“…I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”
Romans 16:19 (AMP)
Wise in what is good. Innocent in what is evil.
Wisdom comes from the Word of God. We may think ourselves wise, but if our so-called wisdom does not agree with God’s Word, then it is not wisdom.
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…”
1 Corinthians 3:19 (NKJ)
I wonder if many of us are innocent concerning evil. With a multitude of television channels and full-blown technology, I dare say most of us are fairly skilled concerning evil. We can get an education in evil whether we are looking for it or not. Becoming wise in what is good is not as easy to acquire; it takes discipline and effort to dig into God’s Word.
I grew up in church and I don’t have a dramatic personal story of getting to know Jesus. Of course I sinned, had personal issues and made some wrong choices, but I never went all out for sin. I have heard some say they are thankful to have lived a life of craziness before they gave their lives to Jesus so now they are better able to relate to others involved in the same lifestyles.
This may sound logical, but let’s think about Jesus. He was the greatest Minister Who ever walked the planet, yet He never sinned. He had never been demon possessed, yet set the demon possessed free. He didn’t have to be sick to heal the sick. He didn’t have to be married and divorced five times to understand the woman at the well, or have adulterous affairs to bring freedom to the woman caught in adultery.
Anyone who knows Jesus can share Him with someone else. We don’t need to participate in their situation to be effective in helping them. In fact, I believe our love and compassion for others comes from our knowledge of good, not from our experience of evil.
Our lives will be more blessed and we will be a greater blessing to others by becoming wise in what is good and innocent about evil.