Wisdom Proceeds from God
The Eternal God answers: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Prov. 9:10). Apart from the knowledge of the Creator, deep and lasting wisdom is impossible. In the knowledge of moneymaking, social status and purely material things, Jesus said: "The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light" (Luke 16:8). But in the BIG decisions that involve the OUTCOME of human lives, nations and the entire human race, only those who deeply respect and reverence the great God of Creation and understand His PURPOSE possess real wisdom.
"For the Lord giveth WISDOM: and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6). Remember God's promise in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
So ASK God, in believing faith, for wisdom. Then STUDY the Word of God — especially the book of Proverbs — for the examples of wisdom in God's own revelation to man. Also, read and study the lives of great and successful men for some of the keys to wisdom.
For God says: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise" (Prov. 13:20). Everyone cannot be the personal friend and confidant of men like Sir Winston Churchill, but everyone can read the examples of wisdom from their lives and in this way "walk with" and learn from these great men.
Seek to learn not only wisdom, but RESOURCEFULNESS — the capacity to solve emergencies, to come up with wise alternatives when trouble has upset a going plan or operation. Along with wisdom, seek to exercise resourcefulness in your daily lives. For it will grow with habitual use.
Do all of this to grow in wisdom and resourcefulness.
Then, when a particular problem arises, always be sure to get all of the pertinent facts involving a decision. Next, be sure that you get wise counsel — not just from those who necessarily reflect your own opinions — but from a number of others who understand the subject you are concerned with and will independently give you well-considered advice.
Not only to be a KING someday, but in our day-to-day lives all of us need more wisdom and resourcefulness to be truly happy and successful. Start now to build these vital qualities into your life!
V. Faith, Hope and Courage
A positive frame of mind — coupled with faith and courage — is what often "separates the men from the boys" in times of trial and test. A truly great leader MUST possess these qualities.
Yet, we live in an age of compromise and expediency. We live in an age when men whine and moan around about the dangers in the world — and are afraid to Act resolutely when a crisis comes. More, we live in an age when men are "not sure" of God's existence, "not sure" whether they should be completely loyal to their country, not sure, in fact, of ANYTHING. As stated earlier, too many "educated" FOOLS are creeping and whimpering about the countryside!
In this sickening situation a person has no basis for faith or courage! Thank God, then, that this kind of society is soon coming to an END.
For the kind of real MAN God intends to use in governing this world is typified by King David of Israel. Remember that even before he became king, David exemplified faith and courage to a high degree.
When David, as a very young man, was challenged about his ability to fight the giant Goliath, notice his answer: "Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God" (I Sam. 17:36). David had learned to have confidence and courage. But he also had FAITH in the LIVING God and His willingness to intervene in behalf of those who served and obeyed Him.
As young David strode out across that valley toward a cursing, raging, experienced GIANT of a warrior, he had to have raw guts to do his part. And he had to KNOW that the Creator God of his fathers would intervene and help!
Men who are always fearful and worried are not fit to be leaders and KINGS. For they will be utterly unable to inspire others or command their respect.
They will be afraid to make the hard decisions, afraid to take swift ACTION when it is necessary. In addition, their effectiveness is doubly impaired, for their fears and worries will bring on ulcers, high blood pressure and perhaps even a heart attack or mental breakdown!
Note what God's Word says: "But the FEARFUL, and UNBELIEVING . . . shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8).
So think positive thoughts! Set yourself to develop an attitude of courage and confidence! Set out to PROVE the existence of the true and Living God! [Write immediately for our free booklet, Does God Exist? and the article, Seven Proofs God Exists.]
Learn WHY you are here, WHERE you are going and WHAT LIFE is really all about. Don't be an intellectual or spiritual coward! Have a reason for BEING — something worth living for and, if need be, worth dying for!
Heed God's instruction: "The fear of man brings a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe" (Prov. 29:25). Quit worrying so much about what people think or say! Seek and OBEY the Creator God. In all things, prove what is true and right. Then, with God's help, think and act courageously and let the world know that you STAND for something!
VI. Mental Discipline and Persistence
There are many intelligent and capable people who seem to make a success — for a little while. Then, inexplicably, they suddenly give up and quit when only a minor trial confronts them. Or, they suddenly let their feelings and passions dominate them and begin to throw away their short-lived "success" in the pursuit of drunkenness, dope, sexual conquest or some other human weakness.
They have not learned to DISCIPLINE THEMSELVES!
In our society, dominated by the "permissive psychology" in its child-rearing methods and educational processes, this lack of self discipline has become a GIGANTIC problem. With youngsters under eighteen years of age accounting for a major segment of many types of crimes, with drunkenness, dope addiction and the incidence of venereal disease becoming great physical and mental "cripplers" in our Western world, we need to learn the vital importance of SELF-DISCIPLINE.
