by Matt Ramey | Apr 20, 2026 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Biblical wisdom is more than intelligence or accumulated knowledge; it is the God-given ability to rightly apply truth in a way that honors Him. While general definitions describe wisdom as discernment, sound judgement, and skillful living, Scripture presents wisdom as being rooted in who God is and how we respond to Him. The Bible refers to wisdom hundreds of times, particularly in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word chokmah emphasizes skillful and practical living, while the New Testament word sophia highlights divine insight. Together, they reveal wisdom as both understanding and practice rather than abstract knowledge alone. Proverbs 1:7 states, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” True wisdom begins with humility, submission to God, and recognition of His sovereignty. Biblical wisdom is inseparable from obedience and stands in contrast to pride and self-reliance (see Colossians 1:9-10). Scripture distinguishes between man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom in James 3:13-17. Human wisdom is described as rooted in bitter jealousy and self-ambition. It is “earthly, natural, and demonic” and insufficient to truly know God. God’s wisdom, by contrast, is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering without hypocrisy.” In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, the Apostle Paul tells us that God’s foolishness is wiser than men; His ways are not ours. He also tells us that true wisdom finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, whom Scripture calls “the power and wisdom of God.” So, how do we become wise according to God’s standards? Biblical wisdom is obtained by asking God in faith, learning from Scripture, walking with wise people, and...
by Mitch Hershey | Apr 8, 2026 | Articles, Mentors Corner
It goes without saying that we are in a battle for our minds. A quick scroll through our phones or a short drive down the road evidences the fact that we live in a world that is fighting to gain the attention of our thoughts. Not only that, but so many things control or affect our thinking – our experience, our culture, where we live, how we were raised, what seems fair to us. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that “as a man thinks, so is he,” and so we know that our thinking has a lot to do with how we perceive the world and how we live our lives. How do we as believers resolve to use clear thinking to live with an eternal focus in a temporal world? Fortunately, the Bible has much to say about this topic. God has created us with minds that function beyond our comprehension. We have the ability to think quickly, think deeply, and process information in magnificent ways. And yet we don’t think the way that He does. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Not only do we not think like God does, but our thinking often leads to death, ruin, and destruction. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” The root of the problem lies in our sin...
by MIMADMIN | Feb 23, 2026 | Articles
“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” I Corinthians 5:5 It is difficult to determine which of the biblical commands Christians most frequently neglect, but certainly disciplining believers who willfully violate the commands of God rates close to the top. This is especially true in an environment where tolerance is considered the queen of virtues. This chapter in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians gives the following principles pertaining to the application of church discipline: It includes all who call themselves Christians It includes all who violate the negative commands and refuse to repent/change All association with them is severed until they repent It is done with a two-fold motive: the saving of the sinner and the purity of the church No exceptions are made for members of the family or their age All men know and attest that behavior has its limits. When Paul says, “And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you,” (1 Corinthians 5:2) he is teaching that pride in being tolerant is a form of arrogance that God hates. To sin and repent is common to all believers; to sin and refuse to repent is to repudiate...
by Micah Olson | Feb 9, 2026 | Articles
For thus the LORD spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.” Isaiah 8:11-13 I find it is increasingly common for men that I interact with to be taken with conspiracy theories. It is an interesting byproduct of the increase in access to information that we have all seen play out in our lifetimes. Every one of us is just a few clicks away from exponentially more information than even the most learned men of previous generations had access to. In theory this would lead us to be less prone to conspiracy theories. But there’s just one small problem: with all this information available at our fingertips, how much of it is reliable? How much of it is true? Not only that, but the quest for attention in the social media and podcasting sphere incentivizes controversial ideas much more than straightforward facts. Outrageous opinions and outright lies lead to reposts, follows, and subscribers. Clear-headed rationality? Not so much. And the rise of AI and the potential for deepfakes means the problem is about to get even worse. Conspiracy theories are attractive in any age, but the ubiquitous presence of modern technology (and all its manifestations) means it is a unique...
by Jack Wroldsen | Jan 26, 2026 | Articles, Mentors Corner
The Bible frequently unites opposing concepts in counterintuitive ways. Want freedom? Be a slave. Want to live? Die. Want to be first? Be last. Want to be saved by grace? Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Want rest? Take Christ’s yoke. How does this principle of opposites-in-unity apply to strength and weakness? I have been pondering this question because I cry easily, which sure feels like weakness. Sometimes I cry for serious things. Sometimes for seemingly trivial things. It’s awkward. It makes others (and me) uncomfortable. I’d prefer to feel strong. But weeping is also confusing because people say it’s a gift. After all, Jesus wept. Jeremiah was the weeping prophet. Life is hard. Pain is real. We are born crying. Weeping seems unavoidable. And certainly, God uses our pain and tears for our good, to break us and teach us compassion. In some sense, weeping is surely a good thing in our walk with Christ. Nonetheless, weeping is disruptive. It ends conversations. It prevents me from saying what I think I should say. Am I emotionally imbalanced? Yes, for sure. But what’s the solution? How does the Bible address the tension between the good and bad aspects of weeping? Psalm 119:28 says, “My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word.” The Psalmist appears to have felt his weeping as weakness because the antidote he sought was to be strengthened. In trying to understand what the Psalmist means, some familiar verses immediately come to mind: “I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me,” or,...
by Jim Gustafson | Jan 12, 2026 | Articles, Mentors Corner
If you have studied using the methods outlined in the book, Studying, Interpreting and Applying the Bible, you know the authors emphasize he importance of words. They implore the reader to dive deep into their meanings and the relationship to the thoughts and concepts behind them. The serious student of the Bible is encouraged to pursue the author’s intent, implications, and unique nuances of the choice of specific words. Words represent ideas. Words are the medium by which we communicate ideas and thoughts. The greater and more specific a man’s vocabulary, the greater his ability to develop and communicate his thinking. This is particularly true when considering the infinite and indescribable character of God. Words matter in the pursuit of knowing and understanding Him. Without a correct understanding of the words, we risk misunderstanding His character and promises. This is critical to a growing and deepening relationship with Him—an expanding vocabulary! For example, take 1 John 2:2. The New American Standard Bible and the King James Version translate the Greek word hilasmos as “propitiation.” Other versions use the words: expiation, atonement, sacrifice, forgiveness, etc., each of which has a unique but inadequate meaning to the all-important work of the cross. Propitiation is the better word as it encompasses the total, final, complete satisfaction of God’s justice, declaring the believer innocent of all infractions through the Savior, Jesus. One such word that continues to intrigue me is the word “precious.” We invest in that which is precious to us; we protect it, embrace it. Hold it close. It is our priority, it reflects our hope. Precious things are rare, valuable...
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