Practical Wisdom for Christians

Introduction

The Bible tells us that wisdom is the principal thing!

Most people spend their life pursing things other than wisdom.

Some Pursue Love

People are searching for true love.

People look for love in all the wrong places.

They look for physical attraction, not for character.

Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

In our search for love, too many forsake God in the process.

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Some Pursue Money

Haggai 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

1 Timothy 6:5-11 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

What are you following after?

What are you chasing?

Review: People are chasing money, and love, never seem to find what they are looking for…

We need to Follow God, seek Wisdom

The Bible tells us we really need Wisdom.

Proverbs 4:5-9 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

We want to be successful, we need to follow the example of the successful. We want to be wise, we need to see what wise people do, and copy it, and reproduce it in our own lives.

Outline

The Communication of the Wise

The Priorities of the Wise

The Attitude of the Wise

Pray

I. The Communication of the Wise

If we want to be wise, we need to evaluate our communication. Is our communication wise according to the Bible?

Do you speak your mind?

Do you always give your two-cents on Facebook?

Do you feel what you have to say is the most important thing?

How do you respond to criticism?

How do you respond to disrespectful communication?

Communication with People

Proverbs 15:1-2 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

In the Home

In the Workplace

Online

Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

The only way to have knowledge is if you study, and if you are busy working. Let’s get busy.

Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

The mouth of the wicked has no filter. The mouth of the wicked spews out wickedness, because that is what is in the heart.

Review: Communication with People...

Communication with God

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

God’s not interested is religion (sacrifice of the wicked)

Job sacrificed often for his children, but Job was a righteous man.

God is not interested in hypocrites

God wants to hear from his children

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Do you talk to God?

Review: The Communication of the Wise (People & God)...

The Priorities of the Wise

The Wise Put God First

Proverbs 15:16-17 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

The system of the world is a consumer based system. The world is all about acquiring more, and more stuff.

Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

We don’t need more stuff, we need more of Jesus.

Review: The Wise put God first…

The Wise are not consumed with getting Money or Things

Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

People that are not wise are tempted to do criminal activity to get gain.

Larceny (Theft)

Accepting Bribes

Government Mishandling Money - Officials with new house and trucks…? Their relatives get approved first?

Nepotism - The practice of those in power favoring or appointing friends and family to prestigious positions

Joe Bidden’s Son - Joe Bidden’s son getting paid $80,000 per month working for a company in Ukraine.

Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

Achen -

Review: The Communication of the Wise, The Priorities of the Wise...

Conclusion

Do your priorities line up with God’s priorities for you life? Making more money is not as important as raising your children for God.

Always put God First - you will not have regrets later in life

How is your communication at home? Do you respond in anger, do you use harsh words with your loved ones?

How is your communication with God? Do you spend time talking to the Lord every day?