Get Widsom!

Two Ways of Living

Live in the consequences of wise choices or foolish choices

Ephesians 5:15–21 CSB

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

5:15 What are we to pay careful attention to?

16 Why are we to pay careful attention to how we live? 

17 THE RESULT OF WISDOM. What is the first result of wisdom? What is the opposite of foolishness?

18 Why would the opposite of being drunk with wine be a filling of the Spirit? ()

THE RESULT OF WISDOM: What is the second result of wisdom? 

19-21 What are three results of being filled with the Spirit? 

Understand what the Lord’s will is.

Embrace responsibility. Be filled with the Spirit.

Communication with each other is an overflow of our praise to God.

We live with gratefulness and give thanks always to the Father in the name of Jesus.

We submit to one another, because we fear Christ.

MAIN POINT: Because judgement is coming, we are to pay close attention to how we live. We are to live as wise people. We are to know what the Lord’s will is and we are to live filled with the Holy Spirit.

One of the results of being filled with the Holy Spirit is that we submit to one another, because we fear Christ. (; )

Definition of Wisdom

Understand reality the way God reveals it.

The Wisdom Blueprint

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 7

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

Matthew 7:24–27 CSB

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

24-2

discipline produces learning

truthful instruction produces understanding

understanding produces knowledge

kn

wisdom is first achieving knowledge and then ordering your life accordingly.

The Proverbs train us to first know what God has revealed, then to apply what we know.

The Purpose of the Proverbs

proverb 1:2-6, The purpose of these proverbs is to produce wisdom, discipline, and understanding of insightful sayings. These proverbs are intended to instruct in righteousness, justice and integrity. From these proverbs the youthful and inexperienced may receive knowledge and discretion. Studying these proverbs give the wise more wisdom and the discerning person guidance for understanding the teaching of the wise.

Proverbs 1:2 CSB

2 For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings;

Wisdom and disciple are learned. In this statement, Solomon acknowledges that a person’s wisdom or foolishness is his own responsibility. The ability to understand insightful sayings is one’s own responsibility. No man may look to Jesus on THE DAY and say: I did not understand. No person my accuse God of injustice on judgement day by claiming ignorance or lower intelligence or the inability to concentrate. These proverbs are a tool for any person who chooses to gain wisdom. What a claim! Anyone who wants to learn and be wise may use these writings to do so. Solomon is saying with great volume and clarity: if you are a fool, it is your own fault! You must learn wisdom and discipline!

Proverbs 1:3 CSB

3 for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity;

By reading and meditating on these proverbs, the reader will receive prudent instruction on righteousness, justice and integrity. This is not a simply random grouping or collection of categories. These three spheres quite simply explain the character of God and our relationship with Him. Righteousness demands our right thinking about God and our submission to His law by faith. Justice can only be defined by the character of God. Our holy Father is the standard for what is fair, what standard is true, and what penalty or reward is justified. Integrity is the validation of truth. Obedience to God, fellowship with God, and bearing the image of God are all tied to these three spheres of human need. Not only do we need to know God’s character in the context of these three spheres, but we also must bear the image of these characteristics. Prudent instruction is that which forecasts. This is the kind of stewardship today that results in fruit tomorrow. The one who would understand and live by righteousness, justice, and integrity would live as God intended and accomplish God’s will.

Proverbs 1:4 CSB

4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man—

The greatest need of a young person is that they could learn to make the right decisions about that which they have no experience. Being young is difficult. It is almost impossible to predict future outcomes of actions when there is no experience to fall back on. Solomon encourages us to understand that these proverbs give the young person with no experience an ability to make right decisions. The inexperienced can map out a path to success! Solomon says these proverbs make this possible!

Proverbs 1:5–6 CSB

5 let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance— 6 for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.

prov 5-6

These proverbs are not only for the inexperienced or the unwise. Solomon claims that these wisdom sayings also instruct the wise. These proverbs make the wise wiser! Those who have discretion receive guidance from these writings. Those who are wise may find in these proverbs guidance to understand more proverbs. The idea is that the wise may go further and deeper.

Proverbs 1:7 CSB

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

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of our faith journey and wisdom blueprint.

because our first act of wisdom is accepting that God is who He says He is. We seek more knowledge of God, because we fear Him.

(David and Snakes) (People and God, the One they will stand before on judgement day.)

If you want to project how wise you will become, evaluate your fear of God by measuring your desire for knowledge:

Where is your pursuit of Knowledge on a scale of 1-10 in the area of:

Great Commission

one may say: I don’t know what to say (discipline to learn the Bible and be able to explain it)

one may say: I am not good at meeting strangers (discipline to practice starting conversations)

one may say: I have tried and didn’t get good results (discipline to learn to communicate differently)

The bottom line is that one may say: i am not responsible for making disciples…does the Bible say that? A fear of the Lord will drive a person to make sure!

