Opportunities Series
Godly Wisdom
Good Morning everyone…glad that you have joined us.
Proverbs 1:1-7 Read from Bible
We continue our series Opportunities-
You and I taking advantage of the opportunities that come our way.
Many people say they need a break in life to go to the next level in life. I am suggesting to you that most of us miss many opportunities because we are not diligently looking for them.
Apostle Paul tells us to put the past behind us and to strive forward. Putting the past in proper perspective and looking forward is important. You have to be able to move from where you are to where you need to be.
There lays the problem we will talk about this morning-
How do you know what to do and when to do it?
How do you know what is right and what is wrong?
How do you know which voice in the midst of many voices that you should be listening too?
I don’t know if you thought about it much but there are only two kinds of wisdom- Godly wisdom and Man’s wisdom. They are not the same.
The Lord says
“My ways are higher than your ways says the Lord” “My thought are higher than your thoughts”
Man was created by God to be an intelligent being on this earth… but we are not God! Let me say that again. Man was created by God so we cannot think that we would be smarter than the creator. Satan’s fall came as he thought himself to be equal with God.
It is hard to imagine a being like Lucifer (Satan) believing he could even do battle with God, much less defeat Him. Even the most depraved mind should be able to see that a creature cannot possibly contend with the Creator. Yet Satan attempted to dethrone God and strives to this day to defy God’s authority, thwart His plans, and harass His people.
God’s ways higher than ours
Do we really need to be told that or is it pride that sets in and we need to learn lessons the hard way.
Do we really need to be told or reminded that our wisdom does not compare to the wisdom of Almighty God?
Doug Larson
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk.”
Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charlie Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day the generators ground to a halt, and the repairmen couldn't find the problem. So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then threw the switch. The generators whirred to life--but Ford got a bill for $10,000 from Steinmetz. Flabbergasted, the rather tightfisted car maker inquired why the bill was so high.
Steinmetz's reply: For tinkering with the generators, $10. For knowing where to tinker, $9,990. Ford paid the bill.
You don't have to be listed in Who's Who to know what's what.
1:5- “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Solomon says the beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord. To show reverence for who He is…to be determined that you will have reliance on the Lord in all circumstances and always have humble submission to His Lordship.
He says that anyone who does not is foolish!
Several places in scripture the Lord distinguishes the difference between God and man- He uses the word Foolish
In our passage, we get the purpose for the book of Proverbs. It supplies a great introduction to our series. The purpose: to help the reader to know wisdom and instruction, to help the reader understand words of wisdom or insight, to prepare us to receive wise instructions in God’s righteousness, to learn His justice, to give importance to the simple truths of God, and acknowledge that we are not God and need His wisdom to guide and direct our lives.
The first six verses lists the purposes of Proverbs. Verse seven then lays the foundation for knowledge and wisdom.
I want us to launch our study with some simple points that draw from several passages to help us begin this study and search for more wisdom as God has planned.
What is wisdom?
What is the difference from wisdom, common sense and knowledge?
First, let me give you the secular definition of wisdom, not because it is right, but because it is commonly accepted.
The Webster dictionary says, Wisdom is knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. Simply put, the dictionary defines wisdom as not only knowing stuff, but how to use that knowledge in a right way.
Again what I have tried to share with you that wisdom without application is just information.
if you don’t do anything with knowledge given to you, it is just information.
In other words wisdom has an intellectual aspect and a moral aspect. It is to know and know how to use it rightly.
The problem is … Who decides how we are to use this knowledge the right way? And many answers abound. There are many voices screaming loudly to get our attention- which voice are you going to listen too?
You've probably heard, "Always look out for number one." This philosophy stems from the concept that everyone else is looking out for themselves, and that leaves no one to look out for you.
This is the godless approach. In a secular, godless world, this would be a fine philosophy for survival.
However, it fails in the light of God's instructions. This is not what the Bible says about wisdom
Christ's message was
To love others sacrificially
Esteem others more than ourselves
Serve one another and seek to meet others' needs, while seeking first to please God.
Another view is the idea that we are to "Always do what is best for mankind." This is what some would call a religious wisdom. The primary goal is to seek the betterment of society, a theme for religion since the beginning. The nobility in it is that it calls for selflessness and sacrifice to better the plight of the members of society as a whole.
