Christian Wisdom Guide

We are made in God’s image (Gen 1:26) as a spirit with a soul in a body (1Th 5:23). The Bible is from God (2Tim 3:16). 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 is against the flesh (Gal 5). Knowledge is better than gold (Pro 8:10). We have power in our thoughts (Pro 21:5, 2Cor 10:5), words (Pro 18:21), and actions (Pro 10:4). There are many things God hates (Pro 6:16).

Headquarters: Guard your thoughts (2Cor 10:5), knowledge should govern desires (Pro 19:2). Renew your mind (Ro 12:2). Guard your heart, life flows from it (Pr 4:23), it can be selfish (Mark 7:21-22). Keep God’s word in an honest and good heart, and be patient for results (Lk 8:15). 

Key Considerations: Do not conform to the world, be transformed by renewing your mind (Ro 12:2). Think on what is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and practice them (Php 4:8). Knowledge is power (Pro 24:5), a cool spirit gives understanding (Pro 17:27), the humble have wisdom (Pro 11:2). Good science reveals God’s natural laws (Eph 4:6).

     Emotions and feelings: Don’t fear (Ps 23:4) or be anxious (Mt 6:34). God gave us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2Tim 1:7). Being slow to anger gives understanding (Pro 14:29). Share ups and downs (Ro 12:15). Faith, hope, and love abide (1Cor 13:13). The wise are cautious, foolish are careless (Pro 14:16).

     Time: Prioritize and make the best use of time today (Eph 5:16), tomorrow is unknown (Jas 4:14).

     Health: God’s words are healthy (Pro 4:20-22). Physical training is good (1Tim 4:8), too many sweets are not (Pro 25:27). A happy heart is healthy (Pro 17:22). What we focus on determines who we are (Mt 6:22). 

     Money: The love of money is the root of many evils (1Tim 6:10). Diligence brings wealth (Pro 10:4). Honor God with your wealth (Pro 3:9) and invest (Mt 25:27). There are things more important than tithing (Mt 23:23). 

     Circumstances:Be content in all situations (Php 4:11), always rejoice, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances (1Th 5:16-18). Do not despise small beginnings (Zech 4:10). Truth and integrity are important (Pro 6:16). 

Allies 

     Holy Trinity:Our help comes from the Lord (Psa 121:2), all things are possible with God (Mk 10:27). Jesus came to give life (Jn 10:10). Take heart, Jesus overcame 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 to teach us (Jn 14:26).

     Angels: God’s angels can help us and guard us (Psa 91:11).

     Others: Love (Mt 22:37-39). Greater love has no one, than to lay down their life for their friends (Jn 15:13) (including their time, knowledge, and resources?). Help others as we have opportunity (Gal 6:10). Hateful behaviors stir up anger, but love covers offenses (Pro 10:12). Speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).

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; sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, anger, jealousy, division, and drunkenness (Gal 5:19). Pride also works against us (Pr 11:2).

     The world: God gave everyone free will (Gen 1:28). We will have trouble in the world (Jn 16:33). 

     The devil: We wrestle against spiritual forces of evil (Eph 6:12). Our adversary is the devil (1Pt 5:8) who tempts (Mt 4:3), lies (Jn 8:44), 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 is limited (Job 1:7). 

Our strategy is to have faith in God (Mk 11:22), develop fellowship with the Holy Triune and others (Acts 2:42, 1Cor 1:9, 2Cor 13:14, 1Jn 1:3), sanctify ourselves (Jn 17:17, 1Th 5:23), submit to God and resist the devil (Jas 4:7),walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16 and 5:22-23), walk out our calling (1 Cor 7:17, Eph 4:1), love God and our neighbors (Mt 22:37-39), 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).

Overview: 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). 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 are without repentance (Ro 11:29). Be steadfast doing the Lord’s work (1Cor 15:58). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Cor 3:17). 

     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 wise (Pro 4:5), humble (1Pt 5:6), honest (Pro 6:17), diligent (Pro 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: We are of the household of God (Eph 2:19) and our citizenship is in heaven (Php 3:20). Know God’s word (Pr 3:1). God is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Neh 9:17). God’s love endures (Ps 136) and nothing can separate us from it (Ro 8:37-39). Anyone 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 who strengthens us (Ph 4:13). We have been saved by grace not by 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 16:33), opportunities (Lk 8:15) and choices (2Cor 10:5, Pro 18:21).

     Do: Praise God (Mt 6:9), worship Him (Lk 4:8), have faith in Him (Mk 11:22), and pray against temptation (Mt 26:41). Speak life (Pr 18:21), and speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15), iron sharpens iron (Pro 27:17). Build each other up (Eph 4:29). Caution, encourage, and help others (1Th 5:14). Practice discernment of good from evil (Heb 5:14). 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). 

Authority:One God and Father of all, over 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). His grace comes by faith in Jesus (1Tim 1:14). God is not partial (Ro 2:11), be fair to your employees (Eph 6:9). Families will have challenges (Lk 12:52-53), raise children in discipline and instruction in the Lord (Eph 6:4). Respect authority (Ro 13:1-4) and pray for authority (1Tim 2:1-2).

Support:Pray, intercede, and give thanks for others (1Tim 2:1). Be courteous to all (Ti 3:2).Grow together (Eph 4:15). All have sinned, and are justified by grace (Ro 3:23). What we wish others would do to us, do to them (Mt 7:12). Speak with grace and know how to answer each person (Col 4:6). Respect everyone (1Pt 2:17), authority (Ro 13:1), supervisors (Eph 6:5), and elders (Lev 19:32). Honor your parents (Ex 20:12). To whom much is given, much is required (Lk 12:48). Everyone has a gift for serving others (1Pt 4:10, Gal 5:13), share in suffering (2Tim 2:3), help others in need (Jas 2:15-16), especially widows and orphans (Jas 1:27). Husbands love your wives, and wives respect your husbands (Eph 5:33). If someone sins against you, talk with them about it alone (Mt 18:15). Beware of dissension, blessed are peacemakers (Mt 5:9). 

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

Previously copyrighted as the Spiritual Warfare Guide in 2016