Notes of Faith May 20, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series in Proverbs
April 27, 2003
“GROWING WISE”
Proverbs 2:1-5
Every sensitive believer has at least a modicum of desire to know the heart and mind of God. Wherever that desire is present, God will fulfill it (Matthew 5:6). But you need more than just knowledge. Your knowledge should lead to a real discernment and understanding which produces a genuine Christian walk. Let’s look the Christian’s Care & Use Manual (the Word of God) for instruction.
Your walk as a Christian is to be characterized by wisdom (Ephesians 5:15; Colossian 4:5). Knowledge without wisdom can destroy (I Corinthians 8). Proverbs 2:1-5 deals with the important issue of how to acquire the wisdom of God – a wisdom that is based upon facts and knowledge in contrast to the unbeliever’s attitude toward God (I Corinthians 2:14).
True wisdom and knowledge begins and ends with truth – the intake of truth from the Word of God and the outflow of truth through the child of God (Matthew 4:4, Proverbs 2:6).
The Process: Obtaining wisdom is a personal thing “My son, if you will receive” Prov. 2:1.
A look in Webster’s Dictionary defines “receive” as to take, seize, appropriate, welcome readily “and treasure” (to hoard or get the most out of, esteem). In Matthew 13:3-8 and 18-25 we read that only one type of ground retained the Word of God when sown upon it. The Word must be received and meditated upon until the light bulb goes off! And then our understanding should be used, not locked away (Colossians 3:16).
“Make you ear attentive” We need to force ourselves to hear what God is saying (Matthew 11:15) and be careful not to “tune out” the message (Hebrews 2:1). “For if you cry for discernment” We need to pray for understanding and have an inner hunger for a knowledge of the truth. That hunger is expressed in fervent prayer to God for illumination (Psalm 119:18-20).
“If you seek her as silver, and search for her as hidden treasure.” We need to really dig into it. Prayer alone does not bring satisfaction and illumination. Prayer must be accompanied by personal, persistent Bible study. There are four requirements for hunting treasure –
• promise of discovery
• necessary equipment
• desire
• hard work.
The Fruit of our Efforts: “Then you will discern the fear of the Lord”. We will experience that fear of God – that He is holy and hates evil. We will establish a loving reverence for God and a submission to His Lordship.
“And discover the knowledge of God”. Wisdom is never an asset that is separate from God, knowing and understanding His person and His ways.
And Then What? “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them”
John 13:17.
“But prove yourselves doers of the Word and not merely hearers who delude themselves” James 1:22).
Our challenge this week then is not only to seek wisdom, but use it to live as Christ would have us live. God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Col 3:1-17
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him — 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Know God, know peace. Live for God, receive eternal life and unimaginable blessing and reward!
Pastor Dale