Austin Bible Church
God's Grace System for Gaining Wisdom
The grace apparatus for perception is God's grace system of spiritual comprehension empowered by the filling of God the Holy Spirit where the Holy Spirit controls the soul of the believer. The Holy Spirit’s power enables the believer to understand, learn, and apply the whole realm of Bible doctrine, the Word of God, regardless of the level of human intelligence or education.
Learning the Word and understanding it depends upon who and what Jesus Christ is, not who and what we are. He has provided everything necessary for taking in the Word and converting it to applicable epignosis doctrine or divine wisdom. The grace apparatus for perception was designed by God the Father in eternity past for each of us to grow spiritually and fulfill the plan of God for our lives. This grace system allows the believer to progressively gain in believed spiritual knowledge or divine wisdom which is epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of the soul. Eph. 3:16-19; Job 32:8. See category on the Grace Apparatus for Perception.
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19, NASB)
“"But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.” (Job 32:8, NASB)
In Proverbs 2:1, “receive” is לקח (lâqach) and means to be taken in marriage, to conceive, to be impregnated, to become pregnant. This is a metaphor for positive volition in receiving the Word of God. The word “treasure” means to store up. Bible doctrine is stored up in the right lobe of the soul. For spiritual knowledge or divine wisdom to be stored up and to be of current value, there must be concentration upon it.
“My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you,” (Proverbs 2:1, NASB)
In Proverbs 2:2, the word “attentive” means to cause to attend, to pay attention to, or concentrate on. For divine wisdom to be received, concentrated upon, believed and applied, opportunity for it to reach you must be provided. This comes from several Hebrew words. The word “incline” refers to inclining one’s heart or right lobe of the soul to God’s Word. It means to extend the hand, or the rod, or the scepter.
“Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;” (Proverbs 2:2, NASB)
In Proverbs 2:3, The word “cry” means to call or read aloud, to proclaim. It means to verbally express need for Bible doctrine. An example is the believer attending every Bible class taught at the local church, requesting recordings of past Bible lessons, and printed and electronic doctrinal literature. For divine wisdom to be taken in personally, there must be the mechanics by which that spiritual knowledge is communicated.
“For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;” (Proverbs 2:3, NASB)
Proverbs 2:4 indicates these mechanics or process of learning Bible doctrine is the grace apparatus for perception. “Seek” means seeking to find. There are many ways you can seek something. For example, you can seek to destroy, seek to injure, seek to help, or seek to find. Here the last is in view. The Hebrew word for “search” means to search or dig for. This emphasizes the process by which something is found or taken in. This is the study of the Word of God.
“If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:4-5, NASB)
Just as a vaccine allows your immune system to guard your body from infection from viruses and bacteria, divine wisdom in the soul and the filling of the Holy Spirit will guard your soul. Divine wisdom equips your soul with the application of the Word of God so you can handle the crisis or disaster when it strikes.
The life benefit of Bible doctrine in your soul is seen in Proverbs 2:9 with several words in the Hebrew. “You will discern” is בּין (bı̂yn) and means to know in the mind, to distinguish, to discern, to understand. There are several areas where discernment is very important – righteousness and justice.
“Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.” (Proverbs 2:9, NASB)
In Proverbs 2:9, “righteousness” is צדק (tsedeq) and means what is ethically right. To be ethical as defined by Webster is to conform to professional standards of conduct, or moral values and duties. “Justice” is משׁפּט (mishpâṭ) and means the act of deciding a case by applying the ordinances of written law. This is done by making the proper decisions regarding one’s rights and privileges. It also means that the believer should self-evaluate their own spiritual fitness and their ability to make informed and objective decisions based on the divine wisdom in their soul – the very thinking of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16.
“For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NASB)
One of the practical benefits of epignosis Bible doctrine or divine wisdom in the right lobe of the soul is that the believer will have understanding or discernment as to ethically good and proper decision making.
In Proverbs 2:9, “equity” means uprightness in an ethical sense. The major benefit of epignosis Bible doctrine in the soul is realized in a crisis or disaster. The major impact of doctrine may only have “human values” seemingly when taken in. But, later in the Angelic Conflict, they take on great spiritual vigor in combating the enemy. “Good course” means a good moral course of action in life. Bible doctrine in the right lobe of the soul and the filling of the Holy Spirit assists you in the full utilization of the four divine institutions in your life. See category on Divine Institutions.
