Godly Wisdom
Proverbs 1and 2
Introduction-
Well good morning everyone, it is good to be with you.
I am going to ask you to put your thinking cap on right away this morning-
Time is an indicator. (Watch gives us immediate time)It gives us a measure of how long we can do something.
Even if we are not on a time frame, we are on a time frame.
Here’s what I mean; you may think you have forever to do something but you don’t.
The time frame for everything you do on this earth is limited by the time that you are on this earth because it will not be forever.
Time has a way of standing still when things are not moving as fast as we would like. (Bored, not doing something you like), and time seems to fly when we are having a good time (fun) and staying busy. (Productive).
To me, Time is best used when it is used for an intended purpose- it gives us purpose.
Don’t get me wrong- chilling is something to do, as long as it is not forever.
We have an appointed time on this earth. To be good stewards of our time, we have to use it wisely.
Solomon who I believe is the smartest person to ever live was spoken to by God in a dream.
1 Kings 3:7- “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Ask for whatever you want! What would you ask God for?
If God handed you a blank piece of paper and said fill this in, what would it be?
What would you pray for?
Would you even consider asking God what He would want you to do?
A man had this on his tee shirt - “Lord let me prove to you that winning the lottery won’t ruin me.”
Everyone thinks they are the smartest tool in the shed, but where are you going to get your wisdom from to make your decisions.
Let’s see what Solomon says to us but first let’s have a word of prayer.
Prayer-
Father, we live between the dashes. We only have as long as we have breath in this life to make good decisions that affect our eternity and how well we used the time you have given us. Help us today to be good stewards of time and above all else Lord, help us to have the wisdom of Solomon when it gives to how we value wisdom.
May you speak to each of us this morning in Jesus Name! Amen.
Read Proverbs 1:1-7 Solomon’s theme and purpose for writing Proverbs
We see from the words of Solomon that the purpose and theme for his writing to the people was that they might gain understanding from God’s wisdom and guidance and understand that those who reject Godly wisdom are considered fools.
Wisdom is gained from God’s instructions and heartache is brought on by being a fool.
There are two kinds of people in God’s eyes.
The Wise who follow the Word of God and His principals.
Those who would accept Jesus Christ as Lord and live by the principals laid down for God’s people.
Those who would live a life pleasing and productive for the Lord.
The Foolish who follow their own ways even if they go against the things of God
Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord
Those who despise Godly wisdom
In between the wise and the foolish are millions of people-
Some sold out for God and some who could care less- God has a word for each of us this morning!
There has to be a searching for God’s Word on issues in our life and the way we live our lives.
Proverbs 2:1-15 Passion Translation
“My child, will you treasure my wisdom? Then, and only then, will you acquire it. And only if you accept my advice and hide it within will you succeed. So train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment-then pass it on to your sons and daughters. Yes, cry out for comprehension and intercede for insight. For if you keep seeking it like a man would seek for sterling silver, then you will discover the fear of the Lord and find true knowledge of God. Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within in. For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly lovers. He becomes your personal bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting, and guarding you as you choose what is right. Then you will discover all that is just, proper, and fair, and be empowered to make the right decisions as you walk into your destiny. When wisdom wins your heart and revelation breaks in, true pleasure enters your soul. If you choose to follow good counsel, divine design will watch over you and understanding will protect you from making poor choices. It will rescue you from evil in disguise and from those who speak duplicities. For they have left the highway of holiness and walk in the ways of darkness. They take pleasure when evil prospers and thoroughly enjoy a lifestyle of sin. But they’re walking on a path to nowhere, wandering away into deeper deception.”
Here some things we can learn from the wise wisdom God gave to Solomon-
By what means do we find wisdom?
In the words of God-
The written word of God to us- (Bible) 66 recorded books by more than 40 different authors that line up and compliment each other.
The Bible is inspiration, gives us direction, tells people God’s plan for humanity, and shows us what God is like and what He expects.
The word of God was written down by men but anointed and inspired by God.
Solomon tells us
Like a Father talking to his children that we must treasure the words and wisdom of God.
That we must treasure and seek it to acquire it- wisdom. Godly wisdom
Godly wisdom only comes from God- there is a lot of wisdom in this world but you will only find Godly wisdom from God or God’s people who He has sent to be in your lives.
That we need to train our hearts to listen to the things of God that would bring us wisdom.
