Christian Wisdom Guide

Identity: We are made in God’s image (Gen 1:26), His workmanship (Eph 2:10), as a spirit with a soul in a body (1Th 5:23). God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). Have faith in God (Mk 11:22), He loved the world and gave His only Son, and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life (Jn 3:16). The Spirit of the Lord is liberty (2Cor 3:17). We have power in our thoughts (Pro 21:5, 2Cor 10:5), words (Pro 18:21), and actions (Pro 10:4). Knowledge is better than gold and wisdom is better than jewels (Pro 8:10-11). The Bible is from God (2Tim 3:16). 

Our Headquarters (head & heart): Knowledge is power (Pro 24:5), the humble have wisdom (Pro 11:2). Guard your thoughts (2Cor 10:5). Knowledge should govern desires (Pro 19:2). Do not conform to the world, but be transformed by renewing your mind (Ro 12:2). Think on what is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and practice them (Php 4:8). Science done well reveals God’s natural laws… God is the Father of all, above all, through all, and in all (Eph 4:6). Guard your heart, life flows from it (Pr 4:23). The heart can be selfish (Mark 7:21-22). God can give us a new heart and spirit (Ez 36:26). Keep God’s word in an honest and good heart, and be patient for results (Lk 8:15). 

God’s Intent for Us: Who exalts themselves will be humbled, and who humbles themselves will be exalted (Mt 23:12). God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble, and will exalt the humble in due time (1 Pt 5:5-6). Do not despise small beginnings (Zech 4:10). Always rejoice, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances (1Th 5:16-18), and be content in all situations (Php 4:11). Sanctify ourselves, control our bodies, love, and work (1Th 4:3-12 & Jn 17:17).

Circumstances (guarantees in life include opportunities, challenges, and choices): 

   Truth: Truth helps us use time wisely (Ecc 8:5). The truth will set you free (Jn 8:32). Speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). God hates arrogance, lies, murder, people who make wicked plans, who are quick to cause trouble, a false witness, and those who encourage conflict (Pro 6:16-19). God’s anger is against the unrighteous who suppress truth (Ro 1:18). 

   Time: Prioritize and make the best use of time (Eph 5:16), tomorrow is unknown (Jas 4:14). A diligent business person will stand before kings (Pro 22:29). The hand of the diligent will rule (12:24). Walk in wisdom around those who are without, redeeming the time (Col 4:5). Teach us to number our days so we apply our hearts to wisdom (Ps 90:12).

   Health: God’s words are life giving and healthy (Pro 4:20-22). Physical training is good (1Tim 4:8), too many sweets are not good (Pro 25:27). A joyful heart does good like medicine (Pro 17:22). 

   Emotions and Thoughts: God gave us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2Tim 1:7). Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (Jas 1:19). Being slow to anger gives understanding (Pro 14:29). Don’t fear (Ps 23:4) or be anxious (Mt 6:34). Faith, hope, and love abide (1Cor 13:13). The wise are cautious, and the foolish are careless (Pro 14:16). A cool spirit gives understanding (Pro 17:27). Share reasonable emotions (Ro 12:15). What we focus on determines who we are (Mt 6:22). Think on important topics (Php 4:8). Discern good from evil (Heb 5:14).

   Money: Wisdom is better, and more beneficial, than wealth (Pro 3:13-18). Life is not in possessions (Lk 12:15). Better are the poor with integrity, than the rich without integrity (Pro 28:6). The rich rule over the poor and the borrower serves the lender (Pro 22:7). Diligent thoughts and hands bring abundance and wealth (Pro 21:5 and Pro 10:4). Honor God with your wealth (Pro 3:9) and invest (Mt 25:27). The love of money is the root of many evils (1Tim 6:10). 

Allies 

   Holy Trinity: God is over all, through all, and in all (Eph 4:6). Our help comes from the Lord (Psa 121:2), and all things are possible with God (Mk 10:27). There are many things God hates (Pro 6:16). Jesus is the way, truth, and life (Jn 14:6). Jesus said, He came to give life (Jn 10:10), and He overcome the world (Jn 16:33). Greater is the Holy Spirit in us, than us in the world (1Jn 4:4). The Holy Spirit is our helper (Jn 14:26). The Spirit of the Lord includes liberty (2Cor 3:17).

