Acquiring Wisdom

If you were given a choice of being known as a wise person or a foolish person, which would you choose?

Now obviously, no one in here, surely no one in here would say, I want to be known as a fool.

Have you ever thought, and I know many people in this room, you have read through the book of Proverbs probably many times.

Have you ever thought about how the book of Proverbs is written?

Time after time, we are giving the readers a choice of which kind of person we will be.

Either a wise person or a foolish person.

God's purpose in giving us the book of Proverbs is to make us wise.

That's what He wants to do as we do our study in this book.

But if we reject the Lord's wisdom, that's the same thing as choosing to be known as a fool.

Because as Proverbs goes, those are the only two choices.

The person who listens to the Lord, who seeks to honor Him and obey Him, that's the wise man or woman or young person.

But the person who doesn't care about listening to the Lord.

You don't have to hate God.

Just be indifferent.

Ignore Him.

Ignore His Word.

Ignore Him.

And that's the kind of person Proverbs calls a fool.

This morning, I want you to turn with me to Proverbs chapter 2, which very plainly tells us how anyone can acquire godly wisdom and be known as a wise person.

Proverbs 2 · chapter mention

It's going to be here.

Very obvious as we read through it.

But as you turn to chapter 2, I want to do a quick review of what we looked at in chapter 1,

which really introduced us to the concept of biblical wisdom or godly wisdom.

Either way is accurate.

It's been three weeks since we did that.

But instead of me just sort of reviewing quickly some of the things that we looked at, my notes from last time,

I want to use something that Dwayne Garrett, in his New American Commentary on Proverbs, pointed out about biblical wisdom.

Three characteristics that will be on the screen.

Number one, biblical wisdom is practical.

He's talking about, as he introduced the topic of wisdom, in chapter 1, specifically verses 3 through 7,

biblical wisdom is practical.

It includes the idea of common sense.

Someone who is wise, as Proverbs teaches us to be wise, will be someone who demonstrates good common sense.

The ability also to cope with daily problems.

And that's what Proverbs is filled with.

Guidance on how to deal with the people you live with.

Guidance on how to manage your money.

Proverbs gives us wisdom about our words.

Things that we shouldn't say, as well as the kind of things we should say to avoid problems,

to make life better in our home or just around people.

Biblical wisdom is very practical.

Number two, biblical wisdom is intellectual.

We've got to think.

God gave us a mind that he intends us to use it in studying his word, studying life,

and developing good biblical wisdom.

This has implied, the fact that it's intellectual, in words like understanding, in knowledge, in insight.

Solomon's own fascination with natural history, for example,

gives us a good example that God expects us to observe, to learn, to study.

Look in 1 Kings chapter 4.

1 Kings 4 · chapter mention

It says, he described plant life, talking about Solomon now,

from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls.

He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.

Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom,

sent by all the kings of the world who had heard of his wisdom.

Solomon was a man who was given wisdom by God, as we'll see in a moment.

But Solomon had a keen mind.

He was just interested in life, how life worked.

And he studied, he observed, and he wrote about it.

Biblical wisdom is practical.

It's intellectual.

Biblical wisdom is also moral.

And it involves self-control.

Back in chapter 1, this is a summary of chapter 1, sort of.

This is indicated by words like righteousness, doing what's right, justice, equity, or fairness.

A person who is wise, as God teaches us about wisdom here,

is someone who seeks to put into practice what they learn from God's Word.

Someone who seeks to do what's right because it is right,

and because that's what pleases God.

We can summarize how wisdom is described in the beginning of Proverbs chapter 1 like this.

Proverbs 1 · chapter mention

A wise person has correct knowledge, that's intellectual wisdom,

understands how to apply that knowledge to life, that's practical wisdom,

and demonstrates godly character in all things.

Moral wisdom.

A wise person, according to Proverbs 1,

acknowledges God as the source of his or her wisdom

and seeks to honor God in the way they use it.

Honor God in all things.

A wise person also, and we're going to see this throughout,

we're going to see it some in chapter 2 later on,

a wise person also recognizes that he or she will always be surrounded by people

who reject this wisdom,

who do not care about God,

who actually reject God and His truth.

