Tag: KJV

Solomon was a lover of nature

Most of us know and are well versed in the length and depth and height of the wisdom of Solomon. In fact, both the Old and New Testaments label Solomon as the wisest man who ever lived. A lesser-known fact however is the connection between the wisdom of Solomon and the environment around him. Let’s consider 1Kings chapter 4…

30And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. 32And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 33And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. 34And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

Luke 4:30-34, KJV

Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived and Solomon was also a lover of the natural world around him. He studied and wrote and sung about trees large and small. He studied and wrote and sung about animals. He studied and wrote and sung about birds, about insects, and even about fish. What a profound and telling connection between the very wisdom of God and the natural world around us.

If we believe that God created the heavens and the earth then we have to understand and learn to appreciate nature and all the rich lessons and truth and light it can teach us. Amen and so say we all!

Maturity: Putting away childish things

If you’re walking down the street and pass by an 8-year-old child riding his tricycle as fast as they can around the house, never stopping, you might think, “Gee, how cute is that?” If you walk down that same street, ten years later, and you pass the same house and the same child at 18-years of age, is riding the same bike and fast as they can; then that’s no longer cute. Now, in fact, that’s just sad.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1Corinthians 13:11 KJV

Maturity is the direct result of growth, and this is exactly what Paul is talking about. There are times when certain things, certain ideas, or certain trains of thought that can be written off as childishly cute. There are also times when the exact same behaviors are no longer acceptable. There comes a time in your walk with God when you absolutely have to grow up in your understanding and behaviors. I heard it said a long time ago that “there is nothing wrong with a 5th grade understanding of God; as long as you are in the 5th grade.”

Spiritual maturity affects how you talk, how you understand the people and events around you, and how you think. It is this growth that ultimately pushes you to speak differently, react differently, and think differently. Sometimes this process is hard, maybe even a little painful, but maturity is hard work. When the day is done however you start shedding certain things and behaviors and mindsets because you realize they are childish and immature. Growing up is hard to do, and it’s not without its sacrifices, but if you are going to realize your full potential in the kingdom of God, it is impossible to hold on to childish things very long.

A spiritual equation for victory

Just like there are equations in math there are spiritual equations found within the pages of holy writ. Consider for a moment this verse from the book of James.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7, KJV

Can you see the equation? Can you see the recipe for spiritual success here? I think of it like this:

SUBMISSION + RESISTANCE = VICTORY

This scripture has been on my mind all week. I love the “math” here don’t you? I especially like the end result. Submission to God plus resistance of the devil, and all his ways and all his minions, equals victory in battle. I love the one-two punch it offers all believers: submit, then resist. You can submit to God all day long but if you never make conscious decision to resist darkness you will be defeated in your daily battles and struggles. If you try doing battle with the devil before you have communed and bowed your heart the result is the exact same: defeat.

Submit. Resist. Watch the devil retreat. And he won’t just wave the white flag but he will scatter like a cockroach when you turn on a light.