Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: Can We All Just Get Along?

Losing Your Wisdom and Losing Your Mind

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2025-11-16

Synopsis: John Weaver explores whether it is possible to lose one's wisdom, using Solomon as the prime biblical example. He distinguishes between worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom versus true wisdom from God, which begins with the fear of the Lord. The sermon argues that wisdom is lost through disobedience and rebellion against God's Word, and that neglecting Scripture leads to folly and spiritual insanity. Applications emphasize the need to use and apply God's truth to retain and grow in wisdom.

[John Weaver] All right, let's open our Bibles then to Proverbs chapter 4. Proverbs chapter 4. We're going to look at verse 7. I'm not necessarily expounding this one particular verse, but I am going to show you, I think, one of the greatest applications of it. So let me just say that this message today is going to be the first in at least probably a four or five part series. Although each message would stand on its own, I think they're going to be self-explanatory and at the same time needed to help understand each one. So, look if you would, Proverbs chapter 4 and verse 7, a very simple verse, the Word of God says, principle, it said, wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom. With all thy getting, get understanding. Look at it again, wisdom is the principle thing, Therefore, get wisdom with all by getting good understanding. So today the title of the message is losing your wisdom and losing your mind. So here's a good question. Is it possible for one who is wise to become unwise?

[John Weaver] Another way to ask that question is, is it possible to lose your wisdom? If it is possible to lose your wisdom, What is the cause of the loss of the wisdom? Now, there are some types of wisdom that need to be lost and need to be forsaken as quickly as possible. In fact, the truth of the matter is these wisdoms are false wisdoms. They are not the true wisdom of God.

[John Weaver] Anyone who's ever read Pilgrim's Progress, if you have not read it, I would encourage you to do so. If you have read it, I would encourage you to read it again. But one of the characters in Pilgrim's Progress was Mr. Worldly Wise Man. And he, of course, was giving Pilgrim all kind of direction and all kind of counsel, which, of course, was totally and completely wrong. So there is indeed a world of wisdom. So this world of wisdom is not known for obedience to God. nor is it known for holiness or righteousness. Worldly wisdom and the worldly wise man is the kind of individual that will survive in a dog-eat-dog world.

[John Weaver] He does not care what it takes, he does not care who it hurts, he does not care what he does or how it is accomplished, just so he can make it to the top. So there you have fraud, deceit, immorality, blackmail, lying, conniving, backstabbing, and character assassination. All of these things are in the arsenal of the worldly wise man. So I want you to follow me very quickly in some scriptures. I want you to turn first of all to 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and look at verses 20 and 21 because I'm going to delineate for you this worldly wisdom that is spoken of very clearly in the scripture and show how wrong it is and how contrary it is to God and His Word. So in 1 Corinthians 1, look at verses 20 and 21. The Word of God says, where is the wise? Where is the scribe?

[John Weaver] Where is the disputer of this world? Now look at this. Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. So the wisdom of the world, as accurate as it may be worldly speaking, it does not know God whatsoever. So if you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 at verses 6 and 7, here the Apostle Paul says this, albeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this world. nor the princes of this world that come to know it. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world under our glory." So here's the contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Now if you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, Again, the Word of God says, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

[John Weaver] For it is written, he taketh the wise in their own practice. So the wisdom of this world is absolutely foolishness with God. If you would turn right over to 2 Corinthians chapter 1, 2 Corinthians chapter 1, look if you would please there at verse 12. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 12. Worldly wisdom is also known as fleshly wisdom. The apostle says, for our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in sincerity and godly, in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world and more abundantly toward you. So he says not in fleshly wisdom. No, no. but in real godly sincerity and simplicity. Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 73, because Psalm 73, written by Asaph, is indeed, I would say, the apex, the height of worldly wisdom and shows you exactly the worldly wise man. So look at it in Psalm 73 and let's begin reading there with verse one. Look at this.

[John Weaver] Asaph writes, truly, God is good to Israel, even as such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps and will not slip. Why? Here's why. For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. So I want you to note he's connecting foolishness with the wicked right away.

[John Weaver] Now look in verse four. Here's why he was so almost fallen down because what he saw in them. He said, for there are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm. They're not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore, pride compassionate them about any change, Violence covered them as a garment. Now look at this. Their eyes stand out with fatness.

[John Weaver] They have more than the heart could wish. Now he tells you who they are. They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression. They speak loftily. Watch this. They set their mouth against the heavens. They don't mind cursing God. They set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue walking through the earth. Therefore his people return hither and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

[John Weaver] And they say, this is the wicked. How does God know? And is their knowledge in the most high? And look what he says in verse 12. Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world. They increase in riches. So here you have the worldly wise man that is so absolutely corrupt. He does not object to cursing God. he'll take his thumb and walk through the heavens and say whatever he pleases.

[John Weaver] Now, if you will turn in your Bible to James chapter 3, I'm going to show you that there are other types of wisdom as well. In fact, James chapter 3 distinguishes for you between a hellish wisdom and a heavenly wisdom. So I want you to look at the difference here. This is why I'm saying that there are some types of wisdom that needs to be forsaken quickly. Notice if you would James chapter 3 and skip down to verse 13.

[John Weaver] He asks, who is a wise man and a dude with knowledge among you? So if he claims to be wise, here's what he's to do. Let him show out of a good conversation his conduct, his works with meekness of wisdom. Now watch verse 14. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For wherein being in strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

[John Weaver] Now watch the difference, but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intrigued, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." So worldly wisdom and hellish wisdom needs to be lost and forsaken as quickly as possible.

[John Weaver] Now the word wisdom is used in different ways in the Bible. The Hebrew word for wisdom is the word kokama and it refers to wisdom that is evidenced in skill, in shrewdness, in patience, and also in ethical and biblical behavior. Now, you have the books of wisdom in the Bible. There are five books of wisdom. There's Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. So these five books that are known as wisdom literature.

[John Weaver] Have you ever wondered how those Israelites made everything that God required for the tabernacle later on for the temple, but how they made it exactly the way God ordained it to be made. He gave Moses the pattern of the mount. But let me show you. I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 28. Exodus chapter 28 and look if you would please at verse 3. Exodus chapter 28 and verse 3. Look at this. Exodus 28 and verse 3.

[John Weaver] The Word of God says, And thou shalt speak unto all that are wisehearted, whom I have with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. But notice it, I have filled them with the spirit of wisdom.

[John Weaver] Now, if you look in Exodus chapter 31 and verse 3. Exodus 31 and verse 3.

[John Weaver] Now we're talking about Bezalel. In fact, we'll read verse 2. God says, See, I call by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur. of the tribe of Judah. And I filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom. Look at this. And in understanding and in knowledge and all manner of workmanship. Then he goes on to say in verse four, to devise cutting works, to work in gold and silver and in brass, cutting of stones. God just gave him wisdom, ability, understanding. Let's get down to verse six. God says, and I behold, I have given with him a holy ad, the son of Isamach of the tribe of Dan. And in the hearts of all that are wise hearted, I put wisdom.

[John Weaver] That they may make all that I have commanded me. I've often wondered. If any of these people had what you and I would call natural abilities and natural skills. Regardless of whether they did or did not, that which gave them the ability to perform as they did was the fact that God gave them wisdom and understanding. I've often showed Alex little clips of little children, and one of them was five or six years old, playing the violin. And you would think a five or six-year-old playing a violin would play something like the cat and the mouse or something like that, but here they are playing Beethoven and Bach. And Alice would always say, well, they have natural skills, and God gave them skill as well. And that's true. So I've often wondered, these people that God endued with wisdom and understanding and knowledge in all of these areas, I've often wondered, Well, did they lose those skills and that ability after they finished the work of God?

