The following are sermon notes from Proverbs: Wisdom. This is an eight week topical study of the book of Proverbs. To read more about this series, including the introduction, resources and listen to audio content click here.

It is an interesting question to pose to the culture, “What makes one wise?” In an effort to help define what the world calls wise we’ve devised a little quiz for you. Simply answer “yes” or “no” for each question:

1. Do you have one or more undergraduate degrees?
2. Do you have one or more postgraduate degrees?
3. Have you ever, or do you you currently, attend a “prestigious” school?
4. Do you run a large company?
5. Do you have grey hair?
6. Do you have a large vocabulary?
7. Have you had lots of life-experience?
8. Are you financially wealthy?
9. Are you full of opinions which you voice?
10. Have you read lots of books?
11. Have you ever written a book or a blog?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions the world considers you to be wise. There is a vast difference between what the world considers to be wise and what the Bible tells us what wisdom is and where it comes from.

THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM

The Bible tells where wisdom is to be found and where it begins. In particular the book of Proverbs specifically tells us where wisdom begins. It begins in to places and the second is contingent on the first:

1) Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Therefore, anyone claiming to be wise or full of understanding that does know fear the Lord is really a fool. This is echo’ed throughout Scripture:

• “And he said to man, ‘Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding’” (Job 28:28).
• “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate” (Proverbs 8:13).
• “So that the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” (Acts 9:31).

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom we must then define what the fear of the Lord is: Fear of the Lord is an understanding of the conflict between the Holiness of God and the wretched sinfulness of man and God’s active opposition to all that is sin. It is the strict obedience to God’s commands as a response to our hatred of our sin which is first born out of our understanding of God’s hatred towards sin.

This is not a trembling, paralyzing fear, but a humble and respectful posture when dealing with God. It is an understanding that God is Holy and you are sinful and that your sin requires a just punishment. Jesus took your punishment so that you could receive Christ’s righteousness.

This means that the two greatest enemies against wisdom are 1) a disregard for God’s Holiness and 2) A haughty spirit.

2) Wisdom Begins with Seeking it Out:

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight” (Proverbs 4:7). Wisdom will come to those who first fear the Lord and second actually make an effort to seek it out.

This means to get wise you’ll have to do some work. You’ll have to study Scripture, take notes, find wise people and ask them questions. You’ll need to document your questions, weaknesses and plans. You’re going to have to work.

Therefore the third and fourth greatest enemies to wisdom are 1) Ignorance and 2) Laziness.

So SEEK wisdom!

NINE TRUTHS ABOUT WISDOM

The book of Proverbs is overflowing with wisdom, but here are nine truths that the book of Proverbs speaks directly about wisdom:

1. Wisdom calls and cries out to us. (Proverbs 1:20)
2. The Lord gives wisdom and He gives it to the upright. (Proverbs 2:7)
3. Wisdom is like a shield. (Proverbs 2:7)
4. Wisdom gives us moral and ethical direction. (Proverbs 2:9)
5. Wisdom keeps us from sin. (throughout the entire book)
6. Wisdom is a blessing. (Proverbs 3:13)
7. Wisdom is precious. (Proverbs 3:15)
8. Wisdom leads to righteousness. (Proverbs 4:11)
9. Wisdom is exceedingly valuable. (Proverbs 8:10-11)

In Proverbs chapter one through eight you can find most of what the book says about wisdom itself along with many other wise sayings. After chapter eight the book primarily deals with these wise sayings and less about speaking directly to what wisdom is.

WHAT WE ARE TO DO ABOUT WISDOM

There are four primary things you are to do about wisdom and so it is our call to you to do so in obedience to God’s Word.

1. Hear and learn. (Proverbs 1:5)
2. Be attentive to wisdom. (Proverbs 2:2)
3. Seek out wisdom. (Proverbs 4:5)
4. Treat wisdom as you would treat a close family member or friend, basically, familiarize yourself with it. (Proverbs 7:4)

Wisdom does not come to those you are lazy. It is not random inspiration. It comes to those who worship Jesus and it comes to those who seek it. Anyone who professes to be wise that does not know Christ is ultimately a fool. Wisdom is not grey hair or lots of life experience. It is first a gift given to those who are Children of God and second a blessing to those who seek it.

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