IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER (JAMES 1:5-8)

LENT REFLECTIONS (DAY 29) The theme for our reflection is “in the eye of the beholder.” The eye of the beholder is an expression which means something is perceived as a matter of personal opinion. An examples is beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In as much as in the eye of the…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Mar 30, 2022

2–3 minutes

LENT REFLECTIONS (DAY 29)

The theme for our reflection is “in the eye of the beholder.” The eye of the beholder is an expression which means something is perceived as a matter of personal opinion. An examples is beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In as much as in the eye of the beholder can be applied to a number of experiences and notions in life, the wisdom of God is not in the eye of the beholder. In other words, the wisdom of God is not subjective nor perceived as a matter of personal opinion.

James admonishes the recipients of his letter that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5). James, in essence is saying that, the wisdom of God cannot be possessed except it is given by God. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the disposition needed to receive wisdom from God is that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” In other word, the first stage for a believer who desires wisdom from God is fear or reverence for God. The second equally important requirement in receiving the wisdom of God is faith. It is for this reason, James tells us that “…let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8)

Beloved in the Lord, wisdom acquired from this world is in the eye of the beholder because there are different forms of philosophies and teachings but wisdom received from God is through the fear (obedience) and faith of the believer. To acquire true wisdom from God as a believer, you must fear the Lord and seek His wisdom through faith. It must be understood that to fear and have faith in Lord in respect of receiving His wisdom, means that we must study and obey His Word and trust in the Lord. Let us seek the wisdom of the Lord through fear and faith, for wisdom lies in the hands of God and not in the eye of the beholder. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, endow us with the wisdom of God through the humility and faith. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)