The The Character of Character of

WisdomWisdom

Encouragement to pursue Encouragement to pursue the teaching of the Father the teaching of the Father (vv. 1-4) (vv. 1-4)

Trust in God and not our Trust in God and not our own understanding (vv. 5-own understanding (vv. 5-6), 6),

Fear God and not be wise in Fear God and not be wise in our own eyes (vv. 7-8), our own eyes (vv. 7-8),

Honor God and not fail to Honor God and not fail to give to Him first (vv. 9-10) give to Him first (vv. 9-10)

Appreciate God and not Appreciate God and not misunderstand His misunderstand His discipline (vv. 11-12). discipline (vv. 11-12).

The The Character of Character of

WisdomWisdom

Loyalty –Loyalty –Love & Integrity –Love & Integrity –Faith – Faith – Humility – Humility – Gratitude – Gratitude – Meekness -Meekness -

Thus The Need For:

Requirements: Implies the

need for continuance – John 14:21-24; Jam. 1:25; Acts 2:42; 1 Tim 4:16

All obedience MUST be from the heart – Rom. 6:16-18; Eph 6:6; Col. 3:23

Proverbs 3:1-2 (NKJV)

1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will

add to you.

Blessings: Prolongation of

Life – (3:16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27; Eph 6:3)

Better quality of life –happiness & enjoyment - (Psa 30:5; Jno 10:10)

Shalom, - prosperity; health, & abundance. (Rom 14:17)

Proverbs 3:1-2 (NKJV)

1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will

add to you.

Blessings:To keep God’s

commandments provides the best quality of life here and now –

And the promise of eternal life which is to come! – (Rom 2:7)

Proverbs 3:1-2 (NKJV)

1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will

add to you.

Requirements: Mercy – i.e. love,

– Mat 5:45-48; Luke 6:35,36; Col. 3:12,13

Truth – “a standing to one's promises, and not falsifying just expectations; thus fidelity.” (K&D) – 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Tim 2:2

Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV)3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write

them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor

and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Requirements: Mercy & integrity

should grace one’s life like a neck chain (3:22; 1:9;6:21; Mt 5:13-16)

To impress on the heart both virtues so that the things we do & say comes from within - (Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10).

Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV)3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write

them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor

and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Blessings: Obtain grace – i.e.

viewed favorably by both God and men. - (Luke 2:52; Rom 14:18)

Viewed as competent and worthy of honor, - has a good reputation before God and men. (Prov 22:1; Luke 10:20)

Proverbs 3:3-4 (NKJV)3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write

them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor

and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Requirements: Place your hope

and confidence fully in God - (Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2; Heb 6:17,18)

Your own under-standing will not support you! – (Prov 14:12; 28:26; Jer. 10:23; Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 4:6; 8:2)

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He

shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He

shall direct your paths.

Many trust God ONLY as long as His will and instructions make sense to them. (2 King 5:11; Mark 16:16; Acts 20:7; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; Rom 14:17)-

God’s ways are far above our ways! (Isa. 55:8-9; Rom 11:33-34; Rom 10:6-8)

Therefore we should ALWAYS focus on God and His will in every aspect of our life – (Col. 3:17)

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He

shall direct your paths.

Too many think of God ONLY:

When it is time to assemble with the church –

When we eat -When tragedy

strikesAfter we get

ourselves into trouble

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He

shall direct your paths.

Blessings: God removes the

obstacles, making a smooth path or way of life, - (Psalm 25:8; James 1:5)

Those who follow wisdom have an easier, less problematic life (e.g., 3:10, 16, 24-25).

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He

shall direct your paths.

Requirements: Arrogance & Ego

blinds people to both their faults & needs - (Prov 14:16; 26:12; Is. 5:21; Rom 12:16; 1 Cor 3:18)

Reverence for God leads to repentance and righteousness. (1:7; Ecc 12:13; Acts 10:34,35)

Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV)

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord

and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your

flesh, And strength to your bones.

Blessings: “Healing it is to

thy navel,” (YLT) - Humility & reverence is as essential to spiritual life, “and to the continual growth in grace, as the umbilical cord is to the life and growth of the fetus in the womb.” —Adam Clarke

Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV)

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord

and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your

flesh, And strength to your bones.

Blessings: “And marrow to

thy bones.” (ASV) –

What the marrow is to the support and strength of the bones, and the bones to the body; - reverent living for God is the support and strength of the soul.

Proverbs 3:7-8 (NKJV)

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord

and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your

flesh, And strength to your bones.

Requirements: As a way of

expressing gratitude to God, Israel was commanded to honor the Lord with “the firstfruits” of all one’s crops and gain (Ex 22:29; 23:19; 34:26; Deut. 18:4; 26:1-3, 9-11).

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV)9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the

firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

We too must give to the Lord

With “love, liberality and thankfulness” - 2 Co 8:2-9; 9:11,12

“According to what we have” –“As we prosper” - 2 Co 8:12; 1 Co 16:2

Whatever one can give “cheerfully” - 2 Co 9:7

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV)9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the

firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Blessing: Promotes more

blessings – (2 Cor 9:6 Acts 20:35)

A godly life promotes temporal success but does NOT guarantee it!!

We receive spiritual blessings - & more than enough. (Ep 1:3)

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV)9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the

firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Requirements: Do NOT “reject or

take lightly” the Lord’s discipline, nor “loathe or abhor” His rebuke (Deut 8:5; Job 5:17).

Through teaching – testing – commanding – etc., God disciplines His children – (Heb 12:5,6)

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NKJV)11 My son, do not despise

the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father

the son in whom he delights.

Requirements:Too many balk at

His commands –Too many wilt

under trials –Too many

surrender to the world -

Too many reject His rebuke . . .

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NKJV)11 My son, do not despise

the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father

the son in whom he delights.

The The Character of Character of

WisdomWisdom

Encouragement to pursue Encouragement to pursue his teaching (vv. 1-4) his teaching (vv. 1-4)

Trust in God and not own Trust in God and not own understanding (vv. 5-6), understanding (vv. 5-6),

Fear God and not be wise in Fear God and not be wise in his own eyes (vv. 7-8), his own eyes (vv. 7-8),

Honor God and not fail to Honor God and not fail to give to Him (vv. 9-10) give to Him (vv. 9-10)

Appreciate God and not Appreciate God and not misunderstand His misunderstand His discipline (vv. 11-12). discipline (vv. 11-12).

The The Character of Character of

WisdomWisdom

Loyalty –Loyalty –Love & Integrity –Love & Integrity –Faith – Faith – Humility – Humility – Gratitude – Gratitude – Meekness -Meekness -

Thus The Need For: