The Golden Assets of Godly Wisdom By Pastor Dan Kennedy © October 29, 2017 www.pastorkennedy.com Q: Which Old Testament judge in Israel gave this riddle? “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.” (Judges 14:14) A: Samson What answer was given to Samson's riddle? What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? (Judges 14:18) Here’s another question that could be called an Old Testament riddle: What quality* is better than silver, gold and expensive jewels?  What quality* is so important that nothing you desire can be compared to it? (See Proverbs 8:10-11) *Wisdom Here is a confusing conundrum from Solomon: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.” “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” Proverbs 26:4–5 What can guide you to know the best way to respond when confronted with this kind of awkward situation? God has various kinds of wisdom which can be available to anyone in the world depending on their occupation, gifting and authority, etc., and their seeking for wisdom; but, there is another special kind of wisdom, that the world even considers to be “foolish”(…which we discuss later). What Can Corrupt Wisdom? Proverbs 11:2 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 16:18 18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Ezekiel 28:17 (Satan’s Demise was because of Pride) 17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. The Golden Assets of Godly Wisdom Today, we have an opportunity to study what God says about a profound quality that the Scripture tells us is available to any of God’s Children who diligently seek it. First, let’s consider an uncomfortable parallel that is given to us in Proverbs 7. The Healthy Allure of Wisdom Paralleled with the Destructive Allure of Sensuality Proverbs 7 Viewing a World Enticed by Sensuality (v. 6-7)  Flirting with an Obsession with Sex (v. 8-9) If you Lust for Sin, you will find it (v. 10-13) Unfaithfulness – a Destroyer of Individuals and Homes (v. 14-23a) Unfettered Passion never reveals its Mortal Consequences (v. 23b-27) Sensual Passion Cries out, offering temporal, destructive pleasure; but alternatively, there is an Honorable Allurement that Calls out in the following chapter in Proverbs, which offers a vastly different and eternal prize. The Blessing of Wisdom Proverbs 8 8 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. Qualities that Wisdom Offers (Proverbs 8:5-12) Prudence and Understanding (8:5) 5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Worthy Things to Say; Words that are Right (8:6) 6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. Words that are True and Just (8:7-8) 7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. Words that are Right and Faultless (8:9) 9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Prudence, Knowledge and Discretion (8:12)  12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. Benefits of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:10-11) Much better than Silver and Gold More precious than rubies  10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11a for wisdom is more precious than rubies, Nothing you desire can be compared with Godly wisdom 11b and nothing you desire can compare with her. Things Wisdom Detests (Proverbs 8:7-8, 13) Wisdom Detests Wickedness (8:7) 7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. Wisdom Detests Words that are crooked or perverse (8:8) 8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. Wisdom Detests Evil (8:13) Wisdom Detests Pride and Arrogance (8:13) Wisdom Detests Evil Behavior and Perverse Speech (8:13) 13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Decision-Making Attributes of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:14-16) Good Counsel and Sound Judgment rise from Wisdom; Understanding and Honorable Power come from Wisdom. (v. 14)   14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. The Best World Rulers lead through Wisdom; Just Laws are created because of Wisdom. (v. 15) 15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; State and local Leaders Govern honorably through Wisdom; Any healthy leadership is the result of basic Wisdom. (v. 16)   16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. Seeking Wisdom Brings Exponential Practical Benefits (Proverbs 8:17-21) Wisdom is Not Hard to Find, if You are Seeking for Wisdom (v. 17)  o Wisdom loves those who Seek It (v. 17) o If You Seek Wisdom, You Will Find It (v. 17) 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Wisdom Offers Enduring Assets (v. 18)  18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. o The Fruit of Wisdom is better than fine Gold (v. 19) o What Wisdom yields is better than choice silver (v. 19) 19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. Wisdom bestows Blessings that exceed Worldly Wealth (v. 21)  21a bestowing wealth on those who love me o Wisdom walks on the way of Righteousness (v. 20) o Wisdom will lead one along the paths of Justice (v. 20) 20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, o Wisdom makes one’s Treasuries Bountiful (v. 21) 21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. Wisdom’s Historical Value Reveals Its Inestimable Worth (Proverbs 8:22-26) Wisdom was the First of God’s Works, preceding other Profound Creations (v. 22) 22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; Wisdom