BIBLICAL WISDOM
The Bible is the Word of God, and therefore a source of God’s wisdom through reading its verses. Reading the Bible can provide spiritual wisdom to many, which is necessary for their spiritual growth in order to understand and appreciate God’s wisdom.
Seek God
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29: 13)
How the TAO May Help
Lao Tzu believes the desire to seek the wisdom of the Creator begins with self-discovery: understanding true human nature.
“The ancient prophets follow the Way to the Creator,
the Way to re-discover our true nature,
which is being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
“Living is but an expression of the life given by the Creator.
Our true nature is a reflection of that expression.
Those who are with the Creator, the Creator is also with them.”
(Chapter 23, Tao Te Ching)
Knowing the origin and the nature of things, we may begin to perceive the purpose-driven life God has created for each and every one of us.
“Seemingly intangible, and seemingly elusive,
the Way leads to the origin of all things,
both visible and invisible.
Since the beginning of the beginning, this has been the Way
to the life force of all things,
both past and present.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
Therefore, Lao Tzu urges us to remain faithful to our true nature.
“So, whatever we do, we do not abandon our true nature.
The world around us is riddled with worries and distractions.
We remain stable, steady, and steadfast.
We do not let ourselves be blown to and fro.
Otherwise, we lose touch with who we really are;
or worse, who the Creator is.”
(Chapter 26, Tao Te Ching)
“Separating from our true nature,
we struggle with forms and functions
Returning to our true nature,
we find ourselves being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 28, Tao Te Ching)
Biblical Knowledge
God’s wisdom is freely available to all through the Bible, and the Holy Spirit is within all of us to reveal its wisdom to us.
How the TAO May Help
According to Lao Tzu, the wisdom of the Creator is available to all just for the asking.
“Heavenly grace is like a well of water,
free to all, just for the asking.
It is inexhaustible: the bounty of eternal life. . . . .
It is hidden, but forever present.
It is inconceivable and intangible.
It comes from the Creator, the origin of all things.”
(Chapter 4, Tao Te Ching)
Seeking the wisdom of the Creator begins with our own humility in knowing our ignorance.
“Knowing that we do not know,
we pursue its wisdom:
knowing its origin,
knowing its ending,
and knowing our true nature.”
(Chapter 71, Tao Te Ching)
With humility, seeking Biblical knowledge then becomes pure and simple.
“The ancient prophets used simple ways
to teach the Way to the Creator.
Those, who think they know, know not the Way.
Those, who think they know not, find the Way.”
(Chapter 65, Tao Te Ching)
“The Way to the Creator is pure and simple.
If the Way were interfering and complicated,
it would be painful and difficult to follow. . . . .
To follow the Way,
we need principles,
but without imposing on others;
we need honesty,
but without being unkind to others;
we need consistency,
but without taking advantage of others.
We set an example for others
to follow the Way to the Creator.”
(Chapter 58, Tao Te Ching)
Once we find the Way, we may continue to follow the Way to seeking greater Biblical knowledge.
“Finding the Way,
we know the nature of things;
we see the comings and goings of things.
Following the Way,
we discover the treasures within;
we simplify the trappings without.
So, we continue the Way with inner joy.”
(Chapter 70, Tao Te Ching)
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Seek God
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29: 13)
How the TAO May Help
Lao Tzu believes the desire to seek the wisdom of the Creator begins with self-discovery: understanding true human nature.
“The ancient prophets follow the Way to the Creator,
the Way to re-discover our true nature,
which is being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
“Living is but an expression of the life given by the Creator.
Our true nature is a reflection of that expression.
Those who are with the Creator, the Creator is also with them.”
(Chapter 23, Tao Te Ching)
Knowing the origin and the nature of things, we may begin to perceive the purpose-driven life God has created for each and every one of us.
“Seemingly intangible, and seemingly elusive,
the Way leads to the origin of all things,
both visible and invisible.
Since the beginning of the beginning, this has been the Way
to the life force of all things,
both past and present.”
(Chapter 21, Tao Te Ching)
Therefore, Lao Tzu urges us to remain faithful to our true nature.
“So, whatever we do, we do not abandon our true nature.
The world around us is riddled with worries and distractions.
We remain stable, steady, and steadfast.
We do not let ourselves be blown to and fro.
Otherwise, we lose touch with who we really are;
or worse, who the Creator is.”
(Chapter 26, Tao Te Ching)
“Separating from our true nature,
we struggle with forms and functions
Returning to our true nature,
we find ourselves being one with the Creator.”
(Chapter 28, Tao Te Ching)
Biblical Knowledge
God’s wisdom is freely available to all through the Bible, and the Holy Spirit is within all of us to reveal its wisdom to us.
How the TAO May Help
According to Lao Tzu, the wisdom of the Creator is available to all just for the asking.
“Heavenly grace is like a well of water,
free to all, just for the asking.
It is inexhaustible: the bounty of eternal life. . . . .
It is hidden, but forever present.
It is inconceivable and intangible.
It comes from the Creator, the origin of all things.”
(Chapter 4, Tao Te Ching)
Seeking the wisdom of the Creator begins with our own humility in knowing our ignorance.
“Knowing that we do not know,
we pursue its wisdom:
knowing its origin,
knowing its ending,
and knowing our true nature.”
(Chapter 71, Tao Te Ching)
With humility, seeking Biblical knowledge then becomes pure and simple.
