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Choosing the Path of Wisdom: Proverbs 1



.Paths of Wisdom Proverbs 1:1-7 Who can forget the Genie? Mister Aladdin, sir, What will your pleasure be? …take your order, Jot it down You ain't never had a friend like me If you could be granted one wish, what would you ask for? If you have one wish: I wish for a hundred wishes: no! Kid: Super man or Wonder Woman: fly! Teenager: fame. Young adult: love. Parent: sleep. Empty nester: a good retirement. Most people choose happiness. Today, as we start a new series, I’m going to suggest what I think is the most important thing to pursue. More than money. More than happiness. Wisdom. Seek wisdom above all things. A man offered one wish by God. The richest and most successful man in the ancient world, Solomon (971-931 BC) had God come to him and offer him whatever he wanted. 1 Kings 3:9-12: Seek wisdom above all things. God was pleased. Pursue wisdom with your heart and your head. Wisdom is so much more than knowledge or cleverness. Wisdom is spiritual discernment that comes from God. At the core of the book of Proverbs is the pursuit of wisdom. Sermon series. Today. Begin to excavate what wisdom is. As we examine it, our hunger for it will grow. Compare to Burger King. Proverbs 1:7a: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” Not a question of capacity. Not IQ. Wisdom is about the posture of your heart. Proverbs 1:1-7 v. 1-2: Wisdom gives you new eyes. Eph 1:15-18a: 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[f] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, Open the eyes of my heart. Give me spiritual eyes to see. v. 3a: Wisdom is practical: wise dealing. Philosophy major. I’m a knowledge guy. I love facts and tidbits. But a storehouse of facts is not to be confused with wisdom. Jeopardy. Alex Trabek. v. 3b: Wisdom is moral: righteousness, justice, equity. v. 4: Wisdom is for young and old. But with maturity can come greater wisdom. John Maxwell: “Sometimes age comes alone.” Wisdom has a maturity of experience. Similar to plants. The simple are kind-hearted, they are naïve. They are tugged by each argument as it comes and try it out like new clothes. v. 5a-6: Wisdom listens and learns. Wisdom: open ears, closed mouth. Prov 18:13: “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Paths of Wisdom Proverbs 1:1-7 Wisdom begins with listening well, expecting that the other person has something to add to you. 10th grade debate. Cards awaiting a response. Assume you don’t know the answer. Use your ears and not your mouth. Prov 9:9: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” Prov 22:17: Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, A knowledge bully. Lots of knowledge, but sneers at wisdom. Not interested in a conversation. They’ve been coached. They have no interest in what you say. Princeton. Are you listening to your parents? To your wise friends? To your kids? v. 5b: Wisdom is humble. Wisdom seeks guidance. It does not scoff. Prov 9:8: Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Listen humbly. A wise person seeks out wisdom and keeps seeking out wisdom. A wise person knows he can learn something from everyone. Zach asks great questions. Carlos in discipleship group: “What do you think?” Not wanting to button everything up quickly. Prov 13:20: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Kids choosing friends. Seeking out mentors. Books, television, internet. The voices we listen to. Other cultures. Other times. Start day with the Word of God. Rooted: Vanessa and Zach on patio. Not just another study, but an experience to deepen your relationship with God, his people, and your purpose. It is a catalyst for life change. v. 7a: Wisdom is found in a relationship with God. You cannot have wisdom until you trust the Creator of all things. Wisdom does not deny God, it embraces God. v. 7b: Wisdom is hard working. Not a fool. It’s too hard. They would rather just enjoy life. Scrolling social media. Binging Neflix. Binging news. Playing video games. They have no interest in working hard for wisdom. Transformation can happen. At the heart: openness. Seek wisdom. Prov 8:33-34 (God is depicted as the personification of wisdom) 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. Wisdom is Jesus 1 Cor 1:20-24: Jesus is power and wisdom. Ask God for wisdom: Solomon. Above all seek wisdom. Above all seek Jesus.

King Solomon advises to pursue wisdom with your heart and your head. Wisdom is so much more than knowledge or cleverness. Wisdom is spiritual discernment that comes from God. Wisdom is so much more than knowledge or cleverness. Wisdom is spiritual discernment that comes from God.


Preached at New Life Bible Fellowship. Used by permission.


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