Lesson 4
Wisdom
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and
the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”
(Proverbs 9:10).
Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn out her seven pillars;
she has slaughtered her meat,
she has mixed her wine,
she has also furnished her table.
She has sent out her maidens,
she cries out from the highest places of the city,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who
lacks understanding, she says to him,
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness
and live, and go in the way of understanding.
“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
‘reach a just man, and he will increase in learning. “The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years of life will be added to you.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
and if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
Proverbs 9:1—12
A MORAL COMPASS
Wisdom is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships.”
or insight; it is “good sense.”
Wisdom is calling; are you listening? Passages related to
God’s will, such as 1 Thessalonians 5: 12—18, present a clear
understanding of how we are to live.
Unfortunately, life regularly presents situations that are less than
crystal clear. For example, a male businessman tries to figure out
whether a second business dinner with a female associate is
appropriate. Or a student knows that a cogent point of his or her
paper is from a particular source, but the student cannot find the
correct note to document it and the clock is rapidly headed
toward the due date. Or a parent wrestles with the
appropriateness of corporal punishment. Perhaps an employer is
Contemplating terminating a single parent’s position because of
budgetary concerns.
Or a Homeless person requests money for food— should you give
it? Life inevitably brings moral quandaries and ethical
decisions. The only way that we honor God with our
responses is to apply Biblical wisdom to each situation.
Wisdom is the ability to make a decision in real-life moral
situations, a decision that accurately reflects and applies God’s
principles as found in Scripture. The Bible tells us a great deal
about wisdom. One of the foundational Biblical truths about
wisdom is how one acquires it.
THE STARTING POINT
1. Read Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, and Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10. According
to these passages, what action helps us acquire wisdom?
2. Which of your actions show that you fear the Lord?
3. What actions do the following verses suggest are ways to fear the
Lord?
(a) Deuteronomy 10:12
(b) Joshua 24:14
(c) 1 Samuel 12:24
(d) Psalm 22:23
(e) Psalm 112:1
(f) Isaiah 50:10
4. Why is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom?
The fear of the Lord produces in people a willingness to do what God
says. The Bible is God’s Word to us; in it God provides the principles
we need to live wise, God-honoring lives. For example, the narratives
of the historical books provide case studies for how and how not to live
a life of wisdom, while the Old Testament law contains many timeless
principles that help to shape wise decisions. The Gospels display
wisdom incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ.
Part of the Bible is specifically designed as wisdom literature. Books
such as Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and many of the psalms are works
of wisdom literature. The book of Proverbs is the most direct in its
references to wisdom. This book contains a limitless supply of wisdom
for virtually any situation, decision, or plan we face.
5. Read Proverbs 4:10—17.
What two paths of life does this passage present?
Proverbs makes a compelling case for living a life characterized by
Biblical wisdom.
6. According to the following verses, what are the benefits of living
wisely?
(a) Proverbs 1:33
(b) Proverbs 2:6—8
(c) Proverbs 3:1, 2
(d) Proverbs 3:5—8
(e) Proverbs 3:13—18
Wisdom is an incredibly valuable quality, because decision-making is
part of every area of life. We must constantly ask ourselves, what is
the most God-honoring thing I could do in this situation? How can I
best represent God with this decision? What would God want me to do
in this situation?
7. List the top three moral dilemmas you have had to struggle with
during the past six months. From what areas of your life did these
moral dilemmas arise?
Area of Life
Dilemma
8. What areas of life do the following verses indicate are possible
sources of moral dilemmas?
(a) Proverbs 10:15; 11:4; 18:11; 23:5; 28:20
(b) Proverbs 10:12; 15:17; 27:5
(c) Proverbs 6:6—11; 12:27
(d) Proverbs 6:20; 13:1; 22:6; 23:24, 25; 29:15, 17
(e) Proverbs 12:26; 14:20; 17:17, 18; 18:24 (0 Proverbs 10:3; 12:11;
23:20, 21; 30:8
A FORK IN THE ROAD
The book of Proverbs addresses most of life’s concerns, including family
relationships, money, work, and food. The Bible is clearly a comprehensive
resource for wisdom pertaining to the situations of life. It presents at least
five steps for answering a moral or ethical dilemma.
The first step in answering a moral or ethical dilemma is to
determine whether the Bible, God’s revealed will, addresses the
specific situation.
If it does, the dilemma is solved. If the Bible does not address the
specific situation, we must attempt to act wisely in the circumstance.
The second step is to pray. Communicating with God is vital to
making wise decisions.
9. Read James 1:5—8.
(a) How are we to approach God with our request for wisdom?
(b) How certain is God’s response?
We can ask God for wisdom, and He will give it.
The third step is to consider the major values of Scripture.
The values of Scripture are general principles that serve as behavioral
maxims; for example, the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31). When we face a
perplexing moral situation, we must determine whether one choice
better exemplifies these Scriptural values than another choice does.
10. Read the following passages. Below each reference, write the
Biblical value presented in it.
(a) Exodus 20:3
(b) Exodus 20:12
(c) Deuteronomy 5:17
(d) Deuteronomy 5:21
(e) Matthew 22:37—40
(f) Luke 6:27—36
Honesty is another major value of Scripture. Several places in God’s
Word emphasizes the importance of honesty (e.g., Matthew 5:37).
Honesty is to characterize all of our interactions with other people.
If after determining whether the Bible addresses the specific situation,
praying, and considering the major values of Scripture, we are still
unclear about what to do, the next step is to seek the counsel of
others.
11. Read the following verses from Proverbs. Summarize what they
say about seeking the counsel of others.
(a) Proverbs 1:5
(b) Proverbs 11:14
(c) Proverbs 12:5
(d) Proverbs 15:22
The final step is simply to act.
Moral and ethical dilemmas are complex and difficult, but they should
not be paralyzing. If we are confident that our actions do not violate
the direct, specific revelation of Scripture, if we have prayerfully
considered our actions, if we affirm the overarching value of Scripture,
and if we reflect the wise counsel of others, it is time to act decisively.
After we have taken all these steps, we can confidently stand before
God, knowing that we have done everything we could to make a
decision that honors Him.
12. Reread the list of the top three moral dilemmas you faced during
the past six months (p. 45). Which of the five steps of making wise
decisions did you take for each dilemma? Summarize how the steps
worked, your final decision, and the outcome (if known).
Dilemma 1
Dilemma 2
Dilemma 3
APPLY THE TRUTH
1. How would you characterize your efforts at fearing the Lord?
2. How does the book of Proverbs contrast the results of a life of
wisdom with a life of folly or wickedness?
3. How should the Biblical value of honesty influence the following
scenario? A family is attempting to sell a used car by means of a
classified advertisement in the newspaper. Several people call, asking
about the car’s condition. How much information is the family
compelled to share with potential buyers?
4. How can you improve on your follow- through of one of the steps in
the decision-making process?