superseded the creation of the world (v. 23) 23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. Wisdom preceded the oceans being formed Wisdom was created before fresh water springs burst forth (v. 24)  24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; Wisdom existed before the mountains dominated the skyline Wisdom was born before the rolling hills (v. 25) 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, Wisdom preceded the fertile ground and bountiful fields (v. 26) 26before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. Wisdom was Present at the Creation of the Heaven and Earth (Proverbs 8:27-29) When the Heavens were set in place, Wisdom was there When the Horizon was determined, Wisdom was there (v. 27)  27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, When the Clouds were established, Wisdom was there When the Fountains of the Deep sprang to life, Wisdom was there (v. 28)  28a when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, When the Boundary of the Sea was established, Wisdom was there When the Foundations of the Earth were marked out, Wisdom was there (v. 29)  29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Wisdom is Described as being the Craftsman by the side of The Creator (Proverbs 8:30-31) Wisdom was filled with delight day after day during Creation Wisdom Rejoiced in God’s Presence (v. 30) 30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, Wisdom Rejoiced in His whole world Wisdom was Delighted in Mankind’s Creation (v. 31) 31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. The Appeal to Seek Wisdom (Proverbs 8:32-36 You will be blessed if you seek Wisdom and keep Wisdom’s Ways (v. 32) 32 “Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Don’t ignore Wisdom, listen to Wisdom’s Instruction and be wise (v. 33) 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. You will be blessed if you listen, watch and wait, seeking and finding Wisdom (v. 34) 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Whoever finds Godly Wisdom finds life and favor from the LORD (v. 35) 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. Those who fail to find Wisdom harms himself or herself All who hate Wisdom, love death. (v. 36) 36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” Are you happy when you do things you know to be wrong? Have you ever been happy with yourself when you have gone against your conscience and what you knew God told you not to do from His Word? Most times an honorable person is sad, has guilt, and feels terrible when they have done what he or she knows to be wrong. Are you sad when you do things that you know to be good and right? Have you ever been sad, depressed and discouraged when you have done what you know is right, and what you know God wants you to do? Most times an honorable person is very happy with him or herself when, even though it may have been difficult, they did what they knew to be right! God has given wisdom to the world to guide each human being to make the best decisions for his or her personal lives… but there are also various types of wisdom. Primary Types of Wisdom available to us: Wisdom in the World  Wisdom’s creation, as in all life and knowledge, has originally come from God; but, just as humankind has been corrupted because of sin, through the fall, so also worldly wisdom has been and can be corrupted. Wisdom is available to all; but, we can also twist honorable wisdom to be valuable for our own deceitful ends. o Domestic wisdom (family/household; some parents are wise, some are not) o Occupational wisdom (various degrees of management, financial, business skills, etc., some better, some worse) o Specially gifted wisdom (intellectual, educational, musical, athletic, etc., which, in some cases are brilliant, and in other cases, destructive) o Leadership wisdom (positional, authority based, good and bad) o Other aspects of wisdom The Fatal Flaw of Earthly Wisdom Ecclesiastes 2:20–21 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. Worldly Wisdom Compared with Godly Wisdom  James 3:13–16 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Outcomes of Corrupted Earthly Wisdom o harboring bitter envy, and (v. 14) o selfish ambition in your hearts, o boasting about it, or o denying the truth o not from heaven – but earthly, unspiritual and of the devil (v. 15) o leading to disorder and every evil practice (v. 16) Outcomes of Wisdom that Comes from Heaven James 3:17-18 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. Godly Wisdom o pure; o peace-loving, o considerate, o submissive, o full of mercy and good fruit, o impartial and o sincere 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. How Do I Gain Godly Wisdom and Insight? God has given everyone living in this world the opportunity of gaining basic human wisdom and maturity from insight through mentors, media, further education and personal experience to instruct us in how we live, raise our children, interact with others, and earn a living, etc. But we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have the privilege of seeking the greater resource of Spiritually Godly Wisdom, offered to us by God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Godly Wisdom is established on God’s Word and is revealed by God’s Holy Spirit, who illuminates hidden Spiritual wisdom to those who love God and are maturing in their faith in Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 2:6-16) How Can I Find Godly Wisdom in my Daily Life? These simple steps may prove to be beneficial in your search for Godly Wisdom. Ask God Be Aware Choose Wisely Don’t Doubt A. Ask God for Wisdom Ask often. Make it a habit to ask God for Wisdom. James 1:5 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Notice that anyone’s request for wisdom is consistent with Proverbs 8: WISDOM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO SEEK IT Proverbs 8:17 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Ask God for Wisdom. B. Be Aware of Your Options You always have the option of responding several ways in any conversation. That’s why we should rely on God for His Wisdom in our response.  