[John Weaver] And the answer is probably not, because the Bible does tell us that the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. So if God gave them those gifts, in all probability, they kept them.

[John Weaver] Now, remember I told you the title of this message was losing your wisdom or losing your mind or and losing your mind. So in order to understand how we're going to lose wisdom, if we're going to lose it, we have to know what wisdom is. And the truth of the matter is, before I tell you that, we lose almost anything and everything. We've lost our skills, we've lost our patience, we've lost morality, we've lost health, we've lost money, we've lost everything imaginable. And you've probably heard the old adage, The individual said, well, of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. Well, that's about the way it goes, because we have certainly lost a lot of things. But the loss of wisdom, in one sense of the word, is the loss of the mind. When we lose our wisdom, when we lose our mind, we cease thinking biblically and in reference to God and his law.

[John Weaver] Now there are two Greek words, and I'm going to show them to you, that are translated as madness and folly. I'm going to tell you what they really mean. I want you to turn in your Bible, if you would, first of all, to the book of Luke chapter 6. And Luke, if you would, please, at verse 11. Luke chapter 6 and verse 11. This is in reference to the Pharisees and their anger at the Lord Jesus Christ because he healed a man on the Sabbath day so if you look at what the Bible says notice in Luke chapter 6 and verse 11 and they that is the scribes and pharisees and they were filled with madness and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus of course they wanted to put him to death but noticing with what the Bible says and they were filled with madness. Now, this Greek word for madness is anoia. It is translated in our Bibles as madness and folly.

[John Weaver] It implies a lack of understanding and madness expressing itself in absolute rage. I've seen people like that. They are raging monsters. they've basically lost their mind.

[John Weaver] Now to understand this word Anoia, the latter part of the word actually comes from the noun nous, which is mind. It is translated in our Bible mind over and over and over. And whenever you put an A or an alpha in front of a word, it negates the word. So, actually, when the Bible says that they were filled with madness, here's what it actually means. They were out of their mind. They were not in their right mind. They were insane. And, of course, you would have to be insane and not in your right mind to be angry and upset with the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus, who had only done what he should have done and healed that individual on the Sabbath day. But the Bible talks about them being mad or out of their mind.

[John Weaver] Now, if you will turn in your Bibles to 2 Peter chapter 2, 2 Peter chapter 2 and look in verse 16, here is the second word, 2 Peter chapter 2, look if you would in verse 16, because this has reference then to Balaam the false prophet. So, look at it if you would in verse, oh, Let's read 15. "...which have forsaken the right way, and are going astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosar, who loved the wages of unrighteousness," now here it is,"...but was rebuked for his iniquity, the dumbass speaking with a man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet." So here's another word for madness, it is paraphronia. Paraphronia. It has reference to Balaam, and of course, it literally means madness or insanity. Now, you have to remember that God told Balaam not to go. Finally, more princes were sent, and finally God said, look, if they get up and call you in the morning, you go with them. But he did not wait for them to call. He wanted the money.

[John Weaver] So he got up and said, let's go. And of course, that's when God met him with the angel and the angel had a sword drawn. And notice the Bible calls it madness. And so it has to be a type of insanity to knowingly, willingly go against God and against his plain, evident word.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you and show you this exactly. Paraphronia is the Greek word, okay? It's literally with madness, with insanity. Years ago, when I was in the university, in my first year of Greek, I was preaching in Marsden's Cafeteria. Every Sunday morning, they would allow me to preach there. I forget what time, it was early, 8 or 9 o'clock. I got to preach to all of the employees of Morrison's Cafeteria. They would have them there, and I would come in and preach for about 30 minutes before the day started.

[John Weaver] And there was a young black boy there, and he had a T-shirt on, and in big letters across the front of it, it had Filippo Nino. And so I asked him, I said, what does that word mean? He said, I don't know, man. He said, it's just a T-shirt. I'll wear it. I said, well, now wait a minute. I said, I don't think I'd be wearing a shirt if I didn't know what was written on it. I said, I just started taking Greek. I said, phila, I know, is love, because phileo means I love, and philos would be the noun. That's where we get our English word phileo and family from. So I said, I know the first part is love, but I said, I don't know the last part. But I said, I'll look it up, and I said, I'll tell you. So I went back home and got my Greek lexicon. And it's the word for insanity. So literally what he had written across his shirt was a lumber of insanity.

[John Weaver] And so this is what the Bible is saying about Balaam. Paraphronia. And in other words, he is going along with insanity. He's out of his mind. He's lost his mind. He's going absolutely contrary to God. I want you to understand this word so that you can understand and also see what is prevalent in our society in our land today. Look, if you would, at our counties, look at our state, look at our society, look at our nation, and look how insane people really are and what they're doing.

[John Weaver] And it seems like absolute madness. You've heard the old adage that common sense is not so common anymore. And that's true. So you have to ask what in the world has happened to us? And why are we so absolutely insane? I'm going to show you. If you look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, the book of Proverbs chapter 9 and verse 10, you will have the answer. Proverbs 9 and verse 10.

[John Weaver] Here's what the Word of God says. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Now think about that. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Now since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, where there is no fear of God, there is no wisdom. Look at it again. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. Also, since the fear of the Lord and its knowledge happen to be understanding, where there is no fear of the Lord, there is no true wisdom, and there is no true understanding.

[John Weaver] So, men may understand in terms of the world, they may understand in terms of the flesh, they may understand in terms of hellish wisdom, But it is impossible for them to understand in the terms of righteousness, holiness, and obedience. So let me give you a verse that I've given you before. 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14. The Bible says, for the natural man, that is, the unsaved man, man by nature, he says, but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, Neither can he know them.

[John Weaver] He doesn't have the ability because they are spiritually discerned. So those that do not fear the Lord and do not obey him cannot understand the truths, the principles and the precepts of Scripture. And thus they are out of their mind. They are insane and they have committed absolute folly.

[John Weaver] Now, let me give you a good illustration. Look in your Bible to the book of Romans chapter 1. Romans chapter 1, and let's begin reading there with verse 21. Romans chapter 1, look in verse 21. Here's an interesting, interesting word. Look at this. Romans 1 verse 21. Because when they knew God, They glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, look at this, but became vain in their imagination, and their foolish heart was darkened, look now, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like the corruptible man and the birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things Wherefore God also gave them up.

[John Weaver] Now watch if you would. I'm not talking about giving them up, although that is another sermon in itself. But look if you would in verse 22. For fessing themselves to be wise, they became as fools.

[John Weaver] Now the interesting thing is, the Greek word is morano. And it literally means to become a fool, to act foolishly, or to prove a person or a thing to be foolish. you may not be familiar with the word morino but the noun is moros and it means foolish it means fool it means to be impious it means to be godless the word moros if you conjugate the word you come down to the greek word moros You know what a moron is?

[John Weaver] We used to use that term all the time when I was a child. And there were even moron jokes. You know, the little moron. But the word moron means foolish. It means to be stupid. It means to be insane. It means literally to be out of your mind. So let me show you what a moron is. If you look in your Bible to the book of Proverbs chapter 15, Proverbs chapter 15, And look if you would please at verse 21. Here's a good illustration. Proverbs chapter 15. Look if you would there at verse 21. Look what the Bible says.

