WISE UP in 2002!
Have you ever done something, and then, almost as soon as you did it, wonder how you could have acted so foolishly? Have you ever had a disagreement with someone then gotten into a full-blown argument because you lost control of your temper and said things that were unwarranted or you didn’t mean? Or have you intensified problems between yourself and your spouse by goading her and making snide remarks? Or maybe you’ve told a lie to get out of trouble, then gotten in deeper because you didn’t tell the truth.
One thing we all need more of in this New Year is WISDOM. I know I need it! I need greater wisdom to know God’s will, I need greater understanding of God’s Word so I can teach it to others, I need greater discernment in determining people’s needs, I need greater insight in finding solutions to those needs, I need greater ability to make sound decisions, especially when the decisions will affect other people; I need greater practical wisdom in solving complicated problems. Where can we find the wisdom we need to live productively?
James 1:5- "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
And so recently I began praying for wisdom, asking God to give me more sound judgment. It’s interesting, God didn’t, all of a sudden, endow me with the grace of wisdom; instead I felt led of the Spirit to begin studying the book of wisdom - Proverbs - in my personal devotions. And I believe that, in the next two months, God is going to give me wisdom as each day I seek to put into practice the instructions given in God’s book of wisdom.
Turn with me to the book of Proverbs, as we do a simple, preliminary study on the subject of wisdom.
I. WHAT IS WISDOM?
THE DEFINITION OF WISDOM
Wisdom cf Knowledge + Understanding
The Hebrew word for wisdom
(hok’ma) literally means "skillful."
Therefore a wise person is one who is skillful at putting into practice the truths of God’s Word. Webster defines wisdom as "the power of judging rightly; following the soundest course of action, based on our experience, knowledge and understanding. It is using common sense."
As I see it,
-KNOWLEDGE is the "ability to accumulate facts;"
-UNDERSTANDING is the "ability to apply those facts to a specific situation."
-WISDOM is the "ability to use one’s knowledge and understanding to pursue a wise course of action."
That’s why Solomon says wisdom is calling to all people - intelligent and unintelligent
- Prov. 1:20-23 "Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: ’How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?’ For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my reproof; surely I will pour out my Spirit on you. I will make My words known to you."
Intelligent people need wisdom - because unless their facts can be translated into acts - all their knowledge will be wasted. Unintelligent people also need wisdom - because if they can just take the few facts they know and make them work, they can have a life filled with fulfillment and joy.
Illus: I’m sure we’ve all observed absent-minded professors who have great knowledge, but no common sense. And we’ve also probably seen mentally challenged children, who have greater insight and understanding into other people and situations, than many of us do.
It’s a matter of wisdom not intelligence. Leroy Eims in his commentary on Proverbs says: "Our world abounds in schools, colleges and universities. Yet not everyone who wants to enter them for study may do so. The potential student may not have the proper educational background, he may not have enough money, or he may not be able to pass the entrance exam or even the physical.
But everyone is invited to enroll in the ’School of Solomon.’ These words are written over its doors: ’The young, the simple, the foolish - welcome!’ Here the foolish can become wise, and the evil can become good. The wise and the good can become wiser and better!" (Eims, ch. 1, pg. 5)
Human Wisdom cf Biblical Wisdom
In our definition of wisdom, we must also point out that Biblical, or godly wisdom is different than human wisdom.
Human Wisdom determines whether a course of action is right or wrong based on "practicality" - whether or not it works (situational ethics). The Bible says that human wisdom ( or philosophy) is FOOLISHNESS if it leaves God out!
1 Cor. 1:19, 20 "For it is written, ’I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"
Biblical wisdom, on the other hand, determines whether a course of action is right or wrong, not based on practicality but on principle - what God says is best.
Prov. 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
Prov. 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding."
It is our reverence for God and His Word that gives us the ability to become wise. If we respect His laws and His instruction, then we have the basis for every course of action. The better we get to know God and His ways, the better we will know how to ACT in every situation! And that’s wisdom!
II. How Will Wisdom Affect One’s Life?
THE DESCRIPTION OF WISDOM
The book of Proverbs describes the life of a truly wise person. There are many "word pictures" which characterize the behavior of one who is sincerely seeking for wisdom.Let me mention seven of them this morning, and let’s see how our lives compare:
1. A wise person listens when others
speak and seeks to learn from the counsel of others.
Prov. 1:5 "A wise man will hear and will increase in learning, and a man of understanding will attain unto wise counsels."
Prov. 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his on eyes, but he who heeds to counsel is wise."
Appl: Do we really listen when other people are speaking, or are we too busy thinking about what to say next?
Are we always seeking to learn from others or are we quicker to give counsel than to receive it?
2. A wise person is willing to receive
correction.
Prov. 9:9 "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you."
Prov. 17:10 "A reproof enters into a wise man more than a hundred stripes into a fool."
