Wisdom In All Things: Recent Episodes
Wisdom In All Things
This is part 5 in our 5-part Wisdom In All Things Special Series, unpacking the implications of these two short verses from Paul, as they highlight 5 essential factors for living a life of purpose, wisdom, and impact.
“All the watching, all the standing fast, all the bravery, and all the strength the Corinthian Christians might show meant nothing without love. They were called to do all those things in a meek, humble spirit of love.” – David Guzik
Letting all that we do be done in love requires a daily commitment to live out the principles of love as God’s Word prescribes, by aligning our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with the love of Christ, allowing His love to flow through us to impact the world around us.
Read the transcript for Let All That You Do Be Done in Love
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You could say that the phrase ‘be strong’ follows ‘act like men’ as a definition and prescription.
Let’s have Alexander MacLaren take us back into the mindset of the battle as he elaborates on this connection between the two phrases:
“Play a man’s part in the battle; strike with all the force of your muscles. But the Apostle adds, ‘be strong.’ You cannot play a man’s part unless you are. ‘Be strong’—the original would rather bear ‘become strong.’ What is the use of telling men to ‘be strong’? It is a waste of words, in nine cases out of ten, to say to a weak man, ‘Pluck up your courage, and show strength.’
Alexander maclarenMacLaren points out the nuance of our phrase ‘be strong’. You can’t be a man without strength, and you can’t ‘just have’ the kind of strength the Apostle prescribes in this verse.
Alexander states that Paul’s use of this phrase is quite uncommon in the New Testament, but that another use of the phrase helps us better understand the nuance. He reveals that we are to be: “Strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16).
Read the transcript for Be Strong
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Given the current cultural climate on the subject, some might think it pretty controversial to suggest that we ‘act like men’. After all, if you were to listen to the critics, “Could there be anything good that would come from it?”
I can understand the sentiment. But not the reaction.
I think it was John Stonestreet who I heard say recently, “The response to bad authority is not, ‘no authority’, it’s good authority.” The context had to do with governmental authority, but it seems like it would apply nicely here as well.
While we may have steered away from the path of guiding boys into becoming men, it is all the more important that we return to the path rather than abandon the pursuit of manhood altogether. To put it another way, we should seek ‘true manhood’ rather than ‘no manhood.’
Read the transcript for Stand Firm in the Faith
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In the sixteenth chapter of Corinthians, you'll find these two verses, tucked in there, seemingly as a random stream of consciousness, part of Paul's closing in his first letter to this church in Corinth: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Standing firm means maintaining allegiance to biblical principles regardless of ridicule, and contending for Scripture not by being dogmatic but by graciously appealing to the doubter’s conscience. As some have said, "God’s truth can take their hits."
Read the transcript for Stand Firm in the Faith
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In the sixteenth chapter of Corinthians, you'll find these two verses, tucked in there, seemingly as a random stream of consciousness, part of Paul's closing in his first letter to this church in Corinth: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
Paul doesn't directly identify anything in particular that we are to watch out for, but that we should be in a state of watching. We are to be actively, and continually, watchful.
A person who is exercising "watchfulness" in their lives is someone aware of the world around them and can think critically about what they see and hear. Here are 3 phases to becoming watchful.
Read the transcript for Be Watchful
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“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I use this quote from Emerson in jest.
It seems to me that this is the prevailing thought about what we are to do with our lives: the reason we are here is to go our own way; to leave our mark.
But is that truly why we are here?
Dallas Willard says “The purpose of human life is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."
Here are some key principles for living a purposeful life.
Read the transcript for Living Purposefully
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King David speaking: "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." - Psalm 51:3
We've talked in the past about living an examined life. Doing so can be a little unnerving. When we do that, it is (very) likely that we'll find something that we don't want to see, and, as a result, end up shoving whatever we found right back where we found it. However, to consider "not going there" only means that we delay the inevitable.
Here are the practical steps that make up our arsenal in our battle against sin.
Read the transcript for Confronting Sin: embrace the battle, be victorious, and live a life pleasing to God
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“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson
Malcolm Gladwell is a popular author and speaker who has written about the importance of practice. In his book Outliers, Gladwell argues that the key to success is not talent, but deliberate practice.
Effective practice is the key to long-term skill improvement. These research-backed methods will help you build on the foundation you’ve laid to create the habit of skill development.
Read the transcript for Being Better About Being Better
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"Conviction is the driving force that transforms belief into action. It's the unwavering commitment to truth and principle that enables us to navigate the complexities of life with purpose and integrity. Without conviction, our beliefs remain mere ideas, but with it, they become the catalyst for positive change in our lives and the world around us." - D.A. Carson
Just as Winston Churchill's convictions inspired a nation, the right convictions can guide us toward a life of purpose, resilience, and fulfillment.
Developing a biblical conviction is a profound and spiritually rich part of our journey. It's not just about forming opinions; it's about aligning our beliefs and values with the timeless truths found in the Bible.
Read the transcript for Trust in the Truth: The Confidence of Conviction
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“It’s bad enough wasting time without killing it.” – Norton Juster, academic, architect, and writer. He was best known as an author of children's books, particularly popular was The Dot and the Line - A Romance in Lower Mathematics
With all that we have to do, it is awfully tempting to do nothing with out discretionary time.
Until you realize the implications.
Idleness and laziness can actually have serious negative consequences on both our personal well-being and the well-being of those around us.
If you're struggling a bit with where to focus, or with discovering how you can better ensure you're 'counting your days', here are some practical ways of evaluating the importance you place on living with purpose.