   Angels: God’s angels can help us and guard us (Psa 91:11-12), warn us (Mt 1:20), and test us (Heb 13:2).

   Other People: Love God and love others (Mt 22:37-40). Greater love has no one, than to lay down their life for their friends (Jn 15:13, Pro 18:24). Love others through action and truth (1 Jn 3:18). Think for yourself and speak truth in love (Eph 4:15). Help others as you have opportunity (Gal 6:10). Hate stirs up anger, but love covers offenses (Pro 10:12).

Adversaries 

   Our Flesh: Desires of the flesh are a daily concern because they are against the desires of the Spirit (Gal 5:16-17), and the flesh wars against the soul (1Pt 2:11). The desires of the flesh include; lust, idolatry, witchcraft, anger, jealousy, division, murder, and drunkenness (Gal 5:19). Pride (Pr 11:2) and foolishness (Mt 25:1-13) also work against people.

   The World: God gave all humans free will (Gen 1:28). Woe to those who cause offenses (Mt 18:7). The world promotes desires of the flesh and eyes, and pride (1Jn 2:16). We will have trouble in the world (Jn 16:33), but you are a light in the world (Mt 5:14), go and share the Gospel (Mk 16:15), but don’t judge those who don’t believe it (Jn 12:47).

   Other Forces: We struggle against different levels of wicked spiritual adversaries (Eph 6:12). Our adversary is the devil (1Pt 5:8) who tempts (Mt 4:3, Gen 3:1-5), lies (Jn 8:44), dissuades (2 Cor 4:4), deceives and accuses (Rev 12:9-10). So he can steal (fruit of the Spirit, fellowship, and freedom), kill (body), and destroy (legacy) (Jn 10:10). The devil can disguise himself (2Cor 11:14-15), and cause suffering (Job 1 and 2). Our best offense and defense is in Jesus (Jn 10:10).

Have faith in God (Mk 11:22), love God and others (Mt 22:37-40), and fellowship with the Holy Triune and others (Acts 2:42, 1Cor 1:9, 2Cor 13:14, 1Jn 1:3). Submit to God and resist the devil (Jas 4:7). Walk in the Spirit and resist the flesh (Gal 5:16-26). Walk out our calling (1 Cor 7:17, Eph 4:1), and sanctify ourselves (Jn 17:17, 1Th 5:23). Proclaim the gospel (Mk 16:15), make disciples (Mt 28:19), and do everything for the glory of God (Col 3:17, 3:23, 1Cor 10:31, Ro 15:5-7).

Key Forces & Focus: One God of all, above all, through all, and in all (Eph 4:6). God’s ways are higher than ours (Isa 55:9). The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps (Pro 16:9). Do not be distracted, God enlisted us (2Tim 2:4). Submit to God (Jas 4:7). Respect authority (Ro 13:1-4) and pray for authority (1Tim 2:1-2). Walk as the light of the Lord and discern the Lord’s will (Eph 5:8-10), pray constantly (Ro 12:12), confess (1Jn 1:9), repent (Acts 2:38), and forgive (Mk 11:25). Trust and acknowledge the Lord and He will guide us (Pr 3:5-6) and bless us (Jer 17:7). Wait for the Lord and He will renew our strength (Isa 40:31). Diligent thoughts and actions lead to plenty (Pro 10:4 & 21:5). 

Be: In God’s image (Gen 1:27), adopted sons and daughters (Ro 8:15) with a spirit not of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2Tim 1:7). Be Christ like (Ro 12:9-21). Be virtuous, gain knowledge, and exercise temperance, patience, godliness, kindness, and love (2 Pt1:5-7). Be wise (Pro 4:5), aware (Eph 5:15), humble (1Pt 5:6), honest (Pro 6:17), diligent (Pro 10:4 & 21:5), patient (Ro 12:12), strong and courageous (Jos 1:9) and blessed (Lk 7:23). Be prepared to respectfully defend your faith (1Pt 3:15). Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (Jas 1:19). 

