by Steve May

Text: Proverbs 1-9

Topic: How to develop and apply wisdom in every area of life

Big Idea: When we have wisdom, we have everything we need to succeed in life

Keywords: Wisdom, Consequences, Decision Making

Introduction:

·        When we get our wisdom from the Bible, it will prove to be right every time.

-                                            Brief illustration: H. Jackson Brown wrote Life’s Little Instruction Book for his son going off to college, and it sold millions of copies.

-                                            Illustration:When God told King Solomon in a dream that he could have anything he asked for, Solomon requested a discerning heart to govern people and to distinguish between right and wrong. (I Kings 3) God gave him the wisdom he asked for along with wealth, honor, and a long life.King Solomon compiled a collection of the wisdom he accumulated and presented it to his son to help him attain wisdom.

·        When we have wisdom, we can have anything (money, friendships, eloquence, happiness, parenting skills, sleep, peace.)

·        Our natural tendency is not toward wisdom, but towards foolishness.

-                                            Illustration: drawing from a TV episode of Seinfeld, May relates an incident where George Costanza decides that in order to stop being a loser, he will change his ways and his decision making by always doing what goes against his natural instincts.  This remarkably turns his life around, and he begins to succeed in every way.

-                                            Proverbs 14:12

·        Big Idea: In order to succeed in life, we need wisdom.

Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions about what to do and what not to do.

Wisdom has ten benefits.

·                    Wisdom gives us an accurate perception of life.

-        Proverbs 2:9-10

·                    Wisdom will prevent us from engaging in self-destructive behavior.

-        Proverbs 2:12; 2:16; 3:23

·                    Wisdom will prolong our life.

-  Proverbs 3:1-2; 3:8; 3:16; 9:11

·                    As we develop wisdom, we will enjoy a life of peace.

-        Proverbs 3:17; 3:24

·                    Wisdom is strongly connected to prosperity.

-        Proverbs 3:2; 3:16

·                    Wisdom gives us poise and confidence.

-        Proverbs 3:26-27

·                    Wisdom will protect us.

-        Proverbs 4:6

·        Wisdom makes our steps precise, numbered, paced, and in the right direction.

-        Proverbs 4:12

·                    Wisdom likes to be in the company of prudence and gives knowledge and discretion.

-        Proverbs 8:12

·                    Wisdom pays! If we are wise, wisdom will reward us.

-        Proverbs 9:12

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

·                    The path of wisdom begins when we give God the place he deserves in our lives.

-        Proverbs 9:10

There are three things we can do to put wisdom to work in our lives immediately.

·                    Believe that thoughts and behavior have consequences and produce corresponding results.

-                    Illustration: You know better than to mix a little arsenic with the cream and sugar in your morning coffee.  You know it’s stupid to think you can eat pizza and ice cream without gaining weight or to smoke two packs a day without losing a lung. Actions have consequences, so with a little bit of wisdom, you are capable of thinking about consequences in other areas of your life too.

-                    Proverbs 6:27

-                    Proverbs 13:11

-                    Proverbs 13:18

-                    Proverbs 14:23

·        Learn lessons from positive and negative examples around you.

-                    Illustration: May relates a personal incident when his wife told him the milk was sour, but he foolishly had to taste it himself to verify it.

-                    Proverbs 13:20

·                    Immerse yourself in God’s wisdom.

-        Read the Word.

-        Surround yourself with the wisdom of others, such as sermon tapes and scripture songs, and through your own thoughts.

·                    Good decisions are easier to make when you recognize that every action produces a corresponding result.

·                    Put wisdom to work in your life by putting God first, believing in consequences, and surrounding yourself with wisdom.