knowledge

Proverbs 18c

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Heart Smart.

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” – Proverbs 18:15 ESV

We’ve all heard of hearth healthy living, but what about heart smart? The Book of Proverbs puts a lot of emphasis on the heart. In fact, in chapter four we’re warned, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT). In the Hebrew way of thinking, the heart is the central part of our very being. It is the core of our existence. It refers to our inner man, and includes our mind, will, heart, and understanding. It encompasses our moral character and is the seat of our appetites, emotions and passions. So the heart is a huge part of who we are. Which is why Solomon warns us to guard it. And the prophet Jeremiah warns us that “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT) That word, “deceitful” can mean twisted, sly, slippery and insidious. It is NOT to be trusted. Left to its own devices, the human heart is a dangerous thing. Unless it has been “educated” by God. Which is why Solomon also encourages us to make the acquisition of God’s wisdom our highest priority. We’re to search for it like silver. We’re to cry out for it, tune our ears to it, and concentrate on getting it. But when we get the wisdom of God, He doesn’t place it in our heads. No, God puts it in our hearts – in our inner man. “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy, wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe” (Proverbs 2:10-11 NLT). God places His wisdom inside us. He makes our deceitful hearts trustworthy and true. He equips us with the tools we need to make wise choices, to “understand what is right, just and fair” (Proverbs 2:9 NLT). We “will find the right way to go” (Proverbs 2:9b NLT). God makes our hearts wise. And wise hearts are extremely beneficial and helpful. “The wise in heart accept commands” (Proverbs 10:8a NIV). “The one who is wise in heart is called discerning” (Proverbs 16:21a NIV). A child with a wise heart will cause his parents to rejoice (Proverbs 23:15). A heart with a high God-IQ will guard us, guide us, and has the capacity to save us from making wrong choices and will keep us on the path that God has for us. And when we’re heart smart, we’re always willing to learn. We crave knowledge about who God is and who we are. We love to learn about our faults and gain insights into our deficiencies. Knowledge of our sins allows us to acknowledge them to God. We’re able to stay confessed up and enjoy complete forgiveness from God. The smart heart is a listening, learning heart. It depends on God as its source of wisdom, and relies on Him to equip us with knowledge and understanding of His ways. We gain common sense and learn how to apply the truth of God to the realities of life. The smart heart is malleable and in a constant state of transformation at the hands of God.

“In Proverbs, wise people guard their hearts, not only keeping harmful influences out but, more important, by putting wise teaching in and keeping them there.” – Paul E. Koptak, The NIV Application Commentary, Proverbs

“He that has true wisdom in the inward part; who knows his heart and the haughtiness of it; who has the fear of God in it, which is the beginning of wisdom; who is wise unto salvation…who has not head knowledge and wisdom only, but heart knowledge and wisdom, and behave wisely in his life and conversation,…such a man is called, reckoned, accounted, and spoken well of, as a prudent man among all wise and knowing persons.” – Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

 

Father, I want to be wise of heart, not just wise of head. I want Your wisdom to permeate my entire being so that I live according to Your standards and in keeping with Your will at all times. I want to be educated of heart so that I know what is right, just and fair; and inherently know the right way to go. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Proverbs 8b

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The Danger of Simplicity.

“You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.” – Proverbs 8:5 NLT

Simple Simon met a pieman,
Going to the fair;
Says Simple Simon to the pieman,
Let me taste your ware.
Says the pieman to Simple Simon,
Show me first your penny;
Says Simple Simon to the pieman,
Indeed I have not any.
Simple Simon went a-fishing,
For to catch a whale;
All the water he had got,
Was in his mother’s pail.
Simple Simon went to look
If plums grew on a thistle;
He pricked his fingers very much,
Which made poor Simon whistle.

Kids are simple. Their thinking is simple. The world in which they live is simple – at least from their perspective. They are simple creatures driven by very simplistic emotions and urges. A hungry child knows no better than to want to eat. A sad child cries. A happy child laughs. They are inherently trusting of just about everyone, to a fault. If given the right motivation, like candy or the promise of a toy, they will follow a stranger – gladly, willingly, confidently. Children lack discernment and good judgment. They are pleasantly open-minded and easily deceived. But the sad thing is that many adults have these same child-like characteristics. They never grow out of their innocence and simplistic way of thinking. Forty year olds can be just as guilty as four-year olds of being naive, simpleminded and lacking in good judgment.

