Words of Wisdom Podcast: Recent Episodes
Spirit & Truth
The Words of Wisdom podcast brings to life the Book of Proverbs so that the listener can learn and appreciate the practical wisdom and value of this important book of the Bible. With insights from the biblical culture as well as helpful explanations about Hebrew poetry, imagery, and themes, Jerry Wierwille takes the listener on a journey to discover and apply the truth in this ancient book, which still speaks to us today!
We all want things in life, but sometimes we just don’t put forth the effort to achieve them. It is not a complicated principle to know that if we don’t do anything, then we don’t get anything. Diligence is about doing what we know is right in a situation to achieve our goal even if we don’t see anything change immediately. But if we just wish for something to happen without putting in the necessary effort, we will never be able to obtain what we desire.
Illustration: The diligent effort of Dr. Jonas Salk who tirelessly pursued researching a vaccine for poliovirus for years despite challenges with funding, criticism from colleagues, and repeating thousands of lab tests.
Verses: Prov. 13:4; 19:24; 26:15
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Everyone experiences tough times in life. Some tough times are really hard or filled with deep anguish, sorrow, and pain. But we are not alone through them. We are strengthened and comforted by Yahweh, and if we trust in Him and make Him the one that we depend on, then we know that no matter how many times we get knocked down, we can get back up and keep living for His glory.
Illustration: José Hernández and his persistence in applying to the NASA Space Program to be an astronaut every year for over a decade.
Verses: Prov. 24:16
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Sometimes we may think of people who do evil and benefit from it as the ones who end up winning in the end. But that is not the case. Evil people have justice coming, whether it is in this life or at the final judgment. Calamity and destruction will befall those who think they can take advantage of others and get off scott-free.Illustration: Bernie Madoff and his multi-decade investment deception with the largest Ponzi scheme in known history.Verses: Prov. 6:14-15; 16:30; Jer. 17:11Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
The world is not a safe place because there are many people who are seeking to do evil to others. Individuals who have chosen to follow the wickedness of the Devil are called the “Devil’s children” because they do the works of their “father”—the Devil. Wisdom instructs us to be observant and discerning as we live in the world since there are many who desire to take advantage of us and do us harm.Illustration: The Tran Organization casino ring and their deceptive methods to cheat by using non-verbal gestures and signals.Verses: Prov. 6:12-13; 16:27; John 8:44; 1 John 3:10Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
No one likes to wait for what they want. We live in a world that seeks immediate gratification. While waiting for something takes patience, the payoff when it comes to pass can be huge. If we are willing to stick with things even when the goal seems far off, we will experience deep satisfaction when it finally arrives. So, we must not quit too soon, or we won’t get to experience the joy of success.
Illustration: Australian swimmer Emma McKeon failed to qualify for the Olympics, and it almost made her quit swimming altogether.
Verses: -- Prov. 13:12
Teacher: -- Jerry Wierwille
Have you ever said, “I don’t want your advice” to someone? Well, if that person is someone you trust, then you just shot yourself in the foot, because why would you not want to hear what they have to say? We often think our perspective is complete and the best, and therefore, what need do we have for the insights of others? But as life will teach us, we are better off asking others, “So what do you think?”
Illustration: Queen Elizabeth I's formation of the Privy Council—her royal advisory board—when she ascended the throne.
Verses: Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 20:18; 24:5-6
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Everyone likes a good deal when buying something, but some people are looking to take advantage of others in a dishonest manner in order to profit off of them. Everyone is out to get something for nothing, if they can. The challenge as a seller is to be wise enough to realize the value of an item and to not allow others to sway you through deceptive means or rhetorical trickery, because people can have hidden agendas.
Illustration: When Jerry goes to sell his motorcycle, a buyer tries to depreciate the value and get him to sell it for considerably less than it is worth by constantly criticizing and complaining.
Verses: Prov. 20:14; 20:10
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Everyone likes to be right. But who's to say whether we actually are or not? Do we get to decide? If it were up to each of us, we would probably claim that most of our actions and behaviors are right. However, the desire to be right is so strong in us that we can tend to make up reasons to legitimize what we have done or are about to do. But only Yahweh can determine if we are deceiving ourselves or living out of a pure heart.
Illustration: In the 1964 NFL season, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall recovers a fumble but then accidentally runs 66 yards to score a touchdown in the wrong endzone.
