Wise Up: Prudence

(S1) — Series/Proverbs/Wise Up

...applying practical wisdom in everyday decisions

‘A short, concise statement, that conveys a moral truth, having value for life’

—Who they are for: simple, young, wise, and the discerning

— Purpose of wisdom…to cultivate a deep respect of who God is.

“One cannot gain the wisdom of God, if they begin at the wrong point.”

(S2) — The beginning of wisdom: Fear of the Lord

…cultivating a deep reverence of WHO God is...

3 practical benefits of wisdom—DISCRETION/DISCERNMENT

Today…paint a portrait of the PRUDENT

PRAY

Solomon’s contrast of the wise with the foolish

— Fool; 214 times (Bible)—72 Times (Proverbs)

People make foolish decisions!

(S3)

Man/Lawn Chair/Balloons

…it’s an unhappy reality: we have all been foolish…

— When was the last time you fell for a scam? Bought a “bargain” that wasn’t a bargain? Clicked on an email…?

— How about when you were a teenager? Or said something you wish you hadn’t?

People have been making foolish decisions since the beginning...

— Adam & Eve…Jacob…David…Solomon…and Nabal...

His foolish act had to be fixed by Abigal the wiser; his wife…

1 Samuel 25:25 “Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him.

His name and behavior stands as a reminder of the deep folly of opposing God.

Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees they were fools…

Matthew 23:17 “You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?”

Even some of his followers who were burdened with unbelief…

Luke 24:25–26 “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

Before we cast judgement…Jesus warned his followers of calling others foolish

Matthew 5:22 “…anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment…anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

God, however, can rightly judge a foolish heart; which he does through out Proverbs…and in other places as well

…focus not the fool, but on the…

The wise BEHAVIOR of the Prudent

(S4) —

Proverbs 1:2–3 NIV

…for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;

Prudence is applying wisdom to everyday decisions—Practical decision-making that can have lasting benefits

Prudence Defined

“Wise or judicious in practical affairs” Dict.

“Sensible decisions about everyday life, like the prudence of people who spend their money wisely, saving as much as they can.” Vocabulary.com

“Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.” Concise Oxford English Dictionary

...cleverness, cautious, sensible; properly manage their affairs—looking beyond the present

Saving for retirement...with the end in focus...

But, if this is all we are doing, chasing the means to a good life...then in the end we will loose it

{Matthew 10:39} If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me (MSG).

(S5) —

Prudence is Godly wisdom APPLIED

Proverbs 8:12 ““I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

Wisdom and prudence are of the same cloth; Side by side.

— Both are a means to a greater end—by wisdom one can gain prudence, but one cannot not be prudent without wisdom

…Proverbs showing behaviors of the Prudent

Proverbs 14:18 “The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”

Proverbs 10:14 “The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.”

(S6)

I. The prudent SEEK the Wisdom of God

In seeking the wisdom of God, one is, ‘blessed (crowned) with knowledge.’ Crowned with knowledge...surrounded or enclosed by the wisdom of God

—In the way that a crown encircles a person’s head, the prudent person is “encircled by the safety of wise and godly choices.”

One seeks this wisdom in the righteousness living

...as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. {1 John 4:17}

Wisdom doesn’t come by osmosis—the prudent seek it

—Piety, study, with self and others (Wesley)

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

...great examples of seekers of wisdom right here in our church

(S7)—{Prov. 16:31}

Blessed is the one who seek the wisdom of God: crowned with righteous living

12:16 “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.”

12:23 “The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.”

13:16 “All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.”

(S8)

II. The prudent shows RESTRAINT

Proverbs 10:19 “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”

They practice good judgement—think before they speak!

Can’t put toothpaste back in the tube...

The world doesn’t need more no it all’s, but more Christians who show it all...

Years ago, a young man named George Atley was serving in the Central African Mission. He was attacked by a group of natives. He had with him a Winchester repeating rifle with ten loaded chambers. The group was completely at his mercy. He could have killed every one of them. But as he assessed the situation, he realized that if he killed them, it would do the mission more harm than if he allowed them to take his life. When his body was found in the stream, his rifle was still loaded with its ten chambers. He had the weapon to win, but love restrained the use of that weapon.

The meek are “those who have weapons and know how to use them but keep them sheathed.” Paul Lee Tan, ed., Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (Rockville, Maryland: Assurance Publishers, 1979), 1176-1177.

The prudent persons restraint is more likely to enable someone to see the light of the Gospel

{Matthew 5:13-16}

The prudent person who shows restraint is willing to show not himself, but the light of Christ.

22:3 “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”

27:12 (NLT) A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

(S9)

III. The prudent PERCEIVES trouble

One who recognizes (discerns) that which will lead to destruction...

Prudence (‘ormah’)— keen insight to see through traps and pitfalls, and to foresee obstacles and dangers. Proverbs (King James Version) I.

Being prudent is to not be like a duck

Good duck hunters us decoys that look so real, they move to imitate real ducks, they make real quacking sounds like ducks, and real ducks do not recognize the danger

The prudent takes precautions to avoid trouble at all costs!

The prudent addict...avoids what they are addicted to

They know the destructive consequences

1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

2. The prudent looks out for others…especially believers

Ephesians 6:18 “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

The prudent

“Prudence never opens the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.” ― Baltasar Gracian(Spanish Jesuit Priest), The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle

The prudent perceives trouble

14:8 “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.”

14:15 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”

(S10)

IV. The prudent walks in the WAY of God

They are not easily deceived because they know the truth of God

...swayed to untruth—’tossed about by every wind of doctrine’

In their walking the way of God, they are growing…

Ephesians 4:14 “...no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

Deception is the Satan’s most dangerous weapon...

{Genesis 3:1–4}

...making SIN look good and pleasing to the eye.

1 John 1:8 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

2. In their walking the way of God, they give thought to’ their conduct...

This means not simply going to church...but applying God’s wisdom—The behavior of the prudent goes side by side with the wisdom of God

15:5 “A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.”

19:20 “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”

10:17 “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”

(S11)

V. The Prudent LOVES discipline

To love discipline is to understand it’s benefit.

— to root out sin in our hearts and lives

— to correct our behavior

— gets us right with God

Proverbs 3:11–12 “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Jesus disciplined his disciples because he loved them

Luke 9:49–50 ““Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.””

The prudent loves wisdoms discipline; hears and heeds the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

“True prudence serves God’s priorities through God’s means.” Emily Van Dixhoorn

The portrait of the prudent is wise BEHAVIOR

...ever learning; SEEKING the wisdom of God

...show RESTRAINT; thinks before speaking/acting

...PERCEIVES trouble; that threatens their relationship with God; destroys homes and lives

...walk in the WAYS of God; avoiding deception through discipline, aware of their conduct

...LOVE discipline because it brings them closer to Christ

(S12)

1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Which of these areas needs the wisdom of God?

In what ways to you need to WISE UP...surrendered to Christ?

You may not be as foolish as the guy in the lawn...but it is impossible to live a prudent life without the wisdom of God—Christ who is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.