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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Shrewdness (03/07/05)
Shrewdness has a somewhat negative connotation to the sound of it...yet, I believe that it’s exactly what a believer in Christ needs to possess, in order to be effective for the Kingdom of God. One of the definitions to this word is: marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen (keen insight). Pulling from this definition, we can look at three particular points that will make us effective Christians:
cleverness
discernment
awareness

Cleverness...
A clever Christian is a resourceful person. It’s a Christian who depends upon the wisdom of God. If we try to conjure up our own ingenuity, we are going to fall flat on our faces. But when we seek the wisdom of God, we find blessings upon blessings. Read throughout the Book of Proverbs how crucial it is that we walk in His wisdom. Being clever, or wise in His ways, is demonstrating shrewdness.

Discernment...
There is nothing more dangerous to your own soul than a lack of discernment. We have to be able to discern what is going on in our lives. Not that we will always have the answers or be able to figure everything out. If we were, there would be little need for God. However, we also cannot walk around having no clue as to what is going on and what God may be trying to teach us. Discernment goes beyond the testing of spirits, it reaches to the very depths of our everyday life and what we do with it. This is shrewdness being lived out.

Awareness...
To be aware, we must be able to outwit the enemy of our souls. We know that the Word tells us that the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), so that means we must be aware or alert about his ways. In other words, our defenses can never be down. Often, we find that when life is flowing along smoothly, we may begin to let down our guard. But that is exactly when the enemy will try to come in and attack. So it’s crucial that we are always aware of what is going on and recognize any attacks that may be coming from him. This is shrewdness.

A shrewd Christian is a clever, discerning, aware child of God. We have all we need at our disposal to be effective in the Kingdom of God.
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This article has been read 834 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Leticia Caroccio
03/14/05
There is a great sermon or bible study in here. Very informative. Nicely done.
donna robinson
03/17/05
In just a few short paragraphs you described the topic perfectly. I want to go back and reread this later, give myself time to think about this. The last one just registered completely with me.
Delores Baber
03/18/05
You give a very profound description of shrewdness and it's importance. The lord rebuked his followers gently in Luke 16:8 because he said, 'The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. You've just reminded us of why we need to ask for the gift of shrewdness. Good job.