Proverbs 4:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

Picking up where we left off yesterday, note that wisdom is referred to as a she, the feminine form. Highly desired and someone who makes you look good if she is on your arm.

How do we get wisdom?

James 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Luckily for we who are in Christ, we need only ask. So one way to obtain wisdom is by listening to God after we have prayed for it.

1 Corinthians 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Since the world does not have a relationship with God, how did the world come by wisdom? First we must admit that their wisdom is not godly wisdom. What kind of wisdom is it then?

Trial and error will teach you that things like a stove are hot, don’t touch them. That is one kind of wisdom.

Then there is the scientific method, observation and experimentation. That will teach you what chemicals in what amounts will render a control explosion versus one that cannot be controlled.

Then there is the literate wisdom. The author has a large following, has a reputation so it seems safe to agree with his teachings. Galileo proved Aristotle wrong but was threatened with death for saying as much. Popularity is not a reliable sign of wisdom.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons about godly wisdom is teaching us what is really important in this life in Christ.

If it feels good do it, is a disaster created by worldly wisdom.

Honor is found in the embrace of godly wisdom.

John 10:10a English Standard Version (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

We are familiar with the comic book character Superman who has been elevated to television and movie star status. What we know about this fictional character is that only Kryptonite can kill him.

This metaphor is very much like our life in Christ. His Kryptonite is from his former life and has to be avoided. Each of us has something from our former lives that is our own personal Kryptonite. It might not kill us literally, although some of them will. It will endanger our life with Christ and if we play with it long enough it could create a spiritual death.

Proverbs 4:14-16 English Standard Version

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.

15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.

16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

2 Timothy 3:1-4 English Standard Version

1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

It is reckless to play with the Kryptonite of our past.

John 10:10b English Standard Version (ESV) I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Embrace Christ and the life we have now rather than the dangers from our past.

Proverbs 4:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.