Then there’s the fool, who is slightly different than the simple person. He’s actually another form of fool, a more advanced version you might say. The Hebrew word is kecîyl and it refers to a sensual fool, that individual who is driven by his passions. Like a child, he tends to focus on whatever brings him immediate gratification. He glories in that of which he should be ashamed. He’s learned to justify his actions and defend his choices as right. This is no longer a case of simple thinking, but willful disobedience. He rejects the instruction and discipline of parents and all other authorities in his life. So Solomon pleads with this person, “Show some understanding!” Live your life like you know better. Have some common sense.

But here’s the problem for both the simpleminded and the fool. They both lack the ability to show good judgment or display understanding. They don’t have it within them to do what they need to do. They are deficient. They are operating at a disadvantage. Which is exactly why God offers His help. He says, “My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold” (Proverbs 8:8-10 NLT). God offers them both wisdom, good judgment, knowledge, discernment, and common sense. In other words, He offers them exactly what they need. He says, “Whoever fins me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:35-36 NLT). This is serious business. Simplicity in a child is expected. But we also expect them to grow out of it. Continued simplicity in an adult can be deadly. A life devoid of good judgment and understanding is ultimately a dangerous one. It will not end well. A life marked by foolishness, driven by immediate gratification and sensual pleasures is one that lacks a clear understanding of what we were made for and where true joy comes from. That person will never find fulfillment and lasting joy. But when we turn to God, we find all that we need. We discover an endless source of wisdom, good judgment, knowledge, discernment, common sense, insight and understanding. We find what it means to walk in righteousness and justice. making good choices, living lives that are honoring to God and a source of blessing to our fellow man. But it all begins with acknowledgment of our insufficiencies and inadequacies. We have to admit our simplicity and confess our foolishness. We have to recognize our need for God, humbly coming to Him for His assistance. When we do, we will find life and favor. It’s as simple as that.

Father, continue to open my eyes to the simplicity in my life and the foolish behavior that threatens to destroy me if I leave it unchecked. I need You more and more each day. I want to grow in my recognition of that need as I see the characteristics of simplicity and foolishness in my own life. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Proverbs 3d

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Consider the Source.

“By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens. By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.” – Proverbs 3:19-20 NLT

Whenever you purchase a product, you like to know where it came from. Inexpensive is great, but not if it means poor quality. Lousy workmanship is unacceptable at just about any price. So when it comes to something as important as wisdom, understanding and knowledge, why would we settle for anything less than the best? We regularly accept knock-off knowledge and imitation understanding. We waste our time with worthless wisdom that sounds good at first, but fails to deliver as advertised. There are a steady stream of counterfeit and ersatz options out there from which to choose, but there is only one real source for true wisdom, understanding and knowledge: God! Solomon reminds us over and over again that the wisdom he is talking about is godly wisdom. It finds its source in God. It’s the very same wisdom God used to create the world and establish the universe from one end to the other. We’re talking unexplainable, unfathomable, inexhaustible wisdom here. This isn’t some cheap, imitation wisdom, manufactured in some seedy warehouse and offered at half the cost. It is the real deal. It is life-changing, soul-refreshing, guidance-giving, joy-producing, heart-stirring, health-giving wisdom that comes from the very throne of God. The very one who created life gives us the ability to live life – to its fullest. Every other source of wisdom is unreliable. If it’s not from God, it’s counterfeit and counter-productive. Which is why Solomon reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT). Do you need wisdom? Consider the source. Turn to God.

Father, only You can provide the wisdom, understanding and knowledge we need for life. Forgive me for the many times I turn elsewhere. Don’t let me settle for cheap, imitation knock-offs. I want Your wisdom. I need Your wisdom. Nothing less will do. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

 

Proverbs 2c

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Priority One.

“Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.” – Proverbs 2:3-4 NLT

Over and over again, the Book of Proverbs personifies the wisdom of God as calling out to men and women, offering them all that they need to survive and thrive in this world. Wisdom, understanding, insight, knowledge, common sense, discernment – they’re all available and there for the taking, but there is effort involved. You have to want them. You have to seek them. You have to search for them like hidden treasures. In other words, they have to have some inherent value to you. Otherwise, you will never make them a priority in your life. And sadly, many of us never cry out for insight from God because we really don’t believe we need it. We don’t ask for understanding from God because we seem to think we already have a good grasp on life. They’re not a priority because they’re not a necessity.

Solomon makes it clear that the wisdom, knowledge and understanding he is talking about are only available from God, and that access to them begins with a fear of God. The fear of God is simply an understanding that He is God and I am not. He is all-knowing and I am not. He is all-powerful and I am not. He is in control of all things and I am not. The fear of the Lord involves humility and dependency. We recognize our need for Him and humbly turn to Him for help, hope, and healing. Solomon says that if we cry out for insight, ask for understanding, and seek for them like hidden treasures, THEN we will understand what it means to fear the Lord. In other words, our recognition of our need for these things and our humble crying out for them are key to comprehending what it means to fear the Lord. We will grow in our knowledge of God as we grow in our dependence upon Him. When we drop our self-righteous, I-can-do-it-all-myself attitude and humbly turn to Him, He “grants wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest” (Proverbs 2:6-7 NLT).

But it begins with making Him our highest priority. We have to realize and recognize our need for Him. We have to begin to pursue Him more than anything or anyone else in this world. We must make Him our objective. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are the benefits of knowing Him. Common sense is a byproduct of a growing knowledge of God. Discernment, direction, discipline and discretion are all outcomes of making God our highest priority.

Father, I want to make much of You. I want to learn to seek You for who You are, not just for what I get out of it. I benefit from a relationship with You, but that should not be my sole motivation. Help me make you my highest priority because You are worthy of my highest admiration, attention, and worship. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Proverbs 8

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All You Need.

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.” – Proverbs 8:12 NLT

Wisdom, the very personification of God, calls out indiscriminately to anyone and everyone who will listen. Wisdom stands at the very crossroads of life, calling out to everyone who passes by. The simple and foolish get special attention. Their very nature prevents them from having good judgment and making wise choices. They are naive, incapable of seeing their own inadequacies and their vulnerability to danger because of their lack of wisdom. They pride themselves on their open-mindedness, unaware that this trait leaves them susceptible to all kinds of lies and deception. Wisdom offers them truth in place of falsehood, wholesome advice instead of the unhealthy counsel of this world. The benefits of God’s wisdom are priceless and far more valuable in the end than any kind of earthly treasure man could pursue. And wisdom comes with a bonus offer. Get wisdom and you also get good judgment, knowledge, discernment, common sense and insight – all at no extra cost!

Wisdom is far more than just some kind of knowledge or ability we receive from God so we can live more successfully. It is the very essence of God. It is part of His nature. God used His wisdom to create the world. The wisdom of God was instrumental in forming the oceans, heavens, mountains, and even mankind. “I was the architect by his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence” (Proverbs 8:30 NLT). Wisdom and God are inseparable. One does not exist without the other. The wisdom talked about in these Proverbs is the very wisdom of God – eternal, divine, endless, complete, inexhaustible, and unavailable anywhere else. God is offering us His wisdom – the same wisdom He used to form the world and the universe. Find it and you have everything you need for life. “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 8:35 NLT). God’s wisdom calls to us from the pages of Scripture every day of our lives. He offers His divine wisdom through His inspired Word. As believers we have His Holy Spirit living within us, helping us understand and apply the wisdom of God to our everyday lives. But receiving the wisdom of God begins with a healthy awe for God and a willing obedience to do what He says simply because of who He is. If His wisdom resulted in the universe and all that’s within it, surely it can help us navigate the affairs of everyday life. The wisdom of God is all we need. But are we truly convinced of that fact? Until we are, we will really never seek it or value it in our lives.

Father, Your wisdom is all I need, but I confess that there are far too many times when I think I need other things more. Whether it’s pleasure, or money, or popularity, I can find a lot of things I value more than Your wisdom. I can find a lot of things to do rather than spend time in Your Word searching for Your truth and seeking Your wisdom. Help me understand that there is nothing else I need in this world than what I can get from You. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

 

Proverbs 3b

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The Delight of Discipline.