[John Weaver] Folly is a joy to him that is destined to wisdom. But a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Folly, that is foolishness, is a joy to him that is destined to wisdom. A moron enjoys foolish, insane, stupid things. That's exactly what he's saying. Now, what is our source of wisdom? Well, let me quote it. You can look at it if you like, but it's Proverbs chapter 2 and verse 6.

[John Weaver] Listen carefully what the Bible says. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to think about this verse. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Now, God may give wisdom and God may give understanding immediately, that is, without the use of means. That's exactly what he did to Bezalel and Aholiab. He just immediately gave them wisdom to know how to do all of these things. But usually, however, when God gives us wisdom, when God gives us understanding, it is immediately that is through the use of means.

[John Weaver] So I did not go to bed totally ignorant and wake up with a master's degree the next morning. It does not work like that. So that means usually you have to study, you have to work for the knowledge and for the understanding that is for sure. I want you to notice Proverbs 2 and verse 6 one more time before we go to Proverbs 1. I want you to watch this. For the Lord giveth wisdom out of his mouth immediately cometh understanding and knowledge. In other words, God gives us wisdom through his spoken word. Where is his spoken word? It's our Bible.

[John Weaver] This is what the doctrine of inspiration is all about. We say the Bible is the inspired word of God. Well, what is inspiration? Here it is. Inspiration is the strong conscience in breathing of God into men, qualifying them to give utterance to the truth so that the words that they spoke and wrote were and are indeed the very words of God himself. So let me say this another way. The Bible is just as if God spoke every single word himself. He did, but he inspired men to write it.

[John Weaver] Now, if you will go back in your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 1, I told you that Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon were known as wisdom literature. So look in Proverbs chapter 1 and let's read at least the first four verses. Watch this. The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. Why did he write this? Here's why. To know wisdom and instruction. To perceive the words of understanding. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice and judgment and equity.

[John Weaver] To give subtlety to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion. Look at verse five. A wise man will hear and will increase in learning. And a man of understanding shall attain a wise counsel. So let me tell you something about a fool. A fool in the Bible is not a mentally deficient person. A fool in the Bible is someone who will not listen, someone who will not hear, someone who will not read, someone who will not receive instruction.

[John Weaver] And so God speaks through his Word. His Word is absolute truth. for you and I to obtain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, it means that we must read, we must study, we must meditate, and we must apply the truth that he has revealed.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3, verse 15, I want you to listen carefully. Here's what Paul said to him. And from a child, thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation so if you want wisdom concerning salvation you must get it from The Bible is the Bible who makes you wise unto salvation. Now, what else did the Apostle Paul tell Timothy? Well, in First Timothy chapter two and verse seven, he said this, consider what I say and the Lord give the understanding in all things. Now, it is true that understanding is the gift of God, but God does not give that understanding willy nilly. He said, consider what I say, and the Lord give me understanding. In other words, God's going to give understanding as we read, as we study, as we think, as we meditate.

[John Weaver] God then gives the understanding. So God's Word is our wisdom. It is our understanding. Now, I want you to go back in your Bible, if you would, to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 4, and I want you to see What the Word of God teaches concerning God's Word, God's Law, look at it in Deuteronomy chapter 4 and we will begin reading there with verse 5. Deuteronomy 4, look if you would please at verse 5. Moses writes, Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do so in the land when you go to possess it. Now look what he says in verse 6.

[John Weaver] And what nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you today? Now, I want you to note in verse six, he says that we're to keep and do them. Why are we to keep and obey the words of God? He says, for this is your wisdom and your understanding. You're different than other nations. They don't have his word. They don't have his law. This is your wisdom and your understanding. They will say you're a great nation because, ah, you've got wonderful, righteous, and godly laws. Yes. And you're an understanding people. So clearly then, verse 7 says this, And what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them? How is God nigh unto us? Well, we understand that God is omnipresent. But here in the context, he's talking about God's law. He's talking about God's word. God is nigh unto us because we have his law. We have his word. Now, what I want to do is this today. I tried to set the stage so I can show you the greatest biblical example of someone who lost his wisdom.

[John Weaver] I want to say this another way. To me, this is the greatest biblical example of someone who has lost his mind. I'm going to tell you about an individual that you already know about. But I'm going to show you how it is possible to lose your wisdom and to lose your mind. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to First Kings chapter four. 1st Kings chapter 4. And this individual who had more wisdom than anyone that was alive at that time was none other than King Solomon. Notice if you would in 1st Corinthians, I'm sorry, 1st Kings chapter 4.

[John Weaver] Let's begin reading there with verse 29. 1st Kings chapter 4, verse 29. Look now. And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country and all the wisdom of Egypt. So he was smarter. He knew more than any of those individuals, for he was wiser than all men. That's a wonderful statement. for he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezraite, and Heman, and Karkal, and Darda, and the sons of Mahal.

[John Weaver] And his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs, and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is Lebanon, even the hyssop that springeth out of the wall. He spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping beings, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon from all kings of the earth which have heard of his wisdom. So God gave him wisdom, the Bible says, exceeding much. Now, if you will turn back to first Kings chapter three, beginning there with verse three, you're going to find that Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him. So first Kings three and verse three, And Solomon loved the Lord.

[John Weaver] I want you to note that. He loved the Lord. How did he love the Lord? Walking in the statutes of David, his father, only sacrificed and burned incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. A thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night.

[John Weaver] And God said, ask what I shall give you. And Solomon said, Thou hast shown unto thy servant David, my father, great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth and in righteousness, and upright as a heart would be, and that thou hast kept him this great kindness, and that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king, and son of David, my father, and I am but a little child, and I know not how to go out and come in, and thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people that cannot

[John Weaver] be numbered nor counted from a multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people that I may discern between good and bad, and who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" And the speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long by, neither hast thou asked riches for thyself, nor asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment. Behold, I have done according to thy words, and, lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, look, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." And God said, I've also given you all of these other things, that you did not ask for. So when God asked him, what would he like from God?

[John Weaver] Basically, this is what he said, Lord, I don't have sense enough to come out of the rain. You have to give me wisdom. And God, the Bible says, gave him exceeding much. He had wisdom beyond our understanding.

[John Weaver] Now, if you will turn to 1 Kings chapter 10. 1 Kings chapter 10, beginning there with verse 1, you will see what happened when the Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon's wisdom. Look at this. 1 Kings chapter 10, verse 1. And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with a hard question. and she came to Jerusalem with a very great train with camels that bear spices and very much gold and precious stones and when she was come to Solomon she communed with him of all that was in her heart and Solomon told her all her questions there was not anything hid from the king which he told her not and when the queen of Sheba had seen all of Solomon's wisdom and the house that he had built and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cup-bearers, and his assent by which he went

[John Weaver] up into the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. And she said unto the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land, of thy acts, and of thy wisdom. Howbeit, I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it. And, behold, a half was not told me. thy wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame which I heard. Happier thy men, happier these thy servants which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on the throne of Israel, because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore may he be keen to do judgment and justice." So the Queen of Sheba said, I had not believed the words until mine eyes had seen it. And she said, behold, the half was not told me. Thy wisdom and thy prosperity exceeded the fame which I have heard.

