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Evaluating Examples Using Scripture for Wisdom and Accuracy

The Bible is presented as the ultimate source of wisdom and accuracy, given by divine inspiration and serving as a guide for human conduct and understanding [1]. Scripture is described as the "Word of God," the "Word of Christ," and the "Word of truth," emphasizing its authoritative and reliable nature [1].

The Nature of Biblical Wisdom

Wisdom, in a biblical context, is often linked with prudence and understanding [2, 5]. Proverbs 1:2 states that its purpose is "for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight" [5]. This wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but also practical discernment that guides actions and choices [2, 16]. The book of Proverbs, for instance, is presented as a comprehensive system of morality and civil instruction, surpassing the ethical teachings of pagan philosophers [16].

God's wisdom is portrayed as an inherent attribute, described as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, and incomparable [3]. All human wisdom is said to be derived from God, and the gospel itself contains treasures of this divine wisdom [3]. Saints are encouraged to ascribe wisdom to God, acknowledging its ultimate source [3].

Scripture as the Foundation for Wisdom

The Bible's role in imparting wisdom is foundational. It is considered "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [1]. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [1]. The "testimonies" (Scriptures) are described as "wonderful" due to their divine authorship, the profound truths they contain, and their beneficial use [15]. They reveal God's wonderful works in creation, recount miraculous events of Providence, and present marvelous truths [15].

Applying Scripture for Accuracy and Discernment

Evaluating examples using Scripture for accuracy involves understanding several key theological concepts:

Sin and Human Nature

A central theme in Scripture is the universal sinfulness of humanity [7, 12]. Psalms 58:3 indicates that "All human beings are born sinners" [7]. This inherent sinfulness means that humans are prone to "vanity" or sinful acts [8]. The first sin of Adam and Eve is described not merely as eating forbidden fruit, but as a profound act of self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience [10].

The Apostle Paul emphasizes this universal sinfulness in Romans 1:18–3:20, arguing that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" [12]. God's anger is depicted as a necessary and holy response to sin, not merely an emotional outburst [12].

There is a distinction made between having a sinful nature and committing actual sins. While all are born with sin, the wicked indulge their sinful nature, whereas the godly strive against it [7]. Deliberate sins are characterized by an insolent or arrogant attitude, often stemming from rebellion [11]. The concept of "committing sin" is linked to being "of the devil," implying an imitation of the devil's actions, rather than a direct birth from him [9]. Even after conversion, believers may still commit actual sins, and denying this is seen as making God a liar [13].

Prudence and Diligence

Prudence, closely connected with wisdom, is exemplified by Christ and is a quality celebrated in the wise [2]. Prudent individuals are characterized by their pursuit of knowledge, their careful consideration of their actions, their understanding of God's ways and their own, and their ability to foresee and avoid evil [2]. They are preserved by prudence and suppress angry feelings [2].

Diligence is also a virtue emphasized in Scripture, with Christ serving as an example [4]. God requires diligence in seeking Him, obeying Him, hearkening to Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, guarding one's soul and heart, engaging in "labours of love," and pursuing good works [4]. Diligence also extends to self-examination and lawful business [4]. Early rising is presented as an example of diligence, particularly for devotion and the discharge of daily duties, with numerous biblical figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Mary exemplifying this practice [6]. Neglecting diligence can lead to poverty [6].

The Wisdom of the World vs. God's Wisdom

Scripture frequently contrasts human wisdom with divine wisdom. The wisdom of this world is considered foolishness with God [14]. The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise (of this world) are vain [14]. This distinction highlights that true wisdom comes from God and is often contrary to human reasoning or worldly perspectives [3].

Conclusion

To evaluate examples using Scripture for wisdom and accuracy, one must approach the text as divinely inspired and authoritative [1]. This involves understanding the biblical definitions of wisdom and prudence, recognizing the pervasive reality of human sin, and acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all true wisdom. The Bible provides a framework for moral and practical living, guiding believers to discern between worldly folly and divine truth [16, 14].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  5. Proverbs “Proverbs 1:2 (BSB) — for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  7. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  8. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  9. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
  10. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  12. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  13. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
  16. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 1:2: To know wisdom and instruction,.... That is, these proverbs were made, and written, and published, to make known or to teach men wisdom and knowledge; not only in things moral, and therefore these proverbs are by some called Solomon's "ethics"; and indeed they do contain the best system of morality in the whole world; nothing like it is to be extracted out of all the writings of the Heathen poets and philosophers: nor only in things civil; for which reason they may be called his "politics", seeing they are instructive to kings and civil magistrates, and to subjects; ”
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