How To Become Wise Series

How to Become Wise

Proverbs 2: 1-22

We all want to be happy. We do not know of anyone who in his right mind would purposely do things which they know will make them unhappy. It is safe to assume that everyone pursues a path which they think will ultimately lead them to happiness.

The fault is not in the pursuit as much as in the object of the pursuit. Many people have a selfish perspective of life – that they exist solely to be happy, and they spend their lives trying to make themselves happy through various avenues of self-gratification. Some people rightly under-stand that happiness is only possible when we are living life according to God’s directions. In other words, if we want to be happy we need to pursue God not self. If your focus in life is on self, you can expect to be extremely miserable. If your life focus is upon God and learning about Him and seeking to please Him, you will be happy.

In Proverbs 2, Solomon gets down on our level and shows us practical steps we can take to become wise. He’s already given the big picture in chapter 1; now he gives details on the proc-ess. Here we’ll find, not just what we need to know, but what we need to do.

Proverbs 2 has a tight logic:

If you listen – 1-4

Then you’ll get started on the path of wisdom – 5

Why? Because God wants to make you wise – 6-8

Then you’ll continue to grow in wisdom – 9

Why? Because wisdom will change you – 10

Result: you’ll make different choices that protect you – 11

(1) From violent men – 12-15

(2) From adulterous women – 16-19

For endurance on the right path – 20-22

What is clear in this passage is that there is a responsibility put upon man to seek after wisdom which will bring about the fear of God . God doesn’t force us to do His will or to obey Him. , but we must choose this day Whom we will serve.

The reader is warned that just as there are great benefits to living in wisdom, there are likewise serious consequences for pursuing the selfish path which is devoid of true wisdom (vv. 20-22).

Therefore those who seek wisdom leads them to true happiness, because it protects them from evil influences which ultimately harm us and cause us shame and sorrow.

Through wisdom, God delivers His own from the wicked influences of men. Being influenced by wicked men means a person is ultimately lead into the very actions of the wicked, which is why Solomon said that wisdom is given “to deliver you from the way of evil.” - 2:12. Falling into the way of evil is the result of being influenced by “the man who speaks perverse things.” To be fooled by the perverse ultimately results in living like the perverse. Wisdom enables a person to identify the wicked and identify their perverse ideas( discretion will protect you - verse 11) God’s Word prepares the mind of the believer so that he is not duped by the wicked philosophies around him.

Furthermore, according to verse 13, wisdom is given to deliver a person “from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness.” This is simply a restatement of the previous verse for emphasis. The wicked (those who are not rightly related to God and there-fore, do wicked things) are those who have left the “paths of righteousness” – they don’t care about living according to that which is right. They forsake God’s way so that they can walk “in the ways of darkness” – ways characterized by sin.

Furthermore, God’s Word gives wisdom so that the believer is protected from those “Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked.” The repetition continues to add emphasis to the seriousness of the issue. The wicked “rejoice in doing evil.” So, it is not that they wicked aren’t happy, they are happy because of evil and perversity. However, such happiness is founded upon ungodliness. Therefore, the happiness they experience blinds them to the ultimate destruction which lies ahead.

Finally, Solomon concluded this section by saying God’s Word functions to protect the wise from those “Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths.” - 2:15. This not only re-states the character of the wicked (crooked), but also reveals the methodology of the wicked (devious). The wicked use deceitful means to trick others into following their wicked schemes. Therefore, God’s Word gives wisdom to protect the wise from the devious ways of those who have forsaken God’s ways which lead to true happiness.

God’s Word, when properly understood and applied, protects the believer from deceitful and wicked influences which threaten to destroy one’s life.