May 29, 2019

Living in Wisdom and Discretion #

Pro 3:21-26

Intro.

This passage clearly describes the benefits that we reap in life from keeping sound wisdom and discretion! We have to define terms, so we are all on the same page, and understand what we are talking about before we can see the benefits.

Terms:

Sound Wisdom - I want us to notice this is a specific form of wisdom, and not relegated to just wisdom. This is a specific form of wisdom, it is sound wisdom. (Pro 2:6-7)

(Prov 2:6–7) “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”

Wisdom is given to all, and available in His word, however ‘sound wisdom’ is reserved for the righteous! Those who are saved. WE are not righteous because of our works, but rather made righteous by Jesus Christ!

Discretion - Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding ones own conduct. (Pro 1:4, 2:10-11)

Keep an eye on them - Keep them (sound wisdom and discretion) before thine eyes! Don’t loose focus! It is easy to get distracted!

We have been teaching our kids to drive, and teaching them to be attentive to the road! It takes less than a second for a kid, car, bike, or ball to come out into the road… if you are distracted, and don’t see it, it could be fatal! Approximately 9 people die every day in the USA due to distracted driving!

We are largely distracted christians, not keeping our eyes on ‘sound wisdom’ and discretion! We have gotten our eyes off God, and His Word!

Life is added to thy soul, and grace to thy neck… what does that look like? What is that?

I. Step (Pro 3:23) #

A. Safely #

When we walk with God in our life, we need not fear the outcome.

Everyone has a walk… some people have a bounce walk. Some people have a slow walk, some have a speed walk… everyone walks a little different. However in the dark, we all walk a little slower, with greater caution! When it is dark, you don’t want to step on that lego in the middle of the floor! You don’t want to stub your toe on the chair. You don’t want to trip over something that was left out. You have to walk more cautiously.

(John 8:12) “¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Key is walking with God!
(Psa 37:23) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

1. If our steps are ordered by the LORD, if we are seeking His will in our life… you will be safe! #

B. Without stumble #

(John 11:10) “But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”

1. If you start walking in the flesh, and not following God in your life… rest assured you will mess up! #

2. Keeping your eye on ‘sound wisdom’ and discretion, not letting them go, will guard your direction of your life! #

II. Sleep (Pro 3:24) #

A. Serenity (sound mind) “when thou liest down”, “thou shalt lie down” #

Bear hunting in Alaska. We setup a tent, and slept in the area where the grizzly bears were. 1. Trust in the Lord. 2. Trust in my friends, experience! 3. Trust the 12 gauge.
Laying down, is a vulnerable position. In a camp of soldiers, they have someone ‘stand’ guard, not lay down on duty. There is an element of rest to laying down, and trust. The Lord is watching out for us!
Fear is not resting!

(2 Tim 1:7) “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

a) Fear is NOT OF GOD!!!

b) God wants us to have a sound mind!

Most adults have had some trouble sleeping because they feel worried, or nervous, or anxious. These are opposite of faith and trust!
Faith and fear cannot occupy the same mind. It is faith, or it is fear!

B. Sweet sleep #

1. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” #

According to the National Sleep Foundation, people suffer from a lack of sleep for these reasons:

a) Getting caught up in thoughts about past events

(1) If you are walking with God... there isn't much in the past
    to continue to think about! If you messed up, confess, trust
    God has forgiven you, and move on!

b) Excessive worrying about future events

(1) If you are following God, there isn't much future to worry
    about!

c) Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities

(1) Once again, trusting that God will help you with what you
    have to do!

III. Sense of Security (Pro 3:25) #

A. Storms “sudden fear” #

Some people are so fearful they about lock themselves in a bubble and don’t want to leave that bubble.
There are dangers, we shouldn’t throw caution to the wind, but we should let fear limit what we do either!
Sometimes we have to do things that are difficult, or during a difficult time.

a) Sue’s parents were very wealthy. They attended no church. A friend of Sue invited her to a church service. She accepted the Lord. When telling her parents, they told her if she attended this church again, she would have to leave home. Being only 16 years old, it was a hard decision. Sue went to church again. Her parents asked her to leave home. She packed several bags and was leaving. Suddenly, her parents called her back, saying, "If you love God this much, we want to know Him too." --Croft M. Pentz

“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” — William Carey

a) What holds us back? Fear of failure? Fear of defeat? It isn’t a sin to be afraid, it is a sin to be in bondage to that fear.

b) Temptation is not a sin, but giving in to that temptation is sin.

B. Sentence of the wicked #

1. Some are fearful of the destruction… listen. We are saved from wrath! #

a) (Rom 8:1) “¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Steps

Sleep

Sense of Security

WHY? Because:

(Prov 3:26) “For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”