For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 8:11

How valuable is wisdom? Are we starting to see a pattern throughout the book of Proverbs? Wisdom is far more valuable than any amount of money. But do people really seek wisdom? Are people really searching for truth? Many say they are but when confronted with truth, many develop their own set of beliefs to accommodate their worldview or lifestyle. This is why wisdom is so precious , to know the right way!

Jesus said Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open (Matthew 7) How many people are doing this? How many people are actually seeking God and truth? Eventually we are all confronted with the reality of life, death, morality,  and purpose…these are all questions we eventually ponder during our existence

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:12-13

With wisdom comes good judgment and knowledge. You cant judge correctly if you don’t have a standard to judge from, right? This is why God gave us his Law, how can we judge righteously if there is no standard for morality? Its obvious Wisdom ultimately comes from God

Notice another theme throughout the Proverbs is “Fear of God”, as we talked about before, this is a healthy fear. But notice it all centers around our Creator, if we cut him out there is no wisdom or understanding. If you deny the One who is the source of all things, how can you really learn anything?

Seek wisdom and truth, Jesus said He is The Truth , the Life, and The Way to God, Seek Jesus Amen!

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Proverbs 7:22-23

The book of Proverbs speaks a lot against following sin and following Gods commandments. In this Chapter and other chapters, it speaks heavily against committing adultery. I like the phrase it uses here, and this could be applied to all sins. “Like an Ox going to the slaughter” When we give into the temptations of sin, we are like animals heading to the slaughter. Why? Because the Wages of Sin is death (Romans 6:23)

As the previous scripture says “She entices and lures him”(Proverbs 7:21) This can be said about any sin. Sin can be enticing and luring however the consequences are catastrophic. And if were not led by the Holy Spirit and we are led by our flesh, we are like human animals being led to the slaughter

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Proverbs 7:24-26

Best way to avoid sin is to stay away from sin. Don’t go down that path of destruction. If you go to a bar , what do you expect to happen? Anything good? As the Bible says “Flee from Sin “(Ecclesiastes 21:2) Many people have been wounded and slain by sin.

The good news is there is someone who paid the ultimate price for your sin, Jesus Christ. By His Wounds We Are Healed (Isaiah 53:5) Repent of your sins , turn away from evil, have faith in Jesus Christ, be led by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

One thing we need to understand about God, is that He hates sin! We need to realize that sin does not come from God but is actually rebellion against God. As the Bible says “God does not tempt anyone with evil (James 1:13) The temptation comes from our own sinful flesh, this is the war against God, the flesh vs the Spirit

We people say “I was born this way” or “God made me this way” this is just an excuse to sin. While our flesh may drive us to lust after certain sin, God never designed us this way or would never justify us to stay this way. This is why Jesus said we must become “Born Again to see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) You cant remain dead in your sins and expect to worship a Living God. You need to become Crucified with Christ and He will raise you up a New Life (Romans 6)

Every time that you sin, you wage war against God. You declare my flesh is my Master and not Jesus. This is why the Bible tells us “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22) How can you ever obtain peace when you are at war with your Creator? Until you deny yourself and carry your cross, you will never be set free from the slavery of sin

Now this may sound like an impossible war, however Christ has already won the war! When Jesus said “It Is Finished” on the cross, he paid the penalty for your sin. He justified you before your Heavenly Father, now you must become Born Again and Sanctified by the Holy Spirit! What a loving and merciful God , who would die for his own creation. Praise The Lord Amen!

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

The Bible is very clear that God does not reward laziness. One of the dangers of laziness is not being prepared for the future. This Proverb compares an Ant who stores up food during the summer, so when winter comes it wont starve. In fact if you observe nature, you don’t see animals or insects just lying around , they are continually working, gathering food, building nests, ect. This can be applied to our spiritual lives also

One of the most embarrassing things is when you continually see ministries begging for money. Now we know it takes money to keep things operating but there are better ways to support your ministry. First off I have to really question their faith in God, do they not believe God can provide for their ministry? They need to be a beggar on a street corner? What happened to preachers actually working?

