Pastor Rob Wheeler

Feb 14, 2010

The Benefits of Sound Judgment and Discernment

Prov 3:21-26

I. Companions to wisdom – sound judgment and discernment

A. Preserve sound judgment and discernment

Prov 3:21 My son, don’t let these slip from your sight; preserve common sense and discretion; CJB

Prov 3:21 My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, ESV

2 Cor 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. NIV

B. Promise of satisfaction and honor

Prov 3:22 So they will be life to your soul, And adornment to your neck. NASB

Prov 3:22 they will be life for your being and grace for your neck. CJB

Prov 3:22 for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. NLT

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. NIV

Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe NIV

II. Comfort from wisdom

A. Protects us as we go along the way

Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. NIV

B. Provides sweet sleep

Eccl 5:12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. NIV

III. Confidence in the face of disaster

A. Perspective on fear in face of disaster

2 Peter 2:5 …. if he (God) did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. NIV

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. NIV

B. Place your confidence in the Lord