The Benefits of Wisdom

If.....Then

I. Pursue Wisdom

Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden thought that wisdom grew on trees and that all they had to do was pick the forbidden fruit and eat it to be wise. But...It’s not easy. You will only discover the knowledge of God...

Through Acceptance

Proverbs 2:1–2 NASB95

1 My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;

Through Prayer

Proverbs 2:3 NASB95

3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;

Through Diligence

Proverbs 2:4 NASB95

4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;

II. Enjoy the Dessert

If you eat you main course with its healthy helpings of meat, fruit, and vegetable, then you are able to enjoy the apple pie and ice cream. When you put in the work that it takes to be wise, then you will get the reward.

A. What’s For Dessert?

Proverbs 2:5 NASB95

5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:9 NASB95

9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.

Proverbs 3:13–24 NASB95

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. 21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. 23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

B. The Best Chef in the World

Proverbs 2:6–8 NASB95

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

Proverbs 2:10 NASB95

10 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

III. Find Protection

A. What protection Looks Like

Proverbs 2:11–12 NASB95

11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;

Guard…Watch over…Deliver (pull out or tear from)

B. Protection from Evil Men

Proverbs 2:11–15 NASB95

11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;

C. Protection from Seductive Women

Proverbs 2:16–21 NASB95

16 To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; 17 That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; 18 For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; 19 None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life. 20 So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it;