How to Walk in the Way of Wisdom

Alan took us back into the book of Proverbs with a lesson on how to walk in the way of wisdom from Proverbs 4. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included Alan’s outline, along with some notes and links to Scriptures referenced. Praying it blessed you as much as it did me!

How to Walk in the Way of Wisdom

Proverbs 4:10-27

Introduction: Walking in the way of wisdom versus walking in the way of evil is a common theme of Proverbs. It’s also a choice we have to make every day.

New Testament Equivalent: Jesus refers to Himself as the Way (John 14:6). Believers are called to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).

1. The Call and Command to Walk in the Way of Wisdom (Proverbs 4:10-13)
   • The call to listen and act (v. 10)
     • Wise choices lead to prolonged life
     • Unwise choices can shorten your life
     • This idea is also found in the beginning and the end of the Sermon on the Mount
   • Wisdom as a tried and true path (v. 11)
     • Galatians 1:9
   • Wisdom is both freeing and protective (v. 12)
   • Walking in wisdom demands continual perseverance (v. 13)
2. Avoiding the Addictive Ways of Evil (Proverbs 4:14-17)
   • Avoid the way of the wicked (v. 14-15)
     • The speaker uses six different ways to tell the listener to avoid evil, with each set of words intensifying the command.
   • Evil has an addictive “trap like” quality to it (v. 16-17)
     • Those who eat, sleep, and drink evil
     • Contrast with John 6:52-58 – those who eat, sleep, and drink the Word
     • What consumes our thoughts/ways
3. Blessings of Walking in Wisdom (Proverbs 4:18-19)
   • Walking in wisdom is like walking in the brightness of sunshine
   • Walking in evil is like a gloomy day
   • Evil blinds us to what is good, makes us believe what is bad is good and what is good is bad
4. Walking in Wisdom Involves the Whole of Our Person (Proverbs 4:20-27)
   • These verses tell the listener how to use their ears, eyes, heart, mouth (lips) and feet.
   • The heart is at the center of how we receive and use wisdom.
     • Psalm 51:10-11
     • Luke 6:43-45
   • As Bruce Waltke says, “Proverbs is full of straight talk about talking straight.”