Practical Wisdom

Wisdom

Learning to Become Wise

Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

God's People Grow in Wisdom

Matthew 11:25-27 The Message

25-26 Abruptly, Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.

For Reflection
Wise people have and use what Aristotle has called practical wisdom. First one must have moral will, having as one's first concern the good of others. This is the opposite of an ego-driven manipulative tactic where one only seeks what is good for him or her.  Such behavior involves doing something and expecting nothing in return.

The second requirement is moral skill. Righteous ends do not justify unrighteous means. Protecting one's right to choose is paramount. Coercion, manipulation, and other deceptive practices are never a moral skill. These are the means of false prophets and those who manipulate the Gospel for their personal gain.  

Neither is the promise of an external reward or punishment a moral skill. The reward for righteousness is inherent in the performance of righteous action, and punishment is a natural outcome of one's untoward works.  We are known by our fruits.

Pray

Pray so that you will always have as your first concern the well-being of others.  Pray so that you will develop Jesus-based moral skill that seeks justice through just means.  Pray so that you protect the right of others to choose righteousness as God protects your right to decide to become God-centered.

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