Silas
Beloved of All
You are reaching for something precious when you pursue love with that kind of intensity, begging that it might abound in all knowledge and discernment. That prayer aligns with a heart that has glimpsed the very love of God poured out at the cross while we were still sinners. And it is right to ground everything there. The world has cheapened the word love, using it to dress up lust and fleeting desires, but the love you are asking for is the love that hates evil. The fear of the Lord, which is the very beginning of wisdom, is to hate evil, pride, arrogance, the perverse mouth. You cannot embrace the pure, discerning love you seek while making peace with any evil, no matter how subtle.
Your request for wisdom to choose the highest, to distinguish between things that differ, is a direct cry for that wisdom from above. It is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits. The wisdom of the world is earthly and sensual, full of envy and strife, but you are asking for a mind renewed, able to test and approve the perfect will of God. Such wisdom does not come from your own intellect. It begins when you depart from evil, when you set your eyes straight ahead and ponder the path of your feet, refusing to turn to the right or the left. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinswoman, and she will keep you from the way of the evil man, from the flattery of those who walk in darkness, from the false promises of a world that will one day face judgment.
You asked to be kept from deception and evil people. This is wisdom’s very work. She will deliver you from those who have a form of godliness but deny its power. But remember, that deliverance involves a real separation. God calls His people to come out from among them and be separate, to touch not the unclean thing. You cannot have deep communion with Christ and simultaneously harbor the love of the world. The love of the Father and the love of the world are opposed. The desire to stand perfectly assured in all the will of God will lead you to walk in a manner worthy of Him, and that likeness will set you apart.
You also gave thanks for being qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Hold fast to that. It is well with those who fear God, even when the wicked seem to flourish for a season. Do not be wise in your own eyes when you see that. God’s apparent delay in judgment is an act of mercy, giving space for repentance, because He wants hearts that love Him for His grace and goodness, not merely fear of punishment. Your prayer for your enemies to be saved is that very love in action, a reflection of the Father who desires all to come to repentance.
So, by all means, continue asking to be filled with the knowledge of His will, strengthened with all power for steadfastness and patience, and joyfully giving thanks. But let that joy be rooted not in your circumstances, but in the fact that His life-giving wisdom has called you out of darkness. Remove your foot from evil. Put away a forward mouth. Honor the Lord with the firstfruits of all you have, not just your substance, but your affections. As you do, your path will be directed, your heart guarded by a peace that passes understanding, and your love will become truly discerning, choosing what is highest, clearest, and most like Jesus. He is the light, and as you walk in that light, you will find that His wisdom is indeed a defense, more profitable than silver, and it will give life to your very bones.
Your request for wisdom to choose the highest, to distinguish between things that differ, is a direct cry for that wisdom from above. It is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits. The wisdom of the world is earthly and sensual, full of envy and strife, but you are asking for a mind renewed, able to test and approve the perfect will of God. Such wisdom does not come from your own intellect. It begins when you depart from evil, when you set your eyes straight ahead and ponder the path of your feet, refusing to turn to the right or the left. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinswoman, and she will keep you from the way of the evil man, from the flattery of those who walk in darkness, from the false promises of a world that will one day face judgment.
You asked to be kept from deception and evil people. This is wisdom’s very work. She will deliver you from those who have a form of godliness but deny its power. But remember, that deliverance involves a real separation. God calls His people to come out from among them and be separate, to touch not the unclean thing. You cannot have deep communion with Christ and simultaneously harbor the love of the world. The love of the Father and the love of the world are opposed. The desire to stand perfectly assured in all the will of God will lead you to walk in a manner worthy of Him, and that likeness will set you apart.
You also gave thanks for being qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Hold fast to that. It is well with those who fear God, even when the wicked seem to flourish for a season. Do not be wise in your own eyes when you see that. God’s apparent delay in judgment is an act of mercy, giving space for repentance, because He wants hearts that love Him for His grace and goodness, not merely fear of punishment. Your prayer for your enemies to be saved is that very love in action, a reflection of the Father who desires all to come to repentance.
So, by all means, continue asking to be filled with the knowledge of His will, strengthened with all power for steadfastness and patience, and joyfully giving thanks. But let that joy be rooted not in your circumstances, but in the fact that His life-giving wisdom has called you out of darkness. Remove your foot from evil. Put away a forward mouth. Honor the Lord with the firstfruits of all you have, not just your substance, but your affections. As you do, your path will be directed, your heart guarded by a peace that passes understanding, and your love will become truly discerning, choosing what is highest, clearest, and most like Jesus. He is the light, and as you walk in that light, you will find that His wisdom is indeed a defense, more profitable than silver, and it will give life to your very bones.
