Audio Download

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” Part 1

(Pro 18:1-7)

[Study Aired August 28, 2025]

Pro 18:1  He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
Pro 18:2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
Pro 18:3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
Pro 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
Pro 18:5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
Pro 18:6 A foolish man’s lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
Pro 18:7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.

This chapter of proverbs has a strong emphasis on how death and life are in the power of the tongue (Pro 18:21), and what joy there can be when we are blessed to partake of the tree of life (Pro 3:18, Rev 2:7), laying hold on her as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, seeing His life increase within us as we’re given a mind of power, love and soundness, that puts to death our old man who is dying daily (2Ti 1:7, 1Co 2:16, 1Co 15:31).

Pro 3:18  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Christ’s life within us is what gives us victory over the most unruly member of our body, the tongue, the rutter of our spiritual ship that is a small part of the ship, but when our thoughts our brought into subjection to our Lord, then the whole ship can go in the path God has set before us (Jas 3:4) via the Way, the Life and the Truth, our Hope of Glory within who gives us the power to have minds of peace that are stayed on Him (Jas 3:8, Isa 26:3). As we learn to conduct ourselves together in “the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth”, we are in fact helping each other bring our thoughts into subjection so that we speak only those things that are edifying to the body of Christ (1Ti 3:15, Eph 4:29).

Jas 3:4  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor [Christ Php 2:12-13] listeth.

Happy is the man that finds wisdom [Christ (Joh 6:44)] and gets understanding (Pro 3:13), and what must happen to make that more than just an ‘anon with joy’ reality (Mat 13:20) in the lives of God’s children is answered in the preceding verse (Pro 3:12). In other words, it is not enough to just find wisdom, but if we are blessed to continue in the truth and have that wisdom tried through much tribulation (Joh 8:32-33), then as we near the end of our spiritual sojourn we will be able to say with Paul, I “now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Col 1:24).

That same sentiment is expressed by the parable that states ‘a red sky at night is a sailors delight’, because that sailor has gone through the storms of life [symbolized by the one Day of the Lord], and has witnessed God’s faithfulness and can now say that even these trials in the latter part of their life is something they can delight in, knowing the Lord is faithful and that nothing can separate us from his love toward us that will culminate with the beautiful sunrise of the morning that represents the first resurrection. The ‘hypocrites’ could not discern the meaning of the parable, and were as we all did at one time, only looking for the outward physical signs as proof that we we’re blessed of God, not seeing the need to be tried in the fire of His word, the red sky in the evening (Mat 16:2, 2Ti 4:8).

Pro 3:12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;(Heb 12:6) even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Pro 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Mat 16:2  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

It’s the son who is being received, who is being corrected, chastened and scourged in this life, and it is our own iniquities that chasten us as we self-righteously partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, not yet having had our senses exercised through fiery trials so that we can discern good and evil (Heb 5:14), and benefit from that strong meat that takes time to be able to digest. Thankfully in due time, Christ who is the tree of life, died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6) and by God’s goodness we were led unto repentance so that we can partake of His life that gives us the strength and victory over sin, now with the ability to discern good and evil as a result of having our senses exercised through much tribulation (Gen 2:9, Rev 22:14, Act 14:22).

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Gen 2:9  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Rev 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

It takes the humbling experiences that God’s people go through in this life in order to become a people who are abased and made ready to rule the kingdoms of this world (Mat 18:3), having been given victory over the sinful kingdoms of this world within us first, so we can rule the kingdoms of this world outwardly one day (1Pe 5:6, Rev 11:15).

Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

God has to give us the power to lay hold upon her [Wisdom] (Joh 6:44), and with eyes that are now open and ears unstopped we can be quickened by His words of eternal life (Joh 6:63) that, if we are blessed to continue in, will lead to our salvation in this age (Joh 8:31-32).

our first verses:

Pro 18:1  Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Pro 18:2  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Christ’s spirit in the body of Christ gives us the power to ‘intermeddle’ with Christ our husband who has all wisdom (Jas 1:5). God is the one dragging us to His son and Christ is the one working within us both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure (Php 2:12-13). So the “desire of a man” which brings us to separate ourselves from Babylon is all of God and is the miracle of our calling that has been hidden from the masses (Rom 8:14-16, Joh 6:44, Mat 22:14).

So we ask of God for wisdom, but Christ is the mediator for us who drives the beasts out of our temple, the foolish part of us that has no delight in understanding His wisdom, and mind. The proverb says, “that his [the fool’s] heart may discover itself” and is the way that seems right to a man but leads to death and no spiritual growth and connecting to the body of Christ, our body, that is made up of many joints that supply in love (Rom 8:17, Eph 4:16, Rom 12:4-5).

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, (Php 1:29, 1Co 10:16) that we may be also glorified together.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Pro 18:3  When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt [disrespect], and with ignominy [dishonour] reproach [disgrace].

