Remark-able Series – Week 5

Wise and Foolish Words

Ice Breaker: What was your most embarrassing moment? And why?

A note about the literary structure of much of the Book of Proverbs: Many of the proverbs are written as “two-lined proverbs” and are either synonymous (two lines making the same point) or antithetical (two lines making contrasting points). Therefore, some of the Proverbs used to answer one question about foolishness may also help to answer a different question on wisdom.

1. What is foolishness? (Psalms 14:1, Proverbs 28:26, Romans 8:6-8, 1 Corinthians 3:18-19)

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Proverbs 28:26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Romans 8:6–8 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

1 Corinthians 3:18–19 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”;

2. How would you define Biblical wisdom? (Proverbs 9:6,9-10, 14:16, 16:21, 18:15, Ephesians 5:15-17) How is it different than knowledge?

Proverbs 9:6, 9-10 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” … 9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 14:16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

Proverbs 16:21  The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. 

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. 

Ephesians 5:15–17 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

3. How can we tell whether a person is a fool or acting foolishly? (Proverbs 10:23, 20:3, 21:10)

Proverbs 10:23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

Proverbs 20:3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Proverbs 21:20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

4. What is the consequence for listening to foolishness? (Proverbs 13:20, 2 Corinthians 6:14)

Proverbs 13:20 whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.

2 Corinthians 6:14  Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

5. Why is it beneficial to live in wisdom? (Psalm 1:1-4)

Psalm 1:1–4 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

6. Ephesians 4:25-32 is part of a passage where Paul is instructing the church to put off the old foolish self and replace it “with the truth that is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:20). Read through the passage and pick out the foolishness, the wisdom, and the benefits of the wisdom.

Ephesians 4:25–32 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Focusing on Words (Ephesians 4:29)

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

7. What are foolish ways to use words? (Proverbs 10:18, 12:19, 18:6-7, Ephesians 4:29, 5:4)

Proverbs 10:18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 18:6–7 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

8. What are the dangers of using our words in foolish ways? (James 3:5-10)

James 3:5–10 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

9. According to Ephesians 4:29, What are the characteristics of “wholesome talk”?

10. Tell about a time when someone built you up with their words to help you when you needed it.

11. What are practical ways to build up others according to their needs?

From the sermon, Pastor Brian offers 3 WISE ways to build others with our words! Words that Give courage; words that give strength; words of warning.

12. Consider someone you would like to build up according to their needs and how would you go about doing that?

Memory Verse Challenge Ephesians 4:29