reactions, and relationships. It means filtering life through the lens of His Word, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, and cultivating the character traits of heavenly wisdom. This is how we build a life that is not only strong but also filled with the “precious and pleasant riches” of God’s kingdom – peace, joy, purpose, and His very presence.

Pause and Reflect

1. Think of a past situation where you acted out of compassion but perhaps lacked wisdom, leading to a negative outcome. What did you learn?
2. Consider the characteristics of heavenly wisdom (pure, peaceable, gentle, etc.). Which one does the Holy Spirit prompt you to focus on cultivating more intentionally right now?
3. How can you actively “renew your mind” this week to better align your thoughts and character with God’s wisdom?

Faith in Action

1. Make James 1:5 your prayer today: Ask God specifically for wisdom regarding a particular situation or decision you are facing.
2. When interacting with others, consciously try to embody one characteristic of heavenly wisdom (e.g., being peaceable in a conflict, gentle in correction, willing to yield when appropriate).
3. Choose one “pillar” of wisdom (e.g., purity, mercy) and spend time studying what the Bible says about it, asking God to build that quality into your life.

A Moment With God

Pray for an impartation of heavenly wisdom. Ask God to renew your mind, transform your character, and grant you discernment to build your life according to His blueprint, avoiding the pitfalls of foolishness and demonic wisdom.

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