“My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” – Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT

The painful truth is, some of our most profitable times of learning have come through seasons of suffering. We tend to grow from our mistakes, learn valuable lessons from difficulties, and become stronger when we are at our weakest. As believers we have a unique advantage over those who have no faith in God. We, of all people, should understand that God loves us and is on a mission to transform us into the likeness of His Son. He is transforming us from the inside out, and the truth is that He uses trials and troubles in this life to accomplish His work in our lives. Being a believer does not exempt us from trouble. In fact, Jesus promised we would have trials and tribulations. Why? Because, like Him, we are aliens and strangers living in a land in which we no longer belong. We are not of this world anymore. Our differences will lead to difficulties and conflicts with the inhabitants of this world. There will be painful encounters as a result of trying to live for God in a godless environment.

But there will also be times when we suffer because of our own stupidity. We will do things that are not in line with God’s will. Like stubborn children, we will disobey Him and attempt to live our lives according to our own standards. In other words, we will sin. And when we do, God, because He is righteous and just, will be forced to correct us. He will lovingly discipline us. And when He does, we need to see it for what it is: A loving Father correcting His child because He knows what is best. Solomon told his son the same thing. But whether our suffering is coming as a result of living in a fallen world or because of our own sin, we need to have a perspective that sees God right in the middle of our lives, lovingly protecting and correcting us – all because He cares for us. Solomon also told His son, “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:6 NLT). Solomon was wise enough to know that the best way to avoid correction was to live obediently. Do things God’s way. “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom” (Proverbs 3:7 NLT). Don’t but the lie that you know what’s best for your life. Apart from God, we are all fools, living our lives in arrogance and ignorance. But because God loves us, He will not tolerate our foolish behavior, but will step in and discipline and correct us. And when He does, we need to understand that it is an opportunity for us to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We truly can learn from our mistakes. Our own sins, if we are teachable, can end up making us wiser. Rather than waste our suffering, we can benefit from it. But it takes a perspective that sees God’s hand of correction in it all and accepts His discipline as the best thing for us. The next time you find yourself in a season of suffering, ask God what He wants to teach you. Ask Him to show You what you don’t know about Him, yourself, and life in general. Ask Him to reveal your ignorance and replace it with His wisdom. Times of trials can be great seasons of learning.

Father, You love me enough to correct me. You never take Your eyes off of me. You know my heart even when I don’t have the capacity to understand what is motivating my behavior. Help me to see You even in the midst of difficulties. Help me to learn the lessons You have to teach me. I know I am going to make mistakes. I am going to sin against You. And I know You are going to correct me, but it will always be motivated by love, not anger. It will be corrective, not just punitive. Your goal will be to make me better, not to simply punish me. Thank You for that assurance. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Proverbs 2b

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The Benefits of Godliness.

“For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.” – Proverbs 2:6-7 MSG

Proverb 1:7 tells us fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The Message reads, “Start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD.” And now, in Proverbs 2 we read the why. Because He grants wisdom. He is the source of all knowledge and understanding. Only God can give common sense. But all of these things are granted based on a relationship with Him. It says He grants common sense to the honest. He is s shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to Him. This is not talking about a performance-based relationship. In other words, Solomon is not telling us that we have to earn the right to receive wisdom by being honest, by living with integrity, being just and faithful. This is speaking of a reciprocal relationship in which, as followers of God, we receive His character and nature when we seek Him and serve Him. We become like the One we worship. Solomon begs his child to turn their ears to wisdom, concentrate on understanding, cry out for insight, ask for understanding, and to search for them as if they were silver and seek them like they were hidden treasures. But we have to seek them from the only source for them – God. Solomon says that when we make the pursuit of God our highest priority in order to receive wisdom, understanding and knowledge from God, THEN we will understand what it means to fear the Lord. In my desire to receive wisdom, understanding and knowledge from God, I will have to listen to Him. I will have to develop an intimate relationship with Him. His Word will teach me, convict me, reveal the truth about me, and clearly communicate His expectations of me. I will discover more and more about His holiness and my own sinfulness. I will learn to fear Him for who He is. The relationship will become the priority and wisdom, knowledge and understanding will become the byproduct of that relationship. We tend to want wisdom for our own selfish purposes. We desire knowledge so that we can benefit from it. We think greater understanding will somehow benefit us in this life. And they will, but the real point of it all is that we are receiving wisdom from God that will protect us from the foolishness of this world. We receive the understanding of God so that we have a clearer picture of life lived with Him as the center, not me. We get a healthy dose of godly knowledge so that we can see the world and our lives from His perspective, unhindered by the warped perspectives of sin.

