Today’s background photo was taken while whizzing down the road. A quick glance off to the side and in a blink, we see a gate flash by. The book of Proverbs is the gateway to wisdom. Wisdom calls out to humanity whizzing by on life’s highway:
“Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech …” – Proverbs 1:20-21
But we’re in such a hurry! We’ve got places to go! We’ve got things to do! There’s no time!
Work demands are weighing heavy! The world is in turmoil! The economy is tenuous! Relationships are strained! People are driving us crazy!
Proverbs calls out: Stop for a moment … listen … these truths will help you in life.
– How to deal with work demands? Proverbs offers wisdom.
– How do we respond in a world caught up in turmoil? Proverbs offers wisdom.
– Economic matters? Proverbs offers wisdom.
– Relationship challenges? Proverbs offers wisdom.
We’re swamped with information overload! We have tons of information! But information/knowledge … is not the same thing as wisdom.
Knowledge is knowing information.
Wisdom is knowing what to do with that information.
Knowledge is theoretical.
Wisdom is practical and useful.
Knowledge fills your mind.
Wisdom guides your life.
So … how do we get wisdom??
“The LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10
Wisdom starts first and foremost with God! Wholeheartedly following God! Wisdom is a natural outflow of godliness.
* Wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13)
* Wisdom comes from the Scriptures.
(Proverbs 1:2-5; Proverbs 2:1-6; Proverbs 4:11-13; Proverbs 6:22-23; Proverbs 30:5)
* Wisdom comes from wise people.
(Proverbs 13:14; Proverbs 10: 13a, 14a; Proverbs 16:20, 23; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 27:17)
* Wisdom comes from learning from our own mistakes.
(Proverbs 17:10; Proverbs 14:8; Proverbs 12:1)
* Wisdom comes from observing & learning from the mistakes of others.
(Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 21:11; Proverbs 27:12; Proverbs 29:1)
* Wisdom comes from self-reflection.
(Proverbs 24:32; Proverbs 23:12; Proverbs 22:17)
Jesus Christ is wisdom.
Proverbs 8:22-31 gives a beautiful, detailed description of the LORD bringing forth wisdom before the world even began.
We further see in Colossians 1:15-16: “… by Him [Jesus Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible … all things were created by Him and for Him.”
Jesus Christ . is . wisdom.
Jesus brought forth wisdom from eternity past, before the world began.
1 Corinthians 1:24: “Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Colossians 2:3: “in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Jesus Christ . is . wisdom.
While Jesus was here on earth, He taught with wisdom that amazed everyone!
(Luke 4:32; Mark 1:22; Matthew 7:28-29; Luke 2:47; John 7:15; Matthew 22:46; Luke 20:40)
Jesus Christ . is . wisdom.
