Chapter 33

Wisdom

Sections

1. Being Wise
   1. Prologue: The Precedence of Godly Wisdom
      • Godly wisdom is superior to anything else
      • Worldly wisdom is flawed and inferior to the wisdom of God . . .
      • . . . Worldly wisdom is ultimately futile, even detrimental
      • So get godly wisdom and be wise . . .
      • . . . Seek out wisdom and knowledge
   2. Wisdom through God
      • Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom
      • Ask God for wisdom . . .
      • . . . For it is God who gives wisdom
      • Obeying God’s commands brings wisdom
      • Note: Wisdom involves doing what is right – and shunning evil
   3. Wisdom through Others
      • Pay attention to instruction . . .
      • . . . For wise people heed and learn from instruction
      • Listen to advice
      • Accept rebuke . . .
      • . . . Additional insights on accepting rebuke
      • Heed discipline and correction
      • Further insights on gaining wisdom
   4. Wise Speech (I): Instructions
      • Be quick to listen and slow to speak
      • Be careful when speaking
      • Use few words
      • Speak gently
      • Speak graciously
      • Do not sin in what you say
      • Note: Instructions and insights on giving rebuke
   5. Wise Speech (II): Insights
      • The righteous speak wisely . . .
      • . . . One’s words are determined by the “heart”
      • Wise speech is of great value
      • The speech of the wise imparts wisdom and knowledge
      • Further ways wise speech benefits others
      • Beware: The tongue has great power, capable of evil and destructive effects
   6. Wise Personal Practices
      • Be self-controlled . . .
      • . . . Self-control comes from God and wisdom
      • Do not act in haste
      • Work hard . . .
      • . . . Ensure you have adequate provisions
      • Enjoy life and be happy

2. Antitheses of Wisdom and Knowledge
   1. Foolishness
      • Fools spurn and lack wisdom
      • Foolishness is characterized by failure to comprehend God and his ways
      • Foolishness is characterized by failure to comprehend other spiritual truths
      • Foolishness involves acting contrary to God
      • Foolishness encompasses sin
      • Foolishness encompasses doing wrong
      • Results of foolishness . . .
      • . . . Ultimately, foolishness results in ruin – even death
   2. Foolish and Ungodly Practices
      • Being quick-tempered is foolish and ungodly
      • Indulging in pleasure is foolish and pointless . . .
      • . . . and indulging in pleasure is ungodly
      • Drunkenness and gluttony are unwise, causing one trouble . . .
      • . . . Drunkenness should be avoided, particularly as it leads to ungodliness
      • Further ungodly practices that are notably foolish
   3. Spiritual Ignorance (I): Causes and Results
      • Spiritual ignorance is caused basically by sin and ungodliness
      • Spiritual ignorance is caused partly by the ungodly being closed-minded . . .
      • . . . God may even judicially blind ungodly people
      • Thus, the ungodly lack spiritual wisdom . . .
      • . . . and the ungodly are in spiritual “darkness”
      • Spiritual ignorance results in further sin
      • Spiritual ignorance and lack of spiritual perception result in unbelief
      • Spiritual ignorance and lack of spiritual understanding culminate in dire consequences
   4. Spiritual Ignorance (II): Knowledge Lacked
      • The ungodly do not know God or Jesus Christ
      • The ungodly do not comprehend God’s word
      • The ungodly do not know how God wants them to live . . .
      • . . . and they do not know or understand many other spiritual truths
      • The ungodly are ignorant of and deceived about their sin
      • The ungodly are misguided about their standing with God and Jesus Christ
      • The ungodly are skeptical of God knowing their deeds and of his judgment
      • The ungodly are largely oblivious of God’s pending punishment – which they will bear
   5. Epilogue: Blessings of Wisdom
      • Understanding . . .
      • . . . and discernment
      • Knowledge
      • Righteousness and justice
      • Protection . . .
      • . . . and life
      • Strength
      • Prosperity
      • Honor
      • Note: Living without wisdom has harmful consequences

 ➜Major headings in: 33. Wisdom (and all of Unit G)

Pray for persecuted Christians