WISDOM THAT DIRECTS
PROVERBS: WISDOM THAT WORKS • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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PATH OF WISDOM
The first thing we learn about here is the path of wisdom. Verse 6 says,
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
If you’re here next week, it’ll be even easier to see in Proverbs 4 that the Bible is constantly talking about life as a pathway.
PATH OF WISDOM
In fact, there are over 700 mentions in the Bible that living life is likened to walking a path. Why is that metaphor used?
PATH OF WISDOM
First of all, walking a path is basically accomplished by steady, repeated, even mundane, even boring actions. They are fairly easy to do and you must do them over and over again, in order to get somewhere.
PATH OF WISDOM
According to the Bible, what really makes you what you are, what really takes you somewhere is the little things every day, your little choices, your little attitudes, the basic disciplines, the things you spend your time doing every day.
PATH OF WISDOM
It’s not the dramatic events. It’s not the turning points. If somebody says, Give me an account of your life, we don’t talk about right foot, left foot. We talk about the big things.
PATH OF WISDOM
The Bible views wisdom as a pathway that requires consistent daily practices and repeated disciplines.
PATH OF WISDOM
By engaging in these practices regularly, wisdom is cultivated over time, leading to personal growth and becoming a wise person
PATH OF WISDOM
Gaining wisdom is a journey along a path. This entails adopting specific practices and daily disciplines, repeated consistently over time, leading to wisdom.
PATH OF WISDOM
In contrast to the notion of a door that provides immediate access to wisdom, the Bible presents wisdom as a pathway requiring ongoing commitment and growth.
PATH OF WISDOM
The Bible does not describe wisdom as a door to be unlocked through secret knowledge or a specific experience. Instead, wisdom is likened to a path, a patient and continuous journey of repeatedly practicing simple things day in and day out.
It is a gradual process that requires consistency over a long period of time. WISDOM CANNOT BE ACQUIRED QUICKLY.
PATH OF WISDOM
This is particularly relevant considering the state of our culture. C.S. Lewis, in his book "The Abolition of Man," eloquently addresses this issue. To paraphrase, he highlights that the fundamental question for the ancients was how to align one's soul with reality, and wisdom was their solution. In essence, they sought to understand the world and live in harmony with it.
PATH OF WISDOM
In other words, “How do I conform my soul to reality?” and the answer is wisdom. He says, today the problem has been, ‘How do I subdue reality to the wishes of my soul?’ The solution is a technique.”
PATH OF WISDOM
Two different approaches to life? How do I conform my soul to reality? by becoming wise. How do I change reality to fit the desires of my soul? solution-technique.
PATH OF WISDOM
To understand his approach, visit Amazon and you'll find numerous books offering concise lessons and steps. These resources cover a range of topics such as overcoming shyness, building confidence, handling trouble, managing stress, addressing anxiety, improving romantic relationships, and understanding the opposite sex.
PATH OF WISDOM
In other words, wisdom is a door? It’s not. You can’t get those things that fast. You can’t possibly. Wisdom is a path.
PATH OF WISDOM
I don’t know how many times I’ve had people say to me, “Pastor, I want to talk to you because I’m trying to find God’s will for my life.” Usually means,
PATH OF WISDOM
“I have a big question. I have a big decision to make. Should I marry this person? Should I break up with this person? Should I move to this city? Should I take this career? I’m trying to discern God’s will. So, how are you doing it?
SHALOM PEOPLE
Some people say, “when I pray about doing this, I don’t have peace. When I pray about doing this, I have peace. Is that God telling me? Wouldn’t that be the way I could tell God is telling me to go in that direction?”
SIGN PEOPLE
Some people say, “I’m asking God for a sign, and when this happened last week I thought maybe that was a sign. Do you think it’s a sign?”
SCRIPTURE PEOPLE
Some people actually say, “I pray, and then I open the Bible and I ask God to give me a verse.
This approach once left a young man in desperation. He opened his Bible place his finger on a Scripture which read
‘Judas went out and hanged himself.’
