Proverbs 8:12

I, (godly) wisdom, reside with prudence (good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense), and I find knowledge and discretion. The (reverent) fear and worship awe of the Lord includes hatred of evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.

How do we get wisdom? We ask God for it, and He will give us knowledge. We read the Word, learning from the good and bad examples of behavior. Right and wrong seem simple, but when sin enters the thoughts and heart, the decisions will no longer be Godly. Cast down any thought that does not align with God’s Word.

Isaiah 10:1-2

Woe (judgment is coming) to those (judges) who issue evil statutes, and to those (magistrates) who constantly record unjust and oppressive decisions, to deprive the needy of justice and rob the poor of My people of rightful claims, so that widows be their spoil and that they may plunder the fatherless. 

Evil exists in this world, and the Lord does not miss the deeds of evildoers. Judgment is coming, and God is not mocked. We must trust the Lord in uncertain and oppressive times because God is in control. The world’s wickedness is not surprising to God, and God prophesized it’s coming.

Proverbs 13:1

A wise son heeds and accepts (and is the result of) his father’s discipline and instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.

Accepting discipline and instruction is the cornerstone of gaining knowledge and wisdom. Without wisdom (God) teaching us right from wrong, knowing when we have erred would be impossible. A reprimand isn’t wrong when taken with the right attitude. A reprimand keeps us from continuing in sin and losing out on the blessings of God.  

1 Peter 3:8-9

Finally, all of you be like-minded (united in spirit), sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit; and never return evil for evil or insult for insult (avoid scolding, berating and any kind of abuse), but on the contrary, give a blessing for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing (from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection).

Our behavior when we come into conflict with others matters. No matter what is said to us or about us, we are still to follow the leadings of Jesus. Love suffers long and is kind to others while it goes through trials. It may take practice, and we may only sometimes get it right, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can. We can’t give up in times of trial and behave as the world.

1 Peter 2:20-21

After all, what kind of credit is there if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you endure patiently? But if when you do what is right and patiently bear (undeserved) suffering, this finds favor with God. For (as a believer) you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His steps.

Christians around the world and in our own country are suffering because of Christian beliefs. The world may put pressure on people to conform to sin, but our jobs as Christians are to represent Jesus and light. When we do, we expose the error and sin and follow the example of Jesus on this earth. We will be the light in the darkness, and Jesus will be with us. 

Jude 1:17-19

But as for you, beloved, remember the words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.” These are the ones who are (agitators) causing divisions-worldly minded (secular, unspiritual, carnal, merely sensual-unsaved), devoid of the Spirit. 

Jesus prepared us for the last days, so we must recognize the signs and keep our faith strong. Though the world chooses sin over the Savior, our hope remains in Jesus. We are not to let the state of the world shake our faith, but we are to occupy until Jesus returns, operating in our faith. Keep strong in faith and focus on Jesus, and we will overcome.

Jude 1:4

For certain people have crept in un-noticed (just as sneaking in by a side door). They are ungodly person whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom (viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want), and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

God’s word directs our conduct, morals, behaviors, and values. The teaching is set before us so we know when we have missed the mark and remove ourselves from sin. The world must break down the Word and God (to sneak the door) to continue in sin without their consciousnesses feeling guilt for missing the mark.  

2 John 1:9

Anyone who runs on ahead and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ (that is, one who is not content with what He taught), does not have God; but the one who continues to remain in the teaching (of Christ does have God), he has both the Father and the Son.

The Bible teaches us to test all teachings to ensure they align with God’s world. We can hear teachings that sound close to what the Bible says, but those teachings have distorted scripture. We are to increase our knowledge of the word so that we are not deceived when we hear a verse taken out of context.  

1 John 4:16

We have come to know (by personal observation and experience), and have believed (with deep consistent faith) the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in Him. 

God so loved the world that He gave (sacrificed) His only son for our sins. Love is not selfish, unkind, or demeaning. Love builds up and doesn’t tear down. Love is a choice and not a feeling because feelings change. When we abide in the God kind of love, God abides in us.

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us (unselfishly) love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves (others) is born of God and knows God (through personal experience).

If we have problems receiving from God, we must check if we are not walking in love in an area of our life. Love is the curtain on which everything else in our Christian faith hangs. Without love, it is impossible to please God because God is love, and He first loved us.