The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS PROVERBS structure, tying it to the foundation. According to I Corinthians 3:9-11, CHRIST is the foundation to our salvation. What we build upon that salvation (foundation – I Cor 3:12-15) is up to us. However, what God wants us to build upon that salvation is seven pillars (precious stones – I Cor 3:12): Pillar #1 (Wisdom’s Where ) Lesson #1. Where does true wisdom come from? The answer – from the Lord via His Word (Prov 1:7 & 2:6-8 and I Ki 3:5-12), i.e., from above (Jms 3:17). APPLICATION: Pillar #1 ( Wisdom’s Where ) deals with getting your priorities right (Mt 6:33 & 22:34-39). The correct priority is: (1) God ( Gen 1:1c ); (2) work ( Gen 2: 4- 8a ,15-18 and I Tim 5:8); (3) family (Gen 3-4 and II Thess 3:10 ); (4) government ( Gen 9:6 and Rom 13:1,4 ); then (5) education ( Exo 2:11a and Acts 4:13b ). Question: Where do you seek wisdom from the most: the sacred (God’s Word) or the secular (learning institutions)? Do not be fooled by the intellectual community who try and convince you that wisdom comes from them. It does not! Fact: One of the seven pillars on which your Christianity stands is getting your priorities right. Pillar #2 (Wisdom’s When ) The answer – before: (1) you grow up (Prov 1:1-4,8 & 2:1 & 3:1,11,21 & 4:1,10, 20 & 6:1,20 & 7:1); (2) you hurt yourself via the wrong influences: via faithless people (Prov 1:10-15); via foolish women (Prov 5:1-12 & 6:20- 25 & 7:1-5); via famished parasites (Prov 6:1-3); and (3) grow old (Eccl 12:1). APPLICATION: Pillar #2 ( Wisdom’s When ) deals with procrastination ( Lk 19:11 -16). Question: When do you plan to seek for wisdom (apply truth to life)? Now or later? What are you waiting for? Do not foolishly assume that you have all the time in the world to serve God. You do not! Fact: One of the seven pillars on which your Christianity stands is to stay active for the Lord ( Eccl 12:1a ) and avoid procrastination (dragging your feet spiritually). Pillar #3 (Wisdom’s Who ) The answer – parents (Deut 6:6-7,20-21 and Eph 6:4), i.e., adults (I Cor 14:20); mature ones (I Cor 2:4-6), not the government or a village (Prov 1:8 & 6:20 & 22:6 & 23:22 & 31:1-5). APPLICATION: Pillar #3 ( Wisdom’s Who ) deals with maturity (those who transfer truth – Heb 5:12 ). Question: Are you (the Who) passing on wisdom (truth) to others? Do you “take the time” to transfer truths that you have learned or are you stagnating in the adolescence stage… and growing backwards? Think again if you think you can stay where you are spiritually and still please God somehow. You cannot ( Mt 5: 43- 48 ). Maturity in the Lord is a command, not a suggestion, and those who fail to see it as a command will face their Commander for not obeying that command ( II Cor 5:10-11 ). Fact: One of the seven pillars on which your Christianity stands is to grow up spiritually. NOTE – Just as there are three stages to the human life, there are three stages to the Christian life: 1. Infancy Stage (I Pet 2:2) 2. Adolescent Stage ( Heb 5:12 & 6:1-2 and II Pet 1:5 ) 3. Adult Stage (maturity - Colo 1:28 and Heb 5:12- 14 & 6:1b ) According to the Scriptures, the Adult Stage of the Christian life is attained whenever the believer: * fully understands the love God has for him ( I Jn 4: 16- 19 ) Fully understanding the love God has for us (Jn 3:16 and Rom 5:6-10) leads us to maturity (perfection – Colo 3:14), thus loving the unlovely (Mt 5:43-48). * possesses a full understanding of the six elementary doctrines (grade school teachings – Heb 6:1b ) A full understanding of the six grade school doctrines leads us to maturity (perfection – Heb 5:13-14), and a transferring of truth to others (Heb 5:12). * accepts the trials that come his way (Jms 1:2-4) * guards what he says (Jms 3:2) 960 Lesson #2. When does wisdom want to be heard? Lesson #3. Who is responsible for teaching wisdom?

* refuses to be money minded (Mt 19:21) * depends on others for prayer (Colo 4:12) * goes to church faithfully (Eph 4:11-13) in order to finish his race (Phil 3:13-15)