Verses: Prov. 21:2; 15:11
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Everyone carries their own perspective based on what they know and have experienced. But that perspective may be incomplete, faulty, or misguided, which shows us that information is a fickle thing. One person’s report can seem true at first, but then when we compare it to a second opinion or another source, we spot potential limitations in the first person’s knowledge; this changes our perspective, and we then draw a different conclusion. Thus, the truth is in the whole story, not just the first version we hear.
Illustration: Movie plot from “My Cousin Vinny” (1992) about charges of murder and robbery brought against Billy and Stan, and how Billy’s cousin Vinny saved them from being falsely accused of the crimes in court.
Verses: Prov. 18:17; Josh. 22:11-33
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Our world tends to prize brawn over brains, thinking that the stronger you are, the better you are. But muscle can only get you so far. Wisdom and understanding in a situation can get you much farther than brute strength alone. A sharp mind with understanding will outdo strength any day because it is not just working hard physically that yields success, but working smart as well.
Illustration: American wrestler Rulon Gardner’s shocking victory over undefeated Russian champion Alexander Karelin to claim gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
Verses: 22:11; 16:32
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Everyone has an innate desire to be right and to be knowledgeable about what they are doing. Sometimes this desire grows out of control, and we lose perception of reality by thinking that we are always right and have all the answers. We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are smarter and more understanding than we really are. Until our mindset changes, we are hopelessly lost in a fiction of our own making.
Illustration: Alaskan bush pilot Mark Rose mocked God and was full of pride until near-death circumstances caused him to change his mind and believe in God.
Verses: 26:12, 16; 28:11, 26; 3:7
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
When things go wrong in life, we tend to look for someone to blame. Rarely do we naturally like to assume responsibility for our poor choices. Instead of realizing that we made a stupid decision, and it is our fault for why things are the way they are, our sinful human inclination is to transfer the fault to something or someone else. In doing this, we forfeit the opportunity to recognize and learn from our mistakes.
Illustration: Bruce Nolan suffering the consequences of his foolish choices and then blaming God for the misfortune in his life, from the movie Bruce Almighty.
Verses: Prov. 19:3
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Some things in life it seems like we can escape from, or at least avoid the direct consequences of them. But when it comes to sin, the consequences always seem to find a way to come around and bite us in the end. That is because sin is destructive no matter which way you look at it. It will destroy you and likely also injure those around you. And if it is the sin of adultery, you can be sure the damage will be severe. It will bring great harm upon you, everyone involved, and countless others.
Illustration: Carl Lentz, prominent and highly successful Hillsong Church pastor in New York City, and the adultery that destroyed his life and his career in Christian ministry.
Verses: -- Prov. 5:20-23; 14:12; 16:25; Rom 14:10-12; 1 Tim 5:24
Teacher: -- Jerry Wierwille
Yahweh intended man and woman to be united in marriage and to enjoy sexual intimacy within that union. Our world condones people seeking to satisfy their sexual cravings in various ways that do not honor Yahweh’s design for the flourishing of humankind. Husbands and wives are to see their spouse as the sole avenue for sexual pleasure to protect and honor their marriage covenant. Faithful husbands and wives will be blessed as they enjoy many years of satisfying each other and being captivated by their love.
Illustration: Bill Yaconis, a dear friend and wonderful example of a faithful husband for over five decades.
Verses: Prov. 5:15-19; Song 4:1-5; 5:1
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Some say that experience is our greatest teacher. And its true that when we make mistakes, and they come with far-reaching effects, we realize very quickly how wrong the choice was that we made. But we can’t go back and change what we did. All of the choices in our lives are one-way streets, and once we figure out that we have been heading down a particular road, it’s too late to undo what has been done. We have to live with the consequences.
Illustration: Two stories of men who share how their adultery cost them everything they hold dear.
Verses: Prov. 5:12-14; 12:15
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Some choices in life will result in loss no matter which way you look at it. Certain things may appear to offer adventure, excitement, and discovery, but hidden beneath the surface is a world of destruction and suffering. Marriage brings many trials and challenges to life, and some might think that the grass is greener elsewhere. But that is a dangerous thought. The temptation to be unfaithful carries with it an untold amount of hurt and pain. And in the end, it will become a regret that you can never take back.
Illustration: Francisco Huizar, who was sued by Keith King for $8.8 million for committing adultery with his wife and had to file for bankruptcy.