His discovery led him to give God a second chance to provide the guidance he sought. So he again open his Bible and placed he finger on a verse which read
‘Go and do likewise.’
Believing his results where a coincidence and that the Lord would not lead him in such a direction; he open his Bible placed his finger on a verse which read
‘And what thou doest, do quickly.’ ”
When people say, “I’m looking for a sign. I want some peace. I don’t have any peace about this. That can’t be right unless I get peace,” I say, “You have a brain; make a decision. Don’t sit around trying to guess God’s will.
PATH OF WISDOM
They’ll look at me and say, “I’m trying to be spiritual here.” to which I say, “No, you’re looking for a technique.” You’re trying to make a decision without having wisdom. Maybe you don’t have wisdom, but that’s your fault.
PATH OF WISDOM
Seeking a technique for discernment is common when faced with decisions. However, the Bible emphasizes that true guidance comes through the development of wisdom over time. It is not about quick fixes or magical solutions.
PATH OF WISDOM
Rather, it is a journey of consistently making choices, gaining wisdom, and becoming the kind of wise person who can make the right decisions. There is no shortcut, door, latch, or key—just a lifelong path of growth and wisdom.
PATH OF WISDOM
The way God guides you, is by right, left, right, left, doing certain practices that put you on the way of wisdom and eventually turn you into the wise person who knows how to make the right choices. There are no shortcuts. Wisdom is a path.
What are the daily, repeated, steady things you do that turn you into a wise person eventually?
PROCESS OF WISDOM
We will find five practices for this chapter that are very crucial; knowing God, knowing yourself, knowing your friends, knowing God’s database of best practices, and knowing trouble in the proper way.
KNOWING GOD
First of all, knowing God.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
KNOWING GOD
What does that mean? First you must realize the words love and faithfulness are two Hebrew words that are always used of God, and they’re used to describe having a personal, intimate, covenant relationship with God.
LOVE [HESED]
The word love is the word HESED, which means industrial-strength, absolutely-committed, unfailing love, God’s love for you in which he’s absolutely committed to you under any circumstances.
FAITHFULNESS
What does it mean when it says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart”?
FAITHFULNESS
Knowing that God loves you is essential, but to cultivate wisdom, it is important to continually remind yourself of the depth of God's commitment to you.
FAITHFULNESS
Every day, intentionally internalize the truth that God is unwaveringly dedicated to you, that He will never abandon or forsake you, and that His love for you knows no bounds. This deep awareness within your heart will contribute to your growth in wisdom.
FAITHFULNESS
To truly internalize God's unwavering love and faithfulness, it requires consistent effort and daily reminders.
FAITHFULNESS
Engaging in disciplines such as prayer, worship, music, poetry, and memorization can help make God's commitment to you a tangible reality in your heart.
FAITHFULNESS
By actively seeking ways to strengthen your connection with God and reinforce His love, you can deepen your understanding of His profound affection for you. It is a continuous process of learning and allowing this truth to penetrate deep into your soul.
FAITHFULNESS
It is crucial to find ways to reinforce in your heart the profound reality of God's love for you. By actively engaging in this practice, you can cultivate an unshakable inner poise and calm that remains steadfast.
FAITHFULNESS
This requires a daily commitment to deepen your relationship with God, seeking methods that make His unwavering love and faithfulness tangible in your heart.
FAITHFULNESS
This discipline of consistently connecting with God and internalizing His love is essential for attaining the unassailable confidence that cannot be easily disrupted.
KNOWING SELF
Secondly, knowing self.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
A slight extension of that, verse 7: “Do not be wise in your own eyes …”
KNOWING SELF
The great paradox of the book of Proverbs is wise people are extremely aware of their foolishness; fools think they’re wise.
KNOWING SELF
To be wise is to have a profound understanding of reality, and the fundamental reality to grasp is your own identity.
KNOWING SELF
It is crucial to have a deep and accurate awareness of your limitations, weaknesses, flaws, besetting sins, and areas of foolishness.
