He who listens to teaching is on the path of life, but he who will not listen to strong words goes the wrong way. (Proverbs 10:17 NLV) Whoever loves strong teaching loves much learning, but he who hates strong words is foolish. (Proverbs 12:1 NLV)
If we want to become wise, we have to listen when Wisdom speaks. Jesus had this problem with the Pharisees and other religious leaders at the time. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” (John 8:42-43, 47) Why did Jesus have so many problems with the Jewish leaders, God's chosen people, who should have understood and believed who Jesus was, based on their "knowledge" of the scriptures? The Jews are fighting against the Good News. Because they hate the Good News, it has helped you who are not Jews. But God still loves the Jews because He has chosen them and because of His promise to their early fathers. God does not change His mind when He chooses men and gives them His gifts. At one time you did not obey God. But when the Jews did not receive God’s gift, you did. It was because they did not obey. The Jews will not obey now. God’s loving-kindness to you will some day turn them to Him. Then the Jews may have His loving-kindness also. God has said that all men have broken His Law. But He will show loving-kindness on all of them. (Romans 11:28-32 NLV)
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:8-9) The love of God towards us is inconceivable with our natural mind, and the Wisdom of God is beyond our natural minds comprehension. God’s riches are so great! The things He knows and His wisdom are so deep! No one can understand His thoughts. No one can understand His ways. The Holy Writings say, “Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to tell Him what to do?” [Isaiah 40:13; Jeremiah 23:18] “Who has given first to God, that God should pay him back?” [Job 41:11] Everything comes from Him. His power keeps all things together. All things are made for Him. May He be honored forever. Let it be so [Amen]. (Romans 11:33-36 NLV) Wisdom teaches us to thank God that He didn't just keep His gift of salvation for a few chosen people, but that He has made it available to ALL of us!
The lips of the wise spread much learning, but the minds of fools do not. (Proverbs 15:7 NLV) The mind of him who has understanding looks for much learning, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolish ways. (Proverbs 15:14 NLV) He who does not listen to strong teaching hates himself, but he who listens when strong words are spoken gets understanding. (Proverbs 15:32 NLV) We all either or know someone who seems to know so much about so many things. Yet, this kind of worldly knowledge never seems to improve our situation in life. With so much knowledge, we should be able to do and accomplish all kinds of things, to improve not only our situation, but those around us also. Why does this knowledge seem to cause us to live like a "cat chasing it's tail"? Because knowledge without wisdom leads to foolish ways. We can have all the knowledge in the world, but if we don't have wisdom and understanding from God, all that worldly knowledge will get us nowhere. Knowledge, or much learning only benefits the wise, but the minds of fools do not.
The wise in heart will be called understanding. And to speak in a pleasing way helps people know what you say is right. Understanding is a well of life to him who has it, but to speak strong words to fools is of no use. The heart of the wise has power over his mouth and adds learning to his lips. (Proverbs 16:21-23 NLV) There are people who talk good and sound good when they speak, but that doesn't necessarily mean what they are saying is right. And to speak in a pleasing way refers to how a wise person speaks and teaches. It's not that he's wise because of how he's speaking, but rather, because he is wise, he is able to speak the Truth in a way that people can understand it and hopefully receive it. Remember Jesus taught, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” (Matthew 15:10-11) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) It's not how we speak that matters, but what we're saying!
