“IT’S O.K. TO BE A WISE GUY!” PROVERBS 2:1-9

PROVERBS 2:1-9 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding and applying your heart to understanding 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and cry aloud for understanding,

PROVERBS 2:1-9 (con’t) 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. and find the knowledge of God.

PROVERBS 2:1-9 (con’t) 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

PROVERBS 2:1-9 (con’t) 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. and fair—every good path.

“IT’S O.K. TO BE A WISE GUY!”

**Various forms of the word “wisdom” appear at least 109 times in Proverbs.

**Wisdom in the Old Testament refers to skill--the skill to put knowledge to proper and practical use.

Exodus 28:3 “Instruct those to whom I have given special skill as tailors to make the garments that will set Aaron apart from others, so that he may minister to Me in the priest’s office.”

“Special skill” is a translation of the same Hebrew word translated “wisdom” in Proverbs.

Wisdom is the ability to see and respond to life from God’s perspective…a God-kind of common sense.

Proverbs 4:7-8 “Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding. Esteem her and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.”

I.THE WISE PERSON FEARS THE PROVIDER OF WISDOM. Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

James 1:5 “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask it of God, who gives to all men liberally…”

“Fear” depicts respect and reverence.

II. THE WISE PERSON FOLLOWS THE PATHWAY TO WISDOM.

5 everyday-life “classrooms” where wisdom can be acquired: A.The classroom of (everyday) observation Proverbs 6:6 (NLT) “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy-bones. Learn from their ways and be wise!”

B. The classroom of (specific) instruction 5 everyday-life “classrooms” where wisdom can be acquired:

Proverbs 1:5 “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Proverbs 8:33 “Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.”

Proverbs 12:15 “…A wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 13:1 “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction; but a mocker does lot listen to rebuke.”

Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” Proverbs 10:8 “The wise in heart accepts commands…”

C. The classroom of admonition 5 everyday-life “classrooms” where wisdom can be acquired:

Proverbs 1:32-33 “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me (wisdom) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

D. The classroom of correction 5 everyday-life “classrooms” where wisdom can be acquired:

Proverbs 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Proverbs 15:21 “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.” Proverbs 29:15 “To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.”

E. The classroom of association 5 everyday-life “classrooms” where wisdom can be acquired: Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.:

I Corinthians 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

III. THE WISE PERSON FURNISHES PROOFS OF WISDOM.

Areas of one’s life where proof of wisdom is shown: A. His lips

Proverbs 12:18 “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 15:2 “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fools gushes folly.”

a. His lips b. His learning Areas of one’s life where proof of wisdom is shown:

Proverbs 18:15 “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.” Proverbs 21:11 “…When a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.”

William Cowper “Knowledge is proud that he knows so much; wisdom is humble that he knows no more.”

a. His lips b. His learning c. His lifestyle Areas of one’s life where proof of wisdom is shown:

1.A lifestyle of humility Proverbs 15:33, “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

William Wordsworth “Wisdom is oftentimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar.”

2. A lifestyle of productivity Proverbs 10:4-5, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

3. A lifestyle of integrity

Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Proverbs 15:21 “Folly delights a man who lacks judgment; but a man of wisdom keeps a straight course.”

IV. THE WISE PERSON FINDS THE PROFITS OF WISDOM.

BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM A. Honor Proverbs 3:35 “The wise will inherit honor.”

B. Happiness Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom…” BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM

C. Security Proverbs 4:6 “Do not forsake wisdom and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM

D. Influence Proverbs 17:2 “A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share an inheritance as one of the brothers.” BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM

E. Success Proverbs 21:20 “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM

Proverbs 3:13-15 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

F. Family Joy Proverbs 10:1 “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.” BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM

G. Life Proverbs 15:24 “The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to hell beneath.” BENEFITS OF ACQUIRING WISDOM

“IT’S O.K. TO BE A WISE GUY!”