LESSON 23 WISDOM AND FOLLY Lesson Plan How About a Definition What comes to mind when you think of wisdom? [Pause and receive answers!] Perhaps you said it is an aged philosopher with a long grey beard. Possibly you think of a hip college professor wearing a cream camel hair sports coat with leather patches on the sleeves. Maybe you d say wisdom is a high school valedictorian that aces her way through every exam already qualified to work for NASA! According to biblical teaching, wisdom may be defined as the skill to apply the knowledge of the Scriptures in all situations of life using the best means at the best times to accomplish the best ends all for the glory of God. Here is how one wise pastor put it using biblical terminology, Wisdom in ruling is justice; wisdom in speech is discretion; wisdom in conduct is prudence; wisdom in evaluation is discernment (George Seevers, Quoted in: Practical Wisdom for Pastors, p. 210). So Then, What s a Fool Along with wisdom, the Bible also frequently addresses its counterpart: foolishness. As Alistair Begg said, When the Bible speaks of fools and folly; it is referring not to mental deficiency but moral perversity First, [fools] deny God s
existence (Psm. 14:1), and then [they] deny life s values (Made For His Pleasure, p. 141). The Bible identifies fools with four degrees of intensity: (adapted from: Gary D. Nation, Character Deficiency Syndrome, Probe Ministries) Two Types of Wisdom
Let s take a moment to compare the wisdom from the world (foolishness) with the wisdom from above (godly wisdom). Human Wisdom (false wisdom/folly) This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic (Jas. 3:15). I [God] will destroy the wisdom of the wise (1 Cor. 1:19). For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God (1 Cor. 3:19). The world through its wisdom did not come to know God (1 Cor. 1:21). So that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men (1 Cor. 2:5). Professing to be wise, they became fools (Rom. 1:22). These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion (Col. 2:23). Godly Wisdom (true wisdom) The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy (Jas. 3:17). The foolishness of God is wiser than men (1 Cor. 1:25). But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). So that your faith would rest on the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5). Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Rom. 11:33). Not in fleshly wisdom (2 Cor. 1:12). The grace of God (2 Cor. 1:12). The wisdom of the world may appear attractive, but if it does not begin with a humble fear of the Lord (Psm. 111:10) and continue in biblical principles (Jer. 8:9) it is foolishness! We are warned that many will be deceived along these lines especially in the last days. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Rom. 1:22). Don t be fooled by Mr. Worldly Wiseman!
Why Should I Seek Wisdom 1. God s wants you to! The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding (Pr. 4:7). Conduct yourselves with wisdom (Col. 4:5). 2. It s in your best interest! How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast (Pr. 3:13-18). Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield than choicest silver (Pr. 8:18-19). He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good (Pr. 19:8). Wisdom will help you make wise decisions in spending money, choosing friends, succeeding in marriage, handling conflict, raising children, discerning the right words, selecting entertainment, budgeting time and many more situations we all face on a daily basis. Any Hope for Me So based upon what we have covered so far, only a fool would say he doesn t want wisdom! Yet wanting it and getting it are two different stories. So is God s wisdom available and if so, is attainable to all who desire it? The answer is yes
according to Proverbs 8:17. Wisdom personified says, I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. As a matter of fact, God is pleased when you seek after wisdom. When He appeared to Solomon who was about 20 years old in Gibeon, God said, Ask what you wish Me to give you (1 Ki. 3:5). To which Solomon replied, Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours? (1 Ki. 3:7-9). In his response, Solomon demonstrated humility and dependence on God. Solomon s request for wisdom was pleasing in the Lord s sight (1 Ki. 3:10). God replied, Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days (1 Ki. 3:11-13). So Where do I Start 1. Admit! Admit the need for wisdom and the desire to obtain it. Solomon said, With the humble is wisdom (Pr. 11:2). Therefore the quest for wisdom must begin with the willingness to not think of ourselves too highly but admit we need God s help to obtain the right answers in life (1 Cor. 3:18). In other words, in order to get wisdom we need a teachable heart. 2. Look!