Wisdom is with the one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. (Proverbs 17:24 NLV) Listen to words about what you should do, and take your punishment if you need it, so that you may be wise the rest of your days. (Proverbs 19:20 NLV) Wise people know that we have no control over our lives, so we don't worry about the ends of the earth, but we just focus on being wise the rest of your days. Jesus said it this way, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34) When we know where we're going, and we know that Wisdom is leading us there, we don't have to worry about what tomorrow will bring or what the end will be. Through our faith in Christ Jesus, we can wisely do as He has commanded, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise, and open your mind to what they teach. For it will be pleasing if you keep them in your heart, so they may be ready on your lips. I have taught you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the Lord. (Proverbs 22:17-19 NLV) AMEN
If we want to become wise, we have to listen when Wisdom speaks. Jesus had this problem with the Pharisees and other religious leaders at the time. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” (John 8:42-43, 47) Why did Jesus have so many problems with the Jewish leaders, God's chosen people, who should have understood and believed who Jesus was, based on their "knowledge" of the scriptures? The Jews are fighting against the Good News. Because they hate the Good News, it has helped you who are not Jews. But God still loves the Jews because He has chosen them and because of His promise to their early fathers. God does not change His mind when He chooses men and gives them His gifts. At one time you did not obey God. But when the Jews did not receive God’s gift, you did. It was because they did not obey. The Jews will not obey now. God’s loving-kindness to you will some day turn them to Him. Then the Jews may have His loving-kindness also. God has said that all men have broken His Law. But He will show loving-kindness on all of them. (Romans 11:28-32 NLV)
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:8-9) The love of God towards us is inconceivable with our natural mind, and the Wisdom of God is beyond our natural minds comprehension. God’s riches are so great! The things He knows and His wisdom are so deep! No one can understand His thoughts. No one can understand His ways. The Holy Writings say, “Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to tell Him what to do?” [Isaiah 40:13; Jeremiah 23:18] “Who has given first to God, that God should pay him back?” [Job 41:11] Everything comes from Him. His power keeps all things together. All things are made for Him. May He be honored forever. Let it be so [Amen]. (Romans 11:33-36 NLV) Wisdom teaches us to thank God that He didn't just keep His gift of salvation for a few chosen people, but that He has made it available to ALL of us!
The lips of the wise spread much learning, but the minds of fools do not. (Proverbs 15:7 NLV) The mind of him who has understanding looks for much learning, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolish ways. (Proverbs 15:14 NLV) He who does not listen to strong teaching hates himself, but he who listens when strong words are spoken gets understanding. (Proverbs 15:32 NLV) We all either or know someone who seems to know so much about so many things. Yet, this kind of worldly knowledge never seems to improve our situation in life. With so much knowledge, we should be able to do and accomplish all kinds of things, to improve not only our situation, but those around us also. Why does this knowledge seem to cause us to live like a "cat chasing it's tail"? Because knowledge without wisdom leads to foolish ways. We can have all the knowledge in the world, but if we don't have wisdom and understanding from God, all that worldly knowledge will get us nowhere. Knowledge, or much learning only benefits the wise, but the minds of fools do not.
The wise in heart will be called understanding. And to speak in a pleasing way helps people know what you say is right. Understanding is a well of life to him who has it, but to speak strong words to fools is of no use. The heart of the wise has power over his mouth and adds learning to his lips. (Proverbs 16:21-23 NLV) There are people who talk good and sound good when they speak, but that doesn't necessarily mean what they are saying is right. And to speak in a pleasing way refers to how a wise person speaks and teaches. It's not that he's wise because of how he's speaking, but rather, because he is wise, he is able to speak the Truth in a way that people can understand it and hopefully receive it. Remember Jesus taught, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” (Matthew 15:10-11) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) It's not how we speak that matters, but what we're saying!
Wisdom is with the one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. (Proverbs 17:24 NLV) Listen to words about what you should do, and take your punishment if you need it, so that you may be wise the rest of your days. (Proverbs 19:20 NLV) Wise people know that we have no control over our lives, so we don't worry about the ends of the earth, but we just focus on being wise the rest of your days. Jesus said it this way, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34) When we know where we're going, and we know that Wisdom is leading us there, we don't have to worry about what tomorrow will bring or what the end will be. Through our faith in Christ Jesus, we can wisely do as He has commanded, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29) Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise, and open your mind to what they teach. For it will be pleasing if you keep them in your heart, so they may be ready on your lips. I have taught you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the Lord. (Proverbs 22:17-19 NLV) AMEN
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