Joel M Bradshaw

37This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.–Genesis 41, part 2

Joseph is a special Bible character who God gave unique abilities in a specific time in history. Pharaoh recognized something blessedly different about Joseph and elevated him. He called him wise and discerning. You should make growing in biblical wisdom and discernment a major direction and goal for your life. The Apostle Paul agrees…

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

So according to those verses, this starts with a refusal to use the world’s values as your standard when they oppose those of the Bible. You start building your life on the solid bedrock of the Bible versus the unsteady gravel of the shifting opinions of culture.

Being transformed is like the metamorphosis of the caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Your standards align with God and then your thinking follows. You then know how to approach each new situation from the inside out. Your thoughts direct your heart. Your heart influences motiations which eventually produce words, actions, and attitudes.

So how is this done? Here’s what I do.

1. Consume the Bible daily. There is no better way to understand what God’s will is than to read or listen to the Bible. You memorize songs on your playlist, so start memorizing verses that really hit home for you.
2. Using the Bible, practice stopping and starting in your life. There’s things about the old you that need to stop and things about the new you that need to start. Begin this in your thoughts and see the outside you change from the renewed inside you.
3. Seek accountability and direction from someone more experienced at 1 and 2.

God’s word is influencing your decisions. That is discernment. You are taking the Bible and applying it to the daily moments of life. That is wisdom. You are doing this in community and with feedback from others who are trustworthy. That’s a good start.

Here’s an example. I wanted to become a more biblical husband. I sorely needed to grow in this area.

1. I consumed the best verse of the Bible for husbands, Ephesians 5:25. Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. I memorized it and repeated it to myself many times a day. What about me needed to start? Stop?
2. I began making changes in my daily choices that showed love sacrificially, selflessly, and with the attitude of a servant. That was the kind of leader in the home I needed to be. Certain things stopped and others started. I got input from my wife on this and from an older man I trust.
3. That older man keeps me accountable regarding Ephesians 5:25 and doesn’t let me off the hook. He gives me tough, but needed biblical counsel and expects me to stay intentional about following through. I have seen great growth in both my discipline and in my marriage.

One last thought. This verse must guide your process. Because your life is about God’s glory and not yours. Selfishness is the big stumbling block to wisdom. You can become wise in your own eyes or in the world’s eyes and still not according to the Bible.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Memorize that one too. Store that arrow in your quiver and fire it at your thoughts as needed.–JMB