Good advice comes from people of good character who care about us.

Bad advice comes people of bad or questionable character who care about themselves.

Who do we listen to?

1. Focus on what I want that someone is promoting

2. Focus on the motive and character of the person promoting something

Two Ways of Hearing Advice

A - Contrasting invitations of the Father and the Gang (1:8-19)

B - Wisdom calls – warning the gullible (1:20-33)

C - Father warns about evil men and immoral women (2:1-22)

D – Father’s command to listen and heed (3:1-4:9)

C - Father warns about evil men and immoral women (4:10-7:27)

B - Wisdom calls – inviting the gullible (8)

A - Contrasting invitations of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (9)

Structure of Proverbs 1-9

(1 Corinthians 10:13) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

God makes a way out of temptation

Oh, if I just had more money, etc…Oh, if I just had more wisdom… (James 1:5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he

should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

(Proverbs 2:6) For the LORD gives wisdom...

Asking the Right Question

Praying for results – So I get what I want Praying for wisdom – So I know what God wants

Praying for results – Asking God to change circumstances Praying for wisdom – Asking God to change me, the way I

react to circumstances, accepting circumstances

Praying for results – Pride: Assuming I know best. Praying for wisdom – Humility: Trusting God knows best.

Praying for results – I won’t end up liking the result (Proverbs 8:36)

Praying for wisdom – I end up liking the result (Proverbs 8:34-35)

Praying for Results or Wisdom?

James 1:5; Proverbs 8-9

Rival InvitationsProverbs 9

Wisdom (1-6)

Normal and decent / maids A house of 7 pillars (well-

built) Highest point of city Orderly Invited to eat well-planned,

excellent meal of meat and drink

Live with understanding

Loud and brash / personal A house Highest point of city Undisciplined Invited to quick drink of

“stolen,” attractive water and to eat “secret food”

Live a “living death”

Folly (13-18)