Wisdom for the Heart

Wisdom for the Heart
  • Dan Haakenson
  • Jun 13, 2010
  • Series: Be Wise - Practical Wisdom from Proverbs
Further Reflection, Discussion, and Application

In what ways have you been challenged to “be wise” this past week?

This week we looked at Prov 3:5-7, maybe the most famous section of all of Proverbs.  The following questions walk us through that passage again:

  1. Trust in the Lord – What is easier for you:  trust or worry?  Why?  What does it mean for you practically to trust in the Lord?  On this see Prov 16:3,6,20; 22:19; 28:25,26; 29:25; etc.
  2. With all your heart – Why do you think there is such an emphasis on the heart (in Scripture/Proverbs)?  How is the heart connected to wisdom?  In Proverbs see 2:2,10; 4:4,21,23; 19:8; 14:33; 10:8; 15:14; 16:21,23; 23:12,15,19; also cf 15:11; 16:2; 17:3; 20:27; 21:2; 24:12 and many more.
  3. And lean not on your own understanding – What do you tend to ‘lean’ on (look to for support)?  Where are you most prone to lean on your own understanding?  What does this verse say to you about that and what does it mean in your life?
  4. In all your ways acknowledge Him, - Where/when are you most attentive to God (aware of him, thinking of him, etc.)? Where/when are you least likely to ‘acknowledge’ him?  What step could you take to know God and acknowledge him in everything you do?
  5. And He will make your paths straight – This is the only phrase in these verses that does not speak to what we are to do, but what God will do. How do you react to that reality? (With gratitude? With resistance - ‘but I want to make my own path straight’? With entitlement -‘of course I deserve to have my path made straight and I’d like it done this way’? With some other reaction?)  How does God want you to react to this reality?
  6. Do not be wise in your own eyes – Is it smart to have a ‘know-it-all’ attitude? Why? How is humility actually very wise? Who are you learning from and listening to for wisdom? Where do you still tend to be wise in your own eyes?  On this see Prov 8:13; 15:33; 22:4; also 11:2; 16:5,18,19; 26:12,16; 28:11.
  7. Fear the Lord – We considered ‘the fear of the Lord’ last week.  How has this been present for you since? How is this connected to wisdom and trusting in the Lord in your life now?
  8. And shun evil – How does evil work against trust (and reverence) for God and vice versa? Where would wisdom have you turn away from evil? On this theme also see Prov 3:7; 8:13; 14:2,16; 16:6; etc.

As you look at this passage as a whole, what steps can you take in response to “be wise”?

I encourage you to continue reading a chapter of Proverbs a day…

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