[John Weaver] Now, I am sure that you remember the first instance in the Bible where Solomon had to use that wisdom because there were two harlots. And each one had a child. And one of those harlots, the Bible says, overlaid her child during the night and the child died. That is, she rolled over on the child. And so what she did, she got up early the next morning, took her dead child, put it with the other harlot and took the other harlot's living child and put it by her. And so she said the living child was hers and the dead child belonged to the other harlot.

[John Weaver] And they came to the king. And both of the harlots were claiming living child. And so Solomon says, bring me a sword. What I'm going to do is I'm going to cut the child in half, give half to this one and half to the other. And the real mother of the child begged Solomon not to do that, said, let her have the child. Please don't kill that child. Let her have a child. But the other woman said, nay, nay, nay, let it be neither mine nor thine, but have the child. Solomon said, I don't know why I killed this child, this is his mother over here.

[John Weaver] That was just an illustration of his wisdom. I can give you multiple illustrations of Solomon's wisdom. That's the very fact that he built the temple. He understood everything that was to be done. And he fortunately made a lot of things that went into that temple himself. However, the truth is this. He lost his wisdom. and he lost his mind before I show it to you I want you to turn one more time to 2nd Chronicles 2nd Chronicles and I want you to look in chapter 9 at verses 22 and 23 2nd Chronicles chapter 9 verses 22 and 23 look at this And King Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom that God had put into his heart. Wow. So God imparted wisdom.

[John Weaver] You remember a few months back, I preached two messages. learning the righteousness of God, and then losing the righteousness of God. So it's possible not only to lose the righteousness of God, but it's also possible to lose the wisdom that God has given you.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you. Turn in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 11. 1 Kings chapter 11. As you look at this, you're going to see that Solomon not only lost his wisdom, he lost his mind. So look at this, and there will be an answer as to how he lost his wisdom and his mind. So 1 Kings 11 verse 1, But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites. Look at verse 2.

[John Weaver] of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, You shall not go into them, neither shall they come into you. You're not to marry them, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. Solomon claimed to these in love, and he had 700 wives, princesses, 300 concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashereth, the goddess of the Zithonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build a high place for Hemosh, the abomination of Moab in the hill that is before Jerusalem, that was the Mount of Olives, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon, and likewise did he for all the strange wives which Bernean sins and sacrifice unto their gods.

[John Weaver] And the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel who had appeared unto him twice. and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods, but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant, my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake, But I will rend it out of the hand of thy son, that be Rehoboam. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen. And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadab the Edomite, he was of the king's seed, and Edom. And of course he stirred up other adversaries as well. Now, we know and we confess and we say that Solomon was the wisest man on earth at that particular time.

[John Weaver] Well, let me ask you a few questions. Is it wise to disobey God? Is it wise to provoke God? Is it wise to turn away from God? Is it wise to do that which God has absolutely forbidden someone to do? It's not wise. You become foolish. You become a moron when you do so. You become insane because you're literally out of your mind.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn over to 2 Kings chapter 23 and look if you would please at verse 13. 2nd Kings 23 and verse 13. We'll come back to this passage in a few weeks, but notice if you would, this is what Josiah is doing, but notice if you would verse 13. And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth, the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh, the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom, or Moloch, the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. Note, if you would, that Mount of Olives is now called the Mount of Corruption or the Mount of Scandal.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to listen to this quote from John Traft. in the hill that is before Jerusalem, even in Mount Olivet or Mount of Olives, called for that cause the Mount of Corruption or the Mount of Scandal. Listen, in the very face of God's house, so that God could never have looked out of the sanctuary, but he saw the vile hill of abominations. In other words, it was built across from the temple and the temple housed the presence of God and so when God looked out he saw the mount of corruption all of these false gods being worshipped that Solomon made altars for so God then was greatly displeased with Solomon Solomon greatly provoked God and

[John Weaver] therefore God took away his kingdom and God raised him up adversaries and there was no longer any peace in the land. So you have to ask how in the world could someone like Solomon who was so full of wisdom lose that wisdom? How in the world could Solomon do that which he knew that God had absolutely forbidden to do and the result was exactly as God said what would happen they would turn away your hearts and his heart was turned away now Solomon is not only remembered for his great wisdom but is also remembered for being a fool, for being a moron, for losing his wisdom.

[John Weaver] Now, don't you listen to my question. Is it possible to lose your wisdom? Is it possible to lose your mind? And the answer is absolutely yes. How do you lose it? The answer is through disobedience, through rebellion, against God and His Word.

[John Weaver] Now I want to give you a truth that I have repeated over and over through the years. I want you to turn in your Bibles if you would to Mark chapter 4 and I want you to look at verses 24 and 25 just momentarily with me. Here's the truth and I want you to listen because I want you to think about this. If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth. Wow. Look at Mark 4, verse 24. In fact, let's read verse 23.

[John Weaver] Our Lord said, if any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them, take heed what you hear. With what measure you need, it shall be measured to you. And to you that hear, that is obey and apply, shall more be given. For he that hath to him shall be given, and he that hath not from him shall be taken, even that which he hath."

[John Weaver] In other words, if you don't use the truth, you are going to lose the truth. You and I are not only human, we're fallen humans. And the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 1, listen carefully, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest seed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. How many times have you said it slipped my mind? Or I forgot. God said we should give the more earnest seed to his word, lest at any time we should let it slip. So here's the truth. If you do not If you do not use the truth, if you do not apply the truth, if you don't make the truth your own, you will lose it. God is not going to leave his truth around to be hated, to be despised, to be misused and abused. He's just not going to do that.

[John Weaver] Solomon had all the wisdom. and you'll all sit through disobedience. Wow. So mark this down. If you do not use the truth, you'll lose the truth. The second thing is this. Since wisdom is the principal thing, that's what the Bible says in Proverbs 4 verse 7. Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and with thy wisdom get understanding and knowledge. It is impossible to get it, that is, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, apart from the grace and mercy of God and apart from God's Word. If you neglect the study of God's Word, if you neglect reading God's Word, if you neglect meditating upon God's Word, if you neglect applying God's Word, you are not going to have wisdom nor understanding or knowledge. You're just not going to do it. Because you're acting like a moron. You're acting foolish. Wow. Well, those that go against God and go against His word are out of their minds. That's what the word means.

[John Weaver] They're not in their right mind. They are insane.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to your Bibles one last passage and that's Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7. I want you to see this. Look in Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7. Look what the Bible says. Proverbs 1 verse 7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Hang on. But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Morons despise wisdom and instruction. Those who do not have their right mind despise wisdom and instruction. If you do not want to lose the wisdom that God has placed in you, you must use it. You must supply it. He must thank God for it. And if you want more wisdom and more understanding and more knowledge, you have to continue to study and meditate. For the Lord giveth wisdom and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. We do not need worldly wisdom. We do not need fleshly wisdom. We do not need hellish wisdom. What we need is heavenly wisdom.

[John Weaver] Now, the next two sermons are going to be a continuation of 1 Kings 11. And I've titled those two messages, the dangers of old age. If you don't want to lose your wisdom. If you don't do not wish to endanger yourself in your later years, He must listen. Because Solomon did this when he was old. Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom. And all by getting, get understanding and knowledge.

[John Weaver] Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We pray, Lord, that you would indeed give us wisdom give us understanding, give us knowledge. The Lord, that which we do have, which we do possess by your grace and mercy, enable us, Lord, to use it and apply it and multiply it for your honor and your glory. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, whose name we pray. Amen.

