The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10

Review

We learned last week that Wisdom has made herself ready. Everything that needs to be done has been taken care of and the invitation to come and partake has been extended. Therefore, we are without excuse; we either accept the invitation or reject it – the choice is ours.

The Perpetuation of Wisdom

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (Proverbs 9:7-12)

Begin the Journey

If there was ever a time that we need not only to grow in wisdom but to share wisdom with the world, it is now. We are commanded in scripture to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation”. (Mark 16:15) however, before we go, before we proclaim, there are some steps we need to take.

Proverbs 9:10 says clearly; wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. We have discussed both the meaning and application of this admonition so further comment is not really necessary except than to say that before we share God’s truths with others, we need to first check ourselves.

Do I have a fear of the Lord, and do I live accordingly?

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Before we go putting someone else’s house in order, we need to do a check of our own living conditions. This isn’t to say we must be living perfect lives for if that were true, the Wisdom of God would never go forth from the mouth of man. However, as a Christian, we should be known as one who is honorable, truthful, and above all, loving.

Do I look to the power of the Holy Spirit to direct me?

[Jesus speaking] “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (Matthew 7:6)

Or, am I acting in my own strength? Speaking truth into the life of another not only requires that we say the right things but also that we have the right motive and that we choose the right time. Before you set out to plant seeds of wisdom, take some time to pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words to say, the boldness to speak them, and to prepare the way that the seeds you are sowing will fall on tilled soil.

Can I speak without shame or apology?

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! (Psalms 139:23)

Carefully search your heart. Pray, ask God to search your heart and to reveal any “hidden sin” you may be harboring. Un-repented sin in our lives not only hinders our communion with the Lord and grieves the Spirit, it becomes a stumbling block to our efforts as we try to share God’s truths with others.

Am I prepared to accept the consequences?

[Jesus speaking] “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.(John 15:18-20)

Many times, no matter how much we pray, how much we care, our words are not only rejected but with rejection can come ridicule and scorn. When that happens, it is very painful, especially when it involves someone whom we care deeply about.

The Lord Jesus Himself has been where you are. He understands your pain. Take your sorrow to Him in your time; He will give you strength and He will lift you up.

Stay the Course

The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (Proverbs 9:13-18)

Across the room from Wisdom is the woman Folly. She is loud. She creates a commotion to distract from the truth those who would listen to her. She is simple minded yet seductive. Her promises are not only deceitful, they are deadly. Without wisdom, without understanding we can be easy prey. The enemy is strong but praise God, we have this assurance: Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4).

FINAL THOUGHTS: It has been a great blessing to bring you this study. I am confident that you have been blessed as well; not by anything that is of me, but by God’s word which He has promised will not return void (See Isaiah 55:11). Our study ends here but I encourage you to continue reading through the Proverbs as well as the writings of King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. The wisdoms are powerful and rich in instruction for living victorious Christian lives.

Thank you for spending time with me over the past few months. May God richly bless you as you continue your journey of faith.

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We began our study with one foundational truth: “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”   Wisdom comes through Christ; He alone is the way.  If you do not know Jesus personally, if you have ignored His calling, it is my prayer that today – right now, will be the day you submit your will to Him. There is no script you must follow, no special ritual you must perform.  Scripture tells us, there is only one thing needed – Whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)

Call upon the name of Jesus, tell him you are tired of living in the darkness and bondage of sin, that you want to be free from and forgiven for your sins. Ask Jesus, in faith, to be your Savior and the Lord of your life – if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 9:9-10)

Once you make your confession, you are His child – He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:11-12)

Forever – I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28)

Grace and Peace,