Wisdom only changes our lives when we actually live by it.
Knowing wisdom is not the same as walking in wisdom.
1 Kings 11:1–4
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.
How does the wisest man in the world end up here?
The greatest danger isn’t that we don’t know what God says.
Sometimes the greatest danger is that we know exactly what God says—and slowly convince ourselves that it doesn’t apply to us.
Ignoring Wisdom Usually Happens Slowly
1 Kings 11:4
“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods…”
We usually imagine foolishness as one catastrophic decision.
But biblical foolishness often looks much more ordinary.
Sometimes it’s one catastrophic decision…But usually, it’s a thousand small compromises that eventually take us somewhere we never intended to go.
How Did Solomon Drift from Wisdom?
(1) He Trusted His Desires Over God's Commands
(2) He Underestimated the Influence Around Him
Proverbs 13:20
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
(3) He Became Comfortable with Compromise
1 Kings 11:7-8
“On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.”
Pride in Our Hearts Makes us Believe the Rules are Different for Us
Wisdom without humility eventually turns into arrogance.
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…”
The fear of the Lord says, “God knows better than me.”
Pride says, “I understand my situation better than God does.”
Ecclesiastes Shows Us Where Foolishness Eventually Leads Us
Solomon tried pleasure
Ecclesiastes 2:1
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless.
Solomon tried accomplishments and wealth
Ecclesiastes 2:4–8
I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart.
Solomon tried denying himself NOTHING
Ecclesiastes 2:10–11
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 12:13–14
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
The end of wisdom is still the fear of the Lord
Proverbs begins with: Fear the Lord.
Ecclesiastes ends with: Fear God and keep His commandments.
1. I will take this list of scriptures and commit to do the plan I’ve written down today. Pray for me as I commit to: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. I would like some help in knowing how to fast this week.
