August 19, 2014 Street Smarts Vs Wisdom
Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. Disaster entraps sinners, but God-loyal people get a good life. (Proverbs 13:20-21 MSG)
Before we came to believe that there was a God who loved and cared about us we made bad choices and walked down paths which resulted in pain and harm to ourselves and those around us. Along the way we picked up a lot of “street smarts” as we tried to figure out ways to deal with circumstances. On the street we were considered smart when we managed to lie our way out of trouble. It did not matter to us whether we blamed or criticized those around us as long as we got ourselves “off the hook”. We thought we were smart, or the person who helped us was smart, when we outwitted any person who was trying to hold us accountable.
In the legal system we looked for loopholes to help us “beat the rap” rather than looking at truth and dealing with the consequences of our actions on victims and on ourselves. Often we’ve felt smart when we managed to get in and out of a store without getting caught for shoplifting or robbed someone close to us without them knowing it was us. These “street smarts” are things we’ve relied upon in the past but they are certainly not a foundation for wholesome, healthy living.
Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong. (Proverbs 2:12-15 NLT)
As early as a few days or weeks into recovery, some of our “street smart” thinking begins to filter back to us. These familiar but twisted thoughts roll around in our head challenging the truth that is currently unfamiliar to our thinking. If we give our old thoughts much attention we’ll soon find ourselves discontented and well on the way to relapse. A safe and solid life in recovery requires that, with God’s help, we learn to think and act in new ways. Developing a wise heart is essential if we are to move forward in our new life in recovery.
The naive believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise are careful and avoid evil, but fools become excited and overconfident. Short-tempered people make stupid mistakes, and schemers are hated. (Proverbs 14:15-17 CEB)
God desires to make us wise in the ways of building a new life. Are we reading the Bible, the blueprint of wisdom to abundant life, or, are we still hanging on to our street smart ways that in the past lead us to an unmanageable life? My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT)
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