That we need to open our spirit to His Spirit so that we might find discernment.
There are many voices out there making a lot of noise and seeking to lead you down dark paths- we must be sensitive and know God’s word so we do not venture down those paths.
In human terms we would say that wisdom is the capacity in knowledge and abilities that a person has- but Godly wisdom is divine. It is based about truths of God –
I believe human wisdom and Godly wisdom can work hand in hand as long as we do not put human wisdom in front of Godly wisdom and God’s word.
2 Timothy 3:15- “Wisdom that leads to salvation.”
Godly wisdom will want to draw you to the things of God. Salvation, a closer walk with Jesus.
The ability to discern what would be pleasing and right in the eyes of the Lord.
There has been and are so many really smart people that have contributed to society and to your life with their wisdom
J.I. Packer- “Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.”
Doug Larson- “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk.”
James asks us the question- “Who is wise among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Mans wisdom always must be put up against the word of God and if it doesn’t measure up must be dismissed. Even if you like what man is saying.
Gods wisdom becomes a treasure that you hold unto and it is a treasure that you are always wanted more of.
Wisdom is a gift from God to the believer
He says that if we would go after wisdom with the same pursuit that we go after riches, we would have a fountain of understanding and wisdom before us.
There are hidden treasures that God gives to those that are seeking Him and wanting the more of Jesus in their lives.
(6) Wisdom is a precious gift from God and our seeking opens up an unlimited storehouse of God’s blessings and protection.
Don’t you just love it when God brings godly wisdom through a godly person?
Those people he brings into your life and you just know that they have been with Jesus and what they say to you in your time of need not only matches up to the word of God but encourages you to embrace the Word of God.
Dear brother who would have been 104 years old this fall was that man for me- He had spent time with Jesus and when we talked there was comfort and wisdom in his words.
I hope you have that kind of person in your life- if you don’t, be praying that God would bring that person to you.
Every person needs that person that will keep you from making bad decisions and as much as you may hate it at times, their words ring into your spirit because you know God’s anointing is on them.
Proverbs 15;12- “Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.”
Proverbs 19:20- “Listen to wise advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
Proverbs 3:13- “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”
“If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God.”
Grab this-
Who wouldn’t want Godly wisdom from the Lord or from Godly people the Lord has brought in your path.
Job 12:12- “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”
Mentors, elder, experienced people who have gone through what you have and come out on the other side.
Godly people who have answers for our questions we are asking-
Not every question will have an answer that you will like-
Not every new thing or invention is a good thing for you-
How about the soda company that first came out with a diet cola drink in a can- Tab. I believe that Tab was short for Tabboo- it was terrible
Egg Substitutes – really! Does that come in a plastic egg?
My wife gives me turkey bacon- can you make turkey pork and have it taste as good as bacon?
Colossians 2:2-3
“ My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I TELL YOU THIS SO THAT NO ONE MAY DECEIVE YOU BY FINE-SOUNDING ARGUMENTS.”
Wisdom is gained by God’s word and His direction and by obedience to the things of God.
We also get wisdom from learning from our mistakes- better yet, learning from other people’s mistakes.
We gain wisdom from a mentor who God has brought in our lives who can teach us how to apply godly principals.
We can gain wisdom from experience- Time has a way of teaching us if we let it.
Why do so many people make such drastic mistakes in their lives?
Because they have rejected God’s wisdom and make drastic bad decisions.
Bible calls them foolish and what they do foolishness-
1 Corinthians 1:25- “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
Recap
God wisdom comes from God’s Word
Wisdom is a gift from God
Lastly,
Godly wisdom brings Godly peace
(7-8) “For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly lovers. He becomes you’re personal bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right.” Amen.
(9) You will discovery and be empowered to make good wise decisions.
(11) He will watch over you
(12) He will rescue from deception and evil
(13) He will walk with you.
That is peace that passes all our understanding and moves into the realm of divine.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”
Wisdom is gained by God’s Word and His direction and by obedience to the things of God.
Why do we see so many people making drastic mistakes and we see people repeating bad decisions?
Because we have not surrendered ourselves to Him and allow Him to guide our lives-
We have made bad choices. Gives a point where we have to surrender to God
Closing-
Would you allow the Lord to lead your life- every part of your life? The parts of your life that you won’t surrender are the parts Jesus is wanting this morning.
Would you trust that He can make good decisions for your life?
Prayer-