Read the transcript for To Number Our Days, Focus on What Truly Matters
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“The love of money is the root of all evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
Probably a familiar verse, but think about the last 4 words: “root of all evil.”
If we don’t love money, we can avoid a whole lot of bad.
In fact, we could swap out the word ‘money’ for so many things in that verse.
“The love of… the couch, Netflix, Peanut Butter M&Ms….”
But here, God intentionally–and specifically–identifies the love of money as “the” root problem.
I’ve rounded up recommendations on mastering money into a checklist that you can review to see where you might be allowing money to master you.
Read the transcript for Mastering Money Before it Masters You
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“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” - Benjamin Franklin
Are you as struck by Franklin's recommendation as I am?
Why both?
If you're going to include Jesus on any list, there really isn't any need to include anyone else.
It was curious to me what Franklin might have been thinking that would lead him to include these two people specifically, and only these two people. Perhaps it was this prompting from a personal friend of Franklin's:
"My list of virtues continued at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud, that my pride showed itself frequently in conversation, that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing and rather insolent, of which he convinced me by mentioning several instances, I determined endeavoring to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest, and I added Humility to my list, giving an extensive meaning to the word."
Humility is "a modest or low view of one's own importance." It may well be that you are important, or the best, but humility moderates a balanced view of how you should view yourself. God opposes the proud just as all others are repulsed by them.
Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Humility
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"Holiness is not only separation from evil, but separation unto God." - John Stott
Holiness has long been a central theme in Christianity, and throughout history, various individuals and groups have emphasized its importance.
It is a concept that often evokes various perceptions, from being old-fashioned and rigid to grace-filled and deeply satisfying. Either way, the pursuit of holiness is, at its core, an endeavor to mirror God's character in our lives.
Read the transcript for The Pursuit of Holiness: Building Holy Habits
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"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." - John Wesley
In a world often marred by turmoil and adversity, the call to "not grow weary in doing good" holds profound significance, primarily for Christians.
While the call to "not grow weary in doing good" is firmly rooted in Scripture, we need to effectively navigate the challenges and temptations that often lead to weariness in our pursuit of doing good. Here are five keys to helping us persevere in doing good.
Read the transcript for Persevere in Doing Good
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"Heaven is not a distant place, but a perfected state of being where we will enjoy unbroken communion with God and one another." — Tim Keller
Thinking rightly about heaven is both significant and transformative as it will shape our thoughts, actions, and deepest longings.
Embracing an anticipatory mindset about heaven moves us away from it being a theoretical concept to a transformative way of living. Here are ways "heaven then" can transform our lives "here and now."
Read the transcript of The Beauty, Significance, and Transformative Power of Heaven
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"In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double... don't worry, be happy..." - Bobby McFerrin
He has provided us a catchy way to remember two very important truths about worry: by worrying, we do make things doubly worse, and, that we do have a choice.
If you're looking to be happy, you're aiming way too low.
Instead, why settle for "being happy" when you can be at peace?
Read the transcript of Don't Worry, Be... at peace
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"When we use our spiritual gifts, we are joining in God's mission to reconcile the world to Himself. It is an act of obedience and surrender, allowing God to work through us to bring about His purposes and transformation in the lives of others." - D.A. Carson
The idea of “to whom much is given, much will be required” is that we should, and will be, held responsible for what we have been given. It is reasonable to expect that we glorify God and benefit others having been blessed with our time, talents, and treasures.
Read the transcript for Spiritual gifts: unleashing the power within
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I think we all would agree that when expressing our anger, it is better that we stop short of turning green and smashing everything. Even if we have the power to do it.
But you might say, "There are times when we need to smash things into oblivion... like, evil."
However, it seems pretty clear that God is the only one that gets to turn green and smash things (so to speak):
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:19 For this simple reason: if it needs doing, God knows why, when, and how to do it.
Read the transcript for How to Handle Anger with Wisdom and Grace
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I want to make sure you are properly warned against enduring the consequences of a lop-sided morning. Because a lop-sided morning leads to a lop-sided day.
By lop-sided, I mean focusing only on one area of your life to the exclusion of others. My sense is that there is a tendency to elevate exercise over the time you need to spend thinking, or more importantly, feeding your soul. Mornings should be an "all of the above" proposition so that you benefit from nurturing your mind, body, and soul.
Read the transcript for Creating a Meaty, Meaningful Morning
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There's no denying that "A Few Good Men" is a classic.
In this movie, you have a young military lawyer, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise, assigned to defend two marines accused of murdering a fellow soldier.
With Colonel Nathan Jessup on the stand, Kaffee confronts the commanding officer of the Marines by accusing him of ordering a "code red" (an unauthorized disciplinary action) that led to the soldier's death. Jessup initially denies any involvement, but Kaffee continues to press him, demanding the truth.
Ultimately, Kaffee's rebuke leads Jessup to admit to the truth. He sought justice and open rebuke led him there.
Which, is the goal by the way. Rebuke is the means, not the end.
Read the transcript for Better is Open Rebuke
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“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” – George Bernard Shaw
Shaw's comment on wisdom is important because it rightly integrates the past and the future. In fact, it can't truly be wisdom unless we apply to the future what we have learned by experience to be true. For as it has been said, if we don't learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.
Having gathered a consensus from professors who have taught at seminaries like Trinity, Dallas, and Moody Bible Institute, we'll see that the path to wisdom involves the essential aspects of studying Scripture, prayer and meditation, seeking wise counsel, character development, community, and practical application.
Read the transcript for The Essentials for Becoming Wise
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Kindness penetrates.