Verses: Prov. 5:7-11; 6:34-35
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
You can never be too cautious so as to recognize when someone might be trying to seduce you. People can say all kinds of nice things about you and tell you how great they think you are, but if they are trying to manipulate you, watch out! The power of seduction is a deadly venom that if foolishly swallowed will lead to one’s peril and demise. We must guard ourselves against “dangerous” people who would seduce us and have us join them on their journey toward destruction.
Illustration: Joseph and the seductive attempts of Potiphar’s wife in Egypt (Gen. 39:1-20)
Verses: Prov. 5:1-6; 4:20; 2:2
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Few things are more deceptive than the promise of pleasure that lust brings. While there might be pleasure for a brief time, inevitably it ends with pain and suffering. Adultery is one of those deceptions. Few people who commit adultery truly understand the far-reaching implications and consequences of their actions. Only after they have sinned do they begin to realize just how destructive adultery can be to their life—and no one is immune to its effects.
Illustrations: Jonathan Amerault, who had an affair with the wife of Armando Barron. In a fit of rage on account of Amerault committing adultery with his wife, Barron brutally assaulted and killed Amerault in vengeance.
Verses: Prov. 6:27-29, 32-35; Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Yahweh God created us to experience deep emotions. But not all emotions are created equal. Some are more difficult to deal with than others. Anger and other agitated emotions can quickly lead us into different ways of thinking and acting. And when that happens, we may say and do things that we later regret. We need to be cautious about our emotions and control them, or they will control us.
Illustrations: 1) Kanye West interruption during Taylor Swift’s best female video award at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony. 2) Tom Brady’s careful response to the press after Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a demoralizing defeat by the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the 2022 NFL playoffs.
Verses: Prov. 29:11; 25:28
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Being “shrewd” or “clever” may not be a characteristic that many seek to grow in. But that is what it means to be “prudent.” We can develop our ability to look ahead and understand where things lead. Contrarily, a person could be content just following their own ideas and desires, and in the end, be misled and deceived. The great deception begins with our own—to be deceived is to deceive.
Illustration: Sergei Anatolyevitch Torop (“Vissarion”), Russian cult leader of “Church of the Last Testament,” who professes to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and has a large following living with him on a commune in Siberia.
Verses: Prov. 14:8
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
A person might think that they can enjoy some benefit or personal gain through dishonest means as long as they don’t get caught. The problem is what might seem good in the moment will eventually sting in the end. Wrongdoing can taste “sweet” at first because of the immediate gratification it offers, but the bitter pain of its consequences will eventually find you, either now or in the future.
Illustration: Jeffrey Skilling, CEO of Enron, who implemented fraudulent accounting practices to deceive shareholders and investors.
Verses: Prov. 20:17; 24:12
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Children watch the behavior and life patterns of their parents and innately model their life after them. If the teaching of the parents is godly and their lives exhibit wisdom, their children will see that and learn how to live with wisdom in their life as well. But parents also must explicitly teach their children about wisdom in hopes that the children listen to and hold onto their words.
Illustration: The example of the obedience of the Rechabites to the commandments of their ancestor Jonadab.
Verses: Prov. 4:1-4; 9:10; Jer. 35:1-17
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
We all need money to live. With the ever-increasing cost of living and the invention of so many new things to make life better, getting rich can sound like a good plan to solve that problem and acquire everything we want. But wealth is deceptive in that it is inherently unstable. One day we can have it, and the next day it vanishes.
Illustration: Sean Russell’s disastrous 2017 investment in bitcoin.
Verses: Prov. 23:4-5
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Emotions are a powerful part of who God created us to be. He did not intend for us to be controlled by our emotions– we must learn to master them. Without self-control, we become dangerous and unpredictable. We don’t often make good decisions when emotionally embroiled, tending to hurt others by our words and actions because out of control emotions tend to result in foolish choices.
Illustration: Russell Crowe assaulting a hotel desk clerk with a telephone in a fit of rage
Verses: Prov. 25:28
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
Sometimes we only learn our lesson after the consequences of our actions catch up with us. Why is it so hard at times to see the pain down the road that our actions will cause? Foolishness causes a wide range of damage to our lives, and one of the areas it can drastically affect is our finances. Being enticed by sin and making poor choices, especially when it comes to sexual conduct, can have far reaching and harmful effects where we destroy our wealth in the process.