The Apostle Paul might be considered the greatest evangelist of all time, yet he still worked as a tent maker not to burden the people (Acts 18:3) Paul also made statements like “Those who don’t work don’t eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and “Anyone who doesn’t provide for their own family is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8) Yes if you think God is going to bless you by sitting on the couch , think again!

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11

This can be applied to our “Spiritual Lives” also. When we look back at the great theologians like Spurgeon, Luther, Wesley, ect we say “How did these men get such great insight”? Well because these men wrestled and toiled with the scriptures their entire lives. If we really want to understand God and his Word, we need to work at it. You need to devote yourself to reading the scriptures, praying, and witnessing to others

How long will we sleep O Sluggard? Remember in Matthew 25 when Jesus taught the parable of the Talents. When he came back he rewarded people on what they did with their talent. Those who were lazy didn’t get a reward. Those who used the talents God gave them were rewarded. Jesus rewarded hard work and faith! Of course this is all in vein without Jesus being our Lord and Savior Amen!

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21

We have all heard the expression “ A perfect Crime”, but in reality there is no such thing. People plot their evil to try and avoid evidence or witnesses, but God sees it All. Anyone who thinks they can get away with evil is a fool. The One who created the Heavens and the Earth, knows every hair on your head. God knows everything that has happened and what is going to happen, He is Eternal

Notice God also ponders our ways. He wants to know why are we thinking the things we think, why are we saying the things we say. Your ways and thoughts are known to your Creator, there is no secret that God doesn’t know, so why not just be honest with him already? When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to hide from Gods presence but its impossible, God is everywhere he knows all things

Some will go to the next extreme to just deny that God exists at all. This takes them down the road, of not only depravity but also foolishness. To deny the evidence of Gods existence that is clearly seen, makes you a fool, and there is no excuse when you are coming face to face with The Lord. You will give an account of yourself and your actions, without the soul cleansing blood of The Lamb, you are already condemned

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. Proverbs 5:22

You might say “Its not fair that Your condemned” well the cords of your own sins have strangled you. The pleasure of sin that may have lasted a few moments will result in an eternity of suffering. But nobody saw me, right? See no evil, hear no evil? God sees everything and knows your heart and mind.

As Jesus said we need to become Born Again to see the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3) We are depraved in our sinful nature, but Christ can not only set you free but transform you , Amen!

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

What many of us don’t know, is we have a heart condition. Now I’m not talking about a medical heart condition but a spiritual one. The Bible tells us to “Guard our hearts, for everything flows from it” Now when the Bible talks about the heart its not talking about the physical organ in our bodies. The original Hebrew word here for heart is “Leb” meaning your inner core of yourself, your soul, your will.

This is why the gospel message of Christ is about a New Heart. Its not talking about a physical heart but the spiritual one. The world has an old saying to “Follow your heart” but is this a wise saying? The Bible tells us “The heart is deceptive” (Jeremiah 17:9) When we follow our hearts we typically are following our flesh, which can lead to destructive sin. This is why this Proverb tells us to Guard or Keep our hearts, don’t allow yourself to be enticed or deceived with sin

Jesus taught about the heart quit a bit , In Matthew 5 he says “If you look at a someone with lust you have already committed adultery in your heart” (Matthew 5:28) also “If you have hatred in your heart for someone you have already committed murder” (Matthew 5:21-22) Now these sound like extreme teachings by Christ but he is making a point. Our sin begins in our heart, this is why the Proverb teaches us to guard our hearts so we can avoid sin manifesting in it

Jesus also taught that “Our heart defiles us” (Matthew 15:18) when we allow the temptations of sin to creep into our hearts and grow, it defiles your soul. The Apostle James also taught on this subject, “When desire is conceived , it gives birth to sin, and then sin leads to death” (James 1:15) When we allow the temptations of our heart to give birth to sin, it leads to our destruction.