Remember a fool hates wisdom and discipline. A fool would rather not pursue knowledge, would rather not discover what God has revealed. A fool doesn’t worry about learning whether to build on rock or sand. A fool doesn’t think about the future—the day they will stand before the Lord. This is something a wise person does.

And if you want wisdom…God has promised to give it.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 7

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

discipline produces learning

truthful instruction produces understanding

understanding produces knowledge

wisdom is first achieving knowledge and then ordering your life accordingly.

The Proverbs train us to first know what God has revealed, then to apply what we know.

Proverbs trains you to learn what you don’t know, pursue more of what you do know, and the gospel compels us to pass on what you achieve.

Wisdoms Rebuke

Proverbs 1:20–21 CSB

20 Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares. 21 She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:

prov 1 20-

Proverbs 1:20–33 CSB

20 Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares. 21 She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates: 22 “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge? 23 If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words. 24 Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, 25 since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, 26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. 28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, 30 were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, 31 they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes. 32 For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. 33 But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.”

20-21

no one can hide under the umbrella of ignorance. Wisdom pursues mankind. (God has made Himself known. We are made in His image so we can understand Him, know Him and live in relationship with Him.) A fool is a fool by choice.

Proverbs 1:22 CSB

22 “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge?

the fool stays a fool because he loves ignorance and hates knowledge.

Proverbs 1:23 CSB

23 If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words.

God requires a response to the pursuit of wisdom.

A time of teaching like this makes it impossible not to respond to the call of wisdom.

Even if you never heard this kind of teaching, God still requires a response.

I also want to point out that this is the first prophecy that God will pour out His Spirit on those who respond to the Gospel. This is the first prophetic glimpse of the day of Pentecost. (1000 years before)

listen to Wisdom’s rebuke:

Proverbs 1:24–33 CSB

24 Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, 25 since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, 26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. 28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, 30 were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, 31 they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes. 32 For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. 33 But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.”

prov 1 24-

Do you see where Paul came up with the idea he unpacked in ?

The Promise of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1–5 CSB

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 3:1–26 CSB

1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. 3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; 10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; 12 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights. 13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy. 19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. 20 By his knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew. 21 Maintain sound wisdom and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. 22 They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. 25 Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.

if you pursue God’s word, you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

Notice the Nature of the Promise of God…if you will…then I will

If you accept my words and store up my commands within you

If you listen closely to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding

if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding

If you seek it like hidden treasure

THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

Notice that knowing God does not happen without spiritual sweat. If you want to be wise:

Ap

Apply yourself to God’s word…seek it like a hidden treasure!

Notice that God does not hide Himself from anyone who wants to know Him.

Proverbs 2:6–9 CSB

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity 8 so that he may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of his faithful followers. 9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity—every good path.

prov 2

If you set your heart on the Lord, you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity. You will know live in the blessing of the Lord.

Notice the source of wisdom…it is God alone

Notice the success God promises those who become wise (who live upright with integrity)

God provides a shield

God provides justice and protects the way of his faithful followers.

protection from those who want to destroy you and protection from yourself (protection from suffering the consequences of your own sinful choices)

Success from God’s perspective: that we understand righteousness, justice, and integrity—every good path.

Proverbs 2:10–19 CSB

10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight you. 11 Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you. 12 It will rescue you from the way of evil— from anyone who says perverse things, 13 from those who abandon the right paths to walk in ways of darkness, 14 from those who enjoy doing evil and celebrate perversion, 15 whose paths are crooked, and whose ways are devious. 16 It will rescue you from a forbidden woman, from a wayward woman with her flattering talk, 17 who abandons the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; 18 for her house sinks down to death and her ways to the land of the departed spirits. 19 None return who go to her; none reach the paths of life.

if you seek wisdom you will be rescued from what no fool has ever been able to refuse since the beginning—perverse living and sexual immorality.

If you pursue God’s word, God promises that you will know Him. He has made Himself available to us through His word.

If you submit to God as the source of wisdom, God promises protection from those who may want to destroy you and protection from yourself.

Bottom line: if you desire wisdom, and seek it will all of your heart…God will give it to you. is a summary of the kind of protections God is promising…the kind of protection God desires for you.

Notice that wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will delight you!

Discretion and understanding will server as body guards over your life.

wisdom will keep you from choosing the path of evil…it will will protect you from partnering with those who celebrate perversion…those who enjoy doing evil.

wisdom will rescue you from sexual immorality.

Proverbs 2:20–22 CSB

20 So follow the way of the good, and keep to the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it; 22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous ripped out of it.

prov 2

If you seek wisdom you will inherit the promise of God.

Notice the instruction for the wise:

follow and partner with those who keep to the paths of the righteous.

The promise of God is that the upright will inherit what He promises and the wicked will be cut off.