And such people, they're not just in our lives,

they're trying to influence our lives.

They're tempting us to look at life and live life their way,

their way that rejects God and His wisdom and His ways.

Now, let's look in chapter 2.

Let's read first verses 1 through 5

and think about what he is telling us here.

Solomon is telling us here the way to acquire wisdom.

Look at it.

Look at it.

My son.

A lot of Proverbs is written like this.

It's like a wise father instructing his son or his children.

That's how this chapter starts.

And you'll see it throughout the study, throughout the book.

My son, a wise father who cares about his children.

A wise father who wants what's best for their child.

We need to think about it as God speaking through this author.

God, our Heavenly Father, speaking to us.

He loves us.

He cares about us.

He wants us to live life in the best possible way.

And in this book of Proverbs,

we're going to find a lot of the very practical ways to live such a life.

My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding,

yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver

and search for it as hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

We'll come back and read more in just a little bit.

These verses describe the attitudes that we must have

if we're interested in becoming wise.

Look again in verses 1 and 2.

We acquire wisdom by being teachable

and listening to wise teachers.

My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding,

we acquire wisdom by wanting to be taught,

by being willing to be taught.

We acquire wisdom, let's think it first here,

by listening to God's Word.

God is speaking through this author,

this gracious, loving, caring Father.

If you receive my words,

we need to think about it as receiving God's words,

as treasuring up His commandments ourselves.

You know, in Psalms chapter 19 and verse 7,

Psalms 19 · chapter mention

we read this about God's Word.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

I don't know if you ever just stop and think about

why did God give us His Word.

God gave us His Word to reveal Himself,

who He is, how He is,

and how we can have a right relationship with Him.

He also gave it to us to inform us

how we can have a right relationship with other people.

God's Word, if we'll read it,

if we'll listen to it, if we'll apply it,

seek to do it with His help,

God's Word will make us wise.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible,

and the whole point of that long psalm

is to help us understand the importance of,

the value of God's Word,

and studying it,

seeking to understand it,

so that we can live the way that God tells us to live.

Now, this idea of seeking to acquire wisdom

by being teachable,

by listening to wise teachers,

we need to listen to wise teachers

in every realm of life.

I'm going to guess that everybody in this room,

you've got people in your life

that you know,

you consider them to be very wise.

I mean, there may be a family member,

may be a family friend,

may be a teacher, a coach.

There's someone in your life

that they're just,

they're just wise.

They've got a good understanding,

good common sense.

They've got good experience.

And when they talk,

you listen.

Well, that's an indication

that you are a wise person

to recognize wisdom wherever it's found.

Even in maybe some bad examples,

there are some good lessons to be learned

from bad examples.

And if we're going to be wise,

we've got to learn to be teachable.

We've got to learn to listen,

whether it comes from God's Word

or whether God brings us His truth

in other forms.

We need to learn to listen

and learn from everyone and everything.

Number two,

we acquire wisdom by asking for it.

Look in verse three.

Yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice

for understanding,

that's what Solomon did.

He asked God to give him wisdom.

Look at it in 1 Kings chapter three.

He said,

Give your servant, therefore,

an understanding mind

to govern your people

that I may discern between good and evil.

For who is able to govern

this your great people?

When Solomon succeeded David

as king over Israel,

he asked God.

God said,

What do you want?

I'll give you whatever you want.

And Solomon's response was,

I want to have understanding.

I want to have knowledge.

I want to have insight.

I want to have the wisdom

to be the best king

I can possibly be

for these people,

for this nation,

for your glory,

for your people.

He asked God for wisdom.

And then look at how God responded.

Chapter three, verse 12.

Behold,

I now do according to your word.

Behold,

I give you a wise

and discerning mind

so that none like you

has been before you

and none like you

shall rise after you.

Solomon asked for wisdom

and it pleased God

to give him wisdom.

God desires to give us wisdom.

But I want you to look again

at verse three

very carefully.

