Without the revelation knowledge of God, there would be no foundation for truth. God therefore reveals to us that which is pertinent; so that our understanding, and our relationship with Him can be correct: without controversy and contempt. We build upon the revelation of truth, and stand on the Word of God; so that when He appears, we shall look just like Him. My prayer is that God encourages you and strengthen you, through the keeping power of the Holy Spirit. The Twelve Fruits of the Tree of Life is God's provision for the believer, the child of God. Reading is fuel for the mind. Food is fuel for the body. The Word of God is fuel for the soul. You are what you eat. Each fruit has it's own texture, taste and quality: but all provide the nourishment necessary for the growth of maturity in Him. Fast Foods, convenient foods, and junk foods can never take the place of a good home cooked meal. What God has 'cooked-up' for us not only will sustain us, but will also heal the wounds and scars left behind of our past. Amazing are the benefits when we eat right. This book is designed to allow us to absorb the goodness of God's provision through correct eating-not of natural foods, but of spiritual ("...man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God"). So let us eat to live, and grow in the knowledge of grace, peace and the power of the Holy Ghost. Ernest C. Watson, Jr.-Ordained Preacher of the Gospel of Christ
The Twelve Fruits of the Tree of Life
By ERNEST C. WATSON, JR.AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Ernest C. Watson, Jr.
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4520-4344-9Contents
Chapter 1. The Fruit of Wisdom and Understanding.......................1Chapter 2. The Fruit of Discretion.....................................11Chapter 3. The Fruit of Instruction....................................17Chapter 4. The Fruit of Diligence......................................23Chapter 5. The Meaning of Righteousness................................31Chapter 6. The Fruit of the Mouth of the Righteous.....................39Chapter 7. The Fruit of the Labor of the Righteous.....................49Chapter 8. The Fruit of the Righteous..................................57Chapter 9. The Fruit of the Way of Righteousness.......................65Chapter 10. The Fruit of the Desire of Hope............................73Chapter 11. The Fruit of the Law of the Wise...........................81Chapter 12. The Fruit of the Fear of God...............................89Chapter 13. The Fruit of a Wholesome Tongue............................97
Chapter One
The Fruit of Wisdom and Understanding
Proverbs 3: 13-18- "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her".
Such a precious commodity. Such a valuable asset. Yet many go through life without the benefit of having wisdom and understanding. Many struggle not having the correct response, nor the know-withal to negotiate the course for a safe result. If there has ever been a time in your life where you wished that you would have had the wisdom and understanding concerning a matter, then you needed to eat of this fruit. If there has ever been a time when you didn't know what to do, or even now don't know; then examine the texture of the fruit of wisdom and understanding, and see for yourself and behold the beauty of her. Its' usefulness surpasses imagination, and its' timeliness brings warmth and light. Happy is the description of the soul that finds wisdom and understanding: so seek them out now.
It is written, "wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding". Whatever is principal is first; so let us first examine what wisdom is.
If you look in the very fine and capable Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, you will find that wisdom is described as- the quality of being wise; the faculty of making the best use of knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; sagacity. That is a good description of the character of wisdom; but it does not answer what it is. Wisdom is a spirit. It is one of the seven spirits that are before the throne of God (Isaiah 11: 2). It is given by God and available to anyone who ask for it. It was given by God in times past, and today; for the work to be done in whatever capacity so desired by Him.
God has filled men and women with the spirit of wisdom, stirring-up in their hearts, the ability to know and to make an abundance of things fitted for use. In simple terms: because that God had made all things, His way has been determined by His statues and commandments. An auto-manufacturer produces cars/trucks by combining different systems by design. They are aware of why the different systems act individually as they do. Through understanding, they are aware of how the systems operate, and thus, are made compatible with each other. Through knowledge, they are able to put together a finished product for market. Typically, wisdom answers' the how. Understanding answers' the why. Knowledge answers' the what.
It can be said that man is wise because of the wisdom he has. The wisdom that man has is based upon the nature of his will. There is the wisdom of man. There also is the wisdom of God. God gives what is His, and His wisdom cannot be surpassed. The psalmist said, how manifold are God's works. In wisdom He has made all things: the earth is full of His riches. The Lord gives wisdom: and out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous; and that wisdom is able to hold and sustain all them that walk uprightly (or within the wisdom). We should pray that the Lord teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Also, to make us aware of our moments, so that we shine in the night. Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us; and establish the work of our hands, so that we can magnify the righteousness of His grace. Let us not be scornful, nor have pride with contention-in the which will never find wisdom. But knowledge is easy to him that understands; for the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Job 28:12-28 says, "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not with me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; to make the weight for the winds; and he weighteth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding".