Similar to the way water can find its way into the most hidden, protected places. However, when it comes to kindness, it is not so much that it breaches as it is being absorbed.
Kindness is wanted. Needed. Life-giving.
Nice on the other hand, is temporary and superficial.
Nice is the sizzle. Kindness is the steak.
The Bible doesn’t teach, call, or direct us to be nice. We’re to love one another, be kind to one another–treat others as we would like to be treated.
Read the transcript for No More Mister Nice Guy
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“People have learned to escape Reality very well but too often lose their way back.” — Eugene J. Martin, visual artist
Harry Houdini's escapes were just an illusion, much like our attempt to try and escape reality.
Fortunately for us, as Jon Bloom reminds us, “Jesus has come to set us free from fantasy’s impoverishing enchantment.” Rather than look for the ‘escape button’, we can respond properly when we’re tempted by the lure of the illusion of escaping by remaining grounded in reality.
Read the transcript for Escaping Reality is an Impossible Reality
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No doubt you are familiar with the hymn. Sung the world over, it has ministered to millions. And probably why it resonates so deeply, is that for Horatio Spafford, the author, these lyrics are autobiographical.
Despite the years of tragedy he and his wife had endured, these lyrics are a testament to his faith and trust in God. It is this idea that even in the midst of great loss and sorrow, we can find peace and comfort knowing that God is sovereign and that He cares deeply for His children.
Read the transcript for It is Well with My Soul: Can You Say That?
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Once we get our thoughts right about God, ourselves, and our circumstances, that right thinking leads to right living.
This was something that Peter, in 1 Peter 1:13, was trying to stress by calling a group of Christ followers being persecuted for their faith to do three things: gird their minds, keep sober, and hope–completely–on the grace of God.
Read the transcript for A Mind Ready for Action
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Eleanor Roosevelt said that we should "do one thing every day that scares you."
Sure, I get it. The status quo is not very exciting, and, for different reasons, could possibly even be unhealthy. Life requires (some) risk. After all, "nothing ventured, nothing gained".
Here's something I think we can work with. Risk-taking is a willingness, to take a justifiable risk, given the preferred outcome. There is wisdom in that. But isn't the point of pursuing wisdom to avoid risk?
Avoid risk? No. Take calculated risks? Yes.
Read the transcript for Does risk-taking need to be risky?
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"We need to orient our lives on the clear statements of Scripture regarding God's will. And here is one: "For freedom Christ has set us free. (from Gal. 5:1)" Christ's will for you is that you enjoy freedom. Where you go to school, what job you do, where you live, etc., are not nearly so crucial as whether you stand fast in freedom." - John Piper
Most crucial, and foundational, is finding freedom in Christ. Piper points us to Galatians 5:1 and the fact that Christ has set us free unlike anyone or anything ever could. We'll look at what it looks like to be truly free and stay that way.
Read the transcript for Be Free Stay Free
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“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35
Are you loving enough, or in a way, that it is even noticeable? Or, at best, is it at a level and consistency that it is what people think of first when they think of you? Not just your friends and family, but total strangers?
That is what John 13:35 is essentially saying. We will be known–as a disciple of Jesus–by our love.
Read the transcript for Are You Known by Your Love?
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We can't become so 'wise' that we are able to avoid all the scary parts of life. Wisdom is the means by which we navigate what God decides to allow--and intends to use--in our lives for our good and His glory.
That includes fear.
Read the transcript for Choosing Faith Over Fear
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Heaven is not just a destination, but a mindset. Of Colossians 3:2 (“set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth”), J. B. Lightfoot, English theologian and Bishop of Durham (1800’s), states that we “must not only seek heaven; [we] must also think heaven.” As we set our minds on ‘things above’ we are able to put ‘things below’ into the right perspective.
Read the transcript for Keeping Your Mind on Things Above
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Becoming a "Proverbs 31 Man" is an intriguing perspective to have on this chapter in Proverbs. You, like me, may have been more familiar with Proverbs 31 largely referring to the characteristics of a godly woman.
In order to be a “Proverbs 31 Man”, we must become a “Proverbs Man”, which is something we all are to be, married or not.
Read the transcript for Becoming a Proverbs 31 Man
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"No pressure, no diamonds.” – Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher
Equal to the pressure we face is the strength and wisdom God provides to walk in conjunction with His purpose to yield the intended outcome. While it is unavoidable–and it shouldn’t be avoided entirely, given its potential benefits–we can ‘get a grip’ on how to maintain the ability to remain steadfast under pressure.
Read the transcript for Pressure, Pressing Down on You
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It is God’s leading that makes 1 Thess. 5:21-22 (NASB) possible: “examine everything carefully, hold fast to what is good, abstain from every evil.” This “biblical sleuthing” is what John MacArthur points out as the “responsibility of every Christian… discernment is not optional for the believer–it is required.”
Read the transcript for Discernment: The Commitment to Choosing Well
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Our being wounded or wondering should be a hint that we’re running the risk of attracting unwanted attention, which is why Peter urges us to think clearly and remain vigilant. When you take a good look at yourself, are you giving the “roaring lion” any reason to target you? Are you unknowingly or unnecessarily vulnerable?
Read the transcript for The Roaring Lion Hunts the Wounded and the Wonderers
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I mean for us to “noodle” in the best possible way. While enjoying the practical benefits of journaling, we gain all the more by recording this intentional quest for wisdom. To the point John Piper makes about “living for the glory Christ”, this is a quest worthy of capturing and remembering.
