Words of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:1-7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs seems to be speaking primarily to the youth of every generation. Solomon actually wrote it for his son. At the same time, the voice of wisdom is reminding those who are more mature in her audience to remember her instruction because we are still on a journey. The writer of Proverbs calls out to all who will hear to seek the beauty, prosperity and peace of wisdom.

Information comes through the awareness of our senses as data which is retained as knowledge and used to develop understanding of our world, others and ourselves in relation to that world.

Wisdom is the skill or ability to optimally apply understanding to produce right living and benefit ourselves, others and God.

Wisdom demands control of our passions so that reason and knowledge prevail to determine our actions.

I. The Seed of Wisdom is Truth  John 14:6

Truth: That which is considered to be the supreme unchangeable reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.

II. The Source of Wisdom is God
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1:7

A. Reverence "The fear”

B. Relationship - "of the Lord"  It does not matter how much we know about God; We must know God.   

C. Repetition – “is the beginning”

III. The School of Wisdom is Life  Proverbs 3:11-12

I cannot truly understand what I “know” until I encounter and experience it.
Knowledge does not produce virtue or wisdom.

IV. The Scourge of Wisdom is Fools  Proverbs 1:32

Character Types in Proverbs

· The Wise is the person who embraces God's direction and learns the skill of living out His plan in everyday situations.

· The Fool is the person steadily opposed to God's direction.

· The Simple is the person who is not firmly committed and is easily misled.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it. Proverbs 9:12