Bible Study - Beyond Belief (5) - GOD Is Wise - Proverbs 2:1-6; 3:5-7 - June 29, 2014

Bible Study – Beyond Belief (5) – GOD Is Wise – June 29, 2014

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Does What I Believe about GOD Change Anything?”
 

Our focus scripture is Proverbs 2:1-6; 3:5-7.

GOD will give us wisdom when we humbly seek it.

The source of wisdom is GOD. The beautiful part of being a Christian is that we can know the mind of GOD – 1 Corinthians 2:10-16:

10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the • world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

James the brother of JESUS wrote in James 1:5:

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.

King Solomon wrote a large portion of Proverbs. He wrote it to instruct his son and others regarding the source of wisdom and how a person can obtain wisdom. Let’s explore!

Wisdom is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan.

1 Corinthians 1:20-25:

20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the • world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
It is vital that the teacher/parent know GOD, not just know about GOD but to know GOD by having an intimate, personal knowledge of GOD through his or her experiential relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Christians are to study GOD’S Word, ponder it and apply it as the Holy Spirit leads and directs their lives. Are Christians to wait until they have gained all knowledge of GOD before they teach others? No! They are to teach when GOD calls them and they are given the opportunity.

Let’s read Proverbs 2:1-6:

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; 3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the • fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

This Proverb is directed to Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, who eventually succeeded him to the throne. But Solomon wrote these proverbs to all who sought to seek wisdom from GOD and to teach others how to seek wisdom. “My son” could reference a father or mother instructing his or her child, son or daughter or a teacher instructing a student. It also conveys a positive relationship between the teacher and the student or the parent and child. The instructor is serious about conveying knowledge in hopes that it will benefit the person receiving the instruction by taking it seriously and applying it.

There is a vital element that must not be overlooked and that is the instructor/parent is taking the time to invest what he or she knows into the life of another. Great care must be taken to pass along truth as learned from experience and not just book or head knowledge.

Not speaking of the things we learn in school or the university but the things that are only taught by GOD to reveal Spiritual truth by the Holy Spirit.

In last week’s lesson, we encountered the conditional word “if.” In this week’s study, we see that the student has to be willing to accept the teacher’s words and not just accept them but to remember them and apply them. The student is to listen carefully, ponder what the teacher has uttered and apply it, to achieve understanding. Once a person comprehends truth and personalizes it, it sticks but it is a process that gets us to truth and understanding.

Verses 1, 2, 3 and 4 state the evidence and verse 5 gives, “the then.”

The student or child must have the desire to listen learn and apply. When he or she has this desire, it establishes the right attitude within the student for the instructions to produce the desired results, which comes by revelation from GOD:

-         1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

-          2 listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding;

-         3 furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,

-         4 if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure,

-         5 then you will understand the • fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

What is insight in verse 3? Insight is related to understanding and carries the idea of discernment. Insight is drilling below the surface of matters or issues. It is learning through application. It is exploring the depths of issues. It is seeking to find and prove the truth. It is seeking truth by asking and listening. It is personalizing truth based upon due diligence. Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead them to truth and to explore the depths of wisdom through the instruction of GOD when they look to HIM for answers.

In this lesson, we are seeking knowledge from GOD and speaking out loud reveals our earnest desire to obtain insight and understanding. Once found, let it be known. When we reveal insight and understanding, it will be tested and evaluated to ensure its validity.  

When a person seeks insight and understanding which comes from GOD, he or she needs to comprehend the value that will come from such a quest. The lady in the parable of the lost coin knew the value of the coin and that determined the intensity of her search for the coin. She was likely poor and in need of the things the coin would provide for her. GOD reveals that the search for knowledge and wisdom from HIM is beyond any material discovery. The person seeking knows the value of taking time to search for material things of value, such as, precious metals or hidden treasure. Wisdom from GOD is an extremely valuable treasure which will serve a person throughout life when it is understood and applied. Remember, wisdom is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan. It is building an intimate, personal, loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST. GOD ensures the value.

Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit to enlighten them as they seek, search and build an intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST. When they seek and search, the then of verse 5 is realized - 5 then you will understand the • fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

As you recall “fear” is not to be afraid of GOD but to honor and respect and seek to really know HIM. It is not to just know about HIM which can be gleaned for study but know HIM through experience. The only way to know HIM is to trust HIM, which leads us to our next scripture. I suggest memorizing verses 5 and 6.

Let’s read Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (Holman)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV) [I learned these verses many years ago and the King James Version still rings in my heart.]

What is trust? Trust and faith are related. We build trust with GOD through CHRIST. Step one is for a person to trust GOD that HE sent HIS only Son to earth in the flesh to give HIS life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin, which is eternal death. Once a person experiences the miracle of rebirth by accepting CHRIST as his or her Savior, he or she begins a Spiritual journey of experiencing GOD through his or her relationship with CHRIST. GOD sanctifies every Christian, that is, sets him or her aside from the world to obediently serve HIM. But Christians still have a choice whether or not to surrender their will to GOD. GOD’S goal is for every child of HIS to be made into the image of CHRIST. The Holy Spirit accomplishes this makeover through the renewing of the mind.

But in order for our minds to be renewed we must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct or lives. That is dying to the flesh or self and allowing GOD to take control of our lives.

Verses 5 and 6 reveal important information regarding this journey. The foundation is to “trust” or completely rely upon GOD. Building trust is a journey on its own. It is foundational in building the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST. If a Christian cannot embrace CHRIST fully, he or she cannot fathom GOD. CHRIST is the path to understanding and comprehending GOD.

Verse 5 is very clear, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;” Christians are to “trust” in the LORD with “all” of their heart. That leaves no room for them to second guess GOD by trying to insert human wisdom and understanding. This is a journey. I know I have asked for wisdom in certain areas of my life and then experience what I thought was failure. I have asked why this did happen when I looked to YOU for wisdom. Keep in mind that each of us are unique and wonderfully made and come with baggage. The answer I received was “How else will you learn wisdom?” You see I am very stubborn and GOD deals with me in certain ways and often by letting me run into a brick wall. Ouch! And it is not fun but sooner or later I get HIS message.

It is all about trust. Do we, as Christians, really trust GOD and HIS leadership or are we more comfortable leaning or relying upon our own understanding?

Verse 6 - think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

When we trust HIM, we stay focused upon HIM as we take steps of faith. I think of Wallenda crossing Niagara Falls June 15, 2012. He stayed focused on the LORD as he carefully walked on the wire cable. Yes, there may be angry waves dashing around us but do we waiver or do we trust in HIM or do we switch back to our own ways. When we maintain the course, “HE will guide us and keep us on the right paths and in the right direction to accomplish HIS plan for us.”

We must stay focused upon HIM especially when going through difficult times and when we have asked HIM for wisdom to trust HIS leadership.

But when we do and we experience success, what can often happen?

Let’s read Proverbs 3:7:

7 Don’t consider yourself to be wise; • fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

We can take the success GOD has given to us to be our success. That can be a recipe for trouble and Spiritual arrogance. The world may honor us for our great wisdom and cunning. We may start to believe that “after all I had to take the steps and that proves I am wise.” Caution!

GOD tells us to watch out when we begin to think ourselves wise because all wisdom comes from GOD. HE is the source and we are wise because we looked to HIM. We asked HIM for wisdom and HE gave it to us. We are to stay focused upon our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST. Success often breeds the opportunity for evil to attempt to come into our lives. We are to turn away from evil. We are to maintain our focus upon JESUS and look to HIM for the strength to resist evil by saying “NO!”

The scripture is very clear 1 Peter 5:8-9:

8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

I understand that a roaring lion is a hungry lion, so be vigilant!

Blessings!!!