In Proverbs 2:10, “pleasant to your soul” means delightful. There will be a full enjoyment and an emotional soul response to Bible doctrine. It will give capacity for life. They will bring their present benefits to the believer, but most of all, they will ward off the potential dangers of sin and involvement with evil.
“For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;” (Proverbs 2:10, NASB)
In Proverbs 2:11, “discretion” means the power of purpose. The purpose laid down by Bible doctrine will be a constant guard to keep you on the correct spiritual course that God intends for your life. “Understanding” is epignosis knowledge not just heard, but understood, believed and being applied. This is divine wisdom being applied to life’s situations.
“Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you,” (Proverbs 2:11, NASB)
In Proverbs 2:12, your purpose and divine wisdom will deliver you. “Deliver” means to snatch away from the evil man. You will be snatched away from the person speaking perverse things. God will deliver you by your purpose and divine wisdom from the perverse speech of others. You will not be sucked in by their speech.
“To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;” (Proverbs 2:12, NASB)
Your guidelines will be a constant purpose that God has planned for your life with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to enable you to think objectively and apply divine wisdom. Divine wisdom in the soul will deliver you from the strange and adulterous woman. It will deliver you from the foreigner or those who oppose God’s plan. Therefore, two obstacles that epignosis Bible doctrine guards the spiritually advancing believer from are evil men and women. Prov. 2:16.
“To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words;” (Proverbs 2:16, NASB)
Benefits of Divine Wisdom
Proverbs 3:1-2 states the benefits of divine wisdom in terms of a long life and peace, health, and prosperity.
“My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.” (Proverbs 3:1-2, NASB)
Proverbs 3:3-4 indicates that within your life on earth, you will have favor and acceptance in the sight of men. This is a grace appreciation, a kindness to you, goodwill to you, and a good response in answering you. Doctrine does not turn you into a freak or a phony. It molds you into a genuine person, free from a facade of self-righteousness.
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4, NASB)
Proverbs 3:5-6 indicates that divine wisdom will have a two-fold influence. It promotes trust in the Lord. It gives a negative attitude to human viewpoint. Bible doctrine in the soul promises God’s direction of the course and fortunes of your life. “Make your paths straight” means to make successful, make smooth or straight, free from obstacles. Paths are the courses and fortunes of life.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB)
Bible doctrine will take you from the babe on to spiritual maturity. In Proverbs 3:7-8, “healing to your body” means Bible doctrine provides sustenance for the whole person. “Bones” means that divine wisdom provides refreshment to one’s whole person.
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones." (Proverbs 3:7-8, NASB)
Proverbs 3:9-10 indicates that Bible doctrine brings personal prosperity. “Honor” in the Hebrew is in the piel of כּבד(kâbad) and means to make honorable, to glorify. “Wealth” is הון (hôn) and means substance, wealth, sufficiency. “First” is ראשׁית (rê'shı̂yth) and means first fruits, the beginnings of one’s increase. “Produce” is תּבוּאה (tebû'âh) and means revenue, products and yields. “Barns” are storehouses. “Filled” means prosperity coming out of the seams. Plenty of good stuff. Luxury as well as necessities, wine vats bursting at the seams. “New wine” as a sign of prosperity and as a valuable product.
"Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, NASB)
Prosperity and giving is related to the Word of God. God’s Word outlines the teaching on giving and receiving. Giving must be kept in its dispensational sphere. Giving must reflect a grace attitude toward God, toward yourself, toward your substance. Blessing and prosperity does not come by the mechanical procedure of giving a tenth, a twentieth or the whole thing, first, second or last. Acts 5 is an example. Blessing and prosperity does not come from great self-denial. 1 Cor. 13:1-3; Col. 2:21-23. See category on Giving.
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NASB)
""Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." (Colossians 2:21-23, NASB)
The believer is told in Proverbs 3:11 to not reject the divine discipline that God brings when out of fellowship. James 4:17 tells us that when the epignosis Bible doctrine in our souls tells us to do a right thing in a certain situation and we refuse to do it, we have sinned.
"My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof," (Proverbs 3:11, NASB)
"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17, NASB)
Divine discipline is real and can be severe. God administers His discipline as proof that He loves us and will correct us as His children as to the correct thinking and behavior. Prov. 3:12.