Losing Your Wisdom and Losing Your Mind

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	11272514563140
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: Can We All Just Get Along?
Genre	Sermon
Date	2025-11-16
Dictation Name
Book	Book 082: Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom - Volume 2 — Chapter 44
Source Timed Segments	77

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and the Question of Losing Wisdom

Weaver introduces Proverbs 4:7 and poses the question: Is it possible for a wise person to become unwise or lose their wisdom?

All right, let's open our Bibles then to Proverbs chapter 4. Proverbs chapter 4. We're going to look at verse 7. I'm not necessarily expounding this one particular verse, but I am going to show you, I think, one of the greatest applications of it. So let me just say that this message today is going to be the first in at least probably a four or five part series. Although each message would stand on its own, I think they're going to be self-explanatory and at the same time needed to help understand each one. So, look if you would, Proverbs chapter 4 and verse 7, a very simple verse, the Word of God says, principle, it said, wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom. With all thy getting, get understanding. Look at it again, wisdom is the principle thing, Therefore, get wisdom with all by getting good understanding. So today the title of the message is losing your wisdom and losing your mind. So here's a good question. Is it possible for one who is wise to become unwise?

False Wisdoms to Forsake

Worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom are described as false and contrary to God, needing to be lost quickly.

Another way to ask that question is, is it possible to lose your wisdom? If it is possible to lose your wisdom, What is the cause of the loss of the wisdom? Now, there are some types of wisdom that need to be lost and need to be forsaken as quickly as possible. In fact, the truth of the matter is these wisdoms are false wisdoms. They are not the true wisdom of God. Anyone who's ever read Pilgrim's Progress, if you have not read it, I would encourage you to do so. If you have read it, I would encourage you to read it again. But one of the characters in Pilgrim's Progress was Mr. Worldly Wise Man. And he, of course, was giving Pilgrim all kind of direction and all kind of counsel, which, of course, was totally and completely wrong. So there is indeed a world of wisdom. So this world of wisdom is not known for obedience to God. nor is it known for holiness or righteousness. Worldly wisdom and the worldly wise man is the kind of individual that will survive in a dog-eat-dog world.

He does not care what it takes, he does not care who it hurts, he does not care what he does or how it is accomplished, just so he can make it to the top. So there you have fraud, deceit, immorality, blackmail, lying, conniving, backstabbing, and character assassination. All of these things are in the arsenal of the worldly wise man. So I want you to follow me very quickly in some scriptures. I want you to turn first of all to 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and look at verses 20 and 21 because I'm going to delineate for you this worldly wisdom that is spoken of very clearly in the scripture and show how wrong it is and how contrary it is to God and His Word. So in 1 Corinthians 1, look at verses 20 and 21. The Word of God says, where is the wise? Where is the scribe?

Where is the disputer of this world? Now look at this. Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. So the wisdom of the world, as accurate as it may be worldly speaking, it does not know God whatsoever. So if you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 at verses 6 and 7, here the Apostle Paul says this, albeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this world. nor the princes of this world that come to know it. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world under our glory.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 1:20-21

" So here's the contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Now if you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, Again, the Word of God says, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

For it is written, he taketh the wise in their own practice. So the wisdom of this world is absolutely foolishness with God. If you would turn right over to 2 Corinthians chapter 1, 2 Corinthians chapter 1, look if you would please there at verse 12. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 12. Worldly wisdom is also known as fleshly wisdom. The apostle says, for our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in sincerity and godly, in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world and more abundantly toward you. So he says not in fleshly wisdom. No, no. but in real godly sincerity and simplicity. Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 73, because Psalm 73, written by Asaph, is indeed, I would say, the apex, the height of worldly wisdom and shows you exactly the worldly wise man. So look at it in Psalm 73 and let's begin reading there with verse one. Look at this.

Asaph writes, truly, God is good to Israel, even as such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps and will not slip. Why? Here's why. For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. So I want you to note he's connecting foolishness with the wicked right away.

Now look in verse four. Here's why he was so almost fallen down because what he saw in them. He said, for there are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm. They're not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore, pride compassionate them about any change, Violence covered them as a garment. Now look at this. Their eyes stand out with fatness.

They have more than the heart could wish. Now he tells you who they are. They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression. They speak loftily. Watch this. They set their mouth against the heavens. They don't mind cursing God. They set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue walking through the earth. Therefore his people return hither and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

And they say, this is the wicked. How does God know? And is their knowledge in the most high? And look what he says in verse 12. Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world. They increase in riches. So here you have the worldly wise man that is so absolutely corrupt. He does not object to cursing God. he'll take his thumb and walk through the heavens and say whatever he pleases.

Now, if you will turn in your Bible to James chapter 3, I'm going to show you that there are other types of wisdom as well. In fact, James chapter 3 distinguishes for you between a hellish wisdom and a heavenly wisdom. So I want you to look at the difference here. This is why I'm saying that there are some types of wisdom that needs to be forsaken quickly. Notice if you would James chapter 3 and skip down to verse 13. He asks, who is a wise man and a dude with knowledge among you? So if he claims to be wise, here's what he's to do. Let him show out of a good conversation his conduct, his works with meekness of wisdom. Now watch verse 14. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For wherein being in strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Now watch the difference, but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intrigued, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." So worldly wisdom and hellish wisdom needs to be lost and forsaken as quickly as possible.

Biblical Definitions of Wisdom

Wisdom in Scripture includes skill, shrewdness, and ethical behavior; God gave Bezalel and Aholiab wisdom for craftsmanship.

Now the word wisdom is used in different ways in the Bible. The Hebrew word for wisdom is the word kokama and it refers to wisdom that is evidenced in skill, in shrewdness, in patience, and also in ethical and biblical behavior. Now, you have the books of wisdom in the Bible. There are five books of wisdom. There's Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. So these five books that are known as wisdom literature. Have you ever wondered how those Israelites made everything that God required for the tabernacle later on for the temple, but how they made it exactly the way God ordained it to be made. He gave Moses the pattern of the mount. But let me show you. I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 28. Exodus chapter 28 and look if you would please at verse 3. Exodus chapter 28 and verse 3. Look at this. Exodus 28 and verse 3.

The Word of God says, And thou shalt speak unto all that are wisehearted, whom I have with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. But notice it, I have filled them with the spirit of wisdom. Now, if you look in Exodus chapter 31 and verse 3. Exodus 31 and verse 3.

Now we're talking about Bezalel. In fact, we'll read verse 2. God says, See, I call by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur. of the tribe of Judah. And I filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom. Look at this. And in understanding and in knowledge and all manner of workmanship. Then he goes on to say in verse four, to devise cutting works, to work in gold and silver and in brass, cutting of stones. God just gave him wisdom, ability, understanding. Let's get down to verse six. God says, and I behold, I have given with him a holy ad, the son of Isamach of the tribe of Dan. And in the hearts of all that are wise hearted, I put wisdom.

That they may make all that I have commanded me. I've often wondered. If any of these people had what you and I would call natural abilities and natural skills. Regardless of whether they did or did not, that which gave them the ability to perform as they did was the fact that God gave them wisdom and understanding. I've often showed Alex little clips of little children, and one of them was five or six years old, playing the violin. And you would think a five or six-year-old playing a violin would play something like the cat and the mouse or something like that, but here they are playing Beethoven and Bach. And Alice would always say, well, they have natural skills, and God gave them skill as well. And that's true. So I've often wondered, these people that God endued with wisdom and understanding and knowledge in all of these areas, I've often wondered, Well, did they lose those skills and that ability after they finished the work of God?

