February 26, 2020

Practical Wisdom #

Proverbs 18:13 -

Introduction

I. Hearing (Proverbs 18:13) #

A. Ahasuerus #

1. Didn’t listen (Esther 3:8-10) #

• The King wasn’t influenced by facts!
• The King was influenced by finances!
• Prov. 17:23 ¶ A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

B. Israel’s promise: #

• Gen. 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
• Foolish to allow the Jews to be destroyed in his kingdom.

C. Listen to God! #

Rev. 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev. 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev. 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

2 ears, one mouth, twice x listening than talking

II. Discouragement… (Proverbs 18:14) #

• Spirit – is the part of man that is associated with life, and emotion. Man is made up of three parts, body, soul and spirit.
• Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

A. Strong spirit #

1. Military and first responders are taught to use positive encouraging phrases in the worst of a situation. Why? Keep someone in good spirits #

• First responder: “Man, this looks bad buddy, I don’t think you are going to make it.”
• No, they are positive… why? -
• “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity”

2. The Bible confirms this. #

• Prov. 15:13 ¶ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
• Prov. 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

B. Wounded spirit #

1. Discouragement, depression are real #

• In times of discouragement, focus is often on the negative.

2. David overcame… how? #

• In Ps 77:1-9 – discouraged!
• Psa. 77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 ¶ I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

III. Learn from prudent (Proverbs 18:15) #

• Some of the verses contrast, this verse states similar ideas with subtile differences.

A. Learn from prudent & wise #

• Prudent – cautious; circumspect; practically wise; careful of the consequences of of enterprises, measures or actions

B. Heart knowledge #

• • 1. Knowledge – is simply information. #

2. Greatest Knowledge is the Bible! #

• • • Psa. 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

3. Getting - #

• Knowledge requires work on our part.
• 2Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

C. Hearing Knowledge! #

1. Gateway to the heart #

• Knowledge is often heard!
• Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
• Listening is a skill that is developed by practice
• Some people are natural talkers… and need to work more on listening.

2. Seeketh #

• Knowledge should be sought after.
• Pick and choose between good and bad content.
• Matt. 7:7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

IV. Buying your way (Proverbs 18:16) #

• This is a simple statement of fact… not a condoning, or condemnation of it.

A. Perverse Gift #

1. Gifts given with the wrong motivation, also move you, but at the cost of righteousness! #

Prov. 17:23 ¶ A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

• Gifts don’t make things right… they cover them, and that they only do temporarily.
• Prov. 28:13 ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
• Law
• Ex. 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
• Deut. 16:19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
• Samuel’s sons…
• 1Sam. 8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

B. Perfect gift #

1. Gifts given in sincerity and appreciation, are as stated here, endear you to people. #

2. God’s Gift #

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.