When we seek God, we always benefit. When we make Him our highest priority, He gives us more than we could ever expect. We gain an understanding of what is right, just and fair. We inherently know the right way to go. Wisdom enters our hearts, knowledge fills us with joy, wise choices watch over us, and understanding keeps us safe. The life of godliness has its rewards. There are tremendous benefits from seeking and serving God. He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Start with God.

Father, thank You for all the benefits and blessings you give to those who make You the highest priority in their lives. We bring nothing to the table but our humble faith in You, but You give us so much in return. It pays to start with You. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Proverbs 1

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Start With God.

“Start with GOD — the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.” – Proverbs 1:7 MSG

Solomon makes it perfectly clear why he is taking the time to pen the Proverbs. “Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and knowledge, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young…” (Proverbs 1:2-4 NLT). It sounds as if Solomon is putting together a self-help manual aimed at teaching people how to get smarter so that they can be more successful in life. But then he qualifies his purpose statement with a non-negotiable requirement. It all begins with a healthy fear of God. The Proverbs are not just a collection of wise and pithy statements designed to increase our wisdom and improve our lives, they are a reminder to make God the focus of our lives. He is the sole source of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He alone gives insight to the simple and knowledge and discernment to the young. The wisdom described in the Proverbs is a byproduct of a relationship with God. It cannot be achieved any other way. Ignoring God will leave us ignorant. When Solomon says that fools despise wisdom and discipline, he is describing those who reject God. By turning their back on God and refusing to live according to His terms, they reject the very things they need to succeed in this life. They miss out on the wisdom, knowledge and understanding He alone can provide. But it all begins with a fear of God. The NET Bible describes the fear of the Lord this way: “The fear of the Lord is the foundation for wisdom (9:10) and the discipline leading to wisdom (15:33). It is expressed in hatred of evil (8:13) and avoidance of sin (16:6), and so results in prolonged life (10:27; 19:23).” The fear of the Lord is marked by an understanding of who God is – His holiness, righteousness, wrath, justice, power, sovereignty, love, grace and mercy. To fear God is to show Him reverence and awe. It is an acknowledgement of His majesty and might. It is a recognition of His holiness and hatred of sin. A healthy fear of God prevents us from taking God for granted and treating Him with contempt.

Solomon describes those who refuse to fear God as simpleminded, mockers, and fools. “They hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord” (Proverbs 1:29 NLT). To refuse to fear God is to refuse all that God has to offer – including wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Those who reject God “must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes” (Proverbs 1:31 NLT). No one plans to live his life as a fool. Every person on the planet wants to live wisely and successfully. But unless they seek God and start with Him, they will never achieve their goal. “For simpletons turn away from me – to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:32-33 NLT). Wisdom is an attribute of God. He is all-knowing, all-wise. All that there is to know and understand is found in Him. Find Him and You will discover all you need to live a disciplined and successful life.

Father, all that I need for life is found in You. There is no wisdom available any other place. Understanding and knowledge are only available through a vibrant, submissive relationship with You. It all starts and ends with You. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Proverbs 30

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Knowing God.

“I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God.I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense.I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.” – Proverbs 30:1-3 NLT

In reading the book of Proverbs it would be easy to focus on what appear to be the main themes or topics of the book: Wisdom, knowledge and understanding. There is a natural tendency to make the gaining of these three things are sole or primary objective. After all, no one wants to be a fool, so it would only make sense to make the gaining of wisdom, knowledge and understanding our goal. But if we do that we miss the real objective of this book. If you recall, in the very first chapter of Solomon reminds us that “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7 NLT). In other words, while wisdom, knowledge and understanding are worthy objectives, they are only available through a right relationship with God. The Message paraphrases Proverbs 1:7 this way: “Start with God — the first step in learning is bowing down to God.” We must start with God. It all begins with Him. In Proverbs 30, we read the words of Agur, who says, “I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One” (Proverbs 30:2-3 NLT). When we fail to start with God, and we neglect getting to truly know Him for who He is, we end up worn out, and lacking in the very things we need to survive and thrive in this world: wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