Illustration: The Parable of the Lost Son (Lk 15:11-24)
Verses: Prov. 29:3; 5:8-13
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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When life knocks us down, it may seem impossible to stand back up and keep going. But we don’t have to face our struggles in life in our own power. The person who submits to Yahweh will never walk through life alone, and when adversity knocks them down, they can rise again; disaster doesn’t have to end in our defeat; we can get back up again!
Illustration: Michael (“Eddie the Eagle”) Edwards and his struggle to qualify for ski jumping in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada.
Verses: Prov. 24:16
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Everyone needs friends. Life is better being in relationship with people, and friendships are an important part of that. But not all friendships are equal. Some friends are better friends than others, and some friends are merely social. However, true friends and will stand by your side. What distinguishes one friend from the next and why does it matter? Wisdom reveals that knowing who your true friends are is important.
Illustration: Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee in the The Lord of the Rings on the slopes of Mount Doom in Mordor.
Verses: Prov. 18:24; 17:17
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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People often strive for satisfaction in life through money, status, family, or other life accomplishments so they can live at ease and not worry about life any longer. But there is only one thing that can give us true life, rest, and contentment. If we seek to attain the fullness of life on our own, we will be left with only disappointment and heartache because we can’t do it ourselves.
Illustration: The Parable of the Businessman and the Fisherman
Verses: Prov. 19:23; 14:26-27
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Living wisely or foolishly has long-reaching effects. We experience many consequences of our choices in our present life. But some consequences will not become known until in the future. Wisdom provides health, success, and well-being, but more importantly, long life now, and everlasting life in God’s future kingdom. While the wicked might seem to prosper now, there is a day coming where they will be “cut off” and will be no more.
Illustration: Sheila Fields, who is a landlord in Buffalo, NY, suffered immense loss from the behavior of a deceptive and violent tenant.
Verses: Prov. 2:20-22
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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We all desire to be spoken well of but we must be careful that we don’t get caught in the trap of flattery from others where we might then make poor choices that we normally wouldn’t. Sexual sin (like adultery) rarely happens suddenly. The seductiveness of flattery is that it works little by little over time until a person decides to make a foolish decision that they will regret the rest of their life.
Verses: Prov. 2:16-19
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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The world is filled with people who are seeking ways to take advantage of others. Wisdom will protect those who listen to her from all manner of evil perversions, twisted paths, and devious ways of the wicked. Wisdom is a guardian who will provide safety from the unrighteous schemes of evil people who would gladly exploit others for their own benefit.
Illustration: Charles C. Parker, a New York con artist who sold the Brooklyn Bridge to wealthy immigrants for over 40 years.
Verses: Prov. 2:12-15
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Wisdom is a multi-faceted reality that can be described as consisting of understanding, insight, discretion, discernment, and many other important qualities. The practical value of wisdom is that it safeguards us against making bad choices and suffering the consequences of foolish mistakes. In this way, wisdom is our protector and guardian, watching over us and helping us, if we will let wisdom come into our heart and be willing to learn what it means to be wise.
Illustration: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings’ vision for online movie streaming to avoid company failure and bankruptcy and to lead the entertainment industry into a new age.
Verses: Prov. 2:9-11; 4:6
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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The Book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom, but where does that wisdom come from? Many of the proverbs are the words of Solomon, but their origin lies with Yahweh who is the source of all wisdom. If we desire to have true wisdom in life, then we must seek Yahweh with all our heart and ask him to give us wisdom so that we can live in righteousness, integrity, and humility.
Illustration: King Solomon receiving wisdom from God to administer justice among the people of Israel
Verses: Prov. 2:6-8; Jas 1:5-8
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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We desire many things in life, and we often expend much energy striving to attain them. But sometimes we don’t put forth the effort that is needed, or we don’t stick with it long enough to see the results. We must not have that sort of short-sighted attitude or half-hearted effort in our search for wisdom. Wisdom is like a crown jewel or the finest silver—wisdom is the greatest treasure. The question is, “Do we have the desire and determination to find her?”
Illustration: Howard Carter and the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Verses: Prov. 2:1-5
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Lady Wisdom is a personification of the attribute of wisdom. She invites people to come and dine with her as a metaphor for listening to her and learning from her. In her presence, her guests can experience many wonderful and satisfying things that show how gracious and beneficial she is to those who accept her invitation. If this is a picture of what life is like by having wisdom, then we should desire to find Lady Wisdom and enjoy the good life that only she can provide.
