“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” —Colossians 1:9-10 ESV

The New Testament book of Colossians gives us great insight into what wisdom and true growth look like in a believer’s life. Amid false and deceptive teaching creeping into the church, Paul reminds Christians of the nature, supremacy, and character of Jesus. Christ (Colossians 1:15-23 is a great example). The teachings in Colossians are vital when considering the times and the issues at hand.

So, what can the road to wisdom and growth look like?

Pray = Seek

“We have not ceased to pray for you”

Before we seek to accomplish anything, we must first seek God. If we attempt to plan, pursue, or produce outside of the will of God, we are giving God our plans and asking Him to work in the way we see fit. The Godly approach is this: To seek God and then, after earnestly seeking the will of our Heavenly Father, ask He will make His will known to us in His perfect timing.

Plan = Spiritual

“Filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”

Paul’s prayer for the believers in Colossae is one of Godly next steps. What we find in Scripture goes past human knowledge and understanding and into spiritual wisdom and understanding. Francis Chan once said, “Something is wrong when our (believers) lives make sense to unbelievers.” Are your plans filled with the learning of His will? Does this lead you to have a heart for others?

Pursue = Steps

“To walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”

May we walk with Jesus and not run ahead of Him. May we walk in a manner worthy of the image we bear. C.S. Lewis once said, “It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence.” There is no more worthy pursuit than that of Jesus Christ. When we authentically pursue Jesus, the people we encounter will notice and may ask questions. What is your spiritual journey communicating with others?

Produce = Strengthen

“Bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”

Men of faith produce lasting fruit. As we have lasting fruit, we will also increase in our knowledge of God. A.W. Tozer once said, “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.” Right now, the world is in desperate need of good, pure, and holy fruit. What kind of fruit is your life producing for the watching world? We are never more like Jesus than when we produce fruit and sacrificially give.  

PRAY. PLAN. PURSUE. PRODUCE.

May we pray to be filled with His knowledge and wisdom so we can strategically plan and pursue for His glory and, as a result, produce lasting fruit.

“You cannot fulfill God’s purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans.” —Rick Warren