Lesson 1: Internal Communication and Seeking Progress
Key scripture: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5 New King James Version, NKJV)
Some people do not understand their own internal gloom or restlessness. Besides, notice at the end of the lesson 1 scripture that God helps the psalmist with His face. The Chinese Union Version Bible (1919) states, “His smiling face.” He had helped the psalmist, and He will do the same for you!
Centering on human thought, we need to communicate with at least two other parts of our lives, namely, our emotions and our bodies. Have you ever eaten something that tasted delicious but made your body sick afterward? Communicating well with yourself includes learning from experiences, noticing early signs of illness, and avoiding your condition from worsening.
Everyone needs God’s wisdom to escape folly and tragedy. “A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.” (Ecclesiastes 4:13)
What things hinder us from receiving wisdom? (Listing four examples only)
1. Escaping your problems. Those who choose the easy path over the difficult one tend to avoid problems. As a result, it is hard for them to find godly wisdom, and they easily live in superficiality. Conversely, believers who choose the difficult path for the faith, as Jesus states (Matthew 7:13-14), often seek strength from Him and possess stronger psycho-spiritual resilience and perseverance to overcome difficulties. A true follower of Jesus must move beyond shallowness to seek divine wisdom.
2. Assuming oneself is wise due to great wealth, which is not the case. “The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.” (Proverbs 28:11) Do not wait until wealth is running out and then realize your lack of real wisdom!
3. Defiled or perverse thoughts. God deals with people according to the state of our hearts. “With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.” (2 Samuel 22:27 NKJV) The Hebrew word for “devious” (’iqqesh) also refers to “twisted, distorted, crooked, perverse, or perverted,” especially distorting the uprightness, goodness, and justice that come from God. Thus, before continuing to learn God’s truth, you may need to change from all your dishonesty and lack of integrity to benefit from this course.
4. Wrong evaluations and stubbornness. We need a positive mindset, staying open and listening to beneficial advice, being willing to adjust our mind and actions, being motivated to progress in faith and life, and uprooting all negative influences wherever we find them.
Finally, Jesus can help you resolve life’s problems. But you must first be humble, center yourself on His Word, and rely on His help. “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” (Luke 8:15)
Discussion questions:
1. Have you ever had the experience of not understanding your own emotions? If so, how will you face this from now on?
2. Do you have tendencies to habitually avoid problems, be stubborn, rely on money, refuse to open your mind, or not seek progress in life? If so, are you willing to resolve these issues? Why?
3. Is your mind pure and upright? If not, do you want to change it?
4. When you face difficulties, have you considered asking for God’s help? If so, what was the experience usually like?
5. Are you willing to obey God’s Word and produce His fruit through you with a good, honest, and enduring heart?
(Please refer to Year 1 “Biblical Faith and Being Saved” and Year 2 Devotionals “Being Wise in Believing Jesus” for more details of this lesson.)