1. Walking in Wisdom Making Wise Decisions
Title Slide: Walking in Wisdom—Making Wise Decisions…

2. Making Wise Decisions There is a choice you have to make
In everything you do.
And you must always keep in mind,
The choice you make makes you.
(In Booklet, Bits and Pieces)
Quote from Booklet—Bits and Pieces…

3. Decisions Determine Destiny
We MUST choose:
The right way—or the wrong way
A Godly attitude or an ungodly attitude
Obedience or rebellion
Decisions Determine Destiny. We MUST Choose:
The right way or the wrong way
A godly attitude or an ungodly attitude
Obedience or rebellion.
Each of us makes his own choices on these three things—those decisions will have eternal consequences!

4. Decisions Determine Destiny
Things needed—must choose:
Requires purpose
Requires respect
Requires knowledge
Requires faith
Requires preparation
Decisions Determine Destiny.
Things needed—must choose:
Requires purpose
Requires respect
Requires knowledge
Requires faith
Requires preparation.
Any decisions we make must keep these five things in mind. Failure to consider any of the five will cause bad decisions with terrible consequences to follow…

5. Establishing Priorities
A person’s decision to follow (or not follow) God affects EVERY other decision he makes!
Establishing Priorities. A person’s decision to follow (or not follow) God affects EVERY other decision he makes! Passages on next slide…

6. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Text: Matthew 6:33…

7. Mark 12:29-31
“…The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.
And you shall love the LORD your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the
first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.' There is no other commandment
greater than these.”
Text: Mark 12:29-31…

8. Colossians 1:9-11
“…you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.”
Text: Colossians 1:9-11…Remember the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 1:7

9. Establishing Priorities
Wise decision making is in direct correlation to the degree in which we respect, love and trust God—understanding His revealed will!
Establishing Priorities. Wise decision making is in direct correlation to the degree in which we respect, love and trust God—understanding His revealed will!

10. Proverbs 4:5,6
“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.”
Text: Proverbs 4:5,6…

11. Proverbs 4:7,8
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her.”
Text: Proverbs 4:7,8…

12. Proverbs 4:9,10
“She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many.”
Text: Proverbs 4:9,10…

13. Proverbs 4:11-13
“I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.”
Text: Proverbs 4:11-13…

14. Proverbs 4:18,19
“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”
Text: Proverbs 4:18,19…

15. Will I Commit Sin? Adam and Eve Cain and Abel Joseph Sin Is Avoidable!
Genesis 3:1-13
Romans 5:12
Cain and Abel
Genesis 4:1-10
Hebrews 11:4
Joseph
Genesis 39:7-12
Will I Commit Sin?
Adam and Eve—Gen.3:1-12; Romans 5:12—God gave them life—what did the serpent offer?
Cain and Abel—Gen.4:1-10; Heb.11:4—failure to follow God’s instructions led to jealousy and murder!
Joseph—Gen.39:7-12—in a foreign country, alone, no one would know, could give in to lust—Knew God would know! Sin can be avoided—1 Cor.10:13…
Sin Is Avoidable!
1 Corinthians 10:13

16. Will I Commit Sin? Moses David Jesus Sin Is Avoidable! Numbers 20:7-12
Hebrews 11:23-27
David
2 Samuel 11:1—12:14
1 Chronicles 13:1-12
1 Chronicles 15:1-13
Jesus
Matthew 4:1-11
Hebrews 4:15
Will I Commit Sin?
(4) Moses—Numbers 20:7-12; Hebrews 11:23-27—Moses made a good choice when he left Egypt. Yet, he failed at the waters of Kedesh—by taking glory away from God!
(5) David—2 Samuel 11:1—12:14; 1 Chronicles 13:1-12; 15:1-13—David gave in to lust and brought sin on himself and allowed God’s enemies to blaspheme Him! Made a mistake when he transported the ark by a different method than God had ordered—cost a man his life!
(6) Jesus—Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15—despite teaching to the contrary, Jesus was tempted; yet, He did not yield to the tempter. Thus, He provided the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. He just said NO!!!!!!!!!!!! Sin can be avoided—1 Cor.10:13…
Sin Is Avoidable!
1 Corinthians 10:13

