Finding Your Confidence, Identity, & Security in Christ - Part 6

Aug 1, 2017

A discussion of biblical wisdom as a simple, character-based pursuit that balances pleasure and fear of God. Topics include impulse control, delayed gratification, and reasonable risk. They explore adapting to culture without losing identity, wise vulnerability, and how failure and humiliation can fuel growth.

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INSIGHT

Wisdom Is Pursuing Pleasure To Fulfill Calling

Biblical wisdom is the principled pursuit of pleasure oriented toward fulfilling God's calling rather than filling a void.
Brad Hambrick clarifies wisdom is not stoic or mere information but God's character lived out to prolong and deepen pleasure with a clear conscience.

INSIGHT

Wisdom Is Character Not Checklist

Wisdom cannot be reduced to formulas or scripts because it is an expression of God's character in relationships.
Hambrick warns that simple wise solutions (budgeting, dieting) are often dismissed for complex fads despite being the most sustainable.

ADVICE

Delay Gratification And Check The Numbers

Practice delayed gratification by prioritizing honor and integrity before immediate pleasure when making risks like finances or purchases.
Hambrick advises checking numbers and prudence so acts of confidence become faith not blind folly.

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Biblical Wisdom refers to the principled pursuit of pleasure, not to fill a void, but to fulfill a calling. Wisdom requires fearing (seeking the approval of) God more than fearing (seeking the approval of) man. The restraint of wisdom does not diminish the intensity of pleasure, but prolongs the time frame in which pleasure can be savored and the freedom of conscience with which pleasure can be remembered.

Wisdom cannot be reduced to a set of principles or propositions because it is an expression of God’s character in the midst of relationships. Wisdom is a virtue that allows all other blessings to remain good rather than spoiling into burdens.

Wisdom does not belong to academia and does not require a high IQ. Brilliance is, in many ways, capable of more folly than ignorance. Wisdom, in its essence, is simple. It is often because solutions are less complex than our problems that we dismiss wisdom. No one wants to hear that finances boil down to spending less than you make or dieting is only burning more calories than you consume. But we’re glad to get into a complex pyramid scheme or fad diet.

Wisdom requires things like patience, self-control, listening well, and contentment. The absence of these virtues will destroy whatever can be created or obtained through the strategic implementation of massive quantities of knowledge. Wisdom is not against action, passion, speaking, and ambition. But wisdom is willing to forego these without feeling cheated and does not consider them “higher virtues” than their alternatives.

“There are three classes of men—lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, lovers of gain.” – Plato

Wisdom allows the “risks” we take in confidence to fulfill our purpose to be “acts of faith” instead of blind folly. Wisdom allows us to adapt to the preferences and culture of others without surrendering our identity. Wisdom allows our sense of security to withstand the criticism or misunderstanding of others without us giving way to being calloused or closed-minded.

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