If you know you have a tendency to say things unwisely, review in your mind what you should say, or what you should not say, before responding.  If you know your response will cause an issue, keep silent.  “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise” … Proverbs 17:28a If it would be wise for you seek good counsel before making a decision, then do it.  Ask God for Wisdom. Be aware of Your Options.  C. Choose Wisely Understand the power of your tongue. (James 3)  There can be times when we have fun and joke around, but in normal interaction – and when we talk about others…  o Choose to wisely build up others in your verbal responses, rather than being smart-alecky, rude, crass, or demeaning, etc. o Choose peace not a battle. o Choose wisdom, not one-upmanship. o Choose to love the other person and build them up, instead of putting them down. If you have asked God for Wisdom…choose to use the wisdom He gives you!  Steer Clear of Pride.  When facing a foolish person remember the paradox of Prov. 26:4-5:  “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” Ask God for Wisdom and Choose Wisely how to answer with discernment. Choose Wisely, when making a Critical Decision   o First, seek God’s Wisdom, o Search for Godly Counsel, when appropriate, as God prompts you, o Watch how God guides you through His Hand – in Circumstances, and o Wait on God’s alignment, and give Him Time for His Answer. Isaiah 64:4 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18 18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Ask God for Wisdom. Be aware of Your Options. Choose Wisely.  D. Don’t Doubt. Determinedly Follow Through When God Gives You His Wisdom, Faithfully Keep a Steady Course without Doubting – or your ambivalence will sidetrack the very outcome you seek. James 1:5 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:6-7 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord…. Doubting God’s Wisdom undermines healthy faith… and God’s response. Peter’s Fear makes him Sink Matthew 14:28–31 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Ask God for Wisdom. Be aware of Your Options. Choose Wisely. Don’t Doubt. Determinedly Follow Through  Responding Wisely may take some Practice Hebrews 5:14 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. The Golden Assets of Godly Wisdom are Very Deep and Beyond our Ability to Exhaust the Depth of their Benefits Romans 11:33 33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! God has given us every opportunity in this world of being blessed through His Wisdom. Now it is up to us to seek His Wisdom and be guided by His Holy Spirit. ENDNOTES Wisdom Ecclesiastes 7:12 12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. Ecclesiastes 7:19 19 Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. Ecclesiastes 9:14–16 14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom…. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength….” Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance. Proverbs 28:26 26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. Job 39:26 26 “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south? Psalm 104:24 24 How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Proverbs 3:19 19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place… Jeremiah 10:12 12 But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Psalm 90:12 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 111:10 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Proverbs 2:6 6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 19:11 11 A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Ecclesiastes 2:13 13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. Isaiah 11:1–3 11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord— 3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord…. Isaiah 33:6 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Proverbs 24:3–4 3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 21:30 30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Christ the Wisdom and Power of God 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 2:6–16 Wisdom From the Spirit 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. Matthew 11:25–26 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” 1 Corinthians 3:18–23 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 21 So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. Ephesians 1:17 (see 17-23) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Colossians 2:2–3 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 3:16 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

