1.  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. Who do we listen to?

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

3. A - Contrasting invitations of the Father and the Gang (1:8-19) B - Wisdom calls – warning the gullible (1:20-33) C - Father warns about evil men and immoral women (2:1-22) D – Father’s command to listen and heed (3:1-4:9) C - Father warns about evil men and immoral women (4:10-7:27) B - Wisdom calls – inviting the gullible (8) A - Contrasting invitations of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (9) Structure of Proverbs 1-9

4.  (1 Corinthians 10:13) 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. God makes a way out of temptation

5.  Oh, if I just had more money, etc…  Oh, if I just had more wisdom…  (James 1:5) 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 2:6) For the LORD gives wisdom... Asking the Right Question

6.  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 won’t end up liking the result (Proverbs 8:36)  Praying for wisdom – I end up liking the result (Proverbs 8:34-35) Praying for Results or Wisdom? James 1:5; Proverbs 8-9

7. Rival Invitations Proverbs 9 Wisdom (1-6)  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” Folly (13-18)