Wisdom is the first voice you hear before you do anything. For those who intercept the hearing of it; success and even great success has been accomplished. For those who do not hear and/or heed to that voice; mis-fortune and even despair has been the result. Through desire man, having separated himself, seeks and inter-meddles with all wisdom. All we need do is ask for it. That still quiet voice will guide. Just turn-off the loud speaker in your mind-called self will-and listen to what is being said. It will speak. It has been sent. This is the way of the Lord. And for those who fear him, it is the beginning of wisdom. When you receive it, it comes with a reward: and the expectation shall not be cut off. Embrace it, and it will not make you ashamed.
The voice of wisdom is a tree of life to all that bow their heads down to do it. There shouldn't be any debate with it. Don't try to compromise it's integrity. The fear of the Lord (which will be discussed later in another chapter) will separate you from all else. (Hating evil will further establish you from the wrong course). Wisdom is precise; because the matter has been searched-out. What a golden opportunity we have to have someone who sees from above all things under heaven; and to know that what is being sent and said, is for our benefit. Always remember, the searcher is God. He has already found-out all things. When we are in the test of life, we can always have the correct answers. It is like having an open-book test: the answers are right there. What better resource than to have someone who knows all things. And to rely on Him, this is true wisdom. When you have been-there; done-that; it is easy to see the course for someone else.. The Lord God has been-there: He is everywhere. He has done-that: He is all knowing, and has rested from all His works. What a great researcher He is.
Wisdom has its foundation built in righteousness. Excellence is its criteria. Circumspect is the rule. It is no wonder that when you are found having wisdom, you are always right. God gives wisdom, and when it comes it has: searched out the circumstances of the situation; prepared a way for its implementation; declared the results of the effects of its' fulfillment; and, accomplished the desire of the will. If any man or woman lack wisdom, just ask of God. He gives wisdom liberally-bountifully generously-and does not upbraid us-puts us to shame nor scold neither chide-when we ask. He wants us to have it. It's a part of Him, and He wants for us His best. The scripture records that "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine (Jesus speaking), and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock ..."
Great consideration has wisdom given to circumstances. The weight of every aspect has been carefully balanced with regard to its outcome. With the aid of knowledge and understanding, wisdom calculates the very best desired results. And the amazing part is: God does all of the work. Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established. The house that the Lord God has built for us is Christ Jesus. He has become our wisdom. His words and deeds have become our standard. All one need to do is examine the life ministry of Jesus and see: the common denominator was the word of God.
The preparation of our ears to hear is the way for the implementation of wisdom to enter our hearts. There has to be a desire for wanting-a desire for needing. A hunger that surpasses the desire for the riches of this world. A crying, if you will, for wisdom; and a yearning for understanding. A passion needing to be filled so that it is equivalent to the searching for of gold and other precious treasures. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled!
Then will you know and understand righteousness, judgment and equity-every good path. Incline your ears to hear. Make hearing and receiving a tendency toward God's word. As it is written, set your affections on things above, and not on things of the earth. In the kitchen, the oven has temperature settings that allow for the desired cooking heat to be applied to the food product, so that the food can be thoroughly cooked. Not under-cooked; not over-cooked. When the oven is set at the right temperature, usually the desired result comes out just right. It takes certain temperature settings for different sorts of meal. You don't want to cook biscuits set at the temperature and length of time you would cook a turkey. Or broil something that should be baked. The same can be said of our affections. We should set our affections on things above, not on things of the earth. We should dial-in, or tune-in our desire gauge, our affection; and set our hearts to know where Christ sits. We should set our hearts to want to feel what He feels; to see what He sees; and to hear what He hears. Sometimes the oven has to be pre-heated for certain items to be placed in it. This suggest that we should be ready, at any moment, to visit the presence of God, and accept His visitation, when the time arises for our hearing.