This is why you should guard your heart, for everything flows from it. Guard your heart from drugs and alcohol, guard your heart from pornography, guard your heart from violence because all these things lead to your destruction Amen!

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Proverbs 3:13-14

If God would grant you one wish, what would it be? God did this exact thing to Solomon, and he choose wisdom, and this pleased God very much (1 Kings 3) He could have picked anything money, power, woman but he choose wisdom. How many of us would have chosen wisdom? The funny thing is , the other things mention money, power, and woman, were all acquired by Solomon later in his life and became his demise.

One of the central themes of the book of Proverbs is wisdom. Understanding its importance and value is priceless. When were young , we don’t care about wisdom. We want to “live for the moment” but as we look back, how we wish you have taken the time to acquire wisdom and understanding

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Proverbs 3:15-16

Wisdom is Priceless! You cant put a value on knowledge. When a company needs help, who do they seek after and pay the most? The one who has the most knowledge about the position. Wisdom is collected over time, but you must be willing to seek it and listen!

When your young , you probably did a lot of stupid things, I know I did. And looking back you probably wonder how you are even alive today. Wisdom will lengthen your life. People who are wise don’t make stupid choices , mostly. When you live reckless, your going to eventually wreck

So how do you obtain this wisdom? By God alone through Jesus Christ! Scripture tells us Jesus is The Living Word of God, follow him and you’ll obtain Wisdom Amen!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
If only we would make this our motto, then we would probably would have saved ourselves a lot of heartache. Who do we trust? We put too much trust into other people, politicians, athletes, musicians, even ourselves. But why don’t we trust God? We do we find it so hard to trust the one , who not only created you, but also created everything else

Lean not on our own understanding, this is another big obstacle for us. We need to come to the realization that our total understanding is very limited. We are limited by time, space, and matter. However God is not limited by anything, he is outside time, space, and matter. In fact he created all these things. So why don’t we trust him and lean on His understanding instead of our own?

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

When you acknowledge God in every aspect of your life , He will direct your path! You might say “I don’t want God directing my path” well there is your first problem! Pride, arrogance, ego, these are all things that keep us separated from God and truly knowing His will for our life

Now of course, none of this is possible without Christ. The first step to understanding is receiving Jesus as your Lord (Master) and follow His Way. Secondly we need to humble ourselves, be willing to deny ourselves as Jesus said and actually listen to God.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:7

As the Apostle Paul said “Professing to be wise they became fools “ (Romans 1:22) One of our greatest mistakes is considering ourselves wiser than God. As it stated in the beginning of Proverbs “The Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom” , the same thought is mentioned here again, God must want us to get this!

Trust in Jesus and He will lead you down the straight narrow path, Amen!

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. Proverbs 2:6-7

Where does Wisdom come from? We read books, we listen to lectures, we read case studies, but what is the source of all this information? That is the key to knowledge, what is the source? We heard of the old phrase “Garbage In and Garbage Out” , if the source of our information is not credible or reliable, then we are not actually gaining any wisdom

Who could be more wise than the one who created the Heavens and the Earth? The one who designed your complex biological system. The one who breathed life into your lungs. It amazes me how people will go to all different sources to find information, but they will neglect God who is the source of everything

When you finally receive his Wisdom , then comes knowledge and understanding. You cant understand life if you don’t understand where you came from. Most of the world believes they evolved from apes or randomly came from exploding matter, then you wonder why there is so much confusion in the world. They have no foundation to build upon. That foundation is Jesus Christ

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Proverbs 2:8

Many people will wonder, what is the purpose of The Bible? What is the purpose of Gods Law. Well God is trying to preserve our way! Gods Law was not created to control us but to help us not destroy ourselves. Even with the Law, people still went their own way to the path of destruction

God is sharing his wisdom with us, to give us a better life. As the Bible says “If they would have just listened to me, then they would have peace like a river” (Isaiah 48:18) The Living Word of God came in human form , Jesus Christ, follow his way and gain knowledge, understanding, peace, and eternal life Amen!