Wisdom's Perfection working in us

Introduction

There are two paths, path of the wicked and the path of the righteous (Look up and Read Pro4:14-19)

Path of wicked is darkness

Path of righteous is light (Insert )

Luke 1:77–79 NASB95

To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

God wants to perfect the path of the believer.

Gods plan is for completion

Ephesians 2:20 NASB95

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

Philippians 2:12–13 NASB95

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Philippians 1:6 NASB95

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Seek after Wisdom (Pro4:1-13)

Hindsight is 20/20

When I was a son he taught me

Now as a father I teach

More than receiving; it is about applying wisdom

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James 1:22 NASB95

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Seek and apply and you will avoid some pitfalls

Other things to notice

Do not forsake (v.6)

Prize her (v.8)

Take hold and do not let go (v.13)

Avoid Temptation and sin (Pro4:14-19)

Separation from sin/evil

Don’t isolate yourself from world, but don’t let the world impact you

Illustration:

Good for boat to be in the water but not water be in the boat

Guard your life (Pro4:20-27)

Key words in guarding your life

Incline (v.20)

Keep (v.21)

watch (vv.23, 26)

Put away (v.24)

Do not turn (v.27)

The heart, a wrong heart will always produce a wrong life

The heart controls the tongue; so guard your lips (v.24) (insert )

Luke 6:45 NASB95

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Our heart, our lips need to speak in love

Ephesians 4:15 NASB95

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

Ephesians 4:31 NASB95

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Colossians 4:6 NASB95

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

We must guard our eyes (v.25)

Hebrews 12:1–2 NASB95

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

we know about the lust of the eyes (Look up and read 1Jn2:15-17)

We must ponder (watch) our path (v.26)

Socrates said “the unexamined life is not worth living.”

We need to examine our lives to see where we are going

The Lord ponders our path

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Proverbs 5:21 NASB95

For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths.

The Application

Live in God’s Word and He will protect, direct and perfect your path

All for the Glory of God!