We’re all familiar with the scripture that tells us to “rightly divide” the Word of Truth. But there’s a time when we also need to “rightly join” Words of Truth.

Today we shall attempt to forever join two sets of scriptures together in your mind.

The first set of scriptures are the beatitudes, especially those found in the fifth chapter of Matthew—but not limited to those alone. For there are many beatitudes in scripture. Each beatitude describes a character quality which God can and will and does bless. The more of these qualities you seek for, find and develop within yourself, THE MORE BLESSED YOU BECOME.

DESCRIPTIONS OF WISDOM

The second set of scriptures are the various descriptions of TRUE and GODLY WISDOM. There is a definite and direct correlation between these two sets. Why? Because they each describe the characteristics of God and form a beautiful description of Jesus. You can never separate Jesus from the Beatitudes or from the blessings He has received from the Father. In Him are incorporated all the aspects of true Wisdom.            If we are to be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our mind and conformed to the IMAGE OF JESUS, are we not then commissioned to SEEK WISDOM and ordained to WALK IN BLESSINGS?

Think about it.

James 4:17

The wisdom that is from above is first pure! Then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

This scripture is to be the main ruler by which you are to judge whether YOU are walking in wisdom.

Check out your motives, thoughts, imaginations, attitudes, words and actions. See if they line up with this description of God’s Wisdom.

I would encourage you to read the whole book of James several times. Then memorize this scripture and meditate on the mountain of good truth it contains. Try using each description of wisdom as a “topical” study in your daily search for truth.

Remember the five wise and five foolish virgins. The difference between those who entered in and those who lost out was: WISDOM AND THE LACK OF IT! NOW is the time for us to earnestly and diligently seek to obtain WISDOM.

James 1:5

If any of you LACK PURITY let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN HIM.

Do you recognize that scripture? Probably not...because it has been changed just a little bit.

But all we did was to ‘marry it’ to James 4:17—the scripture that says the Wisdom that is from above is FIRST PURE.

Anytime we ask God for Wisdom we are also asking him for PURITY. When you go to the store and ask for milk, you are asking for calcium. It would be silly to expect to get milk without the calcium. That’s an integral part of the milk. You cannot separate the two.

When I first asked God for wisdom, I thought I was asking Him for “smarts” to run a business. I thought wisdom would make me prosperous.

Instead, God began telling me to repent of my sins, close down the business and go back home to my wife and family.

I was confused. The purpose for which I sought wisdom was bieng ripped out from under me. But then God began to reveal to me the nature of TRUE WISDOM.

Oh! I wasn’t sure I wanted that. And He told me that if I wanted wisdom I was not to ask and then waiver—for the double-minded man that wavers won’t receive ANYTHING from the Lord.

I WAS DOUBLE-MINDED. I wanted the blessings of wisdom, but not the purity. God was telling me that if I didn’t repent I couldn’t have any of it.

I was tossed to and fro for several months, then I decided that I really did want the wisdom that comes from God. That began what has become a journey toward wisdom over many years.

I haven’t attained to the fullness that I want, but I haven’t stopped asking and seeking. As we grow up in Christ we will also GROW IN WISDOM.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

Matthew 5:8

God has commanded a blessing on the pure in heart. Anyone who reaches for that blessing is very wise indeed.

Psalm 24:3-5

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place?

He that hat clean hands and a pure heart:

...he shall RECEIVE THE BLESSING FROM THE LORD.

As you examine your thoughts and weigh each course of action, ask yourself FIRST,

IS IT PURE?

If the answer is “NO”, then the obvious conclusion is that it is not a wise course of action.

BONDAGES OF IMPURITY

Some people are like pigs that keep going back to wallowing in the mire.

When the Spirit of Jesus is in you, that produces a horrible conflict and misery of soul. But know for sure that YOU CAN BE FREE

1 John 1:7 and 9 are two of my favorite scriptures concerning God’s cleansing power.

But...let it be known for a fact that GOD WILL NOT PURIFY THOSE WHO DO NOT SEEK TO BE PURE! Nor will He remove sins which are desired, hidden and kept secret. It is our job to ask and His to fulfill.

GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS!

Therefore, Christians who harbor impurities in their heart and spirit are forfeiting some blessings that could be theirs!

God has commanded a blessing on the pure in heart. And that which God blesses cannot be cursed.

Don’t just involve yourself in ‘resisting evil’ but actually begin to REACH DILIGENTLY FOR THE GOOD, and the promise that goes with it. 

The first blessing  of purity is found in the mind. We don’t have to wait until we die to be blessed by God. And once the blessings begin, they also show up in other areas and multiply.

Purity comes from God, and is FORMED IN OUR MIND.

The Word of God says that we are TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF OUR MIND.

Our thoughts must be governed by the Word and the Will of God.

They in turn will govern our emotions, our feelings, and our passions.

Decisions will be made by that which rules our thinking.

That’s why we are not to WALK in the world’s way of thinking.

We are not to submit ourselves to the influence of UNGODLY minds.

Let’s choose right thinking every day!