The Golden Assets of Godly Wisdom

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Q: Which Old Testament judge in Israel gave this riddle?

“Out of the eater, something to eat;

out of the strong, something sweet.”

(Judges 14:14)

A: Samson

What answer was given to Samson's riddle?

•What is sweeter than honey?
•What is stronger than a lion?

(Judges 14:18)

Here’s another question that could be called an Old Testament riddle:

•What quality* is better than silver, gold and expensive jewels?
•What quality* is so important that nothing you desire can be compared to it?

(See Proverbs 8:10-11)

*Wisdom

Here is a confusing conundrum from Solomon:

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

or you will be like him yourself.”

“Answer a fool according to his folly,

or he will be wise in his own eyes.”

Proverbs 26:4–5

What can guide you to know the best way to respond when confronted with this kind of awkward situation?

God has various kinds of wisdom which can be available to anyone in the world depending on their occupation, gifting and authority, etc., and their seeking for wisdom; but, there is another special kind of wisdom, that the world even considers to be “foolish”(…which we discuss later).

What Can Corrupt Wisdom?

Proverbs 11:2

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18

18 Pride goes before destruction,

a haughty spirit before a fall.

Ezekiel 28:17 (Satan’s Demise was because of Pride)

17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty,

and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.

So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.

The Golden Assets of Godly Wisdom

Today, we have an opportunity to study what God says about a profound quality that the Scripture tells us is available to any of God’s Children who diligently seek it.

First, let’s consider an uncomfortable parallel that is given to us in Proverbs 7.

The Healthy Allure of Wisdom Paralleled with the Destructive Allure of Sensuality

Proverbs 7

•Viewing a World Enticed by Sensuality (v. 6-7)
•Flirting with an Obsession with Sex (v. 8-9)

•If you Lust for Sin, you will find it (v. 10-13)

•Unfaithfulness – a Destroyer of Individuals and Homes (v. 14-23a)

•Unfettered Passion never reveals its Mortal Consequences (v. 23b-27)

Sensual Passion Cries out, offering temporal, destructive pleasure; but alternatively, there is an Honorable Allurement that Calls out in the following chapter in Proverbs, which offers a vastly different and eternal prize.

The Blessing of Wisdom

Proverbs 8

8 Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 On the heights along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 beside the gates leading into the city,

at the entrances, she cries aloud:

4 “To you, O men, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

Qualities that Wisdom Offers (Proverbs 8:5-12)

•Prudence and Understanding (8:5)

5 You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, gain understanding.

•Worthy Things to Say; Words that are Right (8:6)

6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right.

•Words that are True and Just (8:7-8)

7 My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

8 All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.

•Words that are Right and Faultless (8:9)

9 To the discerning all of them are right;

they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

•Prudence, Knowledge and Discretion (8:12)

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion.

Benefits of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:10-11)

•Much better than Silver and Gold
•More precious than rubies

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,

knowledge rather than choice gold,

11a for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

•Nothing you desire can be compared with Godly wisdom

11b and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Things Wisdom Detests (Proverbs 8:7-8, 13)

•Wisdom Detests Wickedness (8:7)

7 My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

•Wisdom Detests Words that are crooked or perverse (8:8)

8 All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.

•Wisdom Detests Evil (8:13)
•Wisdom Detests Pride and Arrogance (8:13)
•Wisdom Detests Evil Behavior and Perverse Speech (8:13)

13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;

I hate pride and arrogance,

evil behavior and perverse speech.

Decision-Making Attributes of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:14-16)

•Good Counsel and Sound Judgment rise from Wisdom;
•Understanding and Honorable Power come from Wisdom. (v. 14)

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

I have understanding and power.

•The Best World Rulers lead through Wisdom;
•Just Laws are created because of Wisdom. (v. 15)

15 By me kings reign

and rulers make laws that are just;

•State and local Leaders Govern honorably through Wisdom;
•Any healthy leadership is the result of basic Wisdom. (v. 16)

16 by me princes govern,

and all nobles who rule on earth.

Seeking Wisdom Brings Exponential Practical Benefits (Proverbs 8:17-21)

•Wisdom is Not Hard to Find, if You are Seeking for Wisdom (v. 17)

o Wisdom loves those who Seek It (v. 17)

o If You Seek Wisdom, You Will Find It (v. 17)

17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

•Wisdom Offers Enduring Assets (v. 18)

18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

o The Fruit of Wisdom is better than fine Gold (v. 19)

o What Wisdom yields is better than choice silver (v. 19)

19 My fruit is better than fine gold;

what I yield surpasses choice silver.

•Wisdom bestows Blessings that exceed Worldly Wealth (v. 21)

21a bestowing wealth on those who love me

o Wisdom walks on the way of Righteousness (v. 20)

o Wisdom will lead one along the paths of Justice (v. 20)

20I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

o Wisdom makes one’s Treasuries Bountiful (v. 21)

21 bestowing wealth on those who love me

and making their treasuries full.

Wisdom’s Historical Value Reveals Its Inestimable Worth (Proverbs 8:22-26)

•Wisdom was the First of God’s Works, preceding other Profound Creations (v. 22)

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,

before his deeds of old;

•Wisdom superseded the creation of the world (v. 23)

23 I was appointed from eternity,

from the beginning, before the world began.

•Wisdom preceded the oceans being formed
•Wisdom was created before fresh water springs burst forth (v. 24)

24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth,

when there were no springs abounding with water;

•Wisdom existed before the mountains dominated the skyline
•Wisdom was born before the rolling hills (v. 25)

25 before the mountains were settled in place,

before the hills, I was given birth,

•Wisdom preceded the fertile ground and bountiful fields (v. 26)

26before he made the earth or its fields

or any of the dust of the world.