Since God is the only wise God (Rom. 16:27) it is only natural that we look to Him as the source of wisdom. If we want true wisdom, we must tap into the storehouses of His resources. Proverbs 2:6 declares, For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. And the way we receive God s wisdom is through Jesus Christ. In [Him] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). If you want to see wisdom, look to Jesus Christ for He is the embodiment and channel of God s wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24; 30)! 3. Ask! Vance Havner once said, If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! God s Word says it even better, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (Jas. 1:5). If we desire wisdom, we are commanded in the Scripture to ask God for it in prayer no different than Solomon (1 Ki. 3:7-9) and Daniel (Dan 2:23). Here is how Paul prayed for the Colossians: For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9; cf. Eph. 1:17). Pray for wisdom! 4. Read! Without an increasing knowledge of reading God s Word, we will never grow in wisdom. The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7; cf. 119:97-100). The wise men are put to shame, they are dismayed and caught; behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, and what kind of wisdom do they have (Jer. 8:9)? Since God speaks to us through His Word, the pursuit of godly wisdom comes to those humbly devoted to reading, studying, memorizing, meditating on and listening to the Word of God (Col. 1:16). 5. Associate! It is clear that we are greatly influenced by the company we keep. Proverbs 13:20 says, He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. If bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor. 15:33), good
company will enhance good morals. Make it a point to spend time with and emulate people who can provide a physical picture of what it means to follow Christ. As Paul told the Philippians, The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things (Phil. 4:9; cf. 1 Cor. 11:1). 6. Develop! Finally, the development of wisdom is ongoing. Since there is always room for growth, we should strive to increase in this area. Someone commented, Reading a proverb takes only a few seconds; applying a proverb can take a lifetime. This related even to Jesus Christ when He took on flesh. The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him (Lk. 2:40). It takes work but keep at it! Two Great Indicators of Wisdom 1. The beginning of wisdom is fearing God! To fear God is not to cower before Him in terror, but to bow before Him in awe, respect, and total trust in His purposes for our lives. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Pr. 1:7). Then you will discern the fear of the LORD, and discover the knowledge of God (Pr. 2:5). The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Pro. 9:10). And to man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding (Job 28:28). And some of Solomon s final words, The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person (Ecc. 12:13). 2. The evidence of wisdom is our behavior! Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (Jas. 3:13-18). Let s End with a Quiz Are you FOOLISH? Do you: Question Verse Never Rarely 50/50 Often Always Say in your heart there is Psm. 14:1 no God? Abuse or mock the Name of the Lord? Psm. 74:18 Live a rebellious life? Psm. 107:17 Despise godly wisdom? Pr. 1:7 Find pleasure in evil Pr. 10:23 conduct? Mock at making amends Pr. 14:9 for sin? Believe anything you hear? Pr. 14:15 Despise your parents? Pr. 15:20 Reject rebuke? Pr. 17:10 Find no pleasure in Pr. 18:2 understanding but delight in airing you own opinions? Answer before you hear? Pr. 18:13 Become quick to quarrel? Pr. 20:3 Repeat folly? Pr. 26:11 Trust in your own heart? Pr. 28:26 Have difficulty exercising Pr. 29:11 self-control? Easily get provoked to Ecc. 7:9 anger? Speak with no sense or wickedness? Ecc. 10:12
Avoid putting the words of Christ into action? Mt. 7:26 Are you WISE? Do you: Question Verse Never Rarely 50/50 Often Always Often consider the lovingkindness of the Lord? Psm. 107:43 Accept and love rebuke? Psm. 9:8 Avoid laziness? Pr. 6:6 Fear the Lord? Pr. 9:10 Have the ability to limit Pr. 10:19 your words? Win souls for Christ? Pr. 10:30 Listen to advice? Pr. 12:15 Listen to and obey your Pr. 13:1 parent s instruction? Seek the company of wise Pr. 13:20 believers? Guide your mouth to speak Pr. 16:23 wisdom? Seek to acquire biblical Pr. 18:15 knowledge? Avoid being led astray by alcohol? Pr. 20:1 Avoid being wise in your own eyes? Pr. 26:12 Seek to be a peacemaker? Pr. 29:8 Keep yourself under control? Pr. 29:11 Put the words of Christ into action? Mat. 7:24 Feel prepared for the return of Christ? Mat. 25:13 Seek God s wisdom over the wisdom of the world? 1 Cor. 1:25
Items for Discussion Would you like to share any of your strengths and weaknesses from above? What steps do you need to take to grow in wisdom? How can you tell the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom? How does the wisdom of God encourage you in your pursuit of wisdom? Bible Memorization Proverbs 9:10- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.