True Wisdom

The Gospel Story 
True Wisdom 
Proverbs 1:1-7

William Arnot called the book of Proverbs, “Laws from heaven for life on earth.”  “Wisdom in this portable form”

In English, a proverb is a short saying of practical truth that’s easy to remember.

In Hebrew, the noun “proverb” is related to a verb that means “to represent, to be like.” 

A proverb is a little model of reality, a little verbal representation of some aspect of our daily lives.

What Wisdom Is

Wisdom has been described as knowing what to do with Knowledge

Competence with regards to the Realities of life, how life really works

Perceiving wisdom asks the hard questions about life and seeks to understand God’s answers

Acting wisdom guides our practical conduct every day – righteous living

Wisdom Includes:

• A depth of Character – Who you are
• God-shaped Insight and understanding – How you think

Why Is Wisdom Important?

1. To inspire reverence and obedience within our Hearts
2. To teach Discernment
3. To develop Alertness in our walk
4. To develop Knowledge about reality, the preexisting order that God created long ago
5. To help us to think Keenly about life

Warning:

“For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;” (Proverbs 1:32, ESV)

• The Simple – people who are uneducated, inexperienced about reality to make wise decisions – gullibility

“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15, ESV)

• The Fool – self-righteous, opinionated, stubborn, hard to persuade, despises correction. Wise in their own eyes.

Where Can I Find Wisdom?

As far as the Bible is concerned, you become a wise person through years of training, through learning, through getting to know God, getting to know the Word, spending time in prayer, getting to know your own heart, going through suffering, being corrected by people. You slowly become a discerning, insightful, prudent, wise person.

This growth in wisdom is built on the foundation of The Fear of God

“The fear of God in which godliness consists is the fear which constrains [compels or powerfully produces] adoration and love. It is the fear which consists in awe, reverence, honor, and worship, and all of these on the highest level of exercise. It is the reflex in our consciousness of the transcendent majesty and holiness of God.” John Murray

Three Elements:

• Reverence/Respect in recognition of His infinite worth and dignity
• Admiration of His glorious attributes
• Amazement of His infinite love

“Remember, too, that “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10) is the beginning of wisdom. A living, vital relationship with God is wisdom’s absolute prerequisite. This “fear” is not cringing terror but an attitude of awe and wonder before the faithful, covenant love of God. The New Testament shows us that the kind of relationship with the Lord that Proverbs calls for can be fully realized only through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Tim Keller

 A Helpful Distinction:

• Servile fear – the kind of fear which a slave would feel toward a harsh and unyielding master
• Filial fear – the loving fear of a child toward his father

“That indefinable mixture of reverence, fear, pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us.” Sinclair Ferguson

Making It Personal:

• What has been your understanding of the “fear of the Lord?”
• How is your understanding of God impacting how you relate to Him? What adjustments need to be made?
• What evidence in your life points to a growing wisdom as the Bible describes wisdom?
• How will you nurture and grow a healthy fear of the Lord in your life? How will you nurture and grow in Godly wisdom in the days ahead?
• Is today the day for you to turn from self-rule and self-righteousness and trust in Jesus Christ to be the forgiver of your sin and the leader of your life?
• What is your next step of obedience to God today?

Ready to take your Next Step?

• See Pastor Jeff after the service today
• Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box
• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”