Last week we began a short study on the Wise Man & Virtuous Woman. We studied seven qualities of the wise man found in the book of Proverbs. God does not leave us guessing as to the qualities that we ought to be developing in our lives in order to be godly men and women. Last week we learned that God wants a wise man to: 1) Listen to counsel, 2) Accept correction, 3) Obey orders, 4) Speak healing words, 5) Walk with the wise, 6) Fear God and depart from evil, 7) Share knowledge rightly.
Transition
Men, this evening we are going to study several more qualities of a godly wise man. As we do, let’s ask God to reveal our shortcomings and strengthen us to become the wise man that he want us to be.
He mentors his son in wisdom (5:1-5)
(Proverbs 5:1) “My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:”
- He gives him wisdom and understanding
- Wisdom is the God-given ability to make right choices. He has wisdom and understanding to share.
- He spends time mentoring his son (and daughter): one-on-one, family Bible time, bedtime talks, listening, answering questions, discussing, informing, and teaching.
- He warns him of sensual women
- He teaches him to maintain good judgment and to say “No” to temptation (5:2).
- He clearly identifies the tricks, traps, and doom of sensual women (5:3-5).
He lives his faith (15:24)
(Proverbs 15:24) “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” (Proverbs 13:14) “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
- His way of life is centred on heaven
- His thoughts are focused on things above (Col 3:2). He spends time daily in the Bible and in prayer. He looks for the Lord’s return. He longs to please the Lord in all that he does.
- He is laying up treasures in heaven (Mat 6:19-21) by working to win others to Christ, faithfully serving the Lord, supporting his local church, keeping his thoughts in subjection, and living for God’s glory.
- He points others to the way of life
- By his law or instruction he directors others to heaven.
- He helps others escape death and receive life
- Wise men instruct and direct others toward eternal life to avoid eternal death. He boldly speaks out for the Lord. Silent Christians do no one any good. If you have unsaved friends and you do not talk to them about salvation, you do not truly love them.
☆ (2 Corinthians 4:3) “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” - Wise men instruct and direct others toward a safer life on earth that avoids premature death. He warns his children of the life-threatening dangers of alcohol, drugs, immorality, bad friends, and crime. Men, have you actually warned your children of these? Use the book of Proverbs.
- Wise men instruct and direct others toward eternal life to avoid eternal death. He boldly speaks out for the Lord. Silent Christians do no one any good. If you have unsaved friends and you do not talk to them about salvation, you do not truly love them.
He calms the anger of others (16:14)
(Proverbs 16:14) “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.”
- A wise man calms heated situations
- The human tendency is to attack anger with anger.
- The wise man responds softly to harsh words (Pr 15:1).
- A wise man appeases anger
- He seeks to establish peace.
- He uses God’s wisdom to put out emotional fires (James 3:13-17). Look at these verses carefully.
He is prudent (16:21)
(Proverbs 16:21) “The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.”
- A wise man has a wise heart
- All the issues of life come from the heart (Pr 4:23).
- A man who has a wise heart will be a wise man. Therefore, to be wise, you must develop a wise heart by keeping it free from evil thoughts, etc., (Mark 7:21-22).
- A wise man will fear God and fill his heart with God’s wisdom by carefully studying the Bible (Psa 19:14).
- A wise man has a reputation for prudence
- Prudence is understanding, insight, discernment, and perception. He is careful with his purchases.
- Both the wise man and the fool are known by their words and actions that come from their heart (Luk 6:45).
- Men, what is filling your heart? Is it full of selfishness, pride, ego, materialism, anger, bitterness, lust, greed, or the ways, wisdom, and Word of God? Make no excuses. YOU hold the “scoop” that is filling your heart.
He teaches his mouth and lips (16:23, 29:11)
(Proverbs 16:23) “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.” (Proverbs 29:11) “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
- He teaches his mouth (16:23)
- James tells us that “the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (Jas 3:8) You will never be able to trust your tongue. If you let your tongue off the leash, it will run off, bite others, and get in fights.
- A wise man teaches his mouth. He studies the Bible to see how God would have him to speak. He learns how to calm anger.
- A wise man controls his mouth (29:11)
- He does not say everything that comes to his mind.
- In other words, he thinks before he speaks. After the tension calms, he speaks with wisdom.
He handles problems like a man (21:22)
(Proverbs 21:22) “A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.”
- He ponders and prays before acting
- Men face many problems in marriage, child-rearing, finances, property maintenance, disagreements, and in the workplace. When facing problems, a wise man carefully evaluates, searches the Bible, and seeks counsel.
- He gets his strength and wisdom from the Lord (Jas 1:5).
- He bravely acts like a man.
- He does not ignore his responsibilities.
- He does not dump his duties on his wife.
- Like a man, he addresses the problem and resolves it.
☆ (1 Corinthians 16:13) “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
He is spiritually strong (24:5)
(Proverbs 24:5) “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”
- He has a strong relationship with God
- No man can be truly wise without a strong relationship with God.
- A wise man is a self-motivated Bible student. He disciplines himself to make his time with God a daily priority. He is determined to know the Bible well.
- This is not for the elite Christian man. It is for every Christian man. Any Christian man who will seriously live out James 4:7-10 can have a strong relationship with God.
- A wise man is strong in godly character
- His spiritual life is not up and down like a yo-yo. It is like a marathon runner pushing toward the finish line.
- As a man of godly character, he fears and respects God. He is disciplined, faithful, obedient, prompt, loyal, forgiving, humble, self-controlled, cautious, thrifty, empathetic, dependable, and honest. He is a man of character!
Conclusion
Men, God has high expectations for us, but he never asks us to do things that are impossible. You CAN be a wise man of God if you will put your heart into it. God wants you to 1) Listen to counsel, 2) Accept correction, 3) Obey orders, 4) Speak healing words, 5) Walk with the wise, 6) Fear God and depart from evil, 7) Share knowledge rightly, 8) Mentor your children, 9) Live your faith, 10) Calm anger, 11) Be prudent, 12 Teach your mouth, 13) Handle problems like a man, 14) Be spiritually strong.
With God’s help, you can run the race with patience that is set before you. You can keep the faith!
Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Wise Men & Virtuous Women2
11 January 2015 pm – Proverbs 1:5 – Wise/Virtuous – Scott Childs