KNOWING SELF
Without this self-awareness, you will consistently make unwise choices. However, the only way to truly know yourself is by knowing and experiencing God's love as we discussed earlier.
KNOWING SELF
This is because understanding God's love provides the foundation and perspective necessary for gaining true insight into your own being and embracing the reality of who you are.
KNOWING SELF
If you constantly seek approval, compare yourself to others, react defensively to criticism, fear failure, and constantly feel inadequate compared to others, it hinders your ability to see and acknowledge your own flaws.
KNOWING SELF
However, when you possess an unwavering inner poise and a profound sense of God's faithfulness and love, it enables you to face and accept your imperfections without denial or repression.
KNOWING SELF
This deep inner assurance allows you to confront your flaws honestly and work towards personal growth and wisdom.
You’re just not going to admit who you are. You’re not going to be willing to see it. You won’t psychologically be able to. You’ll repress it. You’ll make excuses all the time.
KNOWING SELF
You’ll say, “Well, that was a mitigating circumstance,” or you’ll say, “Well, of course. You’d be like that too if you had a mother like mine.”
KNOWING SELF
You do everything you can to avoid really seeing who you are, and if you can’t see who you are, you’re not going to see any of the rest of reality.
KNOWING SELF
Therefore, the second daily discipline is ruthless yet non-traumatic self-examination. Do you see why the second goes with the first now, why knowing the self goes with knowing God?
KNOWING SELF
You have to be able to do ruthless self-examination, but you won’t actually be able to admit who you are unless it’s not traumatic, and that will only happen if you know how much he loves you.
KNOWING SELF
Unless you are so deeply immersed in the sense of his love, you will not psychologically be able to admit what’s bad about you. You’ll screen it out. You’ll deny it. You’re in denial.
KNOWING SELF
I can tell you you are. I am too, because I don’t know how much he loves me; therefore, I don’t know who I am.
KNOWING SELF
To the degree I do the first discipline of going deeper into God and pushing that into my heart of hearts, to that degree I can do the ruthless yet non-traumatic self-examination that is the very essence of wisdom.
KNOWING YOUR FRIENDS
Thirdly, knowing your friends. What do I mean by that? Look at verse 1. We talked about this a little bit last week. You notice when you read the book of Proverbs how often you see the writer saying, “My son …”
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
The point for us here is you’ll never find wisdom by yourself. You have to have mentors. You have to have counselors. Look at verse 7
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
Do you see what verse 7 is telling you? The fool is an individualist. The fool is someone who says, “I don’t need anybody else’s advice; I know.
KNOWING YOUR FRIENDS
A fool doesn’t need advice. A fool is an individualist. But a wise person is so unsure of his or her wisdom you need counselors, you need friends, you need advisers, you need mentors, and you go get them, and as a result, you get wise.
KNOWING YOUR FRIENDS
By the way, this is one of the reasons why we push small groups like we do in the church. If you go into a small group, it’s messy. You have to get to know each other, and you talk to one another.
KNOWING YOUR FRIENDS
It’s the place where you develop wisdom, because you don’t find wisdom without mutual counsel, without mutual exhortation, without mutual confrontation, without mutual comfort. You get wisdom in a community.
KNOWING YOUR FRIENDS
You only get information through a class. The discipline of community, the discipline of letting somebody else know about your besetting sins, is really very, very important to the path of wisdom. How are you doing? Right, left, right, left.
KNOWING GOD’S BEST PRACTICES
Fourthly, knowing God’s best practices. Now what do I mean by that?
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
KNOWING GOD’S BEST PRACTICES
You need community, you need knowing God, you need self-examination that’s not traumatic rather than a bunch of abstract propositions … Having said all that, you have to master the Scripture.
KNOWING GOD’S BEST PRACTICES
You have to master God’s database of best practices. You have one in verses 9–10, where it says, “The world tells you, ‘Hold on to your money; spend it on yourself,’ but I’m telling you, ‘Give your money away,’ because ultimately that is wise.”
