WISDOM: A PRACTICAL AND NECESSARY PURSUIT OF GODLINESS

Bible 365 BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP WISDOM: A PRACTICAL AND NECESSARY PURSUIT OF GODLINESS

Bible 365

Bible Study Fellowship 4

Topic: WISDOM: A PRACTICAL AND NECESSARY PURSUIT OF GODLINESS

Scripture:

OPENING PRAYER

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How many of you have some decision, some pursuit in your life, some decision going on right now that you desire wisdom for?

2. What do you think of when you think of wisdom, a wise person, or a wise decision?

3. How does one become wise? How does one go about obtaining wisdom?

4. Whats the difference between being wise, knowledgeable, smart, or having understanding?

5. What is the opposite of wise?

ie. Foolish, careless, ignorant, uniformed, heedless, reckless, unintelligent, unrealistic, unreasonable.

DIRECTION:

Often wisdom is seen as a necessary tool in order to reach or obtain another desire. Meaning I desire wisdom in how to build a house…meaning, I desire the necessary know how to build a house. Ultimately the desire when we view it this way is the house not wisdom. Wisdom is simply a bridge to help us reach our ultimate desire.

As such our life becomes full of pursuits:

I want a toy

I want to win a game

I want a good education

I want a good job, a good career

I want a car

I want a relationship

I want a spouse

I want a child

I want a house

I want a good retirement

And on and on it goes. In the midst of this list we ask how? How do I obtain? And we label he who has the know how as wise.

However the Bible speaks of wisdom less as a bridge to something and more as an ultimate treasure, as a practical and necessary pursuit of the believer. It is a desire, a pursuit which is seen as good and pleasing to God. Though the obtaining of wisdom is seen in human learning, experience and study, the Bible displays wisdom as less of physical obtaining and more of a spiritual fruit or even a gift of grace, received from God when sought by man.

SEEKING TOGETHER:

We are seeking truth. So our question here is,

1. How does the Bible define and use the word wisdom?

2. What does the Bible say about wisdom?

* What is it? - Where does it come from? - How do I get it?

3. What is at the heart of wisdom?

DEFINING WISDOM

DEFINING WISDOM

Wisdom - General - the application of knowledge. Wisdom and knowledge go hand in hand. Knowledge is the prerequisite to wisdom!

1. OBTAIN: Obtain information from study. (Information)

2. EXPERIENCE: Experience said information. (Knowledge)

3. ACQUIRE & WEIGH: Acquired knowledge has to be evaluated and weighed for your true understanding. (Understanding)

4. RETURN: After the weighing of true understanding, one may have to return to step 1-3 a multitude of times before true knowledge may reveal itself.

5. APPLY: True wisdom may be applied from the gathering of previous steps. (Wisdom)

Wisdom - General/Biblical:

HBD: Real WISDOM is the Fear of God. Three basic definitions of wisdom summarize the status of the field of study very well. Note that the first two of these definitions are quite secular in nature while the third is religious.

First, wisdom is considered by many to be simply the art of learning how to succeed in life. Apparently ancient persons learned very early that there was orderliness to the world in which they lived. They also learned that success and happiness came from living in accordance with that orderliness ().

Second, wisdom is considered by some to be a philosophical study of the essence of life. Certainly much of the books of Job and Ecclesiastes seem to deal with just such existential issues of life ().

Third, though the other definitions might include this, it seems that the real essence of wisdom is spiritual, for life is more than just living by a set of rules and being rewarded in some physical manner. Undoubtedly in this sense wisdom comes from God (). Thus though it will involve observation and instruction, it really begins with God and one’s faith in Him as Lord and Savior (; )

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

And he said to man,‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Wisdom - Specific Word & Passage of Study:

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”

In we read the word “understanding”

Understanding 8085 = Hear, Listen, Obey

In we read wisdom & knowledge

Wisdom 2451 = Skill

Knowledge 4093 = Thought

In general we have read that Solomon being given the opportunity to ask anything of the LORD is asking of the LORD that he would obey, obtain skill and thoughtfulness. This is all asked for in the context of serving God’s people. This is the context which Solomon ask in because it is what God had spoken in His Word. In other words the heart of Solomon was that the Word of God be fulfilled. That the ministry of God to His people take place through Him who is unable and unworthy. Thus he seeks God for worthiness and ability.

Now the word that we need to zero in on is wisdom:

Vines: Wisdom 2451 (hokmah) appears 141 times in the OT. “wisdom; experience; shrewdness.”

1. Definition (vines): The knowledge and the ability to make the right choices at the opportune time. The consistency of making the right choice is an indication of maturity and development. (I would add that wisdom (godly) begins before knowledge with, the fear of the Lord, desire and humility of heart. The haughty person cannot be wise and the one who does not desire will not obtain. Though fear of the Lord is listed here as a prerequisite by Vines, it cannot be disconnected from wisdom any more than knowledge can. Scripture marries it together with knowledge as to say, knowledge is never conceived without the fear of the Lord, and without this true knowledge wisdom is never known.

2. Prerequisite of Wisdom: (Rather - the first step)

* The fear of the Lord. ()

Wisdom is seen as crying out for disciples who will do everything to pursue her ()

* A desire to follow and imitate God as He has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, without self-reliance and especially not in a spirit of pride. ()

The person who seeks wisdom diligently will receive understanding:

He will benefit in his life by walking with God ()

3. Advantages of Wisdom:

* Length of Days

* Long Life

* Peace

* Favor & Good understanding in the sight of God & man

4. The fruits of wisdom:

There are many fruits of wisdom. In NT terms the fruit of “wisdom” are the same as the fruits of the Holy Spirit. (, )

5. The Septuagint translations:

* Sophos - clever, skillful, experienced, wise, learned

* Phronimos - sensible, thoughtful, prudent.

* Sunetos - intelligent

6. The heart of Wisdom

Humility, Faith, Valor (bravery), Love

7. The Path of Wisdom:

Fear God

Desire godliness - what is right before God, what is true before God

Seek godliness

Find godliness in God

Walk in godliness

FURTHER THOUGHT:

Wisdom ask: “Is this pleasing in the sight of the Lord?” Wisdom seeks the answer to that question, and wisdom responds/acts accordingly being tied together with the pleasures of God. Wisdom knows if it is pleasing in the sight of the Lord then no one can stand against it. Thus scripture speaking of the one who is abiding in God in suffering and pleasure says:

 - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Wisdom is contrary to the thoughts and opinions of man. Wisdom does not set a pursuit and ask for God’s help. Wisdom ask for God’s permission, power and strength in seeking God and the things of God. Wisdom says, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Wisdom is content in having only God and whatever it has is not its own but it ask wether in little or much, “give me the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to accomplish Your Word and what you have willed with this thing, circumstance, or decision.”

SCRIPTURE:

 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

CONCLUSION APPLICATION:

What is the application of tonight? In the beginning we said that we are seeking truth or true wisdom and therefore our question is,

1. How does the Bible define and use the word wisdom?

2. What does the Bible say about wisdom?

* What is it? - Where does it come from? - How do I get it?

3. What is at the heart of wisdom?

The application would be, in answering these questions, what will you do? Solomon abandon God and as such all of his gifts and riches that he received became vain. What about you? Will you walk in vanity or in wisdom. Do you see true wisdom and understand the treasure that it is? Are you willing to think, live and walk differently. Are you willing to be counted a fool in this world to live by the wisdom of God?

The choice to seek true godly wisdom and apply it or not, is a great life impacting and even eternally impacting decision…CHOOSE WISLEY.