Asking God for wisdom

is not just a part

of a routine prayer

or just some kind of,

you know,

sort of laid back,

Lord, I'd like to have

kind of thing.

Note how verse three

describes this request.

Call out for insight.

Raise your voice

for understanding.

This is an intense desire.

A desperate cry for wisdom.

Most people in this room,

you pray before a meal.

You ask a blessing.

Now I know

I'm not going to question

anybody's commitment,

sincerity.

I know sometimes

when you bow your head

and you pray,

you're very sincere.

You're acknowledging God

is giving you what you've got

and you're thankful.

But let's just be real honest.

Sometimes some of our blessings

we're just going through the motions.

I mean,

you're looking at what's on the table.

You're concerned.

You're hungry.

You want to eat.

Let's just get through

this blessing and eat.

We've all been there.

We've all done that.

We know what that kind of prayer is.

Or maybe you want to pray

before you go to bed at night.

And so you lay down

and you say your prayer

there in the bed.

You'll never remember ending it

because you went to sleep.

We all know what it's like to pray,

but we don't really mean it.

We're just going through the motions.

We're just saying words.

That's not how we pray.

Really anything from God.

Let's don't kid ourselves.

But especially wisdom.

This is an intense, serious cry.

God, give me wisdom.

Imagine how you would respond

if you were on the deep end

of a swimming pool.

12 feet of water.

And all of a sudden,

you got a cramp in your leg.

I don't know if you've ever

had that happen to you,

but many years ago,

I had a youth group.

And we were in a pool.

And there were people around,

thankfully.

I was young.

I was 21 or so years old.

Never had a cramp in my life

in the water.

I've always heard that.

And I thought,

you know,

if you're old and decrepit,

you know,

you may have a problem,

but the old cramp,

you can make do

if you're strong,

young, and healthy.

I had a cramp that just,

my leg just locked down

in that deep water.

The guy next to me,

his name was Joe.

I said,

screamed,

Joe,

help.

And I was struggling,

scrambling.

I reached over there.

I never have hugged a man

like I hugged that man.

And I didn't apologize.

I was desperate.

I was panicking.

I needed help,

and I let him know,

and everybody in that pool knew.

I was serious.

It was intense.

If we really want something,

need something,

and are desperate for something,

we will cry out for it

within our very soul.

We will cry out for it,

and God will know,

we will know,

we mean business.

That's what Solomon is saying here.

If you really want wisdom,

then show God,

express yourself to God,

inwardly,

outwardly,

as if you want him to really rescue

and save you from your foolishness

and your ignorance.

You know,

we're told in James chapter 1

James 1 · chapter mention

that if we ask,

if we lack wisdom,

we should ask God.

But even in that passage,

we're told we've got to be serious about it.

It's not some ho-hum prayer.

Look at it.

In James chapter 1,

James 1 · chapter mention

beginning in verse 5,

if any of you lacks wisdom,

let him ask God,

who gives generously

to all without reproach,

and it'll be given to him.

But let him ask in faith,

without doubting,

with no doubting.

For the one who doubts

is like a wave of the sea

that is driven and tossed by the wind.

For that person must not suppose

that he will receive anything

from the Lord.

James is basically telling us here,

if you're not going to pray sincerely,

wholeheartedly,

if your heart and soul and mind

is not in it,

just don't pray.

Because it's a waste of breath.

And that includes

the prayer for wisdom.

We've got to truly want it.

And let God know

we mean business

in the way that we ask Him.

But that's not all Solomon says

along this line.

He goes on in verse 4

to stress this point

by pointing out

that we must pursue wisdom

wholeheartedly

because we actually value it.

Look at verse 4 again.

If you seek it like silver

and search for it

as for hidden treasures,

then you'll understand.

Think of people

who are just money crazy

or just materialistic to the core.

It just seems that they just

eat,

drink,

sleep,

it's all about money,

it's all about things,

inquiring things.

Do whatever it takes,

break their health

to get more.

And there's never enough.

Think about how some people

will go to great extremes

to get a football ticket

or a basketball ticket

or a concert ticket

by camping out

in the rain,

in the cold

so they'll be in line

and be sure

that they get one.

