Chapter 33

Wisdom

Sections

1. Being Wise
   1. 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
   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
      • Wisdom involves doing what is right – and avoiding evil
   3. Wisdom through Others
      • Pay attention to instruction
      • Heed discipline and correction
   4. Wise Speech
      • Be quick to listen and slow to speak
      • Use few words
      • Speak graciously
      • Remember that our words are determined by our “heart”
   5. Wise Personal Practices
      • Be self-controlled
      • Do not act in haste
      • Work hard
      • Enjoy life and be happy

2. Antitheses of Wisdom and Knowledge
   1. Foolishness
      • Fools spurn and lack wisdom
      • Foolishness involves disobedience to God
      • Foolishness encompasses doing wrong
   2. Foolish Practices
      • Being quick-tempered is foolish
      • Drunkenness and gluttony are unwise, causing one trouble
      • Indulging in pleasure is foolish and pointless
      • Further notably foolish practices
   3. Spiritual Ignorance (I): Causes and Results
      • Spiritual ignorance is caused basically by sin
      • Spiritual ignorance is caused partly by the ungodly being closed-minded
   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 are ignorant of and deceived about their sin
      • The ungodly are largely oblivious of God’s pending punishment – which they will bear

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

Pray for persecuted Christians