Know: (Pro 1:5-7). We are of the household of God (Eph 2:19). Know God’s word (Pr 3:1). God is slow to anger, and plentiful in steadfast love (Neh 9:17). God’s love endures (Ps 136) and nothing can separate us from it (Ro 8:37-39). Who does not love does not know God (1Jn 4:8). Love is patient and kind, not envious or boastful (1Cor 13). Attitudes are contagious (Pro 15:1). Seek wise counsel (Pr 24:6). We can ask God for wisdom (Jas 1:5). The Lord is our fortress, deliverer (Ps 91), and avenger (1Th 4:6). We can do all things through Christ (Ph 4:13). We are saved by grace not works (Eph 2:8). Sin is an obstacle between us and God (Isa 59:2). Guarantees in life include change (Pro 27:1), challenges (Jn 10:10 & 16:33), opportunities (Gal 6:10, Eph 5:15-17 & Lk 8:15) and choices (Gen 1:28, Pro 18:21, Ro 12:2, 2Cor 10:5,). Communication skills are powerful (Pro 18:21 & 15:1-4), and misunderstandings are dangerous (Job 4-42).

Do: Love God and others (Mt 22:37-40). Praise God (Mt 6:9), worship Him (Lk 4:8), have faith in Him (Mk 11:22), and pray against temptation (Mt 26:41). Forgive others (Eph 4:32). Speak life (Pr 18:21) and the truth in love (Eph 4:15), because iron sharpens iron (Pro 27:17). Treat others how you want to be treated (Mt 7:12) and build each other up (Eph 4:29). Caution, encourage, and help others (1Th 5:14). Share life’s ups and downs (Ro 12:15). Stand and put on the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:14-17). The Holy Spirit can guide and comfort us (Jn 14:26, Acts 9:31). Walk in the light (1Jn 1:7) and in newness of Spirit (Ro 7:6). We should supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness and love (2Pt 1:5). Fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy and peace (Gal 5:22). Faith is assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb 11:1). As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Jos 24:15). Seek first the kingdom of God, and our needs will be met (Mt 6:33). Love God, and all things work together for good (Ro 8:28). 

Personal Growth: Be sanctified (1 Th 5:23). Pray, intercede, and give thanks for others (1Tim 2:1). Honor your parents (Ex 20:12). Be courteous to all (Ti 3:2), and grow together (Eph 4:15), remembering that all have sinned, and are justified by grace (Ro 3:23). If someone sins against you, first talk with them about it alone (Mt 18:15). Beware of dissension, blessed are peacemakers (Mt 5:9). Speak with grace and know how to answer each person (Col 4:6). Rejoice in suffering as it produces endurance, character, and hope (Ro 5:3). Bad decisions will be made (Ro 7:15), wrong words will be said (Jas 3:2), but the gifts and calling of God remains (Ro 11:29). Learn (Pro 1:5-7, Php 4:8, Heb 5:14).

Professional Growth: Everyone has a gift for serving others (1Pt 4:10, Gal 5:13). Let people walk out the calling the Lord has given them (Eph 4:1 and 1 Cor 7:17). The thoughts and hands of the diligent lead to plenty (Pro 10:4 and 21:5).

Leadership Growth: To whom much is given, much is required (Lk 12:48). Mercy and truth preserve the king (Pro 20:28). Families will have challenges (Lk 12:52-53), husbands love your wives, and wives respect your husbands (Eph 5:33). Children are a blessing (Psa 127:3-5), raise them in discipline and instruction in the Lord (Eph 6:4). Obey leaders and submit to them (Hb 13:17). With many counselors there is safety (Pro 11:14). Where there is no vision the people perish (Pro 29:18). Provide for your people willingly not greedily, and not controlling, but be an example (1 Pt 5:3). Look for people who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place them over people (Ex 18:21).

Organization Growth: God is not partial (Ro 2:11), be fair to your employees (Eph 6:9). Deceptive practices are not good… God hates diverse weights and a false balance is not good (Pro 20:23). Better is a little with righteousness than great revenue with injustice (Pro 16:8). Those diligent in their work will stand before kings (Pro 22:29).

Copyright (C) 2022, Jason Krause, All Rights Reserved

Previously copyrighted as the Spiritual Warfare Guide in 2016