Illustration: Preston Bailey, internationally acclaimed event designer, who has designed some of the most elaborate event decorations
Verses: Prov. 9:1-6
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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The voice of Lady Folly tempts people to see sweet and pleasant things in what is mischievous and rebellious. Her allure is in the excitement and thrill of getting away with what we want. But she doesn’t tell you that her rewards are superficial and temporary, and they often come with drastic consequences. She calls out to people, inviting them to join her in secret pleasures, but little do they know that, in the end, it will always leave a bitter taste in their mouths.
Illustration: Jordan Belfort, stockbroker busted for investment fraud, nicknamed “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Verses: Prov. 9:17
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Lady Folly is a personification of the attribute of foolishness. She imitates wisdom as she tries to seduce people to listen to her, offering enticing and appealing things to lure naïve people into her trap. But that is like any replica, it is designed to look like the authentic. If we know what to look for and if we examine where the road leads, we can easily spot that Lady Folly is a complete fraud.
Illustration: Wolfgang Beltracchi, the most famous art forger of all time.
Verses: Prov. 9:13-18
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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We might think of foolishness as a relatively harmless characteristic of a person, but the Book of Proverbs thinks much differently about it. Foolishness is very harmful and destructive. We might not immediately perceive the wickedness in foolishness, but its consequences will come to bite everyone who is involved. Danger abounds when encounter a fool in their foolishness, so we must be wise and cautious to avoid it.
Illustration: Bear attack in Montana, and three friends killed on a fishing trip in Florida.
Verses: Prov. 17:12
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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In a succinct and powerful statement, Lady Wisdom exhorts listeners to “Leave their naïve ways and live.” We all have areas of foolishness in our lives, but sometimes changing our habits and ways of thinking is difficult and takes time and determination. But walking on the road of understanding will yield a life that cannot be achieved with foolishness. We must turn away from and leave it behind in order to experience the life that Yahweh intends for us to have.
Illustration: The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) – the younger son comes to his senses and leaves his foolish ways behind.
Verses: Prov. 9:6
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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What sort of person would you call upon if you were in a pinch and needed help? Should what you know regarding a person’s character affect your degree of confidence in them? Wisdom is about having discernment, and therefore, knowing someone’s character and established pattern of behavior is important for knowing whether it is wise to put your confidence in them. If a person isn’t a “faithful” individual, then your confidence is misplaced.
Illustration: Rescue scene from the movie Toy Story featuring Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
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Justice is something that Yahweh God cares deeply about. Judicial systems are set up to maintain justice, but they are flawed. Sometimes the innocent are convicted while the guilty go free. In Yahweh’s eyes, any perversion of justice is an abomination. He is disgusted when wrong is called right, and right is called wrong. How can we strive to live with justice in our lives with the fear of Yahweh?
Illustration: Horace Roberts, wrongfully convicted of a crime but exonerated 20 years later by DNA testing.
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What Proverbs teaches us is that our attitude and way of thinking can send us down two drastically different roads. One ends in disaster, and the other in glory. Pride does bring glory and honor; rather, humility is what does that. When we live with humility, willing to submit to Yahweh and live with the fear of Yahweh, then he will exalt us and give us glory and honor.
Illustration: Aesop’s Fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” 800-meter runner Taoufik Makhloufi, and financial guru Dave Ramsey
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Pride makes us think more highly of ourselves than we should, and it produces in us a sense of overconfidence and self-importance. When we are full of pride, we can lose sight of thinking things through clearly and sensibly. Thus, as a consequence, pride leads us to experience disaster in our lives. We are warned against succumbing to the temptation of pride because the consequence can be very high, even deadly.
Illustration: Kami Rita Sherpa, the world record holder for the number of times summitting Mount Everest
If you were blessed by this episode, please consider supporting this podcast by donating at https://spiritandtruthonline.org/donate
If you were blessed by this episode, please consider supporting this podcast by donating at https://spiritandtruthonline.org/donate
If you were blessed by this episode, please consider supporting this podcast by donating at https://spiritandtruthonline.org/donate
The wise person fears Yahweh and does not over-estimate themselves but is sensible and even-tempered, unlike the fool that is cocky and self-reliant, recklessly endangering themselves because they fail to see the need for any concern or restraint. The fool laughs in the face of evil thinking that it can’t touch them. The pretensions of their own superiority have blinded them so that they cannot recognize evil for what it is. They trust wholly in themselves, feeling secure in their knowledge and understanding and thinking they don’t need to listen to anybody else.
