#1The Wise Humble Themselves. First before God, then before others. Humility and the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. You have to begin before you become. I Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves therefore under God’s Mighty Hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Humble is to take the lower place. Every time you kneel before God (the outward expression of a heart of humility) you are humbling yourself. Every time you pray you are humbling yourself, you are recognizing His Sovereignty and your need for Him. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray… Every time your read His Word you are humbling yourself. You are saying, “God, You know better than I do, and I yield to what you say.” Every time you obey what God told you, you are humbling yourself. That’s why PiVAT before dinner is so important. Jesus humbled himself. Philippians 2:8 – And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. If you don’t obey you are not humbling yourself, and you cannot be wise. Why don’t people obey? #1 They don’t know what God told them, they don’t ask, so they don’t know. #2 – They know, but they don’t want to do it. They prefer their way over God’s Way. PiVAT keeps you humble – It’s how you give your plans to Him, and choose His plans over yours. Obedience is humbling yourself. Submission is coming under someone else’s mission. God’s mission for you. That is humbling yourself. Ask, Hear, and Obey – is humbling yourself. Another way to humble yourself before God, is to fast. Ezra 8:21 – And there by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before God… Every time you fast, you are humbling yourself, but don’t just fast, do what’s right (Isaiah 58:5-8). To humble yourself – you first do it before God, then before others. James 3:13 – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. To humble yourself before others… Choose the low place, don’t exalt yourself, give them the bigger piece. And Serve. Jesus told His disciples whoever wants to be the greatest must be the servant of all. I didn’t come to be served, but to serve. John 13:15 – I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. And what I’ve done for you, do for each others. So How do your humble yourself? Kneel, Pray, Read His Word (PRISM and PRISM Topics – is humility practice), Obey what He tells you (PiVAT before dinner – is humility practice), and fast. Fasting is humbling yourself before God. Then Humble yourself before others… Choose the low place (give others the bigger piece) and Serve (Consider others more important than yourself). The #1 thing that wise people do, they humble themselves – before God and others.
#2 The Wise Obey. Psalms 111:10 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding… Deuteronomy 4:6 – Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and understanding in the sight of all people, who when they hear these decrees, they will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Matthew 7:24 – Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and obeys them (puts them into practice), is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. Hosea 14:9 – Who is wise? Let him understand these things; whoever is discerning let him understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them… Psalms 25:12 – Who then are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the way they should choose. God has a way chosen for you (this week, today). It’s the way best for you. Jesus only did and said what His Father told him, and He knew the right time. The #2 thing that wise people do… they obey.
#3 The Wise Work. Proverbs 6:6 – Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise. It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food to harvest. Proverbs 10:4-5 – Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace. Proverbs 12:24 – Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. (NLT – Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.) Proverbs 28:19 – A hard worker has plenty of food, but those who chase fantasies end up in poverty. Proverbs 12:11 – Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. Proverbs 24:30 – I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who lacks sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. Proverbs 20:4 – Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Proverbs 24:27 – Get your outdoor work in order, and prepare your field; after that, build your house. (GNT – Don’t build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living.) Proverbs 21:5 – The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. The #3 thing that wise people do… they work.
#4 The Wise Build – with their words and their hands. Proverbs 9:1 – Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. Proverbs 14:1 – The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 24:3 – By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. The #4 thing that wise people do… they build, they don’t tear down.
#5 – The Wise Never Cheat. They don’t have to. They would never sacrifice God’s blessing and favor for mere dollars. Proverbs 20:10 – False weights and unequal measure – the LORD detest them both. Proverbs 10:2,3 – Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. Proverbs 10:23 – A fool find pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs 1:18-19 – These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves. Such is the fate of all who go after dishonest gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. Proverbs 14:28 – Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings ruin on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. Proverbs 28:8 – He that increases his wealth by usury and unjust gain, gathers it for others who will be kind to the poor. I Timothy 6:6 – But Godliness with contentment is great gain… Isaiah 33:15-16 – Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who refuse profit by fraud, and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil – these are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their food will be supplied, and they will have water in abundance. The #5 thing that wise people do – they never cheat. They don’t have to.
#6 The Wise Give. Luke 12:42 – The LORD answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the mater puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion of food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Matthew 10:8 – Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (ESV – You have received without paying, give without pay). Luke 6:38 – Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Proverbs 11:24 – One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will prosper; and those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 28:27 – Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them will be cursed. Proverbs 25:21 – If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever gives to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done. Matthew 10:42 – And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers (because he is my disciple), truly I tell you that person will certainly not lose their reward. The #6 thing that wise people do… they give.
