Profile of the Wise

This is an outline I created from "Sharper Strokes by Harold Bullock.
You can order the book here: http://www.haroldbullock.com/mat-books.php

without going into too much detail. It's my core belief that life goes better for the person who is wise. Life goes better for the person who lives their life in accordance with the way things really are. My core assumption is that God is true, real and good. This is an assumption. I know of no definate proof logically or scientifically to prove that without a doubt. It is a theological and philosophical assumption that I choose to make. From there, the only question then is; how then am I to live?

Profile of the Wise

1.     Humbly does Good

a.     Fruit and roots

                                               i.     Words

                                              ii.     Deeds – in humility

2.     Practices the word of God

a.     Effort made to live wise

b.     Paying attention to see that manner of life aligns with God

3.     Self-Control

a.     Curbing desires and impulses

b.     Strong and self-mastery over appetites

c.      Controlled Passions

                                               i.     Impulse

1.     Anger – calm, overlook offenses, blesses others and attempts to calm other down.

2.     Recklessness – lacks proper caution and is careless about consequences.

                                              ii.     Appetites

1.     Drink – not give into drunkenness

2.     Food – restraint from gluttony

3.     Sex – thought life and sexual drive channeled within God’s ways. 

                                            iii.     Greed – the eagerness for more. 

d.     Crafted Words

                                               i.     Prudent

1.     Restraint – fewer words

2.     Forethought – consider impact of words

3.     Discretion – cautious reserve over speech

                                              ii.     Pleasant – calm, quiet, gracious and pleasant (agreeable and pleasing)

                                            iii.     Persuasive – emanating from their forethought and pleasantness NOT manipulation

                                            iv.     Profitable – profitable to others, they benefit them

1.     Heal

2.     Change perspective – helps shape more Godly perspective.

3.     Reorient – help people change direction.

e.     Edifying – beneficial to the hearer

4.     Aggressively Submits – follows valid authority.

a.     Heeds instructions – receives and heed directions and commands, especially by a boss who follows Christ.

b.     Thinks creatively – engages mind and forethought to proper timing and procedures for carrying out the leader’s wishes.

c.      Calms the anger of leaders – makes amends for wrong not just forgiveness and DOES NOT repeat the offense.

5.     Learns Aggressively and Appreciatively

a.     Takes Initiative to learn – actively seek, acquire, and retain knowledge

b.     Teachable – When instructed, learn.  When advised, listen.

c.      Appreciative – heeds and loves those who correct.

6.     Gumption – initiative and good sense

a.     Asks the right questions

                                               i.     Doesn’t waste time on useless questions – questions that don’t have real answers.  Questions that are speculative about past or future events.

                                              ii.     Ponders profitable questions – questions that have real answers, usually present focused.  What do I do right now in this situation?  Just, fair, etc…

b.     Lays up resources for the future – while trusting God for daily provision, takes time to lay up resources for the future; like the ants.

                                               i.     Live as though dying tomorrow AND as though living forever.

c.      Takes cover in Danger – look ahead to see danger coming and hide from it.  Accept reality of situation and take appropriate actions.

                                               i.     Takes humility and gumption to accept weakness and to seek sanctuary.  It is not cowardly; it is wise.

d.     Aggressively Cooperates – Values teamwork and voluntarily cooperates; has a spirit of volunteerism.

                                               i.     Fact of life – cooperation is part of the design.  There is no way around it. 

                                              ii.     It’s the preferred way – a person who lives in isolation lives with greater discomforts, exposing self to risk unable to handle alone, multiplies labor and reduces the increased return from team efforts.  Overall decreases chances for success.

                                            iii.     Essential to the body of Christ – no single person possesses all the gifts needed to make the body of Christ fully functional.

e.     Diligent – brings about the accomplishment of goals, sense of satisfaction, rising to leadership, making profit, and gaining wealth.

                                               i.     Develop skill in one’s work which leads to a higher realm of service – such people have kings, not commoners as their clients.

                                              ii.     Steady – Persistent and Consistent

                                            iii.     Earnest – Energetic

                                            iv.     Thorough – Does NOT miss or skip parts of the job.

7.     Strategizes Effectively

a.     Uses proper timing and procedures – knows both how to create an effective plan for achieving goals and an accurate sense of timing as to when to execute the plan.  The result is repeated success.

b.     Produces the Right results – the ability to produce the results intended proves wisdom.

c.      Employs only Godly strategies – choose to achieve goals in manner that is in line with the values and character of God Himself.

8.     Highly Successful

a.     Over time the wisdom of the wise brings recognition, honor, and leadership as well as protection, long healthy life, ability to lead, etc.