All of us have problems from time to time. It would be great if Modern science could develop some sort of pill that a person could take and all of their problems would vanish away. Now some folks think that drugs and alcohol are the answers to life's problems. However, they only create a different and many times more serious set of problems. Many people run from their problems, while others will deny that they even exist. "No Problem" has become a very popular saying, but it just isn't true.
Tonight I want us to consider how to deal with problems properly. Many Christians have been taught that the way to deal with problems is to pray them away. Now, prayer is a very important part of the Christian's life, but it isn't the way that we should handle our problems. Some will teach that with enough faith we can be free from all problems, stress, illness, and disappointment. But when we start believing this line, spirituality starts being measured by our lack of problems instead of our response to them. However, we must turn to the Word of God for the answers to life's problems and the way we should deal with them.
I. Principles About Problems.
A. It is incorrect to think that once you come to Christ, all of your problems will be solved.
1. Jesus never made that promise, and it is terribly wrong for anyone to make that claim.
2. The very opposite is true.
3. Jesus said, "...In the world ye shall have tribulation..." cf Jn. 16:33
B. It is incorrect to believe that all problems are the result of God's chastening hand because of sin.
1. God does chasten His children when they disobey Him.
2. However, many times God allows problems into our lives to mature us and to make us more like Christ.
3. Note: James 1:2-4
C. It is incorrect to believe that exposure to Biblical instruction alone will result in the removal of problems.
1. This is no more the answer to our problems than prayer.
2. The Word of God is not some magical incantation that will cause the clouds to clear and the storms of life to cease!
3. Example: Reciting the Lord's Prayer in times of trouble as if there is some sort of hidden power in those words.
4. Note: Mt. 7:24-27
a. Both the fool and the wise man are exposed to the sayings of Jesus.
b. The difference between them is that the wise man is a doer of the Word.
c. Jas. 1:22, "Be ye doers...and not hearers only..."
5. Exposure to God's Word does not in itself produce maturity.
II. Problems and Proverbs
A. Someone has said that the book of Psalms teaches us how to get along with God, while Proverbs teaches us how to get along with people.
1. Psalms helps us in our devotional life, while Proverbs helps us in our practical life.
2. Psalms brings us into the heavenlies, while Proverbs sets our feet in the grass roots of human life.
B. Solomon's , advice on daily living is the practical advice of someone who struggled with problems-just as we do.
C. Solomon begins his book by listing the benefits of studying these proverbs.
1. The first benefit of studying Proverbs is that we'll "know wisdom and instruction." Wisdom is looking at life from God's point of view.
2. The second benefit is that we will learn to "discern the sayings of understanding." (understanding is responding to life from God's viewpoint)
3. The third benefit is that we will "receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity."
4. The fourth benefit is that we'll gain "prudence," "knowledge," and "discretion."
III. General Observations about Wisdom cf Pro. 1:20-23
A. Wisdom is available. Cf Jas. 1:5
B. Wisdom can be spurned. V24-25
C. When wisdom is rejected, the results are always bitter.
1. We may casually cast wisdom aside, but the consequences are anything but casual.
2. Verses 26-32 describe what happens when we hear wisdom's voice and reject it.
IV. Profiling Those Who Spurn Wisdom
A. The Simple
1. The word naive or simple carries the idea of a "wide open door."
2. The simple person is wide open, easily influenced, gullible.
3. This person lacks discernment, becoming an easy target for someone such as the harlot described in chapter 7.
4. The simple are easily enticed because they lack understanding and are therefore unaware of danger.
5. Solomon tells us in 22:3 that the simple also never learn from their mistakes.
6. Proverbs 1:4a adds one further insight: without prudence the simple are unable to look beyond the surface of things to see what's really there.
B. The Scoffer
1. The word scoff means "to turn aside, to mock, to reject with vigorous contempt, to refuse, to show disdain, to be disgusted."
2. Scoffers don't simply agree to disagree; they seem driven to scorn and ridicule anything that opposes their ideas.
C. The Fool
1. Typically, when we think of the word fool we picture someone who lacks intelligence.
2. But the biblical meaning of fool is "not so much one lacking in mental powers, as one who misuses them; not one who does not reason, but reasons wrongly.
V. Imitating One Who Embraces Wisdom
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.
A. First: Wise people are willing listeners. Prov. 15:31-32
B. Second: Wise people desire to learn and grow Prov. 9:9, 10:14
C. Third: Wise people eagerly seek out and accept wise counsel. Prov 12:15
Conclusion: The only way for us to deal with our problems is to apply biblical principles. Man's wisdom will not give us the answers. We must turn to the wisdom found only in the Word of God. Then we must apply His Word to solve them. In the next few weeks we will consider several problems that we all face. The answers to each one will be found. It will be up to us to apply them. If we can trust our eternal destiny to the Word of God. Don't you think it is sufficient for our every day living?