What does it mean to be wise? In our age, information is more readily available than ever, and yet many seem to lack wisdom. King Solomon asked God for wisdom above all else, and in the book of Proverbs, Solomon shares that wisdom with us. In this introduction to his Proverbs, Solomon describes wisdom as a skill and a discipline that anyone can pursue!

The Proverbs offer wisdom from God on how we should approach life. Why should we heed this wisdom? As the one who created everything, God offers us reliable insight into how to approach our lives in this universe. Learning to seek out God's wisdom requires humility, but it will yield the best possible life!

God created us with needs that only He can meet. Yet all too often, we find ourselves tempted to meet those needs through other things. How can we stand up under these temptations? By turning back to God as our source of wisdom and fulfillment in life.

When God speaks, He has wisdom to offer in every area of life. So often though, we simply don't want to listen. Cynicism and pride stand as significant barriers to us, preventing us from turning to God as our constant source of wisdom in life.

Navigating life can be difficult and overwhelming. In God's written word, we have the ultimate source of wisdom to guide us. In studying the Bible, God offers us protection from pitfalls in life, direction for how to devote our time and effort, and His perfecting power that brings change in our character.

God intended sex to be enjoyed within the confines of heterosexual marriage. Adultery (extramarital sex) is a powerful temptation and trap, and leads to death and destruction. There are three components essential to avoiding adultery: 1) avoiding temptation; 2) acknowledging what is at risk; and 3) investing deeply in your marital sex life.\r\n

Pornography is popular because: 1) it offers an easy resolution to immediate sexual urges and the excitement of being bad; 2) it claims to be a victimless habit; 3) it is culturally accepted; and 4) it purports to be non-addictive. The truth is, pornography is a highly addictive sin that destroys individuals and families. Proactive steps to combat pornography addiction include: 1) admitting you need help; 2) talking to your spouse; 3) getting an accountability partner; and 4) educating your kids. This teaching includes an excerpt from Mark Driscoll's book "Porn-Again Christian," as well as an audio clip from Dr. James Dobson's interview with Ted Bundy.\r\n

In this proverb, the selfish sluggard is contrasted with the hard-working and diligent ant. It is God's will that we work, but we can't will ourselves to work. Christ's love is the solution to self-absorbed laziness, as it meets our every need and compels us to work hard at the right things. This teaching includes a short clip from an interview with Tom Brady.\r\n

The fool is a major theme in the book of Proverbs. Five different Hebrew words are used for "fool" in the Old Testament. The five different types of fools are the na?ve, the stubborn, the sensual (selfish), the scorner (cynical), and the steadfast (downright mean.) We are all fools in one way or another. Thankfully, God gives counsel to each type of fool in the Bible. The wisdom of God is foolishness to the world and the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.\r\n

Poverty is a major topic in the book of Proverbs. God's heart is inclined toward the poor. He wants His followers to love and serve the poor out of gratitude for His love toward them. World poverty is a prevalent issue that many Americans do not fully grasp. A Christian's proper response to the poor is not to judge them, but rather to advocate for just treatment of them, speak up about injustice against them, and be generous toward them. The church needs to rally together to develop an impact on poverty that is spiritual, long-term, holistic, contextualized, and that fosters independence. Xenos offers many opportunities to combat poverty right here in Columbus, Ohio.\r\n

This acrostic poem by Lemuel concludes the book of Proverbs. According to Lemuel, an excellent wife is extremely valuable. Excellent wives are trustworthy, helpful, hardworking, strong, perceptive, generous, unafraid, respectful, willing to learn and teach, kind, shepherding, and praiseworthy. The three things that can make a woman attractive are charm, beauty, and the fear of the Lord, but only the third quality can stand the test of time. A wise wife strives to build up her household, not destroy it.\r\n