Part 1
(Proverbs 4:7 TLB) Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment.
Hebrew word means “skilled living”.
- Knowledge constructs the Titanic, wisdom avoids the icebergs.
- Knowledge builds a house, wisdom builds a home.
- Knowledge understands God, wisdom walks with God.
Wisdom comes from God.
There are people who think that they don’t need God’s wisdom.
(Proverbs 26:12 NKJV) Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
4 Types of People in Proverbs
- The Simple.
“Simple” means they are naïve and clueless.
(Proverbs 7:7 NIV) I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.
The Cure: Time
Along with time comes experience.
We all need people in our lives that are a little further along than we are to tell us not to go that way.
John C. Maxwell: “It’s said that a wise person learns from his mistakes. A wiser one learns from others’ mistakes. But the wisest person of all learns from other’s successes.”
- The Fool.
The fool knows that it is not the right thing to do but do it anyway.
We ask, “why would you do that?”
(Proverbs 10:23 NLT) Doing wrong is fun for a fool…
(Proverbs 10:23 MSG) An empty-head thinks mischief is fun…
(Proverbs 13:20 NIV) Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
The Cure: Pain
Every tragedy has a lesson equal in significance to its heartbreak.
- The Mocker.
Mock – to criticize someone who is doing the right thing. (scoffer)
(Proverbs 9:7-8 NLT) Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. (8) So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you…
The Cure: God
God will have to do something in their life to bring about change.
- The Wise.
(Proverbs 9:9 NIV) Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
Wise people are humble and teachable.
- Correct the simple and they won’t get you.
- Correct the fool and they will ignore you.
- Correct the mocker and they will hate you.
- Correct the wise and they will thank you.
The Fear of the Lord
(Proverbs 9:10 NIV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Most people have a bad perception if what it means to fear God.
A proper fear of the Lord is to simply acknowledge that He is greater than you are.
- God is awesome.
(Psalm 33:8 NLT) Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him.
(Isaiah 40:28 NIV) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
- God is holy.
(Psalm 99:5 NLT) Exalt the LORD our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!
(Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
- God is right.
When you see it one way and God sees it another way, God is right!
(Psalms 19:7-11 NIV) The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (8) The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (9) The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. (10) They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. (11) By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
(Proverbs 19:23 NLT) Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.
A Little Bit of Wisdom #1:
When I understand what it means to fear God, I can live fearlessly.