Read the transcript for Journaling to Capture Wisdom In All Things
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We’re getting it from the inside, from the outside, and when we trace it back to its source, it leads us directly to Satan, The Father of Lies.
Satan is a pro at reflecting the light, deep deception, and manipulation. We need to pay particular attention to this because of the severity of the consequences. Satan’s single aim is to utterly destroy you by any means he is allowed. This makes guarding our hearts, minds, and souls of paramount importance.
Read the transcript for How Easily Are You Deceived?
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Just as the 10 Commandments prescribe for us what we are to avoid, did you know they also point to a “positive side”? They provide for us a framework for living out the character of God, and how are lives are to be distinct.
In front of the commandment is that positive application that we can recite in our quiet times, if not at the start of each day.
Read the transcript for The 10 Commandments: How Are Lives Are To Be Distinct
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Finding rest in God can be somewhat deceptive because it can too easily be confused with relief. Relief is beneficial, but it is not rest. The rest that Jesus provides isn’t physical, emotional, or mental relief–but is restorative and rejuvenating and frees us from soul-weariness. He addresses the problem, not the symptoms.
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We’ve talked in the past about having a good decision analysis and developing a heuristic to better ensure we make the right decisions. But how can we expect to keep making the right decision when there are so many to make?
Fortunately, we have what is revealed through Scripture to reign in our random and conflicting thoughts and feelings. But our reception of, and response to, God’s leading is going to require a quieted mind and heart.
Read the transcript of Taking the Fatigue Out of Decision Making
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Living life on mission, does not mean we need to be a missionary. However, we can easily see how our lives might look strikingly similar.
Learning Mission from Missionaries transcript.
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"The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish, and wicked practice, of profane cursing and swearing is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will, by example, as well as influence, endeavor to check it, and that both they, and the men will reflect, that we can have little hopes of the blessing of Heaven on our Arms..." - George Washington in a memo to his army
Profanity demonstrates a lack of character and a propensity for the foolish. Both are not only unbecoming behavior for a member of an army that was under the command of General Washington, but risked deferring the blessing of God.
Read the transcript of Being Choosey About our Choice of Words
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God cannot lie (Titus 2:1), and we are called to reflect that by being “truth-tellers worthy of trust.” From his book The 10 Greatest Struggles of Your Life, Pastor Colin Smith goes on to reveal that this means we are to “deal in truth rather than lies, in precision rather than distortion, and in honesty rather than deception.”
Trust truly defines our relationships, and we earn trust by demonstrating that we are trustworthy.
Read the transcript of Developing, or Regaining, the Trait of Trust
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Here, I think, is where the pandemic provided a benefit. We were forced to give our full attention to what was most important. There was nothing to fear missing out on. The world had all but stopped.
The pandemic provided some relief from FOMO, if not an opportunity to self-correct, and allowed us to, as they say, not let a ‘perfectly good crisis go to waste’.
But in order to do that, we needed to have given our full attention to those things that are worth finishing.
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Usually, it is the inverse of J. R. R. Tolkien’s aphorism from The Fellowship of the Ring that we hear: ‘all that glitters isn’t gold’. However, his quote more aptly points us to what we should keep in mind when investing: "all that is gold does not glitter".
We shouldn’t be fooled by what something costs. We can pay far too much for far too little–career, property, what makes us happy. Yet, there may also be opportunities where we will give everything we have to something whose value is incalculable–children, spouse, God’s kingdom.
Read the transcript Prioritizing Value When Investing
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“Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.” – John Wooden (a warning he made in Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court when our excuses interfere with our ability to evaluate ourselves.)
Wooden echoes the bolder statement made by Socrates that “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Which is to say, that a life worth living is only possible when examined. How could one argue that they are truly living if not for introspection?
Read the transcript for Live the Examined Life Through Healthy Introspection
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While God is capable of granting our every request, He is especially pleased to grant our request for discernment and understanding. Solomon first worships God before humbly approaching Him to ask not for fame and fortune, but to know right and wrong so that he may lead God’s people, and influence others, honorably.
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Solomon’s request of God for wisdom teaches us that more important than asking good questions is that we ask the right questions of the right person. Solomon made two very important requests of God and did so after properly positioning his heart to receive God’s response.
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Solomon’s first missteps as King are a reminder to us that our obedience cannot be partial. When that is the case, our hearts become divided and our lives a contradiction to what exercising God’s power and wisdom truly looks like.
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David loved his son Solomon. In wanting the very best for him, he gave his son–and us–the wisest counsel a person could ever give to someone they cared about. To realize the potential of what God has called us to be, we must heed the charge that David gives his son Solomon: walk in God’s ways.
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The rise and fall of Solomon centers on how a divided heart can destroy a kingdom. It is imperative that we follow God’s ways in order to see God’s desired outcomes.
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Asking for wisdom is necessary, but asking the right person is crucial. King Solomon’s demonstrates for us that we should not only be willing, but that we ask for wisdom from the right person.
Read the transcript for Ask for Wisdom as Solomon Asked for Wisdom
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I think it goes without saying—the world we live in is increasingly wolf-infested, and growing more so by the week. While we have our challenges and opposition to face, one could argue that the disciples had it even worse. Setting aside their obvious lack of creature comforts and technological advances, they were surrounded by a hostile culture and government—I have yet to hear of anyone in these times threatened with being thrown to the lions.
Regardless, we too are being sent out into this world, such as it is. A world that is too easily influenced and growing more hostile and dangerous to the truth. It is precisely the kind of environment that requires the right blend of Clark Kent and James Bond—or, should I say, a “wise-serpent, innocent-dove man”—to exercise wisdom in all things.
