Do you make bad choices? Do you buy things that are a waste? Do you eat unhealthy food? Do you think about immoral things? Do you easily get tricked by sales people? Do you make foolish decisions? Do you react without thinking? Do you dress to impress people? Are your hair styles worldly? Are some of your friends ungodly? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you need wisdom!

Transition

This evening we are going to answer three basic questions about wisdom that will get us heading in a wise direction this year.

What is Wisdom?

  1. My definition of wisdom
    1. “Wisdom is the God-given ability to make right choices.”
    2. Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom. A person who lacks wisdom will govern his or her life by foolish decisions.
    3. Note some of the 32 verses in Proverbs that contrast wisdom and foolishness.
      ☆ (Proverbs 10:14) Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
      ☆ (Proverbs 10:23) It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
      ☆ (Proverbs 12:15) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
      ☆ (Proverbs 13:20) He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
      ☆ (Proverbs 14:1) Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
      ☆ (Proverbs 14:16) A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
  2. Wisdom is practical and God-centred
    1. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary states, “The wisdom that the Bible encourages is concerned with the practical affairs of everyday living rather than with philosophical theories.”
    2. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds that wisdom is “a moral rather than an intellectual quality.” In other words, a smart person may not be a wise person.
    3. Wisdom then is God-given prudence or skill; it is a practical understanding of matters relating to this life. It enables a person to make right choices for everyday living in every area of life. Wisdom is practical. It is more than being smart. It bases everyday decisions on the God’s Word rather than on human opinions or logic.
    4. Wisdom can direct our choice of words, actions, and thoughts. It can direct our attitudes and our reactions. It can guide our purchases, our choice of friends, and our entertainment. Wisdom can reveal God’s mind concerning choice of clothing, choice of phone apps, choice of hair styles, and choice of foods we eat. Wisdom can direct right family decisions and solve marriage difficulties. Wisdom can help those who have studied to remember the right answers for a test. Wisdom is practical and applies to every single area of my life and yours.

How Can I Get Wisdom?

  1. Acknowledge the need
    1. Before you will make the effort to get wisdom, you MUST see the need in your life. If you do not know that you need wisdom, you will probably not get wisdom.
    2. You must humble yourself and admit that you need God’s direction to keep from making bad choices.
  2. Identify God as the only source of wisdom
    1. Examine what the Bible says about getting wisdom.
      ☆ (Psalms 111:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
      ☆ (Proverbs 2:6) For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
      ☆ (Proverbs 9:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
      ☆ (Colossians 2:3) In [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
      ☆ (James 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
    2. Again, Bridgeway Bible Dictionary reminds us of three important facts about wisdom.
      1. “The basis of that wisdom, however, is not human cleverness but obedient reverence for God.”
      2. “God is the source of true wisdom and he gives it to those who seek it.”
      3. “This godly wisdom is available to all who are prepared to leave the folly of their self-centred ways and accept it from God.”
  3. Get wisdom from God’s Word source
    1. Spend time in the Bible every day. Be determined to get God’s wisdom.
      ☆ (Proverbs 4:5) Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
    2. Do not just read out of duty. Dig for treasures!
      ☆ (Proverbs 2:1-5)

      1. Look up unknown words.
      2. Read cross references.
      3. Meditate on treasures found.
      4. Make verse cards and work daily at memorizing verses that give wisdom for needs in your life.
    3. Use a notebook or better yet Bible software [theWord, E-sword, Mysword, eSword x] and save your daily principles and study notes.

What Will I Gain by Having Wisdom?

  1. Wisdom will deliver from the way of evil men
    1. Deliverance from perverse speaking (v.12). “Froward” means perverse, improper or immoral. Wisdom will keep you from saying improper words.
    2. Deliverance from wrong paths that lead in ways of darkness (v.13). Many of the paths of the world are not right. They lead to dark sinful activities.
    3. Deliverance from those rejoicing to do evil (v.14). Wisdom will keep you from rejoicing and delighting in evil. Wisdom hates dirty jokes, filthy movies, and ungodly comedy.
    4. Deliverance from those delighting in the perverseness [improper, immoral acts] of the wicked (v.14).
    5. Deliverance from following crooked [twisted] ways and ways that turn aside from what is right (v.15).
  2. Wisdom will deliver from strange women
    In the Bible, the “strange woman” is one that is foreign to you. She is not your woman. It usually refers to an immoral, loose woman.

    1. Deliverance from her flattery (v.16). Her words are smooth and slippery. They lure men into evil.
    2. Deliverance from her unsubmissive lifestyle (v.17). She left the guide of her youth. This may be her father’s protection or it could be her first husband. She now lives an unsubmissive life ruled by her own evil passions. Wisdom will keep you [men and women] from this kind of women.
    3. Deliverance from her rebellion against God (v.17). She forgot or ignored her covenant before God. This may refer to her duty to obey God’s laws or her marriage vows. She lacks morals. She is morally unfaithful. She is rebellious. She promotes woman’s lib.
    4. Deliverance from her destructive end (v.18-19). Note how God describes her end – death, dead, one-way, and missing eternal life.
  3. Wisdom will direct you in a good way
    Those who get wisdom from God can:

    1. Walk in the way of good men (v.20)
    2. Keep on the paths of the righteous (v.20)

Conclusion

The bottom line is that each of us desperately need wisdom. Wisdom is the God-given ability to make right choices. Wisdom is not intelligence. It is dependence on God for guidance. Wisdom comes from God and is found in God’s Word. As you study the Bible and dig for its treasures, you will gain wisdom. However, you must apply God’s wisdom to your daily life. Live wisely! Solomon was the wisest man ever to live, yet much of his life he lived as a fool in pleasures and lusts because he did not apply the wisdom God gave him.

Song:

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Wisdom Needed!
10 January 2016 PM – Proverbs 2:10-20 – Scott Childs