What is a life hack?

•  A strategy or technique adopted in order to manage one’s time and daily activities in a more effective way.

• • Not get rich quick strategies but the wise use of time to get to what is right and good more quickly.
•  The Bible has a set of life hacks built into the “wisdom literature.”
  •  Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes are categorized as the biblical wisdom literature.
•  What is this series all about? Learning to live wisely—wisdom for living.

The Bible tells us again to seek wisdom.

Proverbs 3:13-26 13Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

What is wisdom?

•   The dictionary defines “wisdom” as the ability to discern what is true or right. So our English word “wisdom” has both moral implications—discerning what’s right—and intellectual implications—discerning what’s true.

•   It’s difficult to define wisdom in this culture because truth is relative to many (in their opinion).

How we define wisdom as Christians:

•   To see as God sees (in all of its complexities), and to do what God wants done.
•   What God thinks you ought to do, which implies right, true thinking and action.
•   Using knowledge in the correct way
•   All the characteristics and nuances of wisdom—physical, spiritual, eternal, and emotional.

The only possible source for wisdom: God.

•   True wisdom is impossible for those who do not surrender to the Lord.
•   We can have partial wisdom, general revelation, and common sense, but something is missing without seeing as God sees.

Job 28:12-23 12But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? 13No mortal comprehends it’s worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. 14The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.” 15It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. 16It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. 17Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. 18Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. 19The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold. 20Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? 21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky. 22Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.” 23God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells.

Isaiah 55:9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 1:20-25 20Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Why should I care about God’s wisdom?

How do we get wisdom?

1.  It starts with fear of the Lord: 

•   Fear of the Lord and acknowledgment that God is present in the world.
•   Knowing I am accountable to Him for what I do and don’t do.
•   Knowing that God cares about what I do and don’t do.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

2. We recognize God and ask Him for wisdom.

•   To ask for wisdom means that you are humble enough to know you don’t already have it.
•   Ask and trust He will answer.
  •   You will not necessarily like what He does or how long it takes because it oftentimes is contrary to the world’s way of doing things.
  •   You will need faith.

James 1:5–7 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

3. How do we recognize wisdom?

•   It’s in God’s Word; God’s Word gives us a pathway to understanding what it generally looks like.
• God changes circumstances.
•   God speaks through other believers—more on this next week.

Wisdom is found in His Word (the Bible).

Psalm 119:9–13 9How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. 13With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Wisdom looks like this: 

James 3:13–18 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Questions to discuss in Life Groups or with your family and friends:

1. Share something from the sermon that caught your attention.
2. What are you coming to understand about wisdom from God’s perspective?
3. What earthly wisdom do you hear often that does not match up to God’s way of wisdom?
4. Talk about the“wise”people in your life.a. How do you recognize them? b. How could you walk with them?
5. Where do you need wisdom in your life?
6. How can you make time to intentionally pursue wisdom?