Read the transcript for A Little Bit Clark Kent, A Little Bit James Bond
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Marriage was designed as the sole place for the purpose of venery to be satisfied. At least what Franklin points out—personal health and the wellbeing of a family—are realized when the expression of our sexual desires remains within the context of marriage.
If not for chastity, our unbridled expression leads to depletion. We’ll have less excitement, strength, peace, reputation, and most discouragingly, less to offer our spouse in marriage.
Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Chastity
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Clean, like, really clean—the way mom would clean something—is clean in back, and underneath, not just where someone might see. To do that, you need to pick up whatever you’re cleaning and inspect it. Cleanliness is being thoughtful, meticulous–and thorough. A quick dusting just doesn’t cut it.
While most of the virtues are applicable across our lives, I find that this one, in particular, is made for “wisdom in all things”. It necessarily applies to our minds, bodies, and souls. But more than a virtue, it might be better called a principal or discipline.
Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Cleanliness
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Franklin’s admonition is to “keep calm and carry on”. We can’t allow trifles and those events and circumstances that are common and unavoidable to trip us up or pull us away from what is actually important. The inability to find tranquility can develop into a perpetual state of being perturbed.
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Both Merriam-Webster and Franklin are in direct opposition to the mindset, and behavior, of exactly where our culture has been tracking for some time. Now, moderation is what you avoid, while extremes are what you embrace, pursue, live for—as if to argue that moderation is an extreme to be avoided.
More to the point is that moderation is to be applied broadly. That is, we are to moderate the expression of our opinions, just as we moderate the consumption of ice cream.
Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Moderation
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Unfortunately, we don’t hear much of duty these days. I feel that the idea of duty has been absorbed and used as a form of narcissism. That is, we have a duty unto ourselves to ensure that we get justice.
However, Benjamin rightly prescribed justice as being toward others. The responsibility we have to be “morally right and fair” is outward-facing. What he doesn’t state, but I believe he would agree with, is that our duty to others may mean a sacrifice on our part.
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We do have the option of not speaking. Fewer words are normally more prudent. And, our being “slow to speak” (James 1:19), gives speaking and acting with sincerity its truest aim.
Franklin’s first four words ("Use no hurtful deceit") really describe a principle. The foundation on which we should first, govern what we think, and then, guide what may follow from those thoughts.
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First, consider that there must be no room for waste in being industrious. No minute is left unscrutinized or unaccounted for. If you’re going to spend any time, spend it constructively. Time is not lost or wasted, as long as we’re moving forward on what is worthwhile.
Industry requires that we be vigilant as with a machete, whacking away at anything that resembles the unnecessary.
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There really are two aspects to enabling growth. Stop doing what you shouldn’t, and start doing what you should. It would be counterproductive to only do one or the other. Pursuing frugality should lead us to “backfill the hole”, but also produce a level of wealth and autonomy that puts us in the driver’s seat.
Being free and clear puts us in a better position to say 'yes' when presented with the right opportunity. Having a choice is freeing!
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To not have the right understanding of what “ought” to be, you, well, end up with what Nike declared in 1978: Just Do It. What’s it? Anything you want it to be.
Essentially, Benjamin is saying: get ‘it’ right–with conviction. Acknowledgment, or intellectual assent, is not the same as having a resolve. Like a soldier under command, our conviction should lead to the commitment of carrying out the right course of action.
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Benjamin hoped having order “would allow [him] more time for attending to [his] project and [his] studies.” To ensure that order would allow him the space to tackle more pressing and valuable concerns.
I was immediately taken by the fact that he had an excellent morning routine, not to mention that he allowed 3 hours for it! He started his day with the proper order of things.
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It should be clear that Franklin is not intending that we become a quiet person, as there are certainly times to speak up.
It is speaking with a purpose that distinguishes this virtue and avoiding those situations when you would be drawn into inane, unimportant, or trivial discussions. This way, you benefit from your listening, and others benefit from your speaking.
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Benjamin Franklin believed that temperance “tends to procure that coolness and clearness of head which is so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard maintained against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits and the force of perpetual temptations.”
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What was once the norm, is now rapidly becoming the exception. And those who are “conforming badly” are no longer just insisting you join them, but are forcing compliance.
To resist isn’t futile. For to remain steadfast, is to save. Consider the lemming that stops, turns around, and starts yelling, “go back the other way!”
It would seem that not conforming may very well be salvific.
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Regardless of its depth, persistent doubt is certainly devastating, as even infrequent, ill-timed bouts can needlessly delay, derail, or even slowly destroy us.
The idea that we should ask for help with our unbelief is just one crucial element in properly addressing doubt.
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"Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)." Doing nothing leads to nothing. Being still leads to knowing. This is the crucial difference between doing nothing and being still. Doing nothing misses the “something”. Consider this: be still, or, you won’t know that He is God. This would be a devastating “miss”. Without being still there would be significant “misses” all throughout our lives.
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If happiness shouldn’t even be a goal, then it should certainly never be a purpose: “I exist to be happy.” It’s a little easier to see how ridiculous that sounds when you put it like that. But unfortunately, in big and small ways, that is have become our belief.
Maybe this is the sign you are looking for. The sign that you need to ask yourself, perhaps again, for the first time: Why am I here? And what should I be pursuing?
Read the transcript for From Pursuit to Promise: How Our Promotion of Happiness Has Destroyed Our Reason for Living
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From the perspective of being as valuable as an expert, David W. Maister (and others) developed a “trust equation” which looks like this:
Trustworthiness = credibility + reliability + intimacy / self-orientation.
