Wisdom in Practice

Proverbs 4 NASB95

1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding, 2 For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction. 3 When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, 4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live; 5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. 7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. 8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.” 10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many. 11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.

INTRO: Have you ever made a pro/ con list? You know, maybe you are thinking about buying a new washing machine or a new car, so you make a list of all the benefits and consequences of such a move. Should you spring for the smart accessory package, should you choose the cheapest model, should you buy the extended warranty?

We’ve all been there. And as we try to make those decisions, we take into account things like longevity, cost, impact, etc. We wish that we could be frivolous, and if it doesn’t work out, no big deal. But the reality for most of us is that it really does matter. So we need wisdom.

But here’s the challenge: wisdom is not just about making a list, wisdom is aligning our head, heart, and strength to the will and ways of the Lord. Now you might be asking, “Does God really care about what kind of washing machine I buy?” Well, the point is not the washing machine or the car, the point is that this life is a gift; we are made in the image of God and every moment we live and every resource we possess is an opportunity to be wise stewards to the glory of God.

We’ve spent time over the last few weeks diving into what wisdom is, the challenge of navigating this often hostile world wisely, how we can position ourselves as students of wisdom, and how we can keep wisdom in front of us so we can reap its rewards. Today, as we open Proverbs 4, we will answer the question: What does wisdom look like in practice? Let me ask another way: How does wisdom, when we apply it, impact our life?

Of course, we could simply say, “positively” and move on, right?

ILL: Let me ask you candidly: How many of you know that exercise is good for you? Ok, now how many of you exercise on a consistent basis? Right, so simply knowing exercise is good for us does not really impact our real life. But, when we acknowledge the specific impacts- maybe that exercise generally helps our mind, boosts our immune systems, and allows us to maintain a sense of freedom, then it becomes more likely that we will exercise. It’s why physical therapy is such a big business!

But Solomon, perhaps recognizing that simply telling someone that wisdom is good for them is not enough, ties wisdom to 3 specific impacts upon life that ought to lead us to lean in. And so I invite you to do just that. If you have your bulletin, I encourage you to make use of the sermon guide and let’s learn together, Wisdom in Practice.

The first impact of Wisdom in Practice that Solomon emphasizes is:

A Legacy Investment (1-9)

READ 1-4

Solomon is sharing a simple truth: Wisdom is both something to receive and something to pass along. Think about all the generations before us that have shared their wisdom so that we may benefit. Beyond that, consider the collective wisdom of these generations!

One of the sad testimonies of our time is that each new generation assumes it is wiser than the ones who came before it. Yet this confidence often masks a deep arrogance, and arrogance always produces folly. Yes, we may be more advanced in our tools—faster with computers, more fluent in technology and even AI—but technological skill is not the same as wisdom. In fact, many who claim to be enlightened have managed to confuse what is biologically obvious and discard objective moral truth, all in the name of “progress.”

But wisdom is timeless. It does not become irrelevant simply because technology has advanced. Remember, the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; knowing God and His ways and living in submission to His lordship. We become wiser as we give our lives over to Him.

Look at v. 5-7 (READ)

Can you hear the urgency and passion here? Listen! This is so important. You and I cannot afford to ignore this! I want you to imagine that you are speaking to the future generations- maybe young people who believe that socialism is good or that killing their babies in the womb is liberating. Or, even worse, people who see no need for God.

You can pass along the wisdom to rescue them from this foolishness! Verse 7 might be better understood to say, “The primary thing is wisdom, thus acquire wisdom! Use all your effort to understand!”-Look here, it’s more important than all the activism, more important than all the politics, more important that fitting in or making a name for yourself.

Listen to me folks, the very best investment that you and I can make in our kids and our grandkids- into the future of our families and this nation is to pass along to them wisdom which comes from knowing God! The impact here is eternal. But it’s not just about them.

Look at v. 8-9 (READ)

Friends, our investment here is a reflection upon how much we value wisdom personally. Or, said another way, our willingness to pass along the knowledge of God reflects our authentic belief and submission to Christ as Lord. This is the Great Commission. This is the call for every Christian to take their wisdom, their understanding of the Good News of the Gospel and display it, honor it, and pass it along.

Proverbs speaks first of honor and beauty now—but for those in Christ, that honor ultimately finds its fulfillment when we stand before Him. And when we receive the crown of beauty, the crown of grace; these crowns we will lay at His feet as He says to us, “Well done!” You’ve made a legacy investment in receiving and sharing wisdom.

Let me offer a word of application. Take the time to write out how the gospel has changed your life—and then practice sharing it. Practice in your home. Practice with your Sunday School class. The clearer you are in articulating the gospel, the more likely you are to share it when the opportunity comes.

And sharing the gospel is an investment you will never regret. Those who receive it may forget many things, but they will not forget the person who cared enough to tell them the good news. Wisdom put into practice always leaves a legacy.

But it’s not just about eternity. It’s also about navigating the world God created in accordance with His values and commands. That leads us to the next impact of wisdom in practice; that is

Life-Saving Instruction (10-19)

READ 10-15

ILL: There is a scene that replays in lots of action movies- it’s the one where the guy finds a bomb and has to disarm it. Often, he’s on the phone or radio with the real expert and, fighting the ticking of the timer, he is desperately trying to discern which wire to cut.

There are times in life that feel like that. We find ourselves in decisions or situations that we are not qualified to handle.