Wisdom was Present at the Creation of the Heaven and Earth (Proverbs 8:27-29)

•When the Heavens were set in place, Wisdom was there
•When the Horizon was determined, Wisdom was there (v. 27)

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,

when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

•When the Clouds were established, Wisdom was there
•When the Fountains of the Deep sprang to life, Wisdom was there (v. 28)

28a when he established the clouds above

and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

•When the Boundary of the Sea was established, Wisdom was there
•When the Foundations of the Earth were marked out, Wisdom was there (v. 29)

29 when he gave the sea its boundary

so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Wisdom is Described as being the Craftsman by the side of The Creator (Proverbs 8:30-31)

•Wisdom was filled with delight day after day during Creation
•Wisdom Rejoiced in God’s Presence (v. 30)

30 Then I was the craftsman at his side.

I was filled with delight day after day,

rejoicing always in his presence,

•Wisdom Rejoiced in His whole world
•Wisdom was Delighted in Mankind’s Creation (v. 31)

31 rejoicing in his whole world

and delighting in mankind.

The Appeal to Seek Wisdom (Proverbs 8:32-36

•You will be blessed if you seek Wisdom and keep Wisdom’s Ways (v. 32)

32 “Now then, my sons, listen to me;

blessed are those who keep my ways.

•Don’t ignore Wisdom, listen to Wisdom’s Instruction and be wise (v. 33)

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;

do not ignore it.

•You will be blessed if you listen, watch and wait, seeking and finding Wisdom (v. 34)

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at my doorway.

•Whoever finds Godly Wisdom finds life and favor from the LORD (v. 35)

35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.

•Those who fail to find Wisdom harms himself or herself
•All who hate Wisdom, love death. (v. 36)

36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;

all who hate me love death.”

Are you happy when you do things you know to be wrong?

Have you ever been happy with yourself when you have gone against your conscience and what you knew God told you not to do from His Word?

Most times an honorable person is sad, has guilt, and feels terrible when they have done what he or she knows to be wrong.

Are you sad when you do things that you know to be good and right?

Have you ever been sad, depressed and discouraged when you have done what you know is right, and what you know God wants you to do?

Most times an honorable person is very happy with him or herself when, even though it may have been difficult, they did what they knew to be right!

God has given wisdom to the world to guide each human being to make the best decisions for his or her personal lives… but there are also various types of wisdom.

Primary Types of Wisdom available to us:

•Wisdom in the World

Wisdom’s creation, as in all life and knowledge, has originally come from God; but, just as humankind has been corrupted because of sin, through the fall, so also worldly wisdom has been and can be corrupted. Wisdom is available to all; but, we can also twist honorable wisdom to be valuable for our own deceitful ends.

o Domestic wisdom (family/household; some parents are wise, some are not)

o Occupational wisdom (various degrees of management, financial, business skills, etc., some better, some worse)

o Specially gifted wisdom (intellectual, educational, musical, athletic, etc., which, in some cases are brilliant, and in other cases, destructive)

o Leadership wisdom (positional, authority based, good and bad)

o Other aspects of wisdom

The Fatal Flaw of Earthly Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 2:20–21

20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.

•Worldly Wisdom Compared with Godly Wisdom

James 3:13–16

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Outcomes of Corrupted Earthly Wisdom

o harboring bitter envy, and (v. 14)

o selfish ambition in your hearts,

o boasting about it, or

o denying the truth

o not from heaven – but earthly, unspiritual and of the devil (v. 15)

o leading to disorder and every evil practice (v. 16)

Outcomes of Wisdom that Comes from Heaven

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Godly Wisdom

o pure;

o peace-loving,

o considerate,

o submissive,

o full of mercy and good fruit,

o impartial and

o sincere

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

How Do I Gain Godly Wisdom and Insight?

God has given everyone living in this world the opportunity of gaining basic human wisdom and maturity from insight through mentors, media, further education and personal experience to instruct us in how we live, raise our children, interact with others, and earn a living, etc. But we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have the privilege of seeking the greater resource of Spiritually Godly Wisdom, offered to us by God, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Godly Wisdom is established on God’s Word and is revealed by God’s Holy Spirit, who illuminates hidden Spiritual wisdom to those who love God and are maturing in their faith in Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 2:6-16)

How Can I Find Godly Wisdom in my Daily Life?

These simple steps may prove to be beneficial in your search for Godly Wisdom.

