Growing in Wisdom

“My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” Proverbs 2:1-7

A person does not become mighty in spirit by setting his inner man on automatic pilot to drift through life. He must employ several basic disciplines if he is to experience the rewards of a Spirit-directed life:

The discipline of relationship.
The Holy Spirit is opposed to the flesh, and the one who is mighty in spirit must constantly reject the competing values and passions of the world system which is devoid of Godliness.

The discipline of relationship.
Wisdom flows from a pure, honest relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The legalist, moralist, and Pharisee are not mighty in spirit. Above all we must guard our hearts and keep Jesus as our first love - singularly devoted to Him, not a cause.

The discipline of obedience.
An acquaintance with Christ and His Word is not enough. Obedience is always the path to growth and blessing. Are we obeying what we know? The riches of heaven are ours when we obey the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The motivation for each of these disciplines is our love for the Lord Jesus Christ. We want to be mighty in spirit because we adore Him.

“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD...” Hosea 6:3