Bible Study: (Book of Proverbs; Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom)
Date: ………10/24/14
Study: Week # 5
Prayer:
Father God, we thank You for gift of wisdom. You have blessed Your people with understanding and knowledge, and now, we come to asking for wisdom. James 1:5 says, we can ask, and You will give to us because You are a gracious God. We honor Your Word with all our hearts. You are a wonderful God. You are mighty. You are omniscience, omnipotent, and omnipresence. We seek wisdom so we can live a good life unto You. We have found out that Your wisdom is far better than man's wisdom. We are blessed because the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory has blessed us with this wisdom. Bless us father God with the godly wisdom that comes from You. Father God, we receive from You, the Creator of the universe. Lord God, help us to abide in You, and in Your Word. Teach us to know right from wrong according to Your will for our life. Bless us with the spirit of discernment and understanding as we study these lessons in Jesus' name. We make the choice right now that begins with a decision to trust Christ as our Savior, and to follow God's Word always, and forever. This we pray in the Mighty Name of Jesus. AMEN.
Title: Wisdom Part 1
This is a large study on wisdom:
The word "wisdom" is translated from the Hebrew word "chokmah," meaning "wisdom, skill" (Young's Analytical Concordance); "wisdom (in a good sense):- skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance); "to be or become wise. The word denotes the acquisition of the habit of wisdom . . . by experience . . . the receiving of instruction, and the exercising of correct judgment; wise-hearted" (Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies).
"Wisdom" is also given as meaning "to discern, to perceive; to discern mentally, to understand; to have understanding, to be intelligent, wise; discreet" (Wilson's). "1. the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. 2. accumulated knowledge, erudition, or enlightenment 4. soundness of mind" (Collins Dictionary). ("erudition" is "showing extensive scholarship learning" – Collins).
WISDOM:
The Two Kinds of Wisdom: From Above and From Below
James 3:13-17 (Phi) Is there some wise and understanding man among you? Then let his life be a shining example of the humility that is born of true wisdom. But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and rivalry, then do not boast and do not deny the truth. You may acquire a certain wisdom, but it does not come from above--it comes from this world, from your own lower nature, even from the devil. For wherever you find jealousy and rivalry you also find disharmony and all other kinds of evil. The wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of merciful thoughts and kindly actions, straightforward, with no hint of hypocrisy.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (Phi) The preaching of the cross is, I know, nonsense to those who are involved in this dying world, but to us who are being saved from that death it is nothing less than the power of God. It is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent will I reject." For consider, what have the philosopher, the writer, and the critic of this world to show for all their wisdom? Has not God made the wisdom of this world look foolish? For it was after the world in its wisdom had failed to know God, that he in his wisdom chose to save all who would believe by the "simple- mindedness" of the gospel message. For the Jews ask for miraculous signs and the Greeks an intellectual panacea, but all we preach is Christ crucified--a stumbling-block to the Jews and sheer nonsense to the gentiles... for God's "foolishness" is wiser than men.... But God has chose what the world calls foolish to shame the wise... that no man may boast in the presence of God.... And this makes us see the truth of the scripture: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 3:19-21 (Phi) Let no one be under any illusion over this. If any man among you thinks himself one of the world's clever ones, let him discard his cleverness that he may learn to be truly wise. For this world's cleverness is stupidity to God. It is written: "He that taketh the wise in their craftiness", and again, "The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain." So let no one boast of men.
WISDOM:
The Holy Spirit of God has always been "the spirit of wisdom" in His people as they live in a world that is not yet in the Light e.g.
"28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom" (Exodus 28:3 KJV)
"34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:9 KJV)
Jesus Christ had the Holy Spirit, "the spirit of wisdom," from which His perfect righteousness flowed:
"11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked" (Isaiah 11:1-4 KJV)
You, sooner or later, will have the same "spirit of wisdom" if you choose to accept it when it comes (see the Fact Finder question below).
"1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17-18 KJV)
God's Wisdom Is Not Man's Wisdom:
The ancient Greeks (see Ancient Empires - Greece) were famous as "great thinkers" ("the Greeks seek after wisdom" 1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV), philosophers of the natural world, as viewed by the mind of man. Such a perspective may make plain that the Creation exists, but it's only through the addition of the Holy Spirit that the Creator may be known, as Paul explained with "2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 KJV).
"2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God [see God's Wisdom]. 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 KJV)
"2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV) provides the reason that the Holy Spirit must come before "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV).
(1 Corinthians 2:6-16 KJV)
"2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a Mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory [see Christ The Creator]: 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory [see When Their Eyes Were Opened]. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but The Spirit Of God. 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which The Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Wisdom is a precious treasure that everyone should seek after with greater zeal, more than worldly riches or anything else (Proverbs 2.1-5). Wisdom is more valuable than gold, silver, precious jewels or anything one can lust after (Proverbs 3.13-14; 8.10-11; 16.16). Everyone who seeks after wisdom on a daily basis loves his own soul (Proverbs 19.8).
Wisdom is found in the Bible. If you want wisdom directly from the Creator of the universe, study the Bible. Study Scripture daily (Acts 17.11) and study it diligently (2 Timothy 2.15). When you think you have studied the Bible enough start all over and study it more than before. Never stop studying Scripture because no one can grasp all the depths of the holy, infallible Word of God in this lifetime.
Knowledge/Wisdom:
These next set of verses are the heart and soul of this entire subject matter. All of these verses are telling us that all knowledge and all wisdom come direct from God and Jesus. The first verse will tell you that all the "treasures" of wisdom and knowledge are "hidden" in God the Father and Jesus Christ. Notice that God is comparing knowledge and wisdom with "treasures" and that this treasure is hidden within Himself.
This means that God and Jesus are the source of all Godly knowledge, and we have to first seek after the source in order to get this knowledge to be released to us. Here are some of the most profound verses in all of Scripture showing us that not only is God the source of all Godly knowledge and wisdom - but that He wants to release this knowledge to us!
"... both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2)
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ... For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:33,36)
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright ..." (Proverbs 2:6)
Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:20)
"Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven - what can you do? Deeper than Sheol - what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea." (Job 11:7)
'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' (Jeremiah 33:3)
"Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." (Matthew 13:11)
"... that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe ..." (Ephesians 1:17)
"Surely the Lord does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
"But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets." (Daniel 2:28)
"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31)
All of these verses are telling us that all things - including all knowledge and all wisdom comes direct from God the Father. These verses are showing us that not only is God the source of all knowledge and wisdom - but that He wants to release this knowledge to us. He wants to show and reveal great and mighty things to us. He wants to tell us deep and secret things that the average person will not have access to.
Not only will God give you His knowledge - but He will make sure to give you the understanding of that knowledge and the wisdom to be able to use it! All of this can be given to you free of charge. All you have to do is be willing to seek after it, and seek to work with this knowledge to fully understand it and how it can apply to different parts of your life.
The last verse is Jesus telling us that if we will "abide in His word" - that we will then have the ability to know the truth and that the truth will be able to make us free. In other words - if you are willing to abide in the Bible, which is His Word, and seek to understand what you are reading - then you will be fully loaded with an incredible amount of truth covering a wide variety of topics and issues in your life. And once you have a lot of truth on a lot of different areas of your life - then that truth will help set and make you free because you will no longer be bound up with wrong thinking!
However, notice that Jesus says we have to "abide" in His Word in order to be able to get these truths worked into us. Abiding means that you are willing to spend a lot of regular quality time in reading the Bible for yourself and seeking to understand and implement these truths in your everyday walk with Him.
All of the above verses are giving us an incredible revelation in that God and Jesus are only too anxious to release Their knowledge to us if we are willing to do our part by seeking after it.
Wisdom/Knowledge:
Proverbs 2:1-7
There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. We have access to more information than we know what to do with. But something is still missing—great wisdom. There are many people who boast about their knowledge, education, and degrees, but they make disasters of their lives because they lack spiritual discernment and understanding.
Although few Scriptures advise us to acquire more information, many admonish us to seek wisdom. If we follow Biblical principles, He will give us understanding and guidance for every decision and situation we encounter.
What is wisdom? The Bible makes a distinction between two very different kinds of wisdom:
A. Worldly wisdom is the use of knowledge and information. It's based on human understanding and reasoning, but it is foolishness to the Lord (1 Cor. 3:19).
B. Godly wisdom is the capacity to see things from the Father's viewpoint and respond according to Scriptural principles.
How do we acquire godly wisdom?
It takes time and effort to become truly wise because it comes as a result of learning from the decisions we make. In order to gain the godly wisdom we need, there are seven things we can do. We acquire it by:
1). Seeking it.
Since no one is born with wisdom, we have two options—seek it or face the consequences of living without it. The world offers many other pursuits that cater to our desires—security, wealth, friends, health, popularity, prominence, prestige, or beauty. But Proverbs 8:11 says all desirable things can't compare with wisdom. It's a gift God gives to those who diligently search for it like hidden treasure (Prov. 2:4-7).
2). Meditating on God's Word.
The Bible is God's mind recorded for us on paper. It reveals His ways, plans, and purposes, and when we read and understand it, His thoughts become a part of us and affect how we live. That's why we should begin every day with the Lord, asking Him to give us direction from His Word.
3). Obeying Scriptural principles.