Essentially, credibility and reliability are being commoditized, leaving intimacy (emotions) and self-orientation (motives) as the means of remaining valuable and influential–and employed. In other words, expertise is a matter of the heart.
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In his article, 5 Wrong Ways to Talk About Sin, Derek Rishmawy describes one of the ways we avoid using this “S” word. He calls it “The Youth Group” way, which, “treats [sin] more like chewing your nails…” And then nails the reason why we need to–because it is “a serious, soul-destroying plague with real-world (in this and the next) repercussions.”
That is precisely why we need to use it more often. We need to know where that line is, when we’re about to cross it, and what happens when we do– because of the implications for everyone!
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Not to go all ‘Matrix’ on you, but there are both “seen and unseen” forces on our lives. This fact is quite clear from verses like Ephesians 6:12. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
We face relentless attacks that require a mental rigor that successfully defends against enemies in the physical and spiritual realms.
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You’ll also want to put in view only that which should be focused on. Everything outside the frame is not an option.
If there is any hacking to be done, it may be that you hack away those feelings and distractions that are keeping you from doing.
Read the transcript for Hack Your Way to a Better Life
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Does a drip worry about the size ripple it will make? I’m pretty sure that “making an impact” doesn’t even cross its little mind. It’s something that happens naturally. What matters most is that it dripped. And if it desires to continue to have a rippling effect, it just needs to keep dripping.
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Nothing like a good tussle. And in this case, Jacob was past liking the idea and truly wanted God to respond. So much so, that even though God physically weakened him (dislocated hip), he remained physically, and spiritually, persistent–until he received what he wanted.
Read the transcript for Wrestle God? How Bad Do You Want it?
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Laboring in vain is not limited to our trying to fix something that is broken, it also applies to our reaching forward to create and do good. We can just as easily look to ourselves to fix problems, as we can to know and do what is right.
Read the transcript for Careful, You Just Might Be Laboring in Vain
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I like to think of instinct as being a balance of the art and science of decision making. The art comes with experience, and the science begins with the right decision making process and can be refined to allow you to make the best decision possible, in the least amount of time.
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There is something to be said for focusing on what’s most important and what will have the greatest impact. In that sense, you’re wise to make the most of it. Are you? When you consider that we have an audience with the One who controls all, created all, knows all, can grant all, shouldn’t we be sure to make it count? A safe bet is a request for wisdom.
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Intended to help the United States track terrorists and prevent any further terror attacks, the watch list can be a very helpful list.
For someone on this list, every movement, conversation, and action is tracked, evaluated, and logged. That level of scrutiny reveals an important lesson: something so dangerous needs to be monitored thoroughly and consistently.
However, there is a watch list that you want to find yourself on–and never be removed.
Read the transcript for Start the New Year on the Watch List
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A balanced approach to productivity could be in our being better about keeping focused on, and accomplishing, only what we need to--do well in doing only what you should be doing.
So, as you think about your New Year's “wish list”, maybe hearing this side of productivity will come as a relief.
Read the transcript for Doing Less, Slowing Down, Makes for the Happiest New Year
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When God makes us wait, we too must lock on to what matters most, while ignoring our nagging questions and lingering doubt, which multiplies the longer we need to wait, and is further compounded when an answer is most urgently needed. But we’ll also see that it is neither a solitary or sedentary endeavor.
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It was Blaise Pascal that pointed to the “infinite abyss” in our souls and stated it could only be filled by God himself. If he is right, then we could never put together a bucket list that would soothe this deep soul ache. Indeed, it is only the abundant life that God provides that would truly satisfy.
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There simply isn’t a bucket list that could account for the plentiful quantity and quality of life that Jesus provides. When He provides life, is it life that is “all-around, “more than”, beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation, going past the expected limit.” – Strong’s Concordance definition of “abundant”
What would it look like to kick the bucket [list] for the abundant life?
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“Judge not.” It’s so useful. A ready-made defense for any occasion. This may very well be the reason why many believe the “judge not” verse to be one of the most widely misinterpreted verses. How convenient to be able to throw a “judge not” at the end of your judgment.
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I like this definition of priority: “the right to take precedence…”
Prayer certainly has that right. Because of its value and benefit, it is set apart, above and before all things.
Putting prayer in its proper place gives light to our path, and the ability to navigate its twists and turns. Now, to put it in its proper place.
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There is a right time to wait. There is a right time to act. This sensibility is an underlying trait of wisdom. You certainly need to know what to do, but it requires that it be coupled with when it should be done.
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This ‘5 Hour Rule’ could be considered a reductionist view of the more profound concept put forth by Cal Newport and detailed in his book “Deep Work.” For me, it was a fascinating look into the subject of mastery. Newport explains how “it enables you to quickly (and deliberately) learn complicated new skills and produce high-value output at a high rate.”
Here's how to set aside an hour a day on what is most worthy of your time.
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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” Not half, or most, but ALL your heart.
Trust–complete trust–is a thing to behold.
Our minds tell us we shouldn’t have an issue with this, but our hearts drag their little feet.
Read the transcript for The Ultimate Dare: Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
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Breaking through with the truth looks a lot like that scene in the movie where the main character is running toward the monster, while the whole of humanity is running the opposite direction in an attempt to escape. Understood this way, ‘interesting’ probably won’t cut it. Delivering the truth in a timely, compelling way in the face of opposition will be perceived as very peculiar.
Read the transcript for Boldness is a Pretty Peculiar Thing
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Knowledge puffs up, if there is no place for it to go. If we’re not doing anything with it, the heart grows weak, and the body… withers. In other words, head knowledge should lead to action.
