Podcast

Sermon Notes

WISDOM:  It’s not what you know, it’s how you live.

Wisdom Trail…”Making Wise Decisions”

Proverbs 3:5-7

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 19:2-3

Desire without knowledge is not good,
    and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
³ When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,
    his heart rages against the Lord.

Proverbs 19:20-21

Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in the future.
²¹ Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 21:30-31

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.
³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Three Questions for Making Godly Decisions:

1. What does God’s Word say?    (1 Samuel 15:1-26)

-God sees partial obedience as evil 

-When God’s Word speaks clearly on a matter you are done.  You don’t have to look further!

-When we come to the WORD OF GOD, we have to take it as just that, THE WORD OF GOD!

• What do godly people say?  (2 Kings 12:1-17)

People who are like me and like me, tend to agree with me.

-Godly counsel cares more about TRUTH than your feelings.  Your friends care more about your relationship than the truth.

• What does God’s Spirit say?  (Joshua 9:1-27)

God’s Spirit will never contradict God’s Word – will never tell you to disobey, that it doesn’t apply to you.

Four More Practical Questions If It Still Isn’t Clear:

• How does this affect me 5-10 years from now?

• Can I live with the worst case scenario?

• What am I going to regret not doing the most?

• What do I want to do the most? (KEY:  last on list!)