When we make getting to know God our objective, we discover the true source of all wisdom. He is the creator of all things. His wisdom and knowledge are beyond our comprehension, yet He makes Himself known to us when we seek Him. He gives us His Word and it is completely reliable and true. Growing in our knowledge of God gives us a greater understanding of ourselves – our weaknesses, limitations, sinful tendencies and our total dependence on Him. Getting to know God gives us a new perspective on life. It changes our priorities, which is why Agur could say, “O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me nether poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord!’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name” (Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT). Growing in our knowledge of who God is refocuses our priorities and puts Him at the center of our lives. When we begin to understand just how much God hates pride, we will no longer desire to see it in our own lives. When we see it in others, we are turned off by it. We understand the danger of pride, arrogance, and over-inflated self-worth in our children. A growing knowledge of God will expose the ever-present danger of gluttony in our lives – in all its forms. We are prone to discontentment and incessantly desire more and more of just about everything, including pleasure, food, attention, accolades, money, power, etc. Like the leech, we cry out, “More, more!” A person who has an intimate understanding of God is able to see through the facade of temptation and spot the dangers that lurk behind the lure. The fool is simply that person who doesn’t know God and, as a result, lacks in wisdom, knowledge, understanding and basic common sense. Like Agur, they end up weary from trying to live life in this world with nothing but their own human understanding to rely on. That’s why it pays to start with God. The first step in learning is bowing down to God. He is the key to life.

Father, I want to start with You. I want to bow down to You and make You my goal, not wisdom, knowledge and understanding. They are byproducts of a growing relationship with You. Don’t let me make them my focus. Instead, help me keep my eyes on You. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org

Proverbs 4

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Wiseheart.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” – Proverbs 4:23 NLT

All this talk of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding could easily leave the impression that Solomon is obsessed with intelligence. It sounds like he is simply trying to encourage his son to get a good education, learn all that he can learn, and apply all that knowledge to living a good life. But Solomon is wise enough to know that there is more to this picture than mere intelligence or IQ. He is talking about a way of life that is based on much more than just book learning. All throughout the Proverbs Solomon contrasts two ways of life, to lifestyles. One is marked by wickedness and foolishness. The other is marked by wisdom and righteousness. But the difference isn’t just about one person knowing more than the other. It is the fact that one knows God better than the other. At the end of the day, this is a heart issue. When Solomon pleads his son, and all young people, to “get wisdom” and “don’t turn your back on wisdom,” he is really telling them to pursue God, because He is the source of all wisdom.

In this Proverb, Solomon refers to “the way” multiple times. He describes life as a journey and we have choices regarding which path we will take as we live our lives. He says, “Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving” (Proverbs 4:14-15 NLT). He compares the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. One ends in light, the other in darkness. But then Solomon provides us with the key. He says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 14:23 NLT). It is our heart that will determine whether we go the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked. It is our heart that will determine whether we seek God’s way or the world’s. So we need wise hearts, not brave hearts. We need heart knowledge, not head knowledge. God wants to renew our hearts and change the way we think, act, speak, and live. Without heart change, all efforts to live wisely will be short-lived and end up in nothing more than behavior modification. When Solomon says, “Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech” (Proverbs 4:24 NLT), he knows he is asking the impossible unless our hearts are changed by God. We will gravitate toward perverse talk and corrupt speech without wise hearts. And only God can give us wise hearts. Only God gives us the ability to make wise choices. Solomon closes his Proverb with these words: “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil” (Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT). Without a wise heart, that is impossible. God gives us the capacity to know right from wrong, good from evil. He equips us with not only the knowledge to make good choices, but the ability to do so. He changes our hearts. Head knowledge is not enough. Heart knowledge is what we need. Wise hearts and brave souls – men and women living life according to God’s terms and in the power of God’s Spirit.

Father, give us wise hearts. Change us from the inside out. Don’t let us be satisfied with head knowledge. I don’t want to just know about You, I want to really know You so that I might live in a way that pleases You. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org