We know

what it looks like.

There's things in our life

that we truly

go all out

to pursue.

The question is,

do you pursue wisdom

like that?

Or will you pursue wisdom?

Will you so value

having God's insight,

having discernment

that comes from Him

that you will do

whatever it takes

to pursue it,

to seek it?

You value it that highly.

You know,

in thinking about

what is being said here,

we need to not only

just want it this badly

and put forth

such an effort,

but we need to learn

to seek wisdom,

acquire wisdom

wherever it is,

wherever we are in life.

Solomon and the other

writers of Proverbs,

as I said earlier,

they studied life.

They observed things

in nature,

in this world.

They were able

to teach on many subjects.

They were able

to teach about

having a work ethic.

They were able

to warn about debt.

They were able

to talk about

things like

our words,

our character,

our relationships.

That's because

they studied life.

They studied people.

They understood

as well as what

God had given them

wisdom-wise.

If we want

to be wise people,

we need to learn

to open our eyes,

have a teachable spirit,

and learn from

all kinds of people

and all kinds

of experiences.

Let's not forget,

as we saw

three weeks ago,

and we see again

in verse 5,

the key to acquiring

wisdom is to fear God.

Look here in verse 5 again.

When we pursue

wisdom this way,

then you will understand

the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge

of God.

The key to understanding

or the key to acquiring

wisdom is to fear God.

What we're talking

about here is learning

to honor God

as the holy God

that He is,

respecting Him,

showing reverence

toward Him,

honoring Him

in all that we do.

And the more

we do this,

the more we demonstrate

this reverential fear,

the closer we become

to God,

the better that we know Him,

the stronger

our relationship will be.

The more we pursue

wisdom this way

and truly love God

and fear God

and honor Him

and listen to Him

and obey Him,

the more we will have

this wisdom

that's being promised here.

Let's be clear

about this matter,

about how we acquire wisdom.

there must be

a relationship with God

in order for this

to happen.

There must be

this relationship

with God

where we have

this reverential fear

for Him.

We actually know Him

as our Heavenly Father.

We love Him.

We desire

to experience

His presence

and power

in our lives.

Do you have

that kind of relationship?

Second thing

I want us to look at

this morning,

the reason we should

acquire wisdom,

I want us to say that

in verses 4 through 6

or 6 through 8 rather.

6 through 8.

For the Lord

gives wisdom.

From His mouth

come knowledge

and understanding.

He stores up

sound wisdom

for the upright.

He is a shield

to those

who walk

in integrity,

guarding the paths

of justice

and watching

over the way

of His saints.

Think about

what's being said there.

Acquiring wisdom

makes life better.

Acquiring God-given wisdom

makes life better

in every way.

I want you to look

closely at verse 6 again.

For the Lord

gives wisdom.

From His mouth

come knowledge

and understanding.

Biblical wisdom

is not something

we can acquire

on our own.

It's not like

acquiring general knowledge.

It's not like

learning about

anything else in life.

You know,

a person can be brilliant

but never acquire

biblical wisdom.

Highly intelligent people,

they can gain

an understanding

of complex matters

by their research,

by their study,

by their experimentation.

But even a highly

gifted scientist

or a technological genius

will never become wise

just by studying wisdom.

they may have a lot

of understanding

but they'll never

experience God-given wisdom

apart from the relationship

with God

and it coming from Him.

Biblical wisdom

comes from God

and it's given

by God.

But here's what I want

you to understand.

The key to experiencing

this kind of wisdom

is this.

It only comes to those

who truly want it

and will pursue it.

It'll never happen

by accident.

Look at how it's all

stated here

in what we've been reading.

I want you to note

the word if

in verses 1, 3, and 4.

In verse 1,

my son,

if you receive

my words.

Verse 3,

yes,

if you call out

for insight.

Verse 4,

if you seek it

like silver

and search for

His hidden treasure.

God gives wisdom

to those

who listen

to His word,

call out desperately

to Him

and go all out,

do whatever it takes

to acquire it.

