Part 5
(Proverbs 4:7 TLB) Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment.
Knowledge is having knowledge and knowing some principles – wisdom is the ability to apply to your life.
Hebrew word means “skilled living”.
Being teachable is the key to growing and becoming better.
26 of 31 chapters of Proverbs teach or mention this topic.
The Babbling Fool
(Proverbs 10:8 NLT) The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
This verse is saying that there are times we are talking when we should be listening. A lot of times we do this because we are insecure. Might be a protection or defense mechanism.
- The know it all.
(Proverbs 28:26 NLT) Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
- The been there, done that.
(Proverbs 18:2 NLT) “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.”
- The one upper.
(Proverbs 12:15 NLT) “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.”
(Proverbs 17:28 NLT) Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
The Listening Heart
(Proverbs 1:5 NLT) Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance.
- Is humble.
(Proverbs 11:2 NLT) Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Humility is your choice – humiliation is when someone makes that choice for you!
Choosing to be humble is when we choose to lay pride down. Humiliation is when pride is taken from you painfully!
- Has a desire to grow.
(Proverbs 15:14 NLT) A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.
(Proverbs 15:32 NLT) If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
Very often growth does not feel good. Ever hear of “Growing Pains”?
- Will embrace correction.
Correction is never fun but we must learn to embrace it. We may not enjoy it but it should help us to grow and become better.
Correction is never rejection!
The enemy will always make sure you interpret correction as rejection to make you get bitter and not better.
(Proverbs 12:1 NLT) “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.”
(Proverbs 13:18 NLT) If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.
A Teachable Life
(Proverbs 13:13-14 NLT) People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed. (14) The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
- Learners initiate.
They take the first step to learn and get better.
(Proverbs 18:15 NLT) Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
(Proverbs 2:2-4 NLT) Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. (3) Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. (4) Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
(James 1:5 NLT) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.
- Learners implement.
(Proverbs 7:24 TLB) Listen to me, young men, and not only listen but obey;
(James 1:22 NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
- Water Baptism – July 15th
- Growth Track Membership Class – July 21st
- Learners improve.
(Ephesians 4:15 NLT) …we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.
Grow (Greek) – to increase, enlarge, to exceed
Improvement is a process!
- Learners inspire.
(Proverbs 27:17 NIV) As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
A Little Bit of Wisdom #5:
(Proverbs 19:20 NLT) Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
The habit of a teachable spirit produces a life of consistent wisdom.