It’s when God shows us who we are by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens that “the wicked cometh” (2Th 2:8, Pro 16:4), and that wickedness within us is accompanied with contempt [disrespect], ignominy [dishonour], and reproach [disgrace] expressed through lying lips within us that are there ‘for but a moment’ (Pro 12:19, Jas 4:14) and will be silenced by God’s chastening grace that teaches us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts (Tit 2:11-12) (Psa 31:17-18).

Psa 31:17  Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Psa 31:18  Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously [with contempt [disrespect], ignominy [dishonour], and reproach [disgrace] ] against the righteous.

These verses below show us that God uses evil for good, and that Satan, the evil smith is the one that God uses to blow on the coals within us, to create the conditions for the fiery trials that we are not to think as something strange that is happening to us in this age as God’s elect. God also uses the seraphims [God’s messengers] to use the effect of those coals of God’s word to minister unto the body of Christ (1Pe 4:12, Job 2:4-6).

Job 2:4  And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
Job 2:5  But put forth thine hand now, [Satan is God’s hand Psa 17:13, Isa 10:5] and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 2:6  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Isa 44:12  The smith [Satan] with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint. [At this time Satan is not benefiting from these coals, but is being used of God to try, test, tempt, and accuse God’s people]

Isa 44:19  And none considereth in his heart (Pro 14:12), neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire (1Pe 4:12); yea, also I have baked bread [God’s word being refined within us] upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

Isa 44:19  And no one takes note, no one has enough knowledge or wisdom to say, I have put part of it in the fire, and made bread on it; I have had a meal of the flesh cooked with it: and am I now to make the rest of it into a false god? am I to go down on my face before a bit of wood? [BBE]

[Is God going to put us through all the trials of this life and take us so far and then just let us slip back into making an idol of our flesh. The answer is given in (Isa 44:21 “thou shalt not be forgotten of me”). This question of God reminds us that this residue, or remnant [the elect] that he is trying in the fire will not be forgotten, we are His blessed and holy workmanship, that are overcoming the giants in this life little and by little to the glory of God. We do fall back and lose our first love, and make an idol of the beast whose deadly wound is healed (Rev 13:12), but then as God’s people He destroys that idol, that “bit of wood” that is left so we can inherit eternal life (Num 14:9)]

Isa 44:20  He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? [we ask who can make war with the beast, and we carry that lie until we don’t by God’s grace and the faith of Christ (Rev 13:4)]
Isa 44:21  Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

Isa 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. [Fervent love covers a multitude of sins 1Pe 4:8]

[The elect take the word of God, which is likened unto a live coal that represents the trial of our faith as a means to help us grow and comfort others with the comfort that God comforts us with (2Co 1:4). We bear the trials together [the cross], the coal that is hot and handled with tongs, which tongs also represents the word of God, telling us we learn to handle our trials with the word of God, as we continue in the truth and find safety within a multitude of counsellors. The coal is taken off the altar, where the elect are bound (Psa 118:27) [the many joints that supply]

Pro 18:4  The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

The living waters that flow from the body of Christ spoken of in (Joh 7:38) can be likened unto “the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook” as a result of the faith of Christ that has been given to us.

The words of a man’s life are likened unto “deep waters” that come from a well, but it is not just any well or any water that we must be drawn to (Joh 6:44) in order to have living waters flow forth from us as “a flowing brook” (Joh 4:13-15, 1Co 2:11-16).

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Joh 4:13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Joh 4:15  The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

1Co 2:11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Pro 18:5  It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Pro 18:6  A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Pro 18:7  A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

“Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity” of (Pro 17:26) is a very parallel proverb to (Pro 18:5) which says it’s “not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment”. It is by the grace of God that we are able to keep a bridle on our lips and mouth and heart, and not ‘speak as a fool’, which can and does get us into a lot of trouble, especially if we are being judged in this age.

Pro 18:6  The lips of a fool enter into an argument and his mouth invites a beating. (TLV)
Pro 18:6  The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. (NET)
Pro 18:6  When some fool starts an argument, he is asking for a beating. (GNB)
Pro 18:6  Foolish talk will get you into a lot of trouble. (CEV)

We need those coal spoken of earlier on our lips in order to cease from sinning, as God alone can put an end to ‘the lips that enter into contention’, or ‘a foolish mouth that is our destruction’, or ‘lips that are a snare to our soul’. Iniquity will be cut off, thanks be to God (Psa 94:23).

Psa 94:23  And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

God knows our frame (Psa 51:2-5), and has made a way for us to be more than conquerors through Christ (Tit 2:13-15) who can give us the power to be more than conquerors of these weak conditions that are found in all flesh (Rom 8:37,  Php 4:13).

Psa 51:2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

As we go through the rest of this chapter we will look more closely at why “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” is a truth that incentivizes us to keep fighting a good fight of faith, knowing that we are committing our lives as unto a faithful Creator who loves us and has the greatest of plans for each of us (2Ti 4:6-8, 1Pe 4:17-19).

2Ti 4:6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.