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PROVEBS AND GODLY WISDOM
Lesson Thirteen
The Contrast and Choice
Text: Proverbs 9:7-12
The objective of this lesson: To stress the difference between the behavior that results from godly wisdom and the behavior that results from wickedness.
Ultimately, what transpires in our lives depends on the choices we make. I do not mean that “it is all up to us.” Without question, God can do incredible things in us (Ephesians 3:20, 21). Without question, evil can do incredible things in us (Ephesians 6:12). That which God does and that which evil does goes beyond anything we can do of ourselves. We just grant permission. Both empower us to go beyond what we are ordinarily capable of doing.
Stress that the choices we make have a powerful impact on our present lives and our future.
Yet, the deciding factor in what we do is the choices we make. Do we produce a favorable “climate/environment” for God or for evil? Either can take root in our lives. Either can use our lives for their purposes. Each is more than happy for us to decide for them. However, our choices determine the “climate/environment” we provide to determine if God or evil is the predominant force in our lives.
The way we behave encourages righteous forces/powers within us or wicked forces/powers within us. Our decisions encourage and empower the force that guides us.
We can change the “climate/environment” within our lives. Read 2 Peter 2:20-22. A righteous person can escape a wicked existence and return to the wicked existence. It is the person’s choice! Read 1 John 1:5-10. If we wish to escape the hold and consequence of evil, God has us “covered.” The “turning” is what repentance is about. Commitment is not simple, but it is possible—for anyone. The choice of directions a person wishes to go is his/hers to make. Those choices determine who is ascendant in one’s life—God or Satan.
We can change the “climate/environment” of our lives and thus make a profound change in the direction of our behavior and lives. However, we may still pay some of the consequences of past choices. The possibility also exists that our new behavior may generate opportunities that we did not think were possible. What we seek is to be genuine; we allow God to supply the power.
No matter how desirable something may be, no matter how simple a choice may seem, or no matter how ill-advised a decision might be, the person still—by choices made and decisions followed—determines which power directs his/her life. As powerful as relationship with God is, and as powerful as evil’s ability to use is, each person through choices/decisions determines who is in control—God or Satan.
The vote of our choices/behavior is the deciding vote that determines who we are and our direction. We become what we allow to transpire in our behavior.
In today’s text there is a contrast which magnifies the choice. Ultimately, each person is the person he/she has chosen to be. Yes, there are times the choices/decisions are complex with many components, and may have “at the moment” consequences. Yes, sometimes others may powerfully influence our choices. [That is why we need to surround ourselves with men and women who value righteousness, who honor righteous choices, and who encourage others to be righteous. Then in my weak moments, it is the righteous who encourage me, not the wicked. The admonition of 1 Corinthians 15:33 is both wise and chilling!] However, regardless of who is around me, I become who I chose to be.
Stress that who we are is magnified by our choices.
Look at Proverbs 7-9. There are people who cannot be helped. It is not because help is not available. These people make the choice not to be helped! They do not want to repent. They have no desire to redirect their lives. The writer put the scoffer in that category.
If a person does not wish to be helped, he/she cannot be helped. The opportunity to be helped increases as selfishness decreases.
The scoffer enjoys doubting. He enjoys showing contempt. He enjoys showing disrespect. He finds no pleasure in being challenged. He is so sure that “he knows everything important” that he hates anyone who even suggests he does not. Nothing can teach him because he is confident he already knows all that is worth knowing. Any effort to try to teach him only invites his attacks. Wise is the person who understands the scoffer’s love for ignorance!
The scoffer enjoyed being the scoffer who “had all the answers.” He/she wants nothing to unmask “my selfishness” or reveal “my limitations.” The scoffer had rather deceive self than to be exposed.
Look at the contrast between the wise person and the scoffer. The wise person understands, “I do not know it all. Learning blesses me! If you teach me, I owe you! I consider one who dares to instruct me to be my friend. He/she only helps me to move closer to my goal!”
The wise person values learning. He does not have an exaggerated sense of self. Life is about learning, not about “defending” self. Merely because a person justifies self does not mean he/she is justified before God.
The pursuit of godly wisdom should be a “no-brainer” choice. Why? (1) Profoundly respecting God, the source of wisdom, is the beginning. The person must realize “God is greater than any human” to seriously pursue the ways of wisdom. (2) The person will add to the length of life by learning God’s ways (the scoffer ends up irritating everyone—dangerous!). (3) However, know this: whether wise man or scoffer, you decide who you are. Not only are you what you decided to be, but you will have to live with yourself—as long as you live.
Often the deciding factor in choosing godly wisdom or choosing a wicked lifestyle is the difference between choosing delayed gratification and choosing what appears to be instant pleasure. Chasing pleasure is not the same as having pleasure! Indulging self commonly produces diminishing returns!
Quiet moments for the righteous person are the tonic of refreshing reflection and thought. Quiet moments for the scoffer are pure misery!
Stress that quiet moments are times for refreshing thinking for the righteous, but times of terrible thoughts and emptiness for the scoffer.
Do you like alone time occasionally? Or, are you miserable if you are not distracted by the pursuit of “having fun?”
A relevant evaluation: how does time “when nothing is going on” affect me? Can I consider anything but me at such times?
For Thought and Discussion
1. Ultimately, what transpires in our lives depends on what?
What transpires in our lives depends on the choices we make.
2. Do we produce what for God or for evil?
Do we produce a favorable “climate/environment” for God or for evil?
3. We can change what in our lives? What is repentance about?
a) We can change the “climate/environment” in our lives.
b) Repentance is about turning.
4. What two things determine which power directs our lives?
The two things are choices made and decisions followed.
5. There are times when our choices and decisions are what?
They are complex with many components, and they may carry “at the moment” consequences.
6. Why do we need to surround ourselves with righteous people who value righteousness?
In order that we may be helped and encouraged when we experience times of weakness!
7. Who cannot be helped?
People who do not want to be helped cannot be helped.
8. Describe the scoffer. What is he sure of? Who will he attack?
He enjoys doubting, showing contempt, and showing disrespect. He finds no pleasure in being challenged. He is sure he knows everything important. He will attack anyone who attempts to teach him.
9. What does the wise person understand?
He has much to learn. Learning is a blessing. To teach him is to be his friend. His goal is to grow in wisdom.
10. Why should pursuing godly wisdom be a “no-brainer” choice?
a) He understands God is the source of wisdom.
b) Godly wisdom will increase the length of his life.
c) He will live with himself.
11. What are quiet moments like for the righteous person?
Those moments are the tonic of refreshing reflection and thought.
12. What are quiet moments like for the scoffer?
Those moments are misery.
Link to Student Guide Lesson 13
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David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