“For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:12, NASB)
In Proverbs 3:18, “happy” is in the plural and is directly related to the one with epignosis Bible doctrine or divine wisdom in their soul. Both inner and outer happiness are in vogue here.
“She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.” (Proverbs 3:18, NASB)
In Proverbs 3:21-22, “life” means earthly happiness, combined with spiritual blessedness. “Soul” refers to the soul structure, life in the soul toward God. Divine wisdom brings form and appearance to the institution of parenthood. Divine wisdom enables the instruction to take shape, and it brings order in appearance to what has been taught. Grace is form and appearance. “Neck” is used figuratively of instruction by parents as ornaments of the neck. It means that if accepted, sound wisdom and discretion will become a part of you.
“My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.” (Proverbs 3:21-22, NASB)
Wisdom brings stability in life, not vacillation or stumbling. Fear will be removed. Rest will be “sweet” as restlessness will be quenched. Stability replaces the wanderlust. Prov. 3:23-24.
“Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:23-24, NASB)
Divine Wisdom Warns of the Enticement of Criminality
Spiritual knowledge in the right lobe of the believer’s soul forms a warning system for temptation or enticement that very often comes from Satan’s world system surrounds us. The first step in the enticement process is the enticement itself. Someone convincing tries to persuade you to join them in the plan. In Proverbs 1:10, “entice” is פָּתָה (pathah) and is in the piel stem. This is the initial staging ground. The plan and contents of the enticement are to get you involved in the destruction of someone else. The plan of attack is to setup an ambush. Ambushes are usually a relatively safe way to attack someone. You simply catch the other person off guard and hit them when they least expect it. Those enticing you will try to trivialize the dangers and exaggerate the gains of the ambush. They will tell you that the chances of getting caught or hurt are extremely low, almost non-existent. Prov. 1:10-15.
“My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit; We will find all kinds of precious wealth, We will fill our houses with spoil; Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have one purse," My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,” (Proverbs 1:10-15, NASB)
The plan of attack always calls for security. It will all be kept quiet. They will have to convince you that there is no danger in the venture. The plan calls for an appeal of better things in life. The whole gang will split the goods. All will share in the glory, the purse, the blessings.
In Proverbs 1:16, “their feet run to evil” is רַע (ra) and means their feet run to injury, evil, distress, misery, calamity, and adversity. They are greedy for gain by violence. This is their true ruthless character. They will ambush their own lives by what they do. Prov. 1:18-19.
“For their feet run to evil And they hasten to shed blood.” (Proverbs 1:16, NASB)
“But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors.” (Proverbs 1:18-19, NASB)
Divine wisdom from Bible doctrine in the soul should be ringing alarm bells about now. This is a warning of their tactics. Their plan should bring a strong warning from doctrine. There is also a warning in God's divine discipline because of your negative volition. They will be exposed and scorned and you with them. All involved with the plan will suffer severely. Prov. 1:24-25; Prov. 1:26.
“"Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof;” (Proverbs 1:24-25, NASB)
“I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,” (Proverbs 1:26, NASB)
If you go in with them in their plan, you are rejecting the Bible doctrine in your soul. That doctrine will be a reminder to you when you are caught and punished. All involved will have a terrifying fear which will render them unfit for action. This fear will come upon everyone involved like a devastating storm. You will be distressed and full of dread. You will have this severe distress combined with personal pressures. Prov. 1:27.
“When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.” (Proverbs 1:27, NASB)
The cause for the divine discipline is that epignosis Bible doctrine or knowledge was not heeded when the temptation appeared. You went negative to your knowledge of Bible doctrine. In Proverbs 1:29-30, “they hated knowledge” is human hatred for the perception of Bible doctrine. This is rejection of Bible doctrine already understood and believed. They “spurned all my reproof” refers to despising God divine discipline and spurning God’s plan for your life. This is reversionism. See category on Reversionism.
“Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD. "They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof.” (Proverbs 1:29-30, NASB)
There is always blessing and spiritual growth to believers who heed and apply Bible doctrine to a temptation situation. They will be at ease, undisturbed by ill fortune and will be secure with God as their refuge. They will not be terrified and will always be spiritually equipped for action in the Angelic Conflict and in facing life’s challenges and temptations. Prov. 1:33.
“"But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil."” (Proverbs 1:33, NASB)