Illustration: Major General John Sedgwick and the battle at Spotsylvania Courthouse
Verses: Prov. 14:16; 13:13; 3:7
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Is it more meaningful if we brag about ourselves, or if someone else speaks highly of us? Faithfulness, kindness, generosity, good character, virtue, and other admirable qualities are often noticed by others. But even if people don’t recognize us to the degree we would like or say enough good things about us, Yahweh sees everything and nothing escapes his notice.
Illustration: Jack Hearp, Church of God pastor, and the endowment to Atlanta Bible College
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The wise person doesn’t boast about the future plans they have. Instead, they live day by day, trusting in Yahweh and the plans that he is bringing about in their life. While the future is unknown to us, Yahweh knows what is ahead and he will provide and take care of his people regardless of what happens tomorrow. Who else can we trust in concerning the uncertainty of the future except Yahweh our God?
Illustration: Company Direct Forex Signals and its attempts to rope in investors with promises about the future and a return on investment.
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Yahweh designed us to work, and there is an inherent pleasure in honest, hard work. Those who understand this will find life more fulfilling and satisfying. If we are faithful as trustworthy and reliable workers, Yahweh will bless the work of our hands and will provide what we need. Honoring Yahweh with our integrity and character and being content with the blessings he bestows upon us is of greater value than all the money in the world.
Illustration: Charles Ponzi, professional con artist and inventor of the “Ponzi Scheme”
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The reward of hard work is not more work (as the popular saying goes), but rather being able to enjoy the fruit of one’s labor. Hard work might not seem pleasant in the moment; it requires exertion, dedication, and much time. But all that effort is not lost or sacrificed for nothing. There is an exchange that happens when we work hard, and wisdom tells us that the perseverance and steadfast commitment to see things through to the end is worth it.
Illustration: Tim Cook, the successor of Steve Job’s at Apple in 2011
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As we seek to walk with wisdom and to give a fitting answer at the right time, we need to realize and be confident in the fact that our words can shape the future of others and can help them overcome an obstacle, be comforted when hurting, or give them courage to do what they know is right. Our words are powerful, and we must learn to speak what is right, in the right way, and most importantly…at the right time.
Illustration: The Civil Rights Era and the words of Martin Luther King Jr at defining moments
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If we are willing to work hard and be mindful of the money we receive, God can help us steward our finances well and receive the greatest value and blessing from them. The key principle is really not how much you earn, but it’s what you do with it. Those who stumble across money or cheat others for it typically don’t give much thought to how they should care for it and use it, and thus they almost always end up wasting it away on meaningless things.
Illustration: 2017 fraudulent GoFundMe campaign by Katelyn McClure backfired on her
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We should always weigh our words before we speak. As small and harmless as some might think words to be, caring little for whether they use them properly or not, they are more powerful and impacting than we often realize. We must become wise and handle our words with care, keeping watch over what we allow to pass through our lips. In this way, will watch over our life from trouble.
Illustration: Mike Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, gives a disastrously offensive interview to Salon Magazine.
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Hearing bad news can have a dramatic effect on us. But the same is true with good news. Whether it is a smile or it is simply a bit of uplifting feedback or story of success that we can share with someone else, sharing positivity and joy with others has a profound life-giving impact. A wise person spreads the health and nourishing effect of good news knowing its positive effect in their lives.
Illustration: Lathan Johnson and his fire team being trapped in Shoshone National Forest during the Little Venus Fire of 2006
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God blesses those who give freely and generously with the finances and belongings that they have and those who will use those blessings to serve his purposes—one of which is to provide and care for the poor and needy. And if we will gladly share a portion of our finances that God blesses us with, we will be blessed in return.
Illustration: Yu Panglin, a very successful Hong Kong hotel and real-estate entrepreneur
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How many times has it worked out well to answer someone impulsively before taking a moment to think? We must develop the habit of not answering or making decisions rashly, rather to always listen first and listen fully so that we can respond appropriately and effectively. Many heartaches and mistakes in life can be avoided if we will but take a step back for a moment before opening our mouths.