We do have times when we are faced with obstacles and hindering factors, and don't know what to do about them. Solomon in the bible was just like that. He had inherited a kingdom, and being young, didn't know how to judge the people rightly. He understood the challenge of being king and the enormity of the task of being the leader, and asked God for wisdom to go in and out among the people. God gave him great wisdom, so-much-so that people came from afar to hear the words which came out of his mouth.
One day a case was brought before Solomon, whereby the use of wisdom was exercised, and a righteous end was accomplished. There came two women that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. The one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together: there was no stranger with us in the house. And this woman's child died in the night; because she had laid on top of him. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I arose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
And the other woman said, nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. Then the first said, no; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. And the king said, bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king; for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. Then the king answered and said, give to her who asked to spare the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. And all of the people heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. This is a crude example; nevertheless, a good and simple example it is.
Solomon, having the wisdom of God is what all of the people noticed. That is what people will notice about you too! Remember: Solomon asked God for wisdom; and God gave wisdom to Solomon abundantly. That wisdom transferred from God to the mouth of Solomon. Jesus said himself that the queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with certain people of his time because that she traveled from a far distance to hear the words of Solomon; and behold, a greater one than Solomon was among them. The invitation to hear is constant. And "he that have hears to hear, let him hear".
Like fruit that has been genetically spliced together, understanding has been coupled with wisdom in this fruit of the tree of life. Having the knowledge of why is of upmost importance. Ask the heart, why do you sing. It will answer: I sing because I'm happy. Paul admonished, when you sing with the spirit, sing with the understanding also. When you pray with the spirit, pray with the understanding also. Just knowing how to sing is one thing. It is wonderful that it can be done. But when you sing, and know in your heart the depth of what is being sung, you add the reflection of the character of understanding.
Understanding has certain ingredients that make it unique. Counsel and wisdom are the main ingredients. Hearing, which is a common spiritual ingredient, is one. Receiving, which is an enpowering spiritual ingredient, is another. Keeping, or holding onto, is another. Finally, doing, is the spiritual ingredient that binds them all together.
In order for understanding to operate proficiently, one must hear deeply, or hearken, to what has been said. Merely hearing is not enough. To hear simply means a sound has been detected; a command has been heard. A voice has sounded, and the ears have received the vibrations thereof. But simply hearing does not enlist the response necessary to that which has been said. Hearkening does. Hearkening goes a step further.
Hearkening enlist a careful consideration of the matter, with the intent to respond. Jesus said, "he that has an ear to hear, let him hear". This means, if you're listening to what I am saying, then do something about it, or, let it be done in you. The hearing of what is said should develop a response in you. Hearing then is the ability to receive the voice of what has been said, and having the mind to apply it to that which it is appropriate. Have you ever had the occasion to say to a friend, or to your spouse, or to your child, "didn't you hear what I said"? Then you know what I mean. You told someone something, and they didn't do it. They didn't do it, not because they didn't hear with the ears, but they didn't hear with the heart. There was no intention to respond to that which had been said. However, it is written, "take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given {that is: that which has been said along with the completion, or the end of that which has been said, will be given}; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have {that is: that which was said and not taken seriously, the same will be taken away, and no accomplishment will be found of what has been said}". An action should be the result of hearing.
Receiving is the next mechanism on the conveyor system of understanding. Receiving accepts what has been said, and readies it for the keeping and doing. In football, a receiver is the one who the quarterback throws the ball to. It is the receivers' job to, not only catch the ball, but to catch it and possibly run as far as he can with it. But before he can run with the ball, he must first catch it. Many a receiver have dropped the ball, or fumbled the ball, or just plain missed catching the ball, trying to run before they catch the ball. Do you hear what I am saying? Do you understand? If we haven't caughton to what has been said, and try to run without the ball (counsel and wisdom), we won't get anywhere. If we dropped counsel and wisdom, or fumbled the same, we won't get anywhere. A coach wants a good receiver to catch the ball, and run with as far as he can go, even to the goal post. The Lord wants his child to hear the word, and run with it as far as he can go, even from faith to faith; and from glory to glory. So, catching onto, or receiving is vital to understanding. Receiving puts you in position to run, or show what is inside you. It puts you in position to be en-powered.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Twelve Fruits of the Tree of Lifeby ERNEST C. WATSON, JR. Copyright © 2010 by Ernest C. Watson, Jr.. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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