“The ancient prophets used simple ways
to teach the Way to the Creator.
Those, who think they know, know not the Way.
Those, who think they know not, find the Way.”
(Chapter 65, Tao Te Ching)
“The Way to the Creator is pure and simple.
If the Way were interfering and complicated,
it would be painful and difficult to follow. . . . .
To follow the Way,
we need principles,
but without imposing on others;
we need honesty,
but without being unkind to others;
we need consistency,
but without taking advantage of others.
We set an example for others
to follow the Way to the Creator.”
(Chapter 58, Tao Te Ching)
Once we find the Way, we may continue to follow the Way to seeking greater Biblical knowledge.
“Finding the Way,
we know the nature of things;
we see the comings and goings of things.
Following the Way,
we discover the treasures within;
we simplify the trappings without.
So, we continue the Way with inner joy.”
(Chapter 70, Tao Te Ching)
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
The Role of Human Wisdom in Pursuing Biblical Wisdom
To understand any wisdom, we need to understand ourselves first, and that requires human wisdom:
“Knowing others is intelligence.
Knowing ourselves is true wisdom.
Overcoming others is strength.
Overcoming ourselves is true power.”
(Chapter 33, Tao Te Ching)
Human wisdom is the groundwork through which we get to know who we are, and what we need. Understanding self helps us understand the nature of all things. Understanding the natural laws of this world helps us understand our difficulties and frustrations in life. Human sufferings and ordeals in life are often stumbling blocks along the pathway to understanding spiritual wisdom. Many of us often find ourselves asking the questions: Why me? If there is God, how come these things happened? Where is God?
“We need a still and composed mind
to see things with greater clarity.
Because trouble begins in the mind
with small and unrelated thoughts.
So, we carefully watch the mind
to stop any trouble before it begins.”
(Chapter 64, Tao Te Ching)
Without human wisdom, the Word of God alone would be unintelligible to many, just as those seeds falling on the wayside and becoming unfruitful in Jesus’ parable of sowing seeds.
“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
(Matthew 13: 19-22)
Despite the exposure to Biblical wisdom, many would, indeed, fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah:
“In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’”
(Matthew 13: 14-15)
In addition, man has developed the conditioned thinking of resistance to change: most of us prefer to remain in our comfort zones. As a result, many not only are biased against, but also have strong resistance to, reading the Bible, thinking that the Bible would make them drastically change their lifestyles, requiring them to relinquish the things they cling to dearly in their lives. Due to this pre-conditioned thinking and inherent resistance to change, they walk away from the pathway to spiritual wisdom.
According to Lao Tzu, we never need consciously to change ourselves, let alone others.
“So, follow the Way.
Stop striving to change ourselves: we are naturally changing;”
(Chapter 57, Tao Te Ching)
Instead, we harmonize with everyone and everything around us. We never convince others that we are right and they are wrong; instead, we embrace the right and the wrong, and we learn from them. We do not follow our conditioned minds; instead, we keep an open mind, following the nature of things.
“So, we no longer argue with those who are cynical.
We stop looking for their approval.
We cease taking offense at their unbelief.
We just sow the seeds along the Way,
letting the Creator reap the harvest.”
(Chapter 56, Tao Te Ching)
To understand any wisdom, we need to understand ourselves first, and that requires human wisdom:
“Knowing others is intelligence.
Knowing ourselves is true wisdom.
Overcoming others is strength.
Overcoming ourselves is true power.”
(Chapter 33, Tao Te Ching)
Human wisdom is the groundwork through which we get to know who we are, and what we need. Understanding self helps us understand the nature of all things. Understanding the natural laws of this world helps us understand our difficulties and frustrations in life. Human sufferings and ordeals in life are often stumbling blocks along the pathway to understanding spiritual wisdom. Many of us often find ourselves asking the questions: Why me? If there is God, how come these things happened? Where is God?
“We need a still and composed mind
to see things with greater clarity.
Because trouble begins in the mind
with small and unrelated thoughts.
So, we carefully watch the mind
to stop any trouble before it begins.”
(Chapter 64, Tao Te Ching)
Without human wisdom, the Word of God alone would be unintelligible to many, just as those seeds falling on the wayside and becoming unfruitful in Jesus’ parable of sowing seeds.
“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
(Matthew 13: 19-22)
Despite the exposure to Biblical wisdom, many would, indeed, fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah:
“In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’”
(Matthew 13: 14-15)
In addition, man has developed the conditioned thinking of resistance to change: most of us prefer to remain in our comfort zones. As a result, many not only are biased against, but also have strong resistance to, reading the Bible, thinking that the Bible would make them drastically change their lifestyles, requiring them to relinquish the things they cling to dearly in their lives. Due to this pre-conditioned thinking and inherent resistance to change, they walk away from the pathway to spiritual wisdom.
According to Lao Tzu, we never need consciously to change ourselves, let alone others.
“So, follow the Way.
Stop striving to change ourselves: we are naturally changing;”
(Chapter 57, Tao Te Ching)
Instead, we harmonize with everyone and everything around us. We never convince others that we are right and they are wrong; instead, we embrace the right and the wrong, and we learn from them. We do not follow our conditioned minds; instead, we keep an open mind, following the nature of things.
“So, we no longer argue with those who are cynical.
We stop looking for their approval.
We cease taking offense at their unbelief.
We just sow the seeds along the Way,
letting the Creator reap the harvest.”
(Chapter 56, Tao Te Ching)
