In his famed story “The Emperor鈥檚 New Clothes,” Hans 国产aa福利ian Andersen sketched a comical view of everyman鈥檚 bent toward foolishness.
In short, the emperor thought he was clothed when, in fact, he was naked, and no one was willing to tell him.
The president of 国产aa福利, Dr. John MacArthur, referenced the story Wednesday night as he opened the first session of the annual Truth and Life Conference at TMU. This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淲alking in Wisdom,鈥 is centered on the book of Proverbs, and MacArthur didn鈥檛 dance around the subject.
鈥淵ou are either a fool or wise,鈥 MacArthur said to a gymnasium packed with students back from winter break. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 know God, you are a fool. If you do know God, you are wise. That鈥檚 the dividing line.鈥
MacArthur led off with a bird’ s-eye view of the theme of the next two days, which will be explored by speakers, including Tom Pennington, who also spoke at last year鈥檚 conference.
The foolish, MacArthur said, are characterized by four primary qualities: First, they reject God. Two, they worship themselves. Three, they mock sin and 鈥渇ail to give any weight to the destructive nature of sin.鈥 And, four, they corrupt each other, propagating their folly and ignorance.
Where, then, does this wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
As Proverbs 1:7 illustrates, wisdom comes from knowing and fearing God.
鈥淭he fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. . . for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck鈥 (Prov. 1:7,9).
Of course, wisdom manifests itself in various ways. Continuing to unpack Proverbs, MacArthur said the wise guard their minds, submit to authority, are selective of their friends, subdue their desires, are faithful to their spouse, watch their words, work hard, manage their money well, and serve others.
Before closing the night in prayer, MacArthur said, 鈥淭his whole effort at wisdom should be going on every day, every hour. Buy up your time so you can walk in wisdom. Wisdom is found with God, nowhere else. That鈥檚 where the quest will take you, to God and to Him alone.鈥
To watch the entire session, go to our .
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