KNOWING GOD’S BEST PRACTICES
The Bible provides guidance on various aspects of life, including our words, emotions, wealth, relationships, and family. It presents best practices that we must strive to master. This requires daily engagement, incorporating these teachings into our hearts through meditation and reflection.
KNOW TROUBLE
You’ll never be wise without knowing trouble. The first ten verses reverberate with postivity and then comes verses 11 and 12.
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
KNOW TROUBLE
It says bad things will happen, though, and it’s part of the path. It’s part of the training. It’s part of the discipline. It’s part of the way in which you’ll learn wisdom. Why?
KNOW TROUBLE
Wisdom does not avoid suffering; it transforms suffering into more wisdom. If you don’t despise, don’t reject, don’t resent it.
KNOW TROUBLE
On the journey of wisdom, it is crucial to stay committed and not fall into stoicism or bitterness. Instead of disregarding or resenting trouble, it should serve as a catalyst for deeper connections with God, self-reflection, immersion in God's Word, and seeking support from friends.
KNOW TROUBLE
Troubled times provide fertile ground for accelerated wisdom growth when approached in the context of these elements. Embracing trouble in this way allows for rapid advancement in wisdom.
KNOW TROUBLE
So there they are. If you do these things, if you put yourself in the way of wisdom, you become the kind of person who makes wise choices, and there’s no shortcut to it.
KNOW TROUBLE
While the growth of wisdom often stems from experiencing troubles and suffering, a deeper examination reveals that not all suffering is equal.
KNOW TROUBLE
It is evident that individuals who have led a charmed life, devoid of hardships, often lack depth and understanding. Their limited exposure to adversity hinders their ability to empathize, comprehend life's complexities, and explore their own hearts. Hence, the notion that suffering is essential for wisdom raises an important question.
KNOW TROUBLE
We acknowledge that there are varying degrees of suffering. The pain of a failed romantic relationship is distressing, yet distinct from the devastation of losing a spouse suddenly, leaving behind young children.
KNOW TROUBLE
Grieving over the loss of elderly parents reflects profound suffering, but it differs significantly from the anguish of a parent grappling with the suicide of their teenage daughter or the tragedy of children being senselessly killed by terrorists, their desperate cries hauntingly echoing.
KNOW TROUBLE
When confronted with such horrendous evil and suffering, it becomes inadequate to assert that wisdom emerges solely through these experiences.
KNOW TROUBLE
If wisdom entails effectively navigating reality, it is in these instances of overwhelming despair that wisdom seems to falter and crumble.
KNOW TROUBLE
The complexities surrounding suffering and its connection to wisdom demand a deeper exploration, challenging us to grapple with the devastating aspects of reality that defy easy explanations.
KNOW TROUBLE
Throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the wisdom literature, such as the Psalms and Job, a recurring question emerges: Why do the innocent suffer?
KNOW TROUBLE
This profound inquiry delves into the heart of ultimate wisdom: How do we learn to navigate the most devastating realities of life—horrendous evil and suffering?
KNOW TROUBLE
In the book of Proverbs, towards the end of the text, Agur, one of the sages, candidly expresses his struggle in attaining wisdom due to the very issue we have been discussing.
KNOW TROUBLE
In Chapter 30, verse 2, Agur humbly confesses,
Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.
KNOW TROUBLE
His words convey a deep sense of bitterness, extending beyond mere humility. Clearly, Agur was a highly respected wise man, as his insights were preserved in the sacred text.
KNOW TROUBLE
When he declares, "I lack human understanding," he employs a Hebrew term that essentially implies being mentally impaired, possessing the intellectual capacity of an animal.
KNOW TROUBLE
This same word is used in Psalm 73, where the psalmist reflects upon the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering and oppression endured by the righteous and the innocent.
KNOW TROUBLE
In both Agur's and the psalmist's contemplation of this aspect of reality, they find themselves bereft of wisdom. They feel incapable of comprehending it any more than their animals do.