And the answer is probably not, because the Bible does tell us that the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. So if God gave them those gifts, in all probability, they kept them.

Losing Wisdom as Losing the Mind

The Greek words anoia and paraphronia are examined to show that madness and folly mean being out of one's mind, or insane.

Now there are two Greek words, and I'm going to show them to you, that are translated as madness and folly. I'm going to tell you what they really mean. I want you to turn in your Bible, if you would, first of all, to the book of Luke chapter 6. And Luke, if you would, please, at verse 11. Luke chapter 6 and verse 11. This is in reference to the Pharisees and their anger at the Lord Jesus Christ because he healed a man on the Sabbath day so if you look at what the Bible says notice in Luke chapter 6 and verse 11 and they that is the scribes and pharisees and they were filled with madness and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus of course they wanted to put him to death but noticing with what the Bible says and they were filled with madness. Now, this Greek word for madness is anoia. It is translated in our Bibles as madness and folly.

It implies a lack of understanding and madness expressing itself in absolute rage. I've seen people like that. They are raging monsters. they've basically lost their mind. Now to understand this word Anoia, the latter part of the word actually comes from the noun nous, which is mind. It is translated in our Bible mind over and over and over. And whenever you put an A or an alpha in front of a word, it negates the word. So, actually, when the Bible says that they were filled with madness, here's what it actually means. They were out of their mind. They were not in their right mind. They were insane. And, of course, you would have to be insane and not in your right mind to be angry and upset with the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus, who had only done what he should have done and healed that individual on the Sabbath day. But the Bible talks about them being mad or out of their mind.

Now, if you will turn in your Bibles to 2 Peter chapter 2, 2 Peter chapter 2 and look in verse 16, here is the second word, 2 Peter chapter 2, look if you would in verse 16, because this has reference then to Balaam the false prophet. So, look at it if you would in verse, oh, Let's read 15.

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 2:15-16

"...which have forsaken the right way, and are going astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosar, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,"

now here it is,

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 2:15-16

"...but was rebuked for his iniquity, the dumbass speaking with a man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet."

So here's another word for madness, it is paraphronia. Paraphronia. It has reference to Balaam, and of course, it literally means madness or insanity. Now, you have to remember that God told Balaam not to go. Finally, more princes were sent, and finally God said, look, if they get up and call you in the morning, you go with them. But he did not wait for them to call. He wanted the money.

So he got up and said, let's go. And of course, that's when God met him with the angel and the angel had a sword drawn. And notice the Bible calls it madness. And so it has to be a type of insanity to knowingly, willingly go against God and against his plain, evident word.

Now, let me tell you and show you this exactly. Paraphronia is the Greek word, okay? It's literally with madness, with insanity. Years ago, when I was in the university, in my first year of Greek, I was preaching in Marsden's Cafeteria. Every Sunday morning, they would allow me to preach there. I forget what time, it was early, 8 or 9 o'clock. I got to preach to all of the employees of Morrison's Cafeteria. They would have them there, and I would come in and preach for about 30 minutes before the day started.

And there was a young black boy there, and he had a T-shirt on, and in big letters across the front of it, it had Filippo Nino. And so I asked him, I said, what does that word mean? He said, I don't know, man. He said, it's just a T-shirt. I'll wear it. I said, well, now wait a minute. I said, I don't think I'd be wearing a shirt if I didn't know what was written on it. I said, I just started taking Greek. I said, phila, I know, is love, because phileo means I love, and philos would be the noun. That's where we get our English word phileo and family from. So I said, I know the first part is love, but I said, I don't know the last part. But I said, I'll look it up, and I said, I'll tell you. So I went back home and got my Greek lexicon. And it's the word for insanity. So literally what he had written across his shirt was a lumber of insanity.

And so this is what the Bible is saying about Balaam. Paraphronia. And in other words, he is going along with insanity. He's out of his mind. He's lost his mind. He's going absolutely contrary to God. I want you to understand this word so that you can understand and also see what is prevalent in our society in our land today. Look, if you would, at our counties, look at our state, look at our society, look at our nation, and look how insane people really are and what they're doing.

The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:10 teaches that without the fear of the Lord there is no true wisdom or understanding; the natural man cannot grasp spiritual things.

And it seems like absolute madness. You've heard the old adage that common sense is not so common anymore. And that's true. So you have to ask what in the world has happened to us? And why are we so absolutely insane? I'm going to show you. If you look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, the book of Proverbs chapter 9 and verse 10, you will have the answer. Proverbs 9 and verse 10.

Here's what the Word of God says. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Now think about that. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Now since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, where there is no fear of God, there is no wisdom. Look at it again. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. Also, since the fear of the Lord and its knowledge happen to be understanding, where there is no fear of the Lord, there is no true wisdom, and there is no true understanding.

So, men may understand in terms of the world, they may understand in terms of the flesh, they may understand in terms of hellish wisdom, But it is impossible for them to understand in the terms of righteousness, holiness, and obedience. So let me give you a verse that I've given you before. 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14. The Bible says, for the natural man, that is, the unsaved man, man by nature, he says, but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, Neither can he know them. He doesn't have the ability because they are spiritually discerned. So those that do not fear the Lord and do not obey him cannot understand the truths, the principles and the precepts of Scripture. And thus they are out of their mind. They are insane and they have committed absolute folly.

The Foolishness of Rejecting God

Romans 1:21-22 shows that those who reject God become fools (morons); folly is joy to the destitute of wisdom.

Now, let me give you a good illustration. Look in your Bible to the book of Romans chapter 1. Romans chapter 1, and let's begin reading there with verse 21. Romans chapter 1, look in verse 21. Here's an interesting, interesting word. Look at this. Romans 1 verse 21. Because when they knew God, They glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, look at this, but became vain in their imagination, and their foolish heart was darkened, look now, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like the corruptible man and the birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things Wherefore God also gave them up.

Now watch if you would. I'm not talking about giving them up, although that is another sermon in itself. But look if you would in verse 22. For fessing themselves to be wise, they became as fools.

Now the interesting thing is, the Greek word is morano. And it literally means to become a fool, to act foolishly, or to prove a person or a thing to be foolish. you may not be familiar with the word morino but the noun is moros and it means foolish it means fool it means to be impious it means to be godless the word moros if you conjugate the word you come down to the greek word moros You know what a moron is? We used to use that term all the time when I was a child. And there were even moron jokes. You know, the little moron. But the word moron means foolish. It means to be stupid. It means to be insane. It means literally to be out of your mind. So let me show you what a moron is. If you look in your Bible to the book of Proverbs chapter 15, Proverbs chapter 15, And look if you would please at verse 21. Here's a good illustration. Proverbs chapter 15. Look if you would there at verse 21. Look what the Bible says.

Folly is a joy to him that is destined to wisdom. But a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Folly, that is foolishness, is a joy to him that is destined to wisdom. A moron enjoys foolish, insane, stupid things. That's exactly what he's saying. Now, what is our source of wisdom? Well, let me quote it. You can look at it if you like, but it's Proverbs chapter 2 and verse 6.

Listen carefully what the Bible says. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

God's Word as the Source of Wisdom

Wisdom comes from God through His Word; we must study, meditate, and apply Scripture to gain understanding.

