1. WHAT DO WE WANT?
2. WHY DO WE WANT IT?
3. HOW BADLY DO WE WANT IT?
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:10-11 NIV
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 NIV
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. Proverbs 8:17-21 NIV
WHAT SEPARATES THE WISE FROM THE UNWISE?
1. THE WISE BELIEVE GOD’S WORDS ARE 100% TRUE
My son, if you accept my words… Proverbs 2:1 NIV
TO GROW YOU HAVE TO FULLY TRUST
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
IN OUR PATIENCE WE RECEIVE GOD’S INSTRUCTION FOR GROWTH
All who wait patiently for him are happy; your Teacher will not hide any longer. Your eyes will see your Teacher, and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” Isaiah 30:18;20-21 CSB
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV
2. THE WISE REFLECT ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
…store up my commands within you Proverbs 2:1 NIV
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3 NIV
- READ THE WORD OF GOD REGULARLY
…store up my commands within you; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Proverbs 7:1 -2 NIV
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 NLT
THE CENTER FOR BIBLE ENGAGEMENT SURVEYED MORE THAN 400,000 PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
SOMEONE WHO ENGAGES THE BIBLE 4 OR MORE TIMES A WEEK IS:
30% LESS LIKELY TO STRUGGLE WITH LONELINESS
32% LESS LIKELY TO HAVE ANGER ISSUES
42% LESS LIKELY TO HAVE BITTERNESS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
57% LESS LIKELY TO STRUGGLE WITH ALCOHOLISM
59% LESS LIKELY TO VIEW PORNOGRAPHY
60% LESS LIKELY TO FEEL SPRIRITUALLY STAGNANT
228% INCREASE IN SHARING YOUR FAITH WITH OTHERS
230% INCREASE IN A DESIRE TO DISCIPLE OTHERS
407% MORE LIKELY TO MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
- MEMORIZE THE PROMISES OF GOD
Bind them on your fingers; Proverbs 7:3 NIV
- PROCLAIM THE PROMISES OF GOD
…write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:3 NIV
3. THE WISE LET WISDOM SPEAK LOUDER THAN THEIR EMOTIONS
turning your ear to wisdom…Proverbs 2:2 NIV
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Proverbs 4:25-26 NIV
THE WORD OF GOD IS A GUIDE, A GUARD, AND A GAUGE.
4. THE WISE UNDERSTAND APPLICATION IS WHAT LEADS TO WISDOM
…applying your heart to understanding— Proverbs 2:2 NIV
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. Proverbs 10:4-5 NIV
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8 NIV
A – ATTITUDE OF INITIATIVE
N – NATURE OF INTEGRITY
T – THIRST FOR INDUSTRY
S – SOURCE OF INSIGHT
5. THE WISE SEEK WISE COUNSEL
indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding… Proverbs 2:3 NIV
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 NIV
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 NIV
THE NUMBER ONE REASON PEOPLE DO NOT SEEK WISE COUNSEL IS BECAUSE THEY LACK HUMILITY.
HUMILITY IS SIMPLY AWARENESS
What’s it like being on the other side of me?
Who am I refusing to listen to?
What person or situation do I refuse to see another perspective on?
What am I missing?
and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5 NIV