Illustration: Aesop’s Fable “The Mice in Council”
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In general, reproof is meant to be a good thing that helps us become better. There will be plenty of criticism in life that does not qualify as being helpful, but part of growing in wisdom is to discern if the reproof is leading to life. It will require much humility to admit when we are wrong and to change our ways, but that is how we acquire good sense for making wise choices.
Illustration: Famous American chef Thomas Keller receives harsh review from restaurant critic Peter Wells.
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Why should we listen to what others have to say? If we think we have all the right answers, then we shouldn’t need to. But we must never perceive ourselves as having sufficient wisdom in all circumstances. That is why the wise person will ask other (especially God) for wisdom, because part of being wise is knowing that more wisdom is always helpful to make the best decision in any circumstance.
Illustration: Jerry Wierwille and his prideful refusal to listen to his friend’s advice when windsurfing
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Wisdom tells us to be discerning and careful with what we say and how we say it. It is a best practice to pause and collect our thoughts before responding because once foolish words proceed out of our mouth, we can’t take them back, even if we want to. We will have shot ourselves in the foot, and people will call us the fool instead.
Illustration: Apple CEO Steve Jobs properly responding to a difficult Q&A session where someone calls his personal life and technical skill into question
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When someone lives far away from friends and family, the desire to hear from them grows more intense as time goes on. To hear a good report, or good news, from them satisfies a fundamental craving in our soul—a craving for connection and relationship. There is wisdom in sending good news to our loved ones, for we know the beneficial effect it can have upon their soul.
Illustration: Chong Bates and the search for her lost son.
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Setting aside a portion of the wealth we earn and planning to pass it on to our children is a demonstration of godly wisdom. But an inheritance should be more than just money, it is a way that we can share our knowledge of success and discipline to help our children live with wisdom and steward well the gift we give to them.
Illustration: Scott Nash, owner of MOM’s Organic Market, and his perspective on his children’s inheritance.
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If managed correctly, an inheritance can be a great blessing during hard times, help purchase a home, or be the means by which one starts their own business. But that requires the recipient to be prepared to wisely manage it, which takes self-discipline and time to learn. An inheritance can be wasted is a person is not prepared to wisely handle it so that they can enjoy the blessings that it can provide.
Illustration: John Forsyth, a successful Canadian businessman, and the wasted inheritance of his children.
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Looks can be deceiving, and a fool can pass himself off as being wise. But a wise person is not deemed as wise because of their stature, demeanor, or appearance but according to their manner of life by living in obedience to Yahweh. This manner of life is demonstrated distinctly in what a wise person says and does, but a fool will not display this wisdom in their life.
Illustration: Aesop’s Fable, “The Donkey and the Lion’s Skin”
Verses: Prov. 17:28
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Wisdom tells us that we should be careful in how many words we use and when we use them, and that in response to being provoked, less words is often better and can keep us from saying things we would later regret. Moreover, keeping a cool spirit is essential so that we can think clearly about what we should say before we say it rather than responding out of heated emotions.
Illustration: The lives and conduct of Calvin Coolidge & George Whitefield
Verses: Prov. 17:27; Matt. 12:36-37
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Being aggressive and making demands from someone is likely not going to have a desirable outcome. Whether it is a person in a position of authority, someone at our place of employment, or even someone within our own family, if we make a request or plead our case with patience and gentleness of speech, we will more likely succeed in being persuasive and having them genuinely consider what we have to say.
Illustration: The famous Jewish Rabbi named Rabbi Akiva.
Verses: Prov. 25:15
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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All broken promises produce disappointment on the part of the recipient who never received what they eagerly looked forward to. Sometimes the disappointment is small and other times great. With wisdom, we can learn to be discerning about the individual who is making the promise and what exactly is being promised, knowing that not everyone is honest and intends to keep their promises.
Illustration: The Seattle Art Museum and the Ebsworth Collection.
Verses: Prov. 25:14
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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It can be challenging to connect and break through a person’s defenses. But when used properly with an honorable motive, a thoughtful gift that is given at the right time and in the right way can open doors, remove obstacles, and place you in a more favorable light in the eyes of others. A purposeful gift shows that you care and want to someone to know that they matter, and that can make all the difference in the world.
