Live Wise: The Power Of Proverbs
Getting Life Right
Life is difficult. There’s no way around it. But too often, we make it more difficult than it has to be because we work against principles God put into place. Fortunately, God offers us wisdom for how to live in harmony with the seen and unseen realities of our world. In this series, we’ll look at some of the powerful wisdom God offers from the book of Proverbs that can help us thrive in our family, finances, and careers.
Links
Series
Speakers
Joël Malm
Teaching Pastor
Proverbs 9 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Key Point: There will always be people willing to tell you what you want to hear.
But just because someone affirms you it doesn’t mean they love you.
Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Key Point: Wise people receive correction. Fools don’t.
Live Wise | Week 2 | Getting Life Right
TALK IT OVER NOTES
Everyone of us has an area in our life that needs to be adjusted a little bit
Q1) Have you ever said:
They may be right, but _____________.
Key Point:
In order to grow, you have to have been wrong about something
You can ignore reality, but you can’t avoid the consequences of ignoring reality
Wisdom is the path to living in harmony with reality. It helps you stop unnecessary suffering
When you choose to listen to wisdom, you get yourself more and more in line with God’s principles
4 KINDS OF PEOPLE
- Naive - People who help others while hurting themselves
- Foolish - People who hurts others while hurting themselves
- Bandit - People who hurt others while helping themselves
- WISE - People who help others while helping themselves
Q2) Take a moment to reflect:
What kind of person do you resemble?
Wisdom raises all of us at the same time
Proverbs 9:1-18
Wisdom is always calling out to you… You just have to go and seek it
James 1:5
You have been given one life from God, and He expects you to do something good with it. He wants you to use it to make wise choices, and not only raise up yourself, but raise up others at the same time
Key Point:
There will always be people willing to tell you what you want to hear. But just because someone affirms you, it doesn't mean they love you
We all have people around us that tell us what they think we want to hear…
Q3) Do you have people in your life who only tell you what they think you want to hear?
Proverbs 27:6
You know you have a real friend when they tell you what you NEED to hear, rather than what you want to hear
Q4) Do you have friends who tell you what you need to hear?
Just because someone is willing to confront you and not affirm your behavior, does not mean that they don't love you. It actually probably means that they do love you
Proverbs 9:7-9
We have to be willing to receive correction
We have to take the risk of telling the truth and being honest with people if we truly love them
Key Point:
Wise people receive correction. Fool’s don’t.
God will often use people to speak biblical truth into your life
Ask yourself:
What if they’re right?
Q5) What do YOU need to do to get in line with reality?
We HAVE to be open to correction in order to become what God wants us to be
PRAY IT OUT
Father, we thank you for allowing us the access to receive your wisdom. We pray that you come into our lives and help us walk in your truth, help us see that when people are correcting us, it is because they love us and they want to see us act like you. Father, we pray that you allow us to take the risk and tell people the truth because we truly love the people in our lives. We thank you for everything you've done and for everything you will continue to do for us. We pray this in your name, Amen.