James makes a pretty clear, bold statement about keeping it all in our heads: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” – James 1:22 (emphasis mine; in this case, I appreciate the way the NLT renders this verse)
Read the transcript for Relieving Head Knowledge Before Your Head Pops
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With self-improvement getting such attention this time of year, it might be too easy to hear ‘spiritual growth’ and think ‘self-improvement’. Our ‘being better’ is not spiritual growth. And, it probably doesn’t mean ‘doing more.’
The risk here is to get formulaic or throw a checklist or two together, but spiritual growth is first, and perhaps primarily, a question for the heart.
Read the transcript for What Does Spiritual Growth Look Like?
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"Goal setting has been such an important concept in the vernacular of success that some have come to view it as sacred.” – Mark Sanborn
Thoughtful questions have been raised about goal setting that might not only temper our rush to bang out a list in time for the New Year but help us see beyond “the list” to the better pursuit of setting a vision for the New Year.
Read the transcript for How About Setting a New Year's Vision?
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While most of us probably don’t wake up each morning looking for preventive cancer options, this bit of news should have us smiling all the way to the coffee machine: coffee helps protect against several cancers, reduces inflammation, increases mortality, and even helps mitigate sun damage. We should also mind the downsides, but all-in-all, be sure to celebrate its goodness.
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Certainly, the presidency, not to mention our form of government, matters. As does exercising, with sincerity and understanding, our right to vote... when it comes to how we should live, does it really matter who is president, or for that matter, that we even have one?
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Passionate perseverance. It is grit distilled down to it’s simplest form. Which is the focus of Part 2. Passionately persevere (read: Be strong and courageous – Joshua 1:9) in doing those things that truly matter. The life of wise is lived out in this way. What defines us is not just what we do, but how we do it.
Read the transcript for True Grit - Wisdom is Tough Business - Part 2
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So, it looks like I have two options: stop reading, or, find a way to improve my working memory. If you opt for the former, well, I guess you can go do something else. But, if you’re facing facts, then we’ll move on to what we can do about remembering more, more quickly.
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Life has become a flywheel. In all our efforts to be efficient and to do more, we’ve got that sucker spinning pretty good. As Powell states above, busyness flows from our hearts. So, we need to ask, Who or what would lead us to such hurriedness?
There are those things that we have been called to do–and everything else. The “everything else” is optional. That allows us to thrive as we slow down.
We are simply too hurried. Jesus wasn’t. We don’t have to be.
Read the transcript for Slowing Down - The Hurried Life is No Way to Live
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Angela Lee Duckworth discovered that the majority of successful people all shared one critical characteristic: grit.
“Grit is… the passion, perseverance, and stamina that we must channel in order to stick with our dreams until they become a reality.” – Travis Bradberry
I think it fair to consider using a ‘grit meter’ to help us look inward and appropriately evaluate neglected or underdeveloped areas or characteristics in our lives.
Read the transcript for True Grit - Wisdom is Tough Business - Part 1
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I will admit, things move a little slow in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. But hey, those were slower times. The thing is, God doesn’t do ‘unnecessary.’ Those books, along with the others, are meant as a whole, for our understanding of what He has chosen to reveal about Himself specifically. And if we’re to handle life properly, we’ll need to understand what God says about how we should go about doing that.
Read the transcript for Why You Should Read the Entire Bible Once a Year
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Though I love being a morning person, there was a time when I didn’t have any choice. Working the morning show in radio requires, well, that you’re there in the morning–early in the morning. Every. Single. Day.
But now that I have the choice, it has become the best time of my day. You might be saying, “Scott, it’ll never happen… Even if I wanted to. Then I would ask that you do two things: give some thought to this post, but at least consider getting up just a little earlier to “taste and see” the benefit it can be.
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There is something inherently powerful about taking what you know and your unique experience, and doing some amazing things with it.
However, it is not for the effect of being amazing, but the need for the right action to be taken in even the most desperate situations. It is a purposeful, beneficial response in the moment where we apply our knowledge precisely when needed–many times requiring a creative solution.
Read the transcript for Creativity: One of Wisdom's Most Compelling Acts
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Do you feel like church is letting you down? Or, could it be argued that you are letting down the church? You see, just as we have expectations of church, the church, and biblically so, has its expectations of us as well. When you get both sides of the story, who is failing who?
Read the transcript for Why Does Church Feel Like God is Wasting My Time?
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Being a single-income family living in a very expensive city, we have come to depend on–and enjoy–our ability to be cheaply entertained. Which, has not only saved us money but has provided many necessary benefits. It makes the times we do spend a little money so much more enjoyable, because it’s special, and has also helped us realize that we don’t need to really spend any money to have valuable, meaningful time together.
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It seems reasonable that we should intend to work toward something. But I find it difficult to strike a balance between being patient and being in pursuit. To prevent myself from heading off into something I might later regret, I tend to error on the side of patience; that God would eventually lead me to what it is I should be doing.
Read the transcript for Find the Work You Love or Love the Word You Find
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One only need to consider the leadership in the founding of our country to have a sufficient example of this.
It may not initially look great. And in most cases, it won’t feel great. But you can not miss the greatness of the outcome.
What do you think of the idea that it is possible to be greater still by being humble?
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Being wise is a way of life. And because even the subtle things in our lives can be the villain (i.e. coffee), the process of becoming wise is about applying basic forensics. Examine the evidence. Make the right decision based on that evidence. It could mean that you may need to quit to win.
