The Way of Wisdom

Proverbs 4:1-13

Big Idea: Every time we choose to sin, we are acting foolishly. Wisdom entails righteousness.

  1. Wisdom: knowing and doing what is best in a given situation.
  2. If we understood everything God knows, we would never choose to sin.
  1. Believe that God is love.
  2. Wisdom from a father to a son.
  3. This implies love as a motive for teaching wisdom.
  4. To cherish God’s commands for righteousness, we must trust that He loves us.
  5. A loving father makes good commands, which are often resented.
  1. Believe that God is good.
  2. If God is petty or has a mean streak, His commands cannot be reliably trusted.
  3. This is one of Satan’s most successful tactics: see Genesis 3:1-6.
  4. When Eve was convinced that God hadn’t told her to do what is best, she sinned and Adam joined in.
  1. Believe that God has perfect understanding.
  2. When we are faced with a significant challenge, we consult experts.
  3. If we assume that we are the expert, the outcome is seldom best.
  4. We assume that because other people can’t accurately understand us, we are the expert on our own lives.
  5. We forget that God knows us better than we do.
  6. The best course of action is often the opposite of what is “obvious.”
  7. Righteousness doesn’t always seem best on the front end.
  8. God’s wisdom can be found in Scripture.
  1. Be rational: walk in righteousness.
  2. Wisdom promises life, protection, exaltation, honor, splendor, etc.
  3. If you care about yourself, do what is right.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17–18 NIV)

  1. Application: pursue wisdom.
  2. Pray for wisdom. (James 1:5)
  3. Talk with other Christians who also know the Bible.
  4. Reevaluate your assumptions of what is best.
  5. Read your Bible.

One way to Read the Bible:

  1. Read until you feel like you have a satisfactory portion. (Could be 2 verses or 2 chapters, will vary depending on the material and your need).
  1. Re-read the passage and try to answer a few questions:
  2. What does this say about God? (his actions, character, etc.)
  3. What does this say about humanity? (in general)
  4. Does this passage reveal a place where I need to change my actions or thinking?
  1. Share with someone what you have learned.
  2. Act as immediately as possible in response.

Righteousness is always the wise choice. Take it!

This Week

Read

Proverbs 3

Consider
How does Solomon describe the outcome of living wisely versus foolishly?

Where does God fit into this discussion of wisdom?

How does this description of wisdom match your life? Where does it not match up?

Do

Whatever wisdom you learned in Proverbs 3, put it into practice immediately. Do not wait until later, and if you cannot obey now, tell someone you are close to what you are going to do in obedience so they can encourage you to follow through.

Pray

Ask God for wisdom—not just understanding of what is best, but that you would know and do what is best.