09/02/09 Rev. Steven Hedgecoth Proverbs

MAKING WISE DECISIONS



We make life and death decisions more often than you may know.



You make life and death decisions with:

1. Money

2. Family

3. Job

4. Weakness



“For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice; And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; And he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the middle of the night and in the darkness. And, behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart. She is clamorous and wilful; Her feet abide not in her house: Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, And lieth in wait at every corner. So she caught him, and kissed him, And with an impudent face she said unto him:” - Proverbs 7:6-13 ASV



“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” -1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV



Making the right decision is hard, the wrong decision is easy, until you gain experience making the right decision.



Your life is the total of your decisions.



Do you own your decisions? Or do you blame someone else? (IE: it’s not my fault)
Your life right now is a result of your decisions.



What is guiding your decisions?



If we feel lost we will let anything guide us.



“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.” - Proverbs 14:12 ASV



“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” - Proverbs 19:20 ASV



1. Listen-hear intelligently, not selective, but smart hearing.
Counsel-to hear advice


“Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge.” -Proverbs 23:12 ASV



2. Accept discipline-choose to take hold of

We want to run away from it

If you want to be wise then learn to listen to counsel and take hold of discipline.

The fruit of wisdom is your decisions.


If you are faced with a life or death decision the first thing you should do is seek God.


“For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding: He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;” -Proverbs 2:6-7 ASV



“Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:” -Proverbs 3:5 ASV



We only trust those that we are in intimate relationships with
I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me.
Proverbs 8:17 ASV



If you are praying about something God has already spoken about in the word, He may not answer but instead tell you to search it out.



1. You need a relationship with the word of God. The word should be the FRIST place you go for guidance. Any issue under heaven can be answered in the Word. If you are diligently seeking the Holy Spirit will light on it

“Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him.” -Proverbs 30:5 ASV



When this word is inside of you it is what comes out during difficult moments.



2. We need a relationship with the spirit.

“Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you; I will make known my words unto you.” -Proverbs 1:23 ASV



“The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.” - Proverbs 20:12 ASV



“That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:” - Proverbs 1:5 ASV



If we are not increasing our learning we are not wise.



God is just waiting for you to ask.



If you want more wisdom then plan to move forward



“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.” -Proverbs 4:13 ASV



“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.” -Proverbs 12:15 ASV



“Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” - Proverbs 15:22 ASV



“Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” -Proverbs 11:14 ASV



“Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.” - Proverbs 20:18 ASV



People not to receive counsel from

1. People who break the rules, who feel like they are above the law. “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.” - Proverbs 28:7 ASV

2. Smooth talker “A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” - Proverbs 29:5 KJV

3. Someone without integrity “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.” - Proverbs 29:24 ASV



If you need a counselor first determine why you need counsel, then you can begin to choose.



A lot of times they will confirm what God has already spoken to you. Sometimes it will be something you have never thought of, but it will ring true in your spirit. Sometimes they will speak about the road blocks you keep running over, without you knowing that you are.



Know that they seek after God.



“Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.” - Proverbs 13:20 ASV



We like to mirror others, so when you hang out with wise people you want to be wise.



Life or death decision:

1. Seek God

Look into the word

2. Seek counsel