KNOW TROUBLE
When confronted with such observations of the world, wherein the wicked thrive while the innocent suffer, the longing for wisdom intensifies. Without the ability to grasp and make sense of these experiences, true wisdom remains elusive.
KNOW TROUBLE
The pursuit of wisdom necessitates grappling with the profound questions raised by injustice and evil. It demands a profound understanding of the complex realities of life and a search for insights that illuminate the truth underlying the world's apparent contradictions.
KNOW TROUBLE
In verses 3-4, Agur has a significant realization about his own predicament. He recognizes that the root of his problem lies in his limited perspective.
KNOW TROUBLE
While acknowledging his lack of wisdom and ignorance, he poses a series of rhetorical questions: "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth?"
KNOW TROUBLE
What does this signify? Agur likens his situation to being in a valley, surrounded by trees, and unable to fully comprehend what is happening.
KNOW TROUBLE
Despite his diligent efforts, he feels the need to ascend to one of the mountain peaks encircling the valley to gain a broader perspective.
KNOW TROUBLE
He longs to grasp the big picture. And who possesses that comprehensive view? It is the One in heaven, the One who has control over the waters and the wind.
KNOW TROUBLE
Agur candidly admits that unless God descends from heaven and directly reveals the true nature of the world's evil, suffering, and injustice, he will continually feel overwhelmed, frightened, and frustrated.
KNOW TROUBLE
He realizes that wisdom can only be attained when someone from heaven comes down to impart understanding. Until then, he remains without wisdom.
KNOW TROUBLE
Remarkably, he concludes by asking, "Who is this person, what is his name, and who is his son?" This query prompts further exploration.
KNOW TROUBLE
Agur's inquiry suggests a profound yearning to identify the individual who possesses the wisdom and knowledge he seeks. He seeks to understand the identity and nature of the One who can offer the insights and understanding required to navigate the perplexing realities of life.
KNOW TROUBLE
Centuries later, in a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus, Nicodemus commended Jesus for his wisdom and teaching. However, Jesus responded by saying, "You have no idea."
KNOW TROUBLE
He then explained that no one has ascended to heaven except the One who descended from heaven, referring to himself as the Son of Man.
KNOW TROUBLE
Nicodemus, familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures, would have recognized the reference to Agur's question about the one who comes down from heaven to bring ultimate wisdom.
KNOW TROUBLE
Jesus declared that he was the answer Agur sought, the heavenly messenger with ultimate wisdom. This revelation must have astonished Nicodemus.
KNOW TROUBLE
But Jesus went even further, linking his purpose to an unexpected image from the past. He said, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
KNOW TROUBLE
Jesus clarified that he brought heavenly wisdom not in the form of abstract teachings, but through his journey from heaven to the cross.
KNOW TROUBLE
By being lifted up on the cross, resembling the lifeless serpent of Moses, Jesus became the ultimate innocent sufferer. He willingly faced derision, insecurity, rejection, violence, hopelessness, and the wrath of God, all to bring an end to evil and suffering without destroying humanity. His sacrifice was a payment for humanity's sins.
KNOW TROUBLE
Jesus proclaimed that the cross held the key to ultimate wisdom. Only by embracing the centrality of the cross in one's life could profound answers to the significant questions of human wisdom be found.
KNOW TROUBLE
An article in Time magazine titled "Why Did Jesus Have to Die?" highlighted the story of an African-American writer and explored the significance of Jesus' crucifixion during the release of Mel Gibson's film, "The Passion of the Christ."
KNOW TROUBLE
Jesus's message was clear: the ultimate wisdom is found in the redemptive power of the cross. It is through embracing his sacrificial act that humanity can discover profound answers and meaning to life's most significant questions.
KNOW TROUBLE
As a young girl, she witnessed the tragic death of her mother at the hands of her boyfriend, forever marked by the blood-stained mattress and the handprint on the wall.