Illustration: The incredible success of Cutco salesman John Ruhlin
Verses: Prov. 18:16
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Showing ourselves to not be lax when there is trouble can take as many different forms as the trouble that we encounter in life. When the occasion arises, what we do in response to the trouble will reveal whether or not our strength is small and limited. If we trust in God, knowing that he is the one that gives us true strength, we will not fail to show ourselves strong when it is needed the most.
Illustration: Assistant Coach Ekkapol “Ake” Chantawong and the crisis of his team when they were trapped in a cave
Verses: Prov. 24:10
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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The wisdom of the prudent person is that he understands the road that he walks and knows the end to which it leads. We must not allow foolishness to deceive us or lead us to use deceit in our course of life. Wisdom will help us ensure that our road follows the course of life that leads to living with the fear of Yahweh and not to trouble
Illustration: Dutch Social psychologist Diederik Stapel’s falsifying his research
Verses: Prov. 14:8
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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Living in fear of people and trusting in human power will always fail, but trusting in the strength of Yahweh our God, who is a sure rock beneath our feet, will never fail. No matter the circumstances, we are better off looking to God for help and trusting in him than putting our trust in other people or acting out of fear for what they might do to us.
Illustration: King Hezekiah and the Assyrian Siege
Verses: Prov. 29:25; 2 Kgs 18:5-14; Isa 30:1-5
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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The habits a child forms when they are young usually follow them into adulthood. If parents will train their children in the way of the Lord, they will likely continue on that road when they grow up. But even if they go astray, the instruction and guidance they received as a youth can resurface and they may remember what they were taught and turn back to the Lord.
Illustration: John Newton and the effect of his childhood upon his faith as an adult.
Verses: Prov. 22:6
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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It doesn’t matter how well you can outdo others; you will not be able to live without wisdom. Wisdom teaches that true strength is about internal mastery and ruling well within your own self so that as you live in a world filled with temptations to get angry and lash out, you are able to demonstrate true strength that few people ever really achieve.
Illustration: American tennis player John McEnroe and the fatal flaw of his temper.
Verses: Prov. 16:32
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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If we’re not careful to use wisdom to guard ourselves from falling into the traps and temptations of the flesh, we might utter foolish words that lead to our own destruction or those around us. We must learn the wisdom of silence, especially with regard to foolish words and unrestrained speech, and guard our mouth so that we can avoid the pain and harm that comes when we let our selfish desires drive the words we speak.
Illustration: Aesop’s Fable, “The Tortoise and the Ducks.”
Verses: Prov. 13:3; 18:21; James 3:6
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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There are such incredible blessings for those who walk with Wisdom on her road. We must recognize her priceless value and choose to orient our lives to her. This idea of holding fast to wisdom signifies the complete commitment and sincere devotion to keep oneself on the road walking alongside Wisdom and never departing from her onto a different road, knowing that her path is better than any path we could ever devise on our own.
Illustration: Mastercard’s “Priceless” ad campaign.
Verses: Prov. 3:13-18; 8:32-34
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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The difference between a fear of Yahweh that is driven by selfish interests and the true fear of Yahweh is that the one who seeks to grow wise understands they cannot live with true wisdom apart from a genuine relationship with Yahweh. When we live with the true fear of Yahweh, our hearts will turn toward him and we will appreciate and value the disciplining and training that he gives so that we may become wise and discerning.
Illustration: Sir Francis Bacon’s humanistic (or human-oriented) philosophy and how it still permeates our entire society and world today.
Verses: Prov. 1:7, 9:10
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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The purpose of Proverbs is for the reader to grow and become wise and understanding, and if they are already wise, then they will become even wiser. If the meaning of a proverb is not readily apparent, we mustn’t give up. We must be willing to be patient with ourselves and the proverb and diligently meditate upon it, taking into consideration all the aspects of the text until we are able to draw out the depth and richness of its meaning.
Illustration: Charles M. Schwab, who was the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, sought out a simple and wise strategy for achieving higher productivity.
Verses: Prov. 1:1-6
Teacher: Jerry Wierwille
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We call Proverbs a book in the Old Testament, but it is really not a book at all. It is actually a collection of several writings that have been brought together into a single volume and titled as “The Book of Proverbs.” While proverbs might seem brief, they hold deep meaning about how life is supposed to work and how to best live under the rulership of Yahweh God. Therefore, if we desire to grasp the wealth of knowledge and guidance that Proverbs has to offer, it will require of us an investment of time and effort to understand and reflect on them. Teacher: Jerry Wierwille