Many good people live by this view of wisdom. If someone lives by this, we would consider them a moral person. However, again, it strikes the chord of Romans chapter 1, of man worshiping the creature more than the creator.
When the Proverb said, "There is a way that seems right unto man, but in the end it destroys.” (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25), I believe this was part of what the writer was speaking about.
James warns us that there are two major definitions of wisdom.
James 3:13-18
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Let's look at another scripture for the biblical definition of wisdom.
In Exodus 28, God was giving instructions to Moses about the design and making of Aaron's robe. He said, "You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.
He spoke of being skilled
Being filled with a spirit of skill
To follow exacting instructions to create the desired results.
The word he used was English pronounced (chuk-mah) and the Hebrew pronounced (Hook-mah) "Chokmah", the word most commonly used Hebrew word in the Old Testament for wisdom.
Proverbs 1:2 speaks of having information and wisdom. (2) “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight.” (Hook-mah)…of knowing stuff and knowing how to use it properly. It adds to understand, why it is right and why using this knowledge turns out right.
Ecclesiastes 8:5 "Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way."
There are people who know this Bible and what it says far better than you and I put together, but who have erred because they did not gain wisdom to understand it. I know one who can quote circles around me from the Bible. His problem is that he twists up everything he reads or quotes to fit his theological error. There are many that way. That is where the spiritual aspect of the word "wisdom" comes in.
1 Corinthians 2:14
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
Grab this…
So wisdom comes from God. (insight and understanding)
Wisdom comes from fearing God. (Reverence His word above all)
Wisdom comes from knowing God. God's truth revealed and understood)
From this, we can get a working definition without being complicated.
Godly Wisdom is understanding things from God perspective.
Proverbs 9:10.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Psalm 25:4-5
"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Wisdom will always drive one to God in dependence to get one's needs met.
What is a Proverb? And where did the proverbs come from?
First, a proverb is not a law or commandment. It is a wise saying that is generally true. Proverbs are not universally true, but generally true. This will be a surprise to some, but let's look at some examples.
Proverbs 10:27
"The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short."
It is generally true that the lifestyle of the wicked will shorten his life. It is generally true that if you serve and honor the Lord, healthy choices will prolong life. However, we have all known old wicked people and godly people who died young. Though this is generally true, it is not always true. It is, however, a very wise proverb.
Proverbs 11:24
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."
I have known some generous, godly poor people and some stingy rich people. Generally true, but this applies to the spiritual more than the physical.
Proverbs 15:1
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Sometimes a soft answer will not diffuse a situation. It generally will and is a good practice at all times.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 "The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd."
So First thought what is wisdom- it is looking at truth through the prospective of God’s Word.
What is a proverb- it is wise principals given to us- repeat this statement-
It is generally true that the lifestyle of the wicked will shorten his life. It is generally true that if you serve and honor the Lord, healthy choices will prolong life. However, we have all known old wicked people and godly people who died young. Though this is generally true, it is not always true. It is, however, a very wise proverb.
How do you begin the search for Godly wisdom?
Fear the Lord. Reverence of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
The theme of “the fear of the Lord” is the beginning of knowledge is throughout Proverbs.
B. Desire wisdom. (Respect it)
Proverbs 8:11
"Wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her."
Proverbs 2:1-2
"My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;"
C. Humble yourselves.
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
D. Be open for Correction when needed
Proverbs 17:10
"A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool."
Proverbs 19:20
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."
E. Endure trials joyfully.
James 1:2-4
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. "
F. Ask for Godly wisdom by Faith.
James 1:5-6
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
Illustration
A young sailor was asked one calm day to take the helm of the ship. A gentle breeze and ocean current gently would tug the ship off the course, but the sailor easily steered it back with adjustments. For many days, the young sailor was given the helm for a couple of hours a day.
One day a big storm hit. The captain did not offer the young sailor the boat. The experienced sailor struggled against 60 mile per hour winds and 40 ft. waves to keep the ship from sinking.
Someone standing near the young sailor asked him if he was glad the captain was handling the storm. "It's easy to control the ship in calm weathers," he replied. "It's much different in the storm."
It is easy to handle life when things go well, but wisdom seeks a dependence upon our captain in the storms of life. I pray that each of us are becoming more and more wise as we seek Him out in our lives.
Close in prayer-