17. Some Important Decisions… Who Will Be:
My role model?
Some actor, musician, athlete, author, teacher…
My friends?
1 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 1:10-19; 13:20
Proverbs 14:26
Exodus 23:2
Some Important Decisions…Who Will Be:
My role model? Role Models—Some actor, musician, athlete, author, teacher, wealthy businessman….
My Friends—1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 1:10-19; 13:20; 14:26; Exodus 23:2. Evil companions can corrupt my morals; friends could entice me to go down a path that leads to wickedness. A companion of fools will be destroyed; never follow the majority to do evil!

18. Some Important Decisions… Who Will Be:
My spouse?
Matthew 19:3-9
What about Jesus?
1 Peter 2:21
1 Corinthians 11:1
Matthew 16:24-27
Luke 23:34
Some Important Decisions…Who Will Be:
(3) My spouse—Matthew 19:3-9….True, we are to love each other, not depart until death, be faithful to one another—but can I place my spouse ahead of God?
(4) What about Jesus?—1 Peter 2:21; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 23:34. Why use the Savior as my role model? Because He practiced love, kindness, forgiveness, and uncompromising obedience to our Heavenly Father’s will! He seems like a much better choice—more difficult to be sure, but He’ll keep me closer to God.

19. Some Important Decisions… Where Will I:
Go to school?
Known for godless teachers and students
Some offer more encouragement, while others offer more temptations!
Live and work?
Spiritual support
Hours? Travel? People? Stability? Money?
Some Important Decisions…Where Will I:
Go to school—Go to a school that’s known as a “party school.” Known for godless teachers and students? Some offer more encouragement, while others offer more temptations!
Live and work?—Genesis 13:5-11; 2 Corinthians 6: How much spiritual support will I have? Is there a good sound church in the area? Lot should have thought more about his choice—when Abraham allowed him to have first choice—Lot chose Sodom and Gomorrah! What about Hours? Can I be off for Bible study and worship services? Travel? Will I have to be away from my family a lot? People? What kind of people will I be working along side? Stability and Money. Can I support my family? Will it provide long-term security for my family?

20. Making Wise Decisions True joy, happiness, peace, eternal life
Result
True joy, happiness, peace, eternal life
Walk
Extends to everyday decision making
Growth
Understanding Biblical principles
Explain and discuss each point…Next slides (5)—Listen to the words of the wise man, Solomon…(
Initial choice
Choosing to follow God

21. Proverbs 1:22,23
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”
Text: Proverbs 1:22,23…

22. Proverbs 1:24,25
“Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke.”
Text: Proverbs 1:24,25…

23. Proverbs 1:26,27
“I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.”
Text: Proverbs 1:26,27…

24. Proverbs 1:28,29
“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD.”
Text: Proverbs 1:28,29…

25. Proverbs 1:30,31
“They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.”
Text: Proverbs 1:30,31…

26. Proverbs 1:32,33
“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Text: Proverbs 1:32,33…

27. Don’t delay making wise decisions.
“Choose this day whom you will serve.”
Delay is dangerous—we have the same choice that Joshua gave the children of Israel after they received their inheritance…(Joshua 24:15)

28. We have all made bad decisions!
Some decisions will follow us throughout our time on earth!
Some BAD decisions can follow us all during our journey here on earth—they MUST be avoided!

29. Decisions Determine One’s Destiny
Life on Earth
Hell
Heaven
What about eternity?
Have you obeyed the gospel?
Are you still being faithful?
Decisions Determine One’s Destiny—
What about eternity?
Have you obeyed the gospel?
Are you still being faithful? Invitation…
Thanks to Don McClain for help with some of the charts…outline is mine (KMG)