Like those who are wise

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus, our LORD. I pray this missive finds you well. Today the 18th of January, 2021, we are at the precipice of history. We have the first woman, first Cushite American, first South Asian American, being inaugurated as Vice-President. While historical, we should make a point to be wise, as the scriptures demands. Meaning, we should not sit on the sideline and trust that everything will be what we hope. Even the Vice-President-elect would say we need to hold all our politicians accountable. We need to live as wise people. We need to behave as wise people. This would mean to me; we should know what the scriptures say about wisdom.
Let’s look at one of the scriptures guiding us in our pursuit this year:

Eph. 5:15 ¶ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. NLT

Jesus was seen as wise.

Mark 6:2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? NIV

Jesus tells his disciples that when they are persecuted for their belief, that he will give them wisdom and not one will be able to withstand them.

Luke 21:15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. NRSV

Wisdom is yours for the asking:

James 1:5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.

James continues to encourage us about our lives:

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth.
James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. NRSV

More scriptures about the value of wisdom. NRSV

Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prov. 16:16         How much better to get wisdom than gold!
                To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Prov. 16:17         The highway of the upright avoids evil;
                those who guard their way preserve their lives.
Prov. 16:18         Pride goes before destruction,
                and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Prov. 16:19         It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
                than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Prov. 16:20         Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
                and happy are those who trust in the LORD.
Prov. 16:21         The wise of heart is called perceptive,
                and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
Prov. 16:22         Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
                but folly is the punishment of fools.
Prov. 16:23         The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious,
                and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

Prov. 4:7         The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
                and whatever else you get, get insight.
Prov. 4:8         Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
                she will honor you if you embrace her.

Prov. 2:2         making your ear attentive to wisdom
                and inclining your heart to understanding;
Prov. 2:3         if you indeed cry out for insight,
                and raise your voice for understanding;
Prov. 2:4         if you seek it like silver,
                and search for it as for hidden treasures—
Prov. 2:5         then you will understand the fear of the LORD
                and find the knowledge of God.
Prov. 2:6         For the LORD gives wisdom;
                from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Prov. 3:35         The wise will inherit honor,
                but stubborn fools, disgrace.

Prov. 15:7         The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
                not so the minds of fools.

Prov. 13:20         Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
                but the companion of fools suffers harm.