The Word of God says: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that RULETH his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Prov. 16:32). Every lastingly successful person is one who has learned to guide, direct and MASTER his thoughts and emotions. He has learned to say "No!" to himself on many, many occasions.
Referring to the national need for self-discipline, Bernard Baruch — "the counselor of Presidents" — wrote: "The greatest blessing of our democracy is freedom. But in the last analysis, our only freedom is the freedom to DISCIPLINE OURSELVES.
Apply this to yourself!
Build Right Mental Habits
Develop the HABIT Of ruling over your thoughts and emotions. Discipline yourself to get up on time in the morning, to get to work on time, to work hard and grow on the job. Direct your thoughts into constructive channels — NOT permitting yourself to dwell on hurt feeling or lusts. Purposefully guard your mind so that these negative and destructive thoughts do not even find a place of lodgment. Also, avoid idle and purposeless "daydreams" which usually engender lusts, vanities, foolishness and are a childish form of escape from REALITY.
Train yourself to avoid discouragement and to FINISH whatever worthwhile project you have begun. God says: "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Prov. 24:10). Don't be a "quitter." Train and discipline your mind and body to keep on to the end.
So discipline your mind and your moods. Guard the door of your mind against negative, vain or lustful thoughts. Don't allow yourself to sit around moping, to feel sorry for yourself, or to give up and quit anything worthwhile.
Rather, direct your mind and emotions into positive channels — into productivity and ACCOMPLISHMENT. Have an attitude of outgoing concern for others, of giving and serving and KEEPING ON to the end. Then you will be truly happy and, at least in some degree, a LEADER both now and in your ultimate future!
VII. Loyalty and Service
One of the most important qualities any nation, group or organization looks for in its leaders is absolute LOYALTY. For if a man cannot be completely relied upon — then ALL of his other good qualities are negated.
To the very end of His physical life, Jesus Christ was totally loyal to God the Father — even unto DEATH. He never argued or questioned His Father's will. He said: "Not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).
The main thing that caused God to promise Abraham and his heirs the ultimate possession of this entire earth was his complete faithfulness and LOYALTY to God. When Abraham had demonstrated his willingness even to sacrifice his own son — his only legitimate son, the very son through whom the tremendous birthright promise would have to come — God blessed him. God said: "By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for BECAUSE THOU HAST DONE THIS THING, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will BLESS THEE, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies" (Gen. 22:16-17).
God gave this tremendous blessing BECAUSE Abraham was faithful and LOYAL to the utmost!
So develop this sense of absolute loyalty to God, to your nation, to your employer, to your husband or wife, your children and family. Then, along with it, develop an attitude of SERVICE.
At the beginning of this article, I quoted the scripture: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philip. 2:5). Christ exemplified the spirit of service. He GAVE His life for us. He was constantly giving help, encouragement, blessings, healings, and real LOVE to others throughout His physical life.
Notice verses 6-9 of the above Scriptural passage. Although Jesus was equal with God, and had been very God, He "emptied Himself" as the original Greek should be translated, "and took upon him the form of a SERVANT, and was made in the likeness of men." Even though Jesus had shared the GLORY OF God, even though it was His voice that had said: "Let there be light," when God reformed the earth at the time of Adam, Jesus was more than willing to give that up in order to SERVE the lowly human beings He himself had helped to create (Eph. 3:9).
What about you?
Are you not only loyal to God, to your family and others — but do you have an outgoing concern for them? Do you have the spirit of giving, of sharing, of SERVING?
Jesus said: "It is more blessed to GIVE than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
Learn to GIVE of yourself to others — in service, in warmth and encouragement and in your TOTAL PERSONALITY. In this way, you will find that what Jesus Christ said is not just an idea, but a living law that WORKS. For it is more blessed to give than to receive!
Getting the mind OFF of one's self, and onto serving others — and most of all serving the Eternal God — that is THE WAY to lasting joy, peace of mind and true success.
With the daily practice of alertness and discernment, with the acquiring of right education and knowledge, the cultivation of understanding, vision and BIG mindedness, the exercise and development of wisdom and resourcefulness, faith and courage, mental discipline and persistence, you will be well on your way to building the mind of a great leader — a KING. With the additional qualities of total LOYALTY, and the spirit of GIVING and unselfish SERVICE to God and fellowman, your horizons 'will be even broader!
You will be building a mind LIKE God, your Creator. You will be building an instrument of SERVICE — both now and forever. You will be exercising seven basic "keys" to building and mastering what is undoubtedly the greatest physical thing God has created, the human mind. In all this, you will be GLORIFYING your Creator. And you will have a sense of deep fulfillment.
Now it's up to you! Do your part, and be sure to read next month's vital article in this series on the "keys" to building dynamic health.