Wisdom Starts at Home

(Proverbs 9:12 KJV)  If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

This almost seems to be saying that wisdom is selfish or narcissistic.  Taking care of yourself is not just self serving.  If done properly it can be laying the foundation for being a good influence.

Take the teaching of Jesus on the greatest commandment.  After telling us to love God with all we have He goes one more step and quotes the Old Testament.

(Leviticus 19:18 KJV)  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Notice the qualification.  You are to love as you love yourself.  That cannot be done properly unless your self love is based in wisdom.

Or take Paul’s teaching about marriage.

(Ephesians 5:28 KJV)  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Notice the standard.  Notice that in both cases it requires, or assumes, that we are starting from a healthy self image.  That self image is to be rooted in a life transformed by the power of God.  It is to be based on the values taught in the wisdom of God.

So?  Get right with yourself.  You cannot do that without the power of God.  Tap in.