Example: A cashier who gives $5 too much change and gets upset when you tell her.
3. A wise person is not quick to argue but thinks before he speaks.
Prov. 29:11 "A fool utters all his mind; but a wise man keeps it until afterward."
Are we quick to pick a fight- or are we slow to anger? Do we speak quickly and wish we hadn’t- or do we think first?
Prov. 15:28 "The heart of the wise studies to answer, but the mouth of a fool pours out evil things."
4. A wise person obeys God’s laws and fellowships with others who do.
Prov. 28:7 "Whoso keeps the law is a wise son, but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father."
Prov. 10:8 "The wise in heart will gladly receive commandments."
Do we joyfully obey God’s law or do we do it grudgingly because we have to? Do our friends lead us closeer to God or further from Him?
5. A wise child listens to his parents and follows their instruction
Prov. 13:1 "A wise son hears his father’s instruction."
Children living with your parents - do you listen to your parents and learn from their wisdom and experience?
I’ve met many children, who have grown up, and gone their own way, who have said to me, "If only I had listened to my parents!"
6. A wise person is constantly seeking to learn more.
Prov. 10:14 "Wise men lay up knowledge."
Are we growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or do we think we have already attained? Do we view every experience of life as an opportunity to learn and acquire greater knowledge?
7. A wise person desires to win souls for Christ
Prov. 11:30 "He that winneth souls is wise."
I believe this means first winning others to friendship, then winning them over to friendship with Christ.
Do we show ourselves to be friendly, or do we avoid unbelievers like the plague? Do we take the opportunities God gives us to share what we know about Christ and His Word with others?
Let’s check our "wisdom level." Are these proverbs descriptions of your life and mine?
-Do we listen when others speak and learn from their counsel?
-Are we willing to receive correction?
-Are we not quick to argue, but think before we speak?
-Do we obey God’s laws and fellowship with others that do?
--Do we listen to our parents and follow their instructions?
-Are we constantly seeking to learn more?
-Are we desirous of winning souls for Christ?
If these things are not true of us, then we need WISDOM - wisdom that only God can give.
Prov. 2:6 "For the Lord gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding."
III. Where Does One Get Wisdom?
THE DESIRE FOR WISDOM
Let me preface the answer to this question by saying that if you do not know Christ as your Savior and Lord, you cannot hope to attain true wisdom.
Col. 2:3 "In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Receive Jesus into your life as your Savior and Lord and He will come also as your teacher - teaching you the wisdom and knowledge of God.
For those who know Jesus, and have the treasures of wisdom and knowledge dwelling in us -
A. We must ASK for Wisdom
James 1:5, 6 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who freely gives to all without reproach, but let him ask in faith, doubting nothing."
We need to ask God for wisdom specifically - "Lord, what should I do in this particular situation?"
And we need to ask for wisdom in general - that’s what Solomon did!
2 Chron. 1:7-12 "On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, ’Ask! What shall I give you?’ And Solomon said to God, ’You have shown great mercy to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me wisdom and knowledge to rule them properly, for who is able to govern this great nation of yours?’ God said to Solomon, ’Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for personal wealth and honor or the death of your enemies or even a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people, I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. And I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor such as no other king has ever had before you or will ever have again!’"
B. We must SEEK for Wisdom
Prov. 4:5-7 "Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don’t forget or turn away from my words. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment."
Getting wisdom takes hard work - if we really want it, we must seek for it with our whole heart and mind!
But where will we find it?
1. In the Word of God in general
This book, is the wisdom of God - its pages are packed with instruction, the more we study it, the more wisdom will be evident in our lives!
2. In the book of Proverbs specifically
The book of Proverbs was written for the express purpose of "imparting wisdom."
Prov. 1:1-6 "These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people. Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles."
I would challenge you to read a chapter of Proverbs each day (1 for each 31 days of the month!) And then, read through the book topically - choosing subjects you need help in - the tongue, anger, discretion, purity, child-raising, finances, or whatever the need may be. Proverbs covers many topics!
How did Solomon get his wisdom? Revelation and instruction - God revealed it, David taught it!
B. We must DEVELOP Wisdom
Wisdom doesn’t come overnight, but it does come when we seek to apply the truths of God’s Word to our daily behavior.
As you read through Proverbs, pick out one proverb each day - meditate on it, memorize it- and seek to put it into practice throughout the day. You will be amazed at the wisdom God will give you in that area of life.
James 3:13 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge? Let him show by his good behavior his works with meekness of wisdom."
I pray that together we may become wiser and wiser in Biblical wisdom, having greater insight, greater discernment, greater understanding, greater decision-making and greater problem-solving. We can have wisdom if we
Ask for it constantly
Seek it completely and
Develop it continually!
"With all thy getting, GET wisdom!"
~Pastor Jim Westervelt
gracefellowship3@earthlink.net
~CHURCH WEBSITE:
http://LovingGrace.net