Ask God

Be Aware

Choose Wisely

Don’t Doubt

A. Ask God for Wisdom

Ask often. Make it a habit to ask God for Wisdom.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Notice that anyone’s request for wisdom is consistent with Proverbs 8:

WISDOM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO SEEK IT

Proverbs 8:17

17 I love those who love me,

and those who seek me find me.

Ask God for Wisdom.

B. Be Aware of Your Options

•You always have the option of responding several ways in any conversation. That’s why we should rely on God for His Wisdom in our response.
•If you know you have a tendency to say things unwisely, review in your mind what you should say, or what you should not say, before responding.
•If you know your response will cause an issue, keep silent.

“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise” … Proverbs 17:28a

•If it would be wise for you seek good counsel before making a decision, then do it.

•Ask God for Wisdom.
•Be aware of Your Options.

C. Choose Wisely

•Understand the power of your tongue. (James 3)
•There can be times when we have fun and joke around, but in normal interaction – and when we talk about others…

o Choose to wisely build up others in your verbal responses, rather than being smart-alecky, rude, crass, or demeaning, etc.

o Choose peace not a battle.

o Choose wisdom, not one-upmanship.

o Choose to love the other person and build them up, instead of putting them down.

•If you have asked God for Wisdom…choose to use the wisdom He gives you!
•Steer Clear of Pride.
•When facing a foolish person remember the paradox of Prov. 26:4-5:

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

or you will be like him yourself.

Answer a fool according to his folly,

or he will be wise in his own eyes.”

Ask God for Wisdom and Choose Wisely how to answer with discernment.

•Choose Wisely, when making a Critical Decision

o First, seek God’s Wisdom,

o Search for Godly Counsel, when appropriate, as God prompts you,

o Watch how God guides you through His Hand – in Circumstances, and

o Wait on God’s alignment, and give Him Time for His Answer.

Isaiah 64:4

4 Since ancient times no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you,

who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Isaiah 30:18

18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

he rises to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice.

Blessed are all who wait for him!

•Ask God for Wisdom.
•Be aware of Your Options.
•Choose Wisely.

D. Don’t Doubt.

Determinedly Follow Through

When God Gives You His Wisdom, Faithfully Keep a Steady Course without Doubting – or your ambivalence will sidetrack the very outcome you seek.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:6-7

6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord….

Doubting God’s Wisdom undermines healthy faith… and God’s response.

Peter’s Fear makes him Sink

Matthew 14:28–31

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

•Ask God for Wisdom.
•Be aware of Your Options.
•Choose Wisely.
•Don’t Doubt. Determinedly Follow Through

Responding Wisely may take some Practice

Hebrews 5:14

14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

The Golden Assets of Godly Wisdom are Very Deep and Beyond our Ability to Exhaust the Depth of their Benefits

Romans 11:33

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

God has given us every opportunity in this world of being blessed through His Wisdom. Now it is up to us to seek His Wisdom and be guided by His Holy Spirit.

ENDNOTES

Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:12

12 Wisdom is a shelter

as money is a shelter,

but the advantage of knowledge is this:

that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

Ecclesiastes 7:19

19 Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful

than ten rulers in a city.

Ecclesiastes 9:14–16

14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom…. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength….”

Ecclesiastes 8:1

Who is like the wise man?

Who knows the explanation of things?

Wisdom brightens a man’s face

and changes its hard appearance.

Proverbs 28:26

26 He who trusts in himself is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Job 39:26

26 “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom

and spread his wings toward the south?

Psalm 104:24

24 How many are your works, O Lord!

In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

Proverbs 3:19

19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,

by understanding he set the heavens in place…

Jeremiah 10:12

12 But God made the earth by his power;

he founded the world by his wisdom

and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

Psalm 90:12

12 Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 111:10

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

To him belongs eternal praise.

Proverbs 2:6

6 For the Lord gives wisdom,

and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 19:11

11 A man’s wisdom gives him patience;

it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Ecclesiastes 2:13

13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly,

just as light is better than darkness.

Isaiah 11:1–3

11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of power,

the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—

3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord….

Isaiah 33:6

6 He will be the sure foundation for your times,

a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;

the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Proverbs 24:3–4

3 By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding it is established;

4 through knowledge its rooms are filled

with rare and beautiful treasures.

Proverbs 21:30

30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

that can succeed against the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:18–31

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 2:6–16

Wisdom From the Spirit

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:

“No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:

16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord

that he may instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

Matthew 11:25–26

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”

1 Corinthians 3:18–23

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 21 So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Ephesians 1:17 (see 17-23)

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Colossians 2:2–3

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.