Now,

without understanding

of what it takes

to acquire

godly wisdom,

will you ever have it?

You can answer

that question.

You know yourself.

Remember from the beginning,

from God's perspective,

there's only two kinds

of people in this world.

Those who are wise,

those who are seeking

to become wise,

and those who are fools,

those who are content

to ignore God

and ignore His truth

and ignore His wisdom

and just be foolish.

Now,

which one are you?

Your life shows it.

Which one do you want to be?

It's your choice

over and over again.

Proverbs lays it out,

the way of wisdom,

the way of a fool.

Which will you choose?

Let's look at the final section

of this chapter,

the benefits

of acquiring wisdom.

I want you to look with me

at a few examples

of how wisdom benefits

all who actually pursue it.

In verses 9 through 11,

we see that wisdom

will prepare us

to live life in this world

as God's good

and holy people.

Look at it.

Beginning in verse 9.

Then you will understand

righteousness,

justice,

and equity.

Every good path.

See what he's talking about.

If you will listen to God,

if you will receive His wisdom,

if you will pursue it,

if you will cry out for it,

He will give it to you.

Then, verse 9,

you will understand righteousness,

and justice,

equity,

every good path.

For wisdom will come

into your heart,

and knowledge will be pleasant

to your soul.

Discretion will watch over you.

Understanding will guard you.

Wisdom,

the wisdom of God,

it will enable you

to live in this world

and be discerning.

It will enable you

to live in this world

and know what's good,

what's better,

what's best.

It will enable you

to see stumbling blocks.

It will throw up red flags

at people

and poor choices

that can harm you,

that can ruin your life.

Wisdom,

having it,

developing it

will make a difference

in how we live.

It will help us

to live the good

and godly life.

Secondly,

wisdom will protect us

from falling under

the influence

of ungodly people.

Developing God's wisdom

in just a general way,

having that knowledge

will protect us,

help us to be on guard

against the influence

of ungodly people.

Look at two things.

First, verses 12 through 15.

People who try to undermine

our godly character

and personal integrity.

Look at verses 12 through 15.

Delivering you

from the way of evil,

from men of perverted speech.

Perverted speech

is not just someone

who uses profanity

or talks about

some form of perversion.

Perverted speech

is any kind of speech

that is contrary

to the truth of God.

Delivering you

from the way of evil.

Wisdom will do this.

From men of perverted speech,

who forsake the paths

of uprightness

to walk in the ways

of darkness,

who rejoice in doing evil

and delight

in the perverseness of evil.

Men whose paths

are crooked

and who are devious

in their ways.

Having biblical wisdom

will just help us

to understand shady people

and shady dealings.

It'll throw up the red flag.

Flash the red warning light

when people come to us

talking about ways

to get around the truth.

talking about ways

to deceive somebody.

Talking about ways

to avoid punishment

for our crimes.

Reaping what we sow.

Proverbs will help us,

prepare us

for the people

who are going to ruin

our lives

if we listen to them.

It happens.

It happens every day.

Are you equipped

to hear the people

who really don't care about you,

who just want to use you

and abuse you

and they will

if you're not discerning,

if you're not wise.

But also,

there's a second kind

of person or people.

People who try

to undermine your marriage

and sexual purity.

Look at verses 16 through 19.

So you will be delivered

from the forbidden woman,

from the adulteress

with her smooth words,

who forsakes the companion

of her youth

she's married,

and forgets the covenant

of her God

she claims

to be a woman of God.

For her house

sinks down to death

and her paths

to the departed.

None who go to her

come back,

nor do they regain

the paths of life.

Godly wisdom

will help us

to be on guard

against a man

or a woman

who has the desire

within them

to undermine

our marriage,

our commitment

to our spouse.

You know,

there are men

and women

who are not faithful

to their own husband,

not faithful

to their own wife,

have no respect

for marriage,

nor your marriage,

nor your spouse.

And sometimes

they come on

in subtle ways,

sometimes they come on

in ways

that's not easily

recognizable,

but a person

who is wise

with godly wisdom

will be discerning,

will be able

to pick up

on clues

and guard themselves,

guard their marriage,

guard their sexual purity

if they're not married.

