Friday, October 3, 2008

Proverbs 18:4 and James 1-4 "Wellspring of Wisdom"

The Lord (through a conversation with my mentor) is taking me on a field trip today so I'm not in the book of Matthew. Will return there tomorrow. For today, if you want to join me, look at Proverbs 18:4.

"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." NIV

The King James Version says: "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook."
The Hebrew word for "wellspring" is maqowr which means "spring, fountain spring of source of life, joy, purification (fig.)" (Strong's Concordance)

The Matthew Henry Commentary says this about this verse:
"The similitudes here seem to be elegantly transposed. 1. The well-spring of wisdom is as deep waters. An intelligent knowing man has in him a good treasure of useful things, which furnishes him with something to say upon all occasions that is pertinent and profitable. This is as deep waters, which make no noise, but never run dry. 2. The words of such a man’s mouth are as a flowing brook. What he sees cause to speak flows naturally from him and with a great deal of ease, and freedom, and natural fluency; it is clean and fresh, it is cleansing and refreshing; from his deep waters there flows what there is occasion for, to water those about him, as the brooks do the low grounds."

This passage's notes point to James 3:17 which says "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." NIV

As I read more around the James passage, I am drawn to read the whole book - especially 1:2-8, 1:19-27, 3:1-18 and 4:6-10.

As I see it, we must first, through spending time with our Lord, increase our wisdom, not knowledge, wisdom. Then from this never ending, calm, deep water flows the healing waters of our words to benefit those around us and glorify God. Bad words escape quickly, even good words can come from a shallow pool, but the healing truth will flow from the things we have allowed God to cultivate deep within us.

Further Thoughts:
  1. Is a well-spring of wisdom coming out of your mouth/heart? If not, what is hindering it?
  2. How do we increase our wellspring of wisdom? Certainly studying God's Word and applying it to our life is the starting point. A wonderful book I'm reading right now is "Divine Mentor" by Wayne Cordeiro. He speaks a lot to increasing our wisdom.
  3. Ask the Lord to show you anything that may be hindering the wellspring of wisdom from flowing freely from you. Is it anger, bitterness, lust, selfish ambition, envy? Ask Him; He will show you.

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