#7 The Wise Save – out of obedience, not fear or greed. Proverbs 21:20 – The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. (There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, bu ta foolish man swallows it up.) Ecclesiastes 11:2 – Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. Proverbs 10:16 – The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. Proverbs 22:26 – Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts. (Debt is the exact opposite of saving – it’s saving for someone else – its transferring wealth) fulfilling Scripture. Proverbs 13:22 – A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 30:24,25 – Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise. Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer. Proverbs 28:20 – A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. Matthew 6:19 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Proverbs 5:8 – They have no leader, chief or ruler, but they store up their food during the summer, getting ready for winter. Ephesians 4:29 – Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. I Corinthians 16:2 – Now about the collection for God’s people in Jerusalem: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of your should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Proverbs 13:11 – Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. The #7 thing that wise people do… they save, out of obedience, not fear or greed.
#8 The Wise Are Patient. Proverbs 19:11 – A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 12:16 – The fool displays his annoyance at once, but a wise person overlooks an insult. Proverbs 29:20 – Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 21:5 – Steady plodding brings prosperity, hasty speculation brings poverty. Proverbs 27:12 – The wise man sees danger and takes refuge; but the foolish keep going and suffer for it. (A wise man foresees evil and hides himself, the simple proceed and suffer loss.) Ecclesiastes 7:8 – Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 2 Timothy 2:24 – And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and be patient when wronged. James 4:7 – Be patient, then brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, must be patient and stand firm, for the coming of the Lord is near. Psalms 37:34 – Wait on the LORD and keep his way and he will exalt you to inherit the land : When the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. Isaiah 40:31 – Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but they that wait on the LORD will renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 – Now may the LORD direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. The #8 thing that wise people to… They’re patient, they wait, they don’t rush.
#9 The Wise Seek Counsel. Proverbs 15:22 – Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed. Proverbs 24:5,6 – The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. So don’t go to war without wise guidance, victory is won through a multitude of counselors. Joshua 9:14 – So the men sampled their provisions, but did not seek counsel from the LROD. Proverbs 11:14 – Where there is no counsel the people fall, but in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Psalms 1:1 – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, not sits in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalms 16:7 – I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel, even at night my heart instructs me. Proverbs 1:5 – Let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel. Proverbs 12:5 – The thoughts of the righteous are just; but the counsel of the wicked is deceitful. Isaiah 30:1 – “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “that take counsel but not of me, who form an alliance, but not of my spirit, heaping sin upon sin.” Proverbs 21:30 – There is no wisdom, no insight, no counsel that can succeed against the LORD. Isaiah 28:29 – All of this comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the wise and become wise, associate with fools and suffer harm. Proverbs 12:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that listens to counsel is wise. Proverbs 19:20 – Listen to counsel and accept instruction, so that you may be wise for the rest of your days. The #9 thing that wise people do… they seek counsel.
#10 The Wise Use Soft Words. Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. Ecclesiastes 9:17 – The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler among fools. Proverbs 16:21 -The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Proverbs 15:24 – Pleasant words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 26:15 – Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Proverbs 15:26 – The thoughts of the wicked are an abominations to the LORD; but the words of the pure are pleasant words. The #10 thing that wise people do – they use soft words.
#11 The Wise Win Souls. Proverbs 11:3 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Win them to what? To Salvation and Obedience. So they believe in Jesus, are filled with the Holy Spirit, so they can obey like Jesus did and walk in the good that God has prepared for them. I Corinthians 9:19 – Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I become like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (thought I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do everything for the sake of the gospel and to share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. The #11 thing that wise people do… they win souls.
So what are the Eleven Things That Wise People Do?
The wise Humble Themselves, the wise Obey, the wise Work, the wise Build, the wise Never Cheat (they don’t have to), the wise Give, the wise Save, the wise Are Patient, the wise Seek Counsel, the wise Use Soft Words, and the wise Win Souls. Praying that you will above all else get wisdom, guard your heart, walk with the wise, and demonstrate the wisdom of God that leads to life and eternal reward!
A PRISM Topic: is God’s Word on a single subject. A Relationship Topic is a perspective from God's Word on relationships. A PRISM Topic Packet is a grouping of PRISM or Relationship Topics of similar subjects... part of the M: Meditate on theWord of PRISM – (5 Things You Can Do Daily in God’s Word) to transform the way you think. Ask God what PRISM Topic or Relationship Topic He wants you to meditate on today.Take your PRISM Topic, Relationship Topic or Packet with you! Come back to them multiple times a day! “It is to be with him, and he is to meditate on it day and night, so that he may learn to fear the LORD…” - Deuteronomy 17:19