Practical Wisdom of the Bible

This seems to be a subjective issue, as what you will see below may be questionable as to its practicality in life. But if we reflect on this information, it seems all too practical to neglect and should have significant application to all aspects of life.

First seems to be the two Royal Commandments:
Love thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength and to Love thy neighbor as thyself. If we then turn to the Sermon on the Mount, we can get a deeper understanding of how this is to be applied to our life. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus sets the bar higher than ever before, to hate is to kill, to lust is to commit adultery. He elevates the thoughts of the mind to an area of sin, as thoughts are the prelude to physical sin.

In Luke 6 he goes on:
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

It seems obvious that we are meant to think before we act as what type of person we are shall be known by what we say and do. The Bible says, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to wrath." - another jewel.

Paul continually says that the battle is in the mind. It says that we are to think on,"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things." Again, the battle is in the mind.

There seems to be much more practical wisdom in the Bible and above is just the beginning of the list. As the Lord opens my eyes to more realizations, I will add more to the list.

Understanding how "Should You Believe" works

In reading John chapter 5:29, we hear Jesus speaking about the resurrection of life and the final judgement. Again, here I find the question "Should you believe" so much more interesting than "Do You Believe". "Do you believe" belies a question of evidence. "Should you believe" belies a question of wisdom and prudence. One could make a case for the "final judgement" as an extension of the concept that you "Reap what you Sow" taken to its logical conclusion. Put in that context, the answer should be clear for those who think clearly: Yes, I am willing to be held accountable for my actions. Yes, I am willing to put forth my actions, words, and thoughts for all to see. Yes, character truly is what you are in the dark.
So, "Should you believe in the final judgement?" Yes.