Opening Scriptures:
I Kings 3:3-15, Col 4:2-6
"And Solomon loved the Lord, hwalking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants."
Col. 4:5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Wisdom is indeed important to every believer. It does not on its own bring forth salvation, but does guide us into mastery of the principles and mind of God.
I. What Is Wisdom?
A. Truth
1. The building blocks of knowledge
2. Immovable facts
3. Uncompromised, proven principles
4. “Sensed”
B. Knowledge
1. The awareness of truth
2. “Learned” and “acquired”
C. Understanding
1. The ability to comprehend the principles that govern knowledge and explain them
2. “Discovered”
D. Wisdom
1. The ability to apply understanding to life’s questions and obstacles
2. “Exercised”
E. Partner to the Holy Spirit
1. Wisdom and Spirit (Acts 6:8-10)
2. Wisdom of Words not enough (1 Cor 1:17)
3. Not Wisdom of Men, but Power of God (1 Cor 2:5)
II. Truth / Facts
A. Self: Honesty and Self Awareness
1. Looking In the Mirror
2. Overcoming Delusion
B. World: Creation & Science
1. We are without excuse (Romans 1:20)
C. God: The Word
1. God’s Word is filled with truths and facts
2. Stories and History remind us of what God has done
3. The Word defines Truth as Christ
III. Knowledge (Proverbs 1:7)
A. Self: Our Mind
1. We “learn” knowledge
2. We must be hungry
B. World: Our Senses
1. Be vigilant (1 Peter 5:8)
2. Learn about your world (1 Kings 4:26-34)
C. God: Study
1. Through study, we acquire knowledge of God’s Word
2. Education – Prerequisite for Teaching
3. The more you educate yourself, the more bullets you put in your spiritual gun
IV. Understanding (Proverbs 3:5)
A. Self: Heart
1. Transfer from mind to heart
2. May require mistakes to fully understand
B. World: Reason & Logic
1. The world around us makes sense
2. Physical, Psychological, Spiritual Roots
C. God: Prayer & Meditation
1. Speaking and Listening to God bring understanding
2. God-given understand increases faith; worldly understanding increases self-reliance
3. God-given understanding is humble; human understanding is arrogant and self-righteous
V. Wisdom (Proverbs 8:10-11)
A. Self: Discipline
1. Dying Daily
2. Overcoming Temptation
3. Single-mindedness
B. World: Purpose & Calling
1. A Servant’s Heart
2. Humility
3. Compassion for the Lost
4. Appreciation of Creation
C. God: Obedience & Love
1. Mature Christian behavior
2. The result of an understanding of God and relationship with Him
3. Constant sense of awe of God and His mercy
VI. Types of Wisdom
A. Experiential Wisdom
1. From living life
2. From Making Mistakes
3. From succeeding
B. Inherited Wisdom (Proverbs 4:10-13)
1. Learning From Others
2. Wisdom Passed Down
3. Pick From Trees with Fruit
C. Inspired Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-23; James 1:5)
VII. Conclusion / Ministry
A. God wants you to seek wisdom
B. Wisdom will help you discern
C. Discretion will keep you safe and in His ways
D. Proverbs 2:1-15