I know that when we had our first child, I was amazed that they just let us walk out of the hospital with her. No test, no instruction book… Can you think of a time like that? You are in over your head and you need some very practical wisdom.

Well, in this section, Solomon points out 2 paths: The upright path (11) and the path of the wicked (14a). The thing is, there are not big signs hanging over the entrances to these paths that tell us plainly. Rather, what he tells us is that walking the upright path is simply a matter of leaning on the instruction that we’ve received from one wiser than us.

Again, this is a father-son conversation, so you can imagine some of the challenges here. Parents, help me out- have you ever given your teenager some instruction and they act like you are just trying spoil their fun? But you have their best interest in mind, don’t you?

That’s the picture here. You see, there is never a bad time to be wise; it’s never bad to navigate life in accordance to God’s standards. But, as we’ve learned in previous studies, there are people living in rebellion to God and they want to bring as many people into their foolishness as possible. Remember, just because the majority of people say something, it does not make it right.

Jesus said that the path to life is narrow and few find it. Peter said, in 1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

The life-saving instruction of a mentor in Christ helps you see a clear path. I love the picture Solomon gives here to contrast the two. Verse 12 says that this wise instruction clears our path of stumbling blocks. You can easily make it from one point to another because you have nothing to trip you up and light to see.

In contrast, the path of the wicked is like walking in the dark with constant obstacles. They do not even know what they are tripping over. This keeps one stifled and frustrated.

I’m reminded of Moses’ statement to the people of Israel before entering the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 30:19 “19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,”

The reality is that wise instruction, if heeded, can rescue us from making poor decisions that are difficult to get out of. Ultimately, wisdom is not just instruction we receive—it is a Person we follow. Jesus walked the narrow path perfectly, never stumbling, so that when we fail, we are not abandoned.

Let me give you a piece of practical application here: Find a godly person who is a little ahead of you in some area of life and invite them to a meal. Ask them to share Godly wisdom in just one area that you are facing. Friend, this wise instruction may just be life-changing.

Wisdom in practice, points us and others to Christ. The last several verses of this chapter describe the impact from which our legacy investment and life-changing instruction flow; That is

Heart-Shaping Insights (20-27)

(READ)

Solomon compares wisdom to the heart.

ILL: How many of you know what your heart does? It pumps blood all over your body. Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients, and all kinds of absolutely necessary stuff to your brain, your organs, your limbs, etc. It is pretty easy for us to understand what happens to our bodies if our hearts are not working.

Similarly, Solomon says that wisdom is what gives life and health. So let’s explore this a bit.

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord- knowing God rightly and responding to WHO He is - Holy, Perfect, Almighty, All-knowing, Ever-present, the King and Creator, the Judge and the Atonement, the Lion and the Lamb.

These are not just statements that we are to put on posters or bookmarks, they are truths we must embody. We must be careful that we are not simply giving lip-service like the Pharisees did. Friend, if Christ is King, then we certainly do not need to be seated on His throne.

If He is at the center of our lives, then everything about how we live flows from this reality. Look again at v. 22-23 (READ)

Our words and what we find pleasant to our ears flows from our heart.

Our desires and what we spend energy chasing comes from our heart.

Our focus and what pleases our eyes is directed by our heart.

The reality is that our priorities are simply a reflection of what rules our heart. And our lives tell the story.

I am reminded of Jesus’ conversation with some of the Pharisees. Remember, they were religious professionals. All the Jews believed them to be upright and living exemplary lives. But, just like a good doctor, Jesus looked past what the naked eye could see and straight to their heart. His diagnosis: They were dead inside.

Sure, they put on a good show, but God sees beyond all that. And so the danger is for us as well to try to make the outside of our lives look good, while neglecting the heart.

You see, if you and I are truly surrendered to Christ, then the life and health of His wisdom in us will produce all the good fruit because what is in the heart impacts the whole body. You won’t have to ‘try harder’ to share your faith or to heed godly instruction. No, you will want that which God wants.

ILL: A couple weeks ago, during the ice storm, our family spent time reading and studying 1 Peter 1. I could not help thinking about how God demonstrated to us how our authentic surrender realigns what we see as important. When He guides our heart, our lives follow.

Let me point you to a simple application here: This week, will you answer this question: “Is the center and source of my life Christ? How do you know?”

Friends, let me urge you this morning, guard your heart. The greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to love the Lord with all our hearts, mind, and strength. If our heart is corrupted, then our lives will be corrupted.

If you are here with us today and God has shown you that your heart is unhealthy, that’s what we know as sin. Sin separates us from God and condemns us to death. The bad news is that we cannot earn a good standing before God. The good news is that God’s Son, Jesus, became a man and took the penalty for our sin upon himself. He died the death we deserve, and raised from the dead on the 3rd day so that you could be rescued and redeemed.

So today, I encourage you to repent- that means to agree with God about your sin and who Jesus is. Ask Him to forgive you and to become the Lord of your life. It’s the wisest thing you will ever do. And be sure to tell someone about it before you leave so we can follow up with you.

Wisdom in Practice shapes our heart, changes our lives, and gives hope for the future. That, my friends, is an impact that only the foolish would reject.

[PRAY]

Discuss: Solomon emphasizes both receiving wisdom and passing it on. Which of those comes more naturally to you—and which is harder?

Discuss: What makes it hard to listen to wise instruction, especially when it challenges our desires?

Discuss: Proverbs says that everything flows from the heart. What does our daily life reveal about what rules our heart?