Listen carefully what the Bible says. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Now, I want you to think about this verse. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Now, God may give wisdom and God may give understanding immediately, that is, without the use of means. That's exactly what he did to Bezalel and Aholiab. He just immediately gave them wisdom to know how to do all of these things. But usually, however, when God gives us wisdom, when God gives us understanding, it is immediately that is through the use of means.

So I did not go to bed totally ignorant and wake up with a master's degree the next morning. It does not work like that. So that means usually you have to study, you have to work for the knowledge and for the understanding that is for sure. I want you to notice Proverbs 2 and verse 6 one more time before we go to Proverbs 1. I want you to watch this. For the Lord giveth wisdom out of his mouth immediately cometh understanding and knowledge. In other words, God gives us wisdom through his spoken word. Where is his spoken word? It's our Bible.

This is what the doctrine of inspiration is all about. We say the Bible is the inspired word of God. Well, what is inspiration? Here it is. Inspiration is the strong conscience in breathing of God into men, qualifying them to give utterance to the truth so that the words that they spoke and wrote were and are indeed the very words of God himself. So let me say this another way. The Bible is just as if God spoke every single word himself. He did, but he inspired men to write it.

Now, if you will go back in your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 1, I told you that Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon were known as wisdom literature. So look in Proverbs chapter 1 and let's read at least the first four verses. Watch this. The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. Why did he write this? Here's why. To know wisdom and instruction. To perceive the words of understanding. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice and judgment and equity.

To give subtlety to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion. Look at verse five. A wise man will hear and will increase in learning. And a man of understanding shall attain a wise counsel. So let me tell you something about a fool. A fool in the Bible is not a mentally deficient person. A fool in the Bible is someone who will not listen, someone who will not hear, someone who will not read, someone who will not receive instruction.

And so God speaks through his Word. His Word is absolute truth. for you and I to obtain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, it means that we must read, we must study, we must meditate, and we must apply the truth that he has revealed. Now, let me tell you what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3, verse 15, I want you to listen carefully. Here's what Paul said to him. And from a child, thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation so if you want wisdom concerning salvation you must get it from The Bible is the Bible who makes you wise unto salvation. Now, what else did the Apostle Paul tell Timothy? Well, in First Timothy chapter two and verse seven, he said this, consider what I say and the Lord give the understanding in all things. Now, it is true that understanding is the gift of God, but God does not give that understanding willy nilly. He said, consider what I say, and the Lord give me understanding. In other words, God's going to give understanding as we read, as we study, as we think, as we meditate.

Israel's Wisdom and Understanding in God's Law

Deuteronomy 4:5-7 shows that keeping God's law is Israel's wisdom and understanding before the nations.

God then gives the understanding. So God's Word is our wisdom. It is our understanding. Now, I want you to go back in your Bible, if you would, to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 4, and I want you to see What the Word of God teaches concerning God's Word, God's Law, look at it in Deuteronomy chapter 4 and we will begin reading there with verse 5. Deuteronomy 4, look if you would please at verse 5. Moses writes, Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do so in the land when you go to possess it. Now look what he says in verse 6.

And what nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you today? Now, I want you to note in verse six, he says that we're to keep and do them. Why are we to keep and obey the words of God? He says, for this is your wisdom and your understanding. You're different than other nations. They don't have his word. They don't have his law. This is your wisdom and your understanding. They will say you're a great nation because, ah, you've got wonderful, righteous, and godly laws. Yes. And you're an understanding people. So clearly then, verse 7 says this, And what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them? How is God nigh unto us? Well, we understand that God is omnipresent. But here in the context, he's talking about God's law. He's talking about God's word. God is nigh unto us because we have his law. We have his word. Now, what I want to do is this today. I tried to set the stage so I can show you the greatest biblical example of someone who lost his wisdom.

I want to say this another way. To me, this is the greatest biblical example of someone who has lost his mind. I'm going to tell you about an individual that you already know about. But I'm going to show you how it is possible to lose your wisdom and to lose your mind. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to First Kings chapter four. 1st Kings chapter 4. And this individual who had more wisdom than anyone that was alive at that time was none other than King Solomon. Notice if you would in 1st Corinthians, I'm sorry, 1st Kings chapter 4.

Solomon: The Greatest Example of Losing Wisdom

Solomon was given exceeding wisdom, but through disobedience and idolatry in his old age, he lost his wisdom and became a fool.

Let's begin reading there with verse 29. 1st Kings chapter 4, verse 29. Look now. And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country and all the wisdom of Egypt. So he was smarter. He knew more than any of those individuals, for he was wiser than all men. That's a wonderful statement. for he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezraite, and Heman, and Karkal, and Darda, and the sons of Mahal.

And his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs, and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is Lebanon, even the hyssop that springeth out of the wall. He spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping beings, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon from all kings of the earth which have heard of his wisdom. So God gave him wisdom, the Bible says, exceeding much. Now, if you will turn back to first Kings chapter three, beginning there with verse three, you're going to find that Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him. So first Kings three and verse three, And Solomon loved the Lord.

I want you to note that. He loved the Lord. How did he love the Lord? Walking in the statutes of David, his father, only sacrificed and burned incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. A thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night.

And God said, ask what I shall give you. And Solomon said, Thou hast shown unto thy servant David, my father, great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth and in righteousness, and upright as a heart would be, and that thou hast kept him this great kindness, and that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king, and son of David, my father, and I am but a little child, and I know not how to go out and come in, and thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people that cannot be numbered nor counted from a multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people that I may discern between good and bad, and who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" And the speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long by, neither hast thou asked riches for thyself, nor asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment. Behold, I have done according to thy words, and, lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, look, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." And God said, I've also given you all of these other things, that you did not ask for. So when God asked him, what would he like from God?

Basically, this is what he said, Lord, I don't have sense enough to come out of the rain. You have to give me wisdom. And God, the Bible says, gave him exceeding much. He had wisdom beyond our understanding.

Now, if you will turn to 1 Kings chapter 10. 1 Kings chapter 10, beginning there with verse 1, you will see what happened when the Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon's wisdom. Look at this. 1 Kings chapter 10, verse 1. And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with a hard question. and she came to Jerusalem with a very great train with camels that bear spices and very much gold and precious stones and when she was come to Solomon she communed with him of all that was in her heart and Solomon told her all her questions there was not anything hid from the king which he told her not and when the queen of Sheba had seen all of Solomon's wisdom and the house that he had built and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cup-bearers, and his assent by which he went

up into the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. And she said unto the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land, of thy acts, and of thy wisdom. Howbeit, I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it. And, behold, a half was not told me. thy wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame which I heard. Happier thy men, happier these thy servants which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on the throne of Israel, because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore may he be keen to do judgment and justice." So the Queen of Sheba said, I had not believed the words until mine eyes had seen it. And she said, behold, the half was not told me. Thy wisdom and thy prosperity exceeded the fame which I have heard.

Now, I am sure that you remember the first instance in the Bible where Solomon had to use that wisdom because there were two harlots. And each one had a child. And one of those harlots, the Bible says, overlaid her child during the night and the child died. That is, she rolled over on the child. And so what she did, she got up early the next morning, took her dead child, put it with the other harlot and took the other harlot's living child and put it by her. And so she said the living child was hers and the dead child belonged to the other harlot. And they came to the king. And both of the harlots were claiming living child. And so Solomon says, bring me a sword. What I'm going to do is I'm going to cut the child in half, give half to this one and half to the other. And the real mother of the child begged Solomon not to do that, said, let her have the child. Please don't kill that child. Let her have a child. But the other woman said, nay, nay, nay, let it be neither mine nor thine, but have the child. Solomon said, I don't know why I killed this child, this is his mother over here.

