Foolish Verse Wise Series

ii. So if you want wisdom you need Jesus.

c. Wisdom defined:

i. Definitions might include these:

1. It seems that the real essence of wisdom is it’s spiritual, why because life is more than just living by a set of rules and being rewarded in some physical manner.

2. Undoubtedly, in this definition of wisdom it has to come from God (Prov. 2:6). Thus, though it will involve observation and instruction, it really begins with God and one’s faith in Him as Lord and Savior (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28) from Holman Bible Dictionary

d. Our Scripture Text

i. Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

ii. Proverbs 1:22-33:

1. 22 “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.

24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.

29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,

30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

iii. Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

iv. Psalm 111:10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

e. Video Illustration: Albert Einstein-Search for faith from Blue Fish TV

i. Quote: If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.-- Vance Havner

ii. Einstein would have been considered a very wise man of the world.

1. His one quote, “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”

2. Our teacher in our video clip made a good case for what wisdom is and isn’t and Einstein even though very smart never found true wisdom and in the end died without it. The reality check we all need to hear is "Wisdom is not manmade it is God given."

a. Did you hear that, Michael McCartney said, “Wisdom is not manmade it is God given!”

f. Proverbs 12: 1-28: What are the characteristics of a wise man according to Proverbs 12? The following is adapted from http://bibleseo.com/old-testament/proverbs-12-christian-wisdom

i. A wise person is Teachable