Good advice comes from people of good character who care about us.

1
Who do we listen to?

• Good advice comes from people of good character
  who care about us.
• Bad advice comes people of bad or questionable
  character who care about themselves.

2
Two Ways of Hearing Advice

1. Focus on what I want that someone is promoting
2. Focus on the motive and character of the person
   promoting something

3
Structure of Proverbs 1-9

• A - Contrasting invitations of the Father and the
  Gang (18-19)
• B - Wisdom calls warning the gullible (120-33)
• C - Father warns about evil men and immoral women
  (21-22)
• D Fathers command to listen and heed
  (31-49)
• C - Father warns about evil men and immoral women
  (410-727)
• B - Wisdom calls inviting the gullible (8)
• A - Contrasting invitations of Lady Wisdom and
  Lady Folly (9)

4
God makes a way out of temptation

• (1 Corinthians 1013) No temptation has seized
  you except what is common to man. And God is
  faithful he will not let you be tempted beyond
  what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he
  will also provide a way out so that you can stand
  up under it.

5
Asking the Right Question

• Oh, if I just had more money, etc
• Oh, if I just had more wisdom
• (James 15) If any of you lacks wisdom, he
  should ask God, who gives generously to all
  without finding fault, and it will be given to
  him.
• (Proverbs 26) For the LORD gives wisdom...

6
Praying for Results or Wisdom?James 15
Proverbs 8-9

• Praying for results So I get what I want
• Praying for wisdom So I know what God wants
• Praying for results Asking God to change
  circumstances
• Praying for wisdom Asking God to change me, the
  way I react to circumstances, accepting
  circumstances
• Praying for results Pride Assuming I know
  best.
• Praying for wisdom Humility Trusting God knows
  best.
• Praying for results I wont end up liking the
  result (Proverbs 836)
• Praying for wisdom I end up liking the result
  (Proverbs 834-35)

7
Rival InvitationsProverbs 9

• Wisdom (1-6)

Folly (13-18)

• Normal and decent / maids
• A house of 7 pillars (well-built)
• Highest point of city
• Orderly
• Invited to eat well-planned, excellent meal of
  meat and drink
• Live with understanding

• Loud and brash / personal
• A house
• Highest point of city
• Undisciplined
• Invited to quick drink of stolen, attractive
  water and to eat secret food
• Live a living death