What kind of wisdom is of God and not of men? Let’s begin in Proverbs 15
Do we crank up other people’s anger with offensive words or foster peace?
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. (Pr 15:1 NKJV)
What is the difference between the tongue of a wise person and a fool?
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. (Pr 15:2 NLT)
Does God really see what both the good and evil do in the world?
Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Pr 15:3 WEB)
Do we practice gentle healing in our speech or perverse deceit?
Wholesome speech is a tree of life, but dishonest talk breaks the spirit. (Pr 15:4 CEB)
How important is it to honor our parents and welcome their discipline?
Don't be a fool and disobey your parents. Be smart! Accept correction. (Pr 15:5 CEV)
Is there a difference between ill-gotten gains and the blessings that come to honest businesses?
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. (Pr 15:6 ESV)
Who spreads knowledge and good advice, the wise or the foolish?
The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. (Pr 15:7 HCSB)
Does God appreciate gifts given by the wicked? What does He think about the prayers of those who live right?
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Pr 15:8 ISV)
What does God think about the way of the wicked versus those who take a moral path?
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. (Pr 15:9 KJV)
Does life bring severe consequences to those who go astray? What happens to those who ignore the correction?
Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die. (Pr 15:10 LSB)
Does God have full control of death and destruction? Does He fully know our hearts?
Sheol [the grave] and Abaddon [perishing] lie open before the Lord, How much more the hearts of mankind! (Pr 15:11 NASB)
Why can’t fools find their way out of their own self-inflicted troubles?
Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. (Pr 15:12 NIV)
What does a smile that reaches the eyes reveal? What does sorrow do?
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Pr 15:13 NKJV)
Do we seek what are true facts or feed on foolish nonsense?
A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. (Pr 15:14 NLT)
Do the poor and needy suffer continually? Does a happy heart enjoy life regardless of circumstances?
All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. (Pr 15:15 WEB)
What secret ingredient helps a poor person enjoy a much better life than a rich person?
Better a little with fear of the Lord than a great treasure with turmoil. (Pr 15:16 CEB)
What ingredient makes even a simple meal better than a feast?
A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatred. (Pr 15:17 CEV)
What is the difference between a person with anger issues over someone who is self-controlled?
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. (Pr 15:18 ESV)
How does the life of a lazy sloth compare to that of those who do what is right?
A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge, but the path of the upright is a highway. (Pr 15:19 HCSB)
What kind of children make their parents glad and show them honor?
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. (Pr 15:20 ISV)
What kind of person enjoys stupidity? Who takes the right path?
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. (Pr 15:21 KJV)
What happens when people consult a lot of advice?
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. (Pr 15:22 LSB)
How pleasant is friendly conversation filled with tact and timely encouragement?
A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! (Pr 15:23 NASB)
Is there a higher way to live that saves us from an early death?
The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead. (Pr 15:24 NIV)
When the proud try to financially abuse a widow and steal her land, who will defend her?
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. (Pr 15:25 NKJV)
What does God think about the schemes of the wicked, versus kind and loving words?
The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. (Pr 15:26 NLT)
What are the natural self-inflicted consequences for a life of greed?
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. (Pr 15:27 WEB)
What does someone reveal about their hearts by thinking things through before speaking?
The righteous heart reflects before answering, but the wicked mouth blurts out evil. (Pr 15:28 CEB)
Whose prayers does God completely ignore, and whose does He hear?
The Lord never even hears the prayers of the wicked, but he answers the prayers of all who obey him. (Pr 15:29 CEV)
What do a smile with a twinkle in the eyes and good news do for us?
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. (Pr 15:30 ESV)
What happens to the person who listens to constructive criticism?
One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. (Pr 15:31 HCSB)
What kind of attitude does a person have who habitually refuses correction?
Whoever ignores instruction hates himself, but anyone who heeds reproof gains understanding. (Pr 15:32 ISV)
If we respect and obey the Lord, what will that teach us?
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. (Pr 15:33 KJV)
Did Paul write of a kind of wisdom that is not of men but of God?
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature, a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are being abolished. But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom which has been hidden, which God predestined before the ages to our glory, which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor 2:3-8 LSB)
What kind of wisdom is of God and not of men? You decide!