KNOW TROUBLE
For years, she grappled with the question of how to make sense of such senseless violence, much like Agur's struggle for wisdom. She felt a profound lack of understanding.
KNOW TROUBLE
One day, while attending a graduate school class discussing Christian doctrine and the crucifixion, a revelation dawned on her.
KNOW TROUBLE
Jesus didn't just suffer for humanity; he also suffered with humanity. It struck her that Jesus knew the pain of being fatally attacked by someone who should have shown love.
KNOW TROUBLE
He understood firsthand, and he endured it for her sake. In that moment, the faithfulness of God became deeply ingrained in her heart. She realized she could place her trust in Him.
KNOW TROUBLE
This was not a distant God who simply offered explanations or spoke of purpose amid tragedy. Instead, this was a Lord who chose to enter into human suffering, enduring a brutal death, experiencing injustice, violence, and every form of human anguish—perhaps even worse than what she had experienced. He walked alongside her in her pain.
KNOW TROUBLE
What occurred next was transformative. She realized she could trust God. The revelation of the cross bound His faithfulness to her heart.
KNOW TROUBLE
This newfound trust empowered her to navigate life's challenges. She recognized that in Jesus, she had a trustworthy God. He had suffered alongside humanity so that one day He could eradicate all suffering without destroying humanity.
KNOW TROUBLE
In her journey, she discovered that the faithfulness of God, epitomized by the cross, could be her anchor. It enabled her to find solace, strength, and hope in the midst of her suffering.
KNOW TROUBLE
She learned that God had intimately shared in her pain, and through that realization, her trust in Him grew. She came to understand that God's ultimate plan was to eliminate suffering while preserving humanity.
KNOW TROUBLE
To truly attain wisdom and embark on this transformative journey, you must embrace the cross. It's not merely an abstract concept of God's love but a profound understanding that binds God's faithfulness to your heart. This realization brings self-knowledge and ignites a transformative change within you.
KNOW TROUBLE
Furthermore, incorporate the cross into every aspect of your life. Reflect on the wisdom of the cross. Jesus triumphed through surrender, gained power by selflessly giving, ruled through service, and acquired true wealth by generosity.
KNOW TROUBLE
When you apply the cross to every relationship, your wealth, your words, and your emotions, you will witness its profound wisdom.
KNOW TROUBLE
The world teaches retaliation when wronged, but the cross teaches forgiveness. Discover the wisdom in forgiving others. The world encourages self-centeredness with money, but the cross teaches radical generosity.
KNOW TROUBLE
Experience the wisdom that comes from giving. By embracing the cross at the center of your life, you will gain wisdom beyond measure.
KNOW THE CROSS
There's a fascinating concept in C.S. Lewis' quote that the wise conform their souls to reality, while magicians attempt to shape reality to fit their desires.
KNOW THE CROSS
It often feels like an undesirable choice, as conforming to the world can be disheartening, and changing the world to suit our desires seems unrealistic. However, with the cross, you don't have to choose because the cross accomplishes both.
KNOW THE CROSS
As the cross works in your life, it enables you to handle reality as it is, while simultaneously transforming the world. The cross is the ultimate form of divine magic, orchestrated by God Himself.
KNOW THE CROSS
He will fulfill the deepest desires of your heart and bring about the change the world desperately needs. Through the cross and resurrection, God's transformative power will give you the body, soul, love, and glory you yearn for.
KNOW THE CROSS
In the words of C.S. Lewis, if we allow God, He will mold even the feeblest and filthiest of us into dazzling, radiant, immortal creatures, brimming with energy, joy, wisdom, and love beyond our imagination.
KNOW THE CROSS
We will become mirrors that perfectly reflect God's boundless power, delight, and goodness, albeit on a smaller scale. The process may be lengthy and, at times, painful, but it is what we are destined for—nothing less.
KNOW THE CROSS
This journey begins today, step by step, as you align your life with the wisdom of the cross. Right foot, left foot—progressing towards the divine transformation awaiting you. Let us pray.