Read the transcript for Can Quitting Make You a Better Man?
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Good news: we’re all leaders. Bad news: we’re all leaders. I wonder if half the battle is just accepting that fact. We’re all influencers and motivators of good, or bad. No two ways about it. But the choice is ours.
In order to be a good leader, we will also need to commit to being a good learner.
Read the transcript for Want to be a Good Leader, Learn to Learn
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It should be clear to us that there is no way we could expect to live a life free of anxiety. It can happen at any point of our day–even on the best day. So accepting that, what can we do about it? We are told not to be anxious, and there is no good reason to be, so why do we still do it?!
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Do we really need more successful people? Careful that you answer the right question. I didn’t ask whether or not the world needs more people that are successful. The question is whether or not we need more people who are successful at being–that is, successfully living rightly.
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I am reminded of Stephen Covey’s principle of ‘beginning with the end in mind.’ There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to make a good first impression. But should we instead look at making the right impression, as that will serve as the basis for a long-term, mutually beneficial future relationship?
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While we need to have a healthy understanding of temptation, the growth comes not from having avoided it, but in how we trust God to effectively respond to it.
Being in possession of the truth allows us to hoist our shield and back away as necessary.
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I came across an article featuring David Oyelowo suggesting that we shouldn’t abandon Hollywood.
If you saw the movie Selma, you saw what many felt was an Oscar nomination-worthy performance by David Oyelowo as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He seems to believe that the right story can be told the right way, even in Hollywood.
Read the transcript for Hooray for Hollywood?
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Calm, and even confidence, comes from our heading in the direction of the cause of nerves and turning our “anxiety into energy and excitement.” But don't miss a crucial first step and the sure footing with which we should respond to all of life.
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How we got the Bible is replete with miraculous movements of the Holy Spirit. Having the understanding of how God captured what we hold in our hands today energizes our investment in studying and applying it.
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Is our recall wrecked? Our inability to look back with accuracy keeps us from making the right corrections we might need to make in our lives... it might be too easy to fool ourselves into thinking what is either not entirely true or helpful.
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The world is watching. Not just to see who will be elected our next president, but how we get there. The character we demand to see in our candidates should be no different than the character qualities we demand of ourselves.
Read the transcript for Election Check-In: Are You Ready to Demonstrate?
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What I’m calling ‘pillars’ could serve as both a way to reflect on our own manhood, but also serve as the basis for a good plan to intentionally help others to make this essential transition. The article and podcast highlights: Identity, Belonging, Voice, and Celebration.
Read the transcript for 4 Pillars of True Manhood
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J.R. Duren is the author of ‘Living Like Lions’ which covers the lives of 20 past and present influential Christian men. What’s most interesting is what his research revealed about how some of these men viewed time. How intentional are we to take every moment captive to ensure we’re giving God our very best?
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You have perhaps heard about, or even employ, active listening, where curiosity and interest shape meaningful questions for the person we’re talking with. Add humility to that and it can be a very beneficial combination when you consider your influence in your current role, not to mention any future role you aspire to.
Read the transcript for What Do Curiosity and Humility Have to Do With Sucess?
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Our role is to think critically by being able to think biblically. That is, to be able to discern the Scriptures and guard against erroneous preaching and teaching. Do we know the Word of God well enough to tell whether or not something is accurate? You can! And we are called to. It is our responsibility.
Read the transcript for Are You Fulfilling Your Sunday Responsibility?
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Why is it we can’t seem to quit the non-stop ‘iPhone arm curls’ at all times of the day? No matter where we are: Pick up phone. Lift to face. Repeat. For some of us, it would require a herculean effort to even skip just a few ‘reps.’
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You’ll find from reading a few issues of Wisdom In All Things that I’m more into a general consideration of improvement than I am the ‘movement that is self-improvement.’ In other words, we need to identify and set aside the hype and over-confidence in the human spirit. By design we are limited, and we also need to be aware of that.
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Taking inventory is wise. Knowing what you have, and where you stand--an appropriate look inward. Here is a list that can be the basis of necessary introspection in order to keep from being distracted or unwittingly pulled away from our priorities.
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Is a personality assessment the way we should see who we truly are? We all need the encouragement of friends and family, especially because they have the unique view of knowing how we really are, but God can bring a perspective that no one else can bring, and back it with an everlasting, unconditional love.
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Digging deep to find that ‘extra’ you didn’t know you had, to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. It’s the stuff that movies are made of. If anyone would know what that is like, it would be a Navy SEAL. How does the "40% rule" (is what remains when you’re mind is telling you you’re done) apply to us as we care for families, employers, and churches?
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If we want to please God, Psalm 147:11 reveals what is required: “…the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him”. That “dread” as John Piper puts it, drives us toward Him; He becomes our sanctuary. This “respectful fright” can be a very good thing.
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Reading faster, better, or more isn’t all about your work or launching a business. But I have always appreciated someone who is able to read consistently, and actually remember what they read. I've created a bit of an action plan around the 5 tips Daniel Allay used to read more and remember more.
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I will admit that I am a timid Christian. More based on personality than anything. But even that should not stop me–or even give me pause–when we consider the desperate need there is for all Christians to speak.
What the world needs now is the truth–in love. And I’m not thinking of the street corner, but from the marketplace, the workplace, and through our families.
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Assuming a healthy definition of both success and failure, consider too that success doesn’t mean you’re not a failure. That’s how far away we can be swept by our feelings. Just because we succeed may or may not mean we’ve failed. In other words, success may not at all be the right metric. Failure may in fact benefit us more than we would be willing to admit.
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