Psalm 119:104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.

The majority of this section made me think, “Conceited, much?” However, the focus is indeed on the reality that it is listening to God that gives us true wisdom and understanding. At the same time, there is the risk of feeling that “I listen to God and they don’t.” That too can be conceit! Humility is always called for, but at the same time, we need to rest in the assurance of what God has shown us. Martin Luther’s “Here I stand. I can do no other,” is a good example of that. God is the Source of all true wisdom, so submission to Him is the way to have wisdom manifested in your own life, as the Bible says in numerous places. Right now there is a shocking amount of hatred being demonstrated in America, and much of it seems totally irrational. We need to remember that it is the devil who loves lies, division, and conflict, and so choose to submit to God and resist the devil. (James 4:7) All human wisdom is insignificant, compared to God’s, anyway!

I’m sensitive to conceit because I wallowed in it for so long! I have learned the hard way that there are distinctions among intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom, and wisdom is to be prized above all. Proverbs 9:1 gets it right: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” I delight to pile up knowledge, and the Lord blessed me with a high IQ, but nothing compares to knowing my Lord and relating rightly to Him. As the Lord has made clear to me, He’s smart and I’m not! I relate constantly with people all over the map when it comes to intelligence and knowledge, but I’m never to take a stance of pride with any of them. I am to be grateful for God’s grace toward me and speak the truth to them in love, seeking to guide them into a relationship with our Creator that will give them the wisdom they need, quite apart from every other factor. I need to remember Jesus’ words, that are rather scary to me: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)

Father, thank You for this Word. Thank You for the wisdom You do give. May I make proper use of it, without taking pride in it, so that I may be a useful instrument in Your hands in every situation, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!