Merely having Biblical knowledge and understanding does not make us wise. God's wisdom is reserved for those who heed His instructions by actively obeying and applying His truths to their lives (Prov. 8:33-34).
4). Praying for it.
Proverbs doesn't specifically emphasize praying for wisdom, but James tells us to ask God for it if it's something we lack (James 1:5-6). However, simply requesting wisdom is not enough. We must ask in faith, obey what the Lord says, and watch the results of our actions. Obedience always brings blessings, but negative consequences occur if we ignore God and go our own ways.
5). Observing how God works in the world.
The book of Proverbs tells us that wisdom comes from observing the results of various lifestyles. For example, wise men are cautious and turn away from evil, but fools are arrogant and careless (Prov. 14:16). Even ants teach us the importance of working diligently for our provisions because laziness leads to poverty (Prov. 6:6-11). The Bible helps us understand God's perspective and leads us to make wise choices that produce positive results.
6). Heeding godly counsel.
Everyone needs guidance at times, but not all advice is godly. Some people—even trained counselors—can actually lead us astray instead of helping us find God's way. Whenever we seek out someone for direction, we should evaluate person's lifestyle and determine the source of the advice. Is the counsel based on God's Word or on psychology, a university education, or personal opinion?
7). Associating with the wise.
Never underestimate the influence of friends. They can either help us grow in wisdom or cause us to suffer harm (Prov. 13:20). That's why we need to examine our friends to determine if they build us up or lead us astray. We should also evaluate what kind of friend we are to others. Are we willing to tell them the truth based on what the Scriptures say, or is our goal only to tell them what they want to hear?
Wisdom is a choice that begins with a decision to trust Christ as Savior and increases as we follow the teachings of God's Word. If we want to be wise, we need a burning passion for the Lord's guidance because there are many ideas, people, and situations that tempt us to ignore the Scriptural principles that lead to wisdom. The world tells us time is short and to live for today's pleasures and pursuits. But, in reality, knowing our time on earth is limited ought to motivate us to correct sinful behaviors and attitudes and to begin living wisely according to God's standards.
Wisdom begins with living according to what God says is right:
"The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His Commandments" (Psalm 111:10 KJV)
(see The First Commandment, The Second Commandment, The Third Commandment, The Fourth Commandment, The Fifth Commandment, The Sixth Commandment, The Seventh Commandment, The Eighth Commandment, The Ninth Commandment and The Tenth Commandment)
"For The Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of Judgment [see When Will You Be Judged?], and preserveth the way of His saints [see What Is A Saint?]." (Proverbs 2:6-8 KJV)
"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the Truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:14-17 KJV)
"The fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7 KJV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth Truth cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:16-21 KJV)
Jesus Christ was filled with God's Wisdom, as was John The Baptist, The Elijah To Come, who prepared the way for His first coming:
"And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias [see The Spirit and Power of Elijah], to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for The Lord." (Luke 1:17 KJV)
Jesus Christ warned and encouraged His people, then, and now, that their God-given wisdom could not be overcome, even though they would face tribulation because of it:
"Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." (Luke 21:14-17 KJV)
James 1:5
WISDOM IS GAINED BY THOSE WHO SEEK FOR IT
Proverbs 8:17 states, "I [that is, wisdom] love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."
Where does one find wisdom, and how does one look for it? This wisdom, spoken of here ... (that is, wisdom which is "seeking life from God's point of view)...is obtained from God alone!
Proverbs 2:6 states, "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding."
This wisdom is not given to just anyone, even if they know where it comes from, but, rather, it is granted only to those who value it enough to pursue after it.
Proverbs 2:4-5 states, "If you look for it [wisdom] as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
wis·dom noun \ˈwiz-dəm\
: knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life
: the natural ability to understand things that most other people cannot understand
: knowledge of what is proper or reasonable : good sense or judgment
Scripture References:
Proverbs 2:9-10
Proverbs 3:13
Proverbs 3:21
Proverbs 4:5
Proverbs 4:7
Proverbs 4:11
Proverbs 8:11-12
Proverbs 8:14
Proverbs 9:10
Proverbs 10:13
Questions:
1). Describe the two kinds of wisdom.
2). After you have studied, please give how we can acquire godly wisdom.
3). What is the difference between true wisdom and worldly wisdom?
4). Wisdom is a precious____________.
5). Where is wisdom found?
6). Where is the treasures of wisdom hidden?
7). Once we've asked for wisdom with a pure heart, how do we keep that wisdom?
8). There are many people who boast about their knowledge, education, and degrees, but they make disasters of their lives when they lack____________ _____________ and _______.
Weekly Reading: (optional)
Proverbs: Chapters 17-20
God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; courage to change the things we can, and the WISDOM to know the different, amen…..
God bless this study (II Timothy 2:15)
Wisdom:
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