Biblical wisdom

helps us to live life

in every kind of way.

It'll keep us on guard,

help us to be on guard,

and recognize people

of all stripes

who will hurt us

and ruin our lives.

Wisdom,

one more thing,

will guide us along

the good and godly life

that ends

in the presence of God.

Look at verse 20.

So you will walk

in the way of the good

and keep to the paths

of the righteous,

for the upright

will inhabit the land.

They'll be in the presence

of God

and those with integrity

will remain in it.

But the wicked

will be cut off

from the land

and the treacherous

will be rooted

out of it.

Wisdom will guide us

along the way in life

that is good,

that pleases God,

that satisfies ourselves,

that will help other people,

and it'll bring us

eventually into the presence

of God,

where by God's grace,

through faith in Jesus

and being faithful to Him,

we can hear on judgment day,

well done,

my good and faithful servant.

That's wisdom's goal,

to lead us that way.

Now,

as we conclude this morning,

I'll remind you

of what we saw

in the first study

of Proverbs

three weeks ago,

and then again last week.

When it comes to seeking

anything from God,

including wisdom,

the place to begin

and end

is with Jesus Christ.

It's in Jesus

that we find

God's greatest wisdom

as Jesus Himself

made known,

and I want to show you again

as we've done

the last two times.

Matthew chapter 12,

Matthew 12:42

verse 42.

The queen of the south

will rise at the judgment

with this generation

and condemn it.

For she came

from the ends of the earth

to listen to Solomon's wisdom,

and now one greater

than Solomon in here.

That's Jesus.

The book of Proverbs

teaches us much

about wisdom,

about truth,

and about life.

But the ultimate truth,

the ultimate life,

the ultimate wisdom

is found in Jesus.

And so I want you

to understand that

in order for you

to be truly wise

as we're learning

about in Proverbs,

is to have a relationship

with Jesus Christ.

If you don't have that,

I want to encourage you

this morning.

That is what you need

to hear more

than anything else.

You cannot experience,

acquire,

develop the wisdom

of God

unless you first

have a right relationship

with Jesus Christ.

If that's your need

this morning,

admit that to God.

Turn from your sin

and call upon Him

to save you now.

Mean it.

Be serious about it.

That's the beginning

of wisdom.

That's the beginning

of truly fearing God

having a right relationship

with Him

in this world

right now.

Final thought.

We're given a choice

in Proverbs

of being wise

or being a fool.

In light of what we've learned

in this passage

this morning,

which choice

have you made

to this point

in life?

And then,

which choice

will you make

today

and every day?

You see,

seeking

and acquiring

and developing

biblical wisdom

is not

a choice

that you just make

one day

and that's it.

It's a daily,

sometimes hourly

choice.

I want to encourage

you this morning

as Proverbs

will just say

over and over again,

there's two paths

before you.

The way of wisdom,

the way of a fool.

Choose which path.

You have been

on a path.

Choose the right one,

the way of wisdom

to go from your own

today.

Let's pray together.

Dear God,

dear God,

no one in this room

would willingly

choose

the path

of a fool.

But dear God,

help us to see

that if we are not

choosing you,

your ways,

your wisdom,

your truth,

we are choosing

the path

of a fool.

So help us,

dear God,

to hear you

this morning

that wisdom

can be ours

through faith

in Jesus,

through a right

relationship

with you

where we honor you,

love you,

and obey you.

Help us to see,

dear God,

this morning

wisdom

is a gift

of your grace.

But it's a gift

that you require us

to want,

desire,

intensely seek,

because we value

it that much.

Dear God,

help us right now

to respond,

each one of us.

Help us to choose

wisdom

and whatever else

that involves

for us individually

this morning.

In an attitude

of prayer,

you just be still

and listen to the Lord

and you respond to Him.

I would be happy

to pray with you,

talk with you

during this time.

I'll be here

at the front

as the music plays

and we're just

listening to the Lord

and we respond to Him.