“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:5-7).

If you’re a fool, it’s because you choose to be one.

Being a fool has nothing to do with being ignorant. Ignorance has no moral undertones. It just means one doesn’t know, not one is incapable of learning. An ignorant person can stop being ignorant by learning, by understanding.

Being foolish, being a fool is entirely different than being ignorant. A fool is one by choice. And that’s just dumb. That’s foolish. Shame on fools.

The text today says, “GET” wisdom. “GET” understanding.

The Hebrew verb for “Get” is written in the imperative. This is a command. God commands us to “GET” wisdom and understanding. Wisdom and understanding is within everyone’s grasp. We just need to go and get it. We need to pursue it. We need to want it.

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given you.”

If anyone is a fool, if anyone lacks understanding, it’s by choice.

Don’t be a fool.

How can we “Get” wisdom and understanding?

1. Ask God. God promises to give us wisdom.
2. Remember God’s words and obey them. We are told, “Do not forget my words or turn away from them.”

Get it?

Get it!

“And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

What we believe matters. What we believe absolutely matters. What we believe absolutely matters because our beliefs impact our behavior.

A lie believed as truth impacts our lives as if it were true.

Be mindful what you think. The thoughts we allow ourselves to think shapes our reality, and as a result it shapes our future.

As we think, so we become.

We either take control of our thoughts or our thoughts will take control of our lives. The choice is our’s.

The Apostle Paul gives us good counsel. He tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. We do not allow thoughts to run its course. We take each thought and make it captive to the authority of Christ.

The standard which determines what is true and what is false is the standard of God’s revealed truth in his word. God’s word is the basis by which Christians regard as true and false.

What we believe matters. What we believe absolutely matters. What we believe absolutely matters because our beliefs shape our lives.

“So then he told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (John 11:14-15).

Lazarus is dead…I am glad I was not there.

Hmmm. What is that about?

This verse comes from the middle of the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Here are some things we ought to know about this story.

• Lazarus was a beloved friend of Jesus.
• Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha.
• Jesus was in Jerusalem. Mary and Martha send word to Jesus that their brother is sick and nearing death. They plead with Jesus to come to him because they know Jesus will heal him.
• Bethany, the town, where Lazarus lives in is less than two miles away from Jerusalem. Two miles!!! Most of us can walk that in 40 minutes. Easy.
• Yet, we are told, that when Jesus hears about Lazarus’ impending sickness and death, Jesus chooses to stay in Jerusalem for two more days!!! (John 11:6).

Hmmm. What is that about?

This is when Jesus explains to the disciples that Lazarus is dying. In fact, by the time we get to verses 14-15, Lazarus is already dead. This is when he says, “Lazarus is dead…I am glad.”

Say what?!?!

Jesus is glad, not that Lazarus is dead, but because Lazarus’ death will lead the disciples to greater faith. This is for their sake, Jesus says. This is so they will believe.

Believe what?

The story of Lazarus is about revealing Jesus as the Lord of the resurrection. Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).

Lazarus knew that Jesus was the Lord of the resurrection. Jesus knew he was the Lord of the resurrection. The only ones who didn’t know this reality were the disciples. The raising of Lazarus from the dead would show the disciples who Jesus is.

Jesus is the Lord of the resurrection. He is the giver of life. He is the source of salvation. This is a game changer.

What a powerful life lesson. If Jesus is your Lord, there is nothing – not even death – that can separate you from the Lord of the resurrection.

Amen!