Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 169

NOTE.-These four cla.s.ses include all. All should be sober.

6. What similar advice is given in the epistle to the Romans?

"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." Rom. 13:13.

7. What testimony does the apostle Peter bear on this point?

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, _be sober_, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.

8. Why are foolish talking and jesting to be avoided?

"Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, _which are not convenient_." Eph. 5:4.

NOTE.-To indulge in such things is not becoming a Christian. Life, with all its responsibilities and great issues at stake, is too serious a matter to be spent in such vanities.

9. What is the thought of foolishness declared to be?

"The thought of foolishness is _sin_." Prov. 24:9.

NOTE.-Levity, foolishness, light and loose talking, throw us off our guard, and open the way to temptation and sin. To avoid sin, we must be sober and constantly on guard.

10. Why are sobriety and vigilance especially necessary?

"Be sober, be vigilant; _because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour_." 1 Peter 5:8.

11. What other consideration should lead us to sobriety and watchfulness?

"But _the end of all things is at hand_: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 4:7.

How vain are all things here below!

How false, and yet how fair!

Each pleasure hath its poison, too, And every sweet a snare.

ISAAC WATTS.

Wisdom

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Wisdom Of Solomon. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Ps.

111:10.

1. Why are we told to get wisdom?

"_Wisdom is the princ.i.p.al thing_; therefore get wisdom." Prov. 4:7.

NOTE.-Wisdom implies the ability to judge soundly and deal sagaciously. It is knowledge, with the capacity to make due use of it. One may have abundance of _knowledge_, and at the same time possess little _wisdom_.

2. Of how much value is wisdom?

"She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her." Prov. 3:15.

3. What blessings follow the acquisition of wisdom?

"Exalt her, and she shall _promote thee_: she shall _bring thee to honor_, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head _an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee_." Prov. 4:8, 9.

4. Who gives wisdom?

"For the Lord giveth wisdom." Prov. 2:6.

5. How may it be obtained?

"If any of you lack wisdom, _let him ask of G.o.d_, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; _and it shall be given him_." James 1:5.

6. When Solomon became king, what did he ask the Lord to give him?

"Give me now _wisdom and knowledge_." 2 Chron. 1:10.

7. How did the Lord regard this request?

"And _the speech pleased the Lord_, that Solomon had asked this thing." 1 Kings 3:10.

8. How was Solomon's prayer answered?

"And G.o.d said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; ... _behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart....

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor._" Verses 11-13.

9. Are great men always wise?

"_Great men are not always wise_: neither do the aged understand judgment." Job 32:9.

10. What is the beginning of wisdom?

"_The fear of the Lord_ is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps. 111:10.