2023-10-29: Wisdom and Discernment

https://notes.morcous.com/books/virtues/page/the-virtue-of-discernment-wisdom-he-metropolitan-youssef

Introduction

• Talk about milk vs solid food
• Hebrews 5:14
• What is Wisdom
  • Christ
  • Holy Spirit
  • Gift of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom the Requirement of the Deacon

Heavenly Wisdom vs Earthly Wisdom

• Story of Rebecca
• Example of craftiness - "I just took communion, but I know that we have an agreement in Deacons' Meeting that we don't go out to the water fountains during the Distribution... I see Morcous is standing in the front row today. Okay I'll make a plan - when he takes the little boys in to take communion, I'll sneak behind him to get to the water fountain. What a crafty and cunning plan! So clever!"
• Examples of craftiness - When I use a method to "get ahead" at work or financially that is not edifying for me, or that is hurting someone else. Or making a plan to take an exam a day late so that I can cheat on it or get the answers from someone else. Craftiness.
  

Acquiring Heavenly Wisdom

• Prayer
• Reading Scripture
• Consel
• Learning from the Mistakes of Others
• Reading

Why do I need Wisdom?

• To make good decisions in my life
• Protection from false spirituality
• To deal with crafty people
• To discern when to speak and when to keep silent
• Dealing with others in general