That was just an illustration of his wisdom. I can give you multiple illustrations of Solomon's wisdom. That's the very fact that he built the temple. He understood everything that was to be done. And he fortunately made a lot of things that went into that temple himself. However, the truth is this. He lost his wisdom. and he lost his mind before I show it to you I want you to turn one more time to 2nd Chronicles 2nd Chronicles and I want you to look in chapter 9 at verses 22 and 23 2nd Chronicles chapter 9 verses 22 and 23 look at this And King Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom that God had put into his heart. Wow. So God imparted wisdom.

You remember a few months back, I preached two messages. learning the righteousness of God, and then losing the righteousness of God. So it's possible not only to lose the righteousness of God, but it's also possible to lose the wisdom that God has given you. Now, let me show you. Turn in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 11. 1 Kings chapter 11. As you look at this, you're going to see that Solomon not only lost his wisdom, he lost his mind. So look at this, and there will be an answer as to how he lost his wisdom and his mind. So 1 Kings 11 verse 1, But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites. Look at verse 2.

of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, You shall not go into them, neither shall they come into you. You're not to marry them, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. Solomon claimed to these in love, and he had 700 wives, princesses, 300 concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zithonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab in the hill that is before Jerusalem, that was the Mount of Olives, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon, and likewise did he for all the strange wives which Bernean sins and sacrifice unto their gods.

And the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel who had appeared unto him twice. and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods, but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant, my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake, But I will rend it out of the hand of thy son, that be Rehoboam. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen. And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite, he was of the king's seed, and Edom. And of course he stirred up other adversaries as well. Now, we know and we confess and we say that Solomon was the wisest man on earth at that particular time.

The Consequences of Solomon's Folly

God was angry, raised adversaries, and tore the kingdom from Solomon's son; the Mount of Olives became the Mount of Corruption.

Well, let me ask you a few questions. Is it wise to disobey God? Is it wise to provoke God? Is it wise to turn away from God? Is it wise to do that which God has absolutely forbidden someone to do? It's not wise. You become foolish. You become a moron when you do so. You become insane because you're literally out of your mind.

Now, I want you to turn over to 2 Kings chapter 23 and look if you would please at verse 13. 2nd Kings 23 and verse 13. We'll come back to this passage in a few weeks, but notice if you would, this is what Josiah is doing, but notice if you would verse 13. And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth, the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh, the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom, or Moloch, the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. Note, if you would, that Mount of Olives is now called the Mount of Corruption or the Mount of Scandal.

Now, I want you to listen to this quote from John Trapp. in the hill that is before Jerusalem, even in Mount Olivet or Mount of Olives, called for that cause the Mount of Corruption or the Mount of Scandal. Listen, in the very face of God's house, so that God could never have looked out of the sanctuary, but he saw the vile hill of abominations. In other words, it was built across from the temple and the temple housed the presence of God and so when God looked out he saw the mount of corruption all of these false gods being worshipped that Solomon made altars for so God then was greatly displeased with Solomon Solomon greatly provoked God and therefore God took away his kingdom and God raised him up adversaries and there was no longer any peace in the land. So you have to ask how in the world could someone like Solomon who was so full of wisdom lose that wisdom? How in the world could Solomon do that which he knew that God had absolutely forbidden to do and the result was exactly as God said what would happen they would turn away your hearts and his heart was turned away now Solomon is not only remembered for his great wisdom but is also remembered for being a fool, for being a moron, for losing his wisdom.

Application: Use Truth or Lose It

If we do not use and apply God's truth, we will lose it; wisdom is retained and increased through continued study and obedience.

Now, don't you listen to my question. Is it possible to lose your wisdom? Is it possible to lose your mind? And the answer is absolutely yes. How do you lose it? The answer is through disobedience, through rebellion, against God and His Word.

Now I want to give you a truth that I have repeated over and over through the years. I want you to turn in your Bibles if you would to Mark chapter 4 and I want you to look at verses 24 and 25 just momentarily with me. Here's the truth and I want you to listen because I want you to think about this. If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth. Wow. Look at Mark 4, verse 24. In fact, let's read verse 23.

Our Lord said, if any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them, take heed what you hear. With what measure you need, it shall be measured to you. And to you that hear, that is obey and apply, shall more be given. For he that hath to him shall be given, and he that hath not from him shall be taken, even that which he hath." In other words, if you don't use the truth, you are going to lose the truth. You and I are not only human, we're fallen humans. And the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 1, listen carefully, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest seed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. How many times have you said it slipped my mind? Or I forgot. God said we should give the more earnest seed to his word, lest at any time we should let it slip. So here's the truth. If you do not If you do not use the truth, if you do not apply the truth, if you don't make the truth your own, you will lose it. God is not going to leave his truth around to be hated, to be despised, to be misused and abused. He's just not going to do that.

Solomon had all the wisdom. and you'll all sit through disobedience. Wow. So mark this down. If you do not use the truth, you'll lose the truth. The second thing is this. Since wisdom is the principal thing, that's what the Bible says in Proverbs 4 verse 7. Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and with thy wisdom get understanding and knowledge. It is impossible to get it, that is, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, apart from the grace and mercy of God and apart from God's Word. If you neglect the study of God's Word, if you neglect reading God's Word, if you neglect meditating upon God's Word, if you neglect applying God's Word, you are not going to have wisdom nor understanding or knowledge. You're just not going to do it. Because you're acting like a moron. You're acting foolish. Wow. Well, those that go against God and go against His word are out of their minds. That's what the word means.

Conclusion and Call for Heavenly Wisdom

Fools despise wisdom and instruction; we need heavenly wisdom, not worldly, fleshly, or hellish wisdom. Future sermons will address the dangers of old age.

They're not in their right mind. They are insane. Now, I want you to turn to your Bibles one last passage and that's Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7. I want you to see this. Look in Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7. Look what the Bible says. Proverbs 1 verse 7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Hang on. But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Morons despise wisdom and instruction. Those who do not have their right mind despise wisdom and instruction. If you do not want to lose the wisdom that God has placed in you, you must use it. You must supply it. He must thank God for it. And if you want more wisdom and more understanding and more knowledge, you have to continue to study and meditate. For the Lord giveth wisdom and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. We do not need worldly wisdom. We do not need fleshly wisdom. We do not need hellish wisdom. What we need is heavenly wisdom.

Now, the next two sermons are going to be a continuation of 1 Kings 11. And I've titled those two messages, the dangers of old age. If you don't want to lose your wisdom. If you don't do not wish to endanger yourself in your later years, He must listen. Because Solomon did this when he was old. Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom. And all by getting, get understanding and knowledge.

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We pray, Lord, that you would indeed give us wisdom give us understanding, give us knowledge. The Lord, that which we do have, which we do possess by your grace and mercy, enable us, Lord, to use it and apply it and multiply it for your honor and your glory. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, whose name we pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Possibility of Losing Wisdom

Summary: It is possible for a wise person to become unwise through disobedience and rebellion against God.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Is it possible for one who is wise to become unwise?' and later states, 'Solomon not only lost his wisdom, he lost his mind.'

False Wisdom vs. True Wisdom

Summary: Worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom are contrasted with the true wisdom from God, which begins with the fear of the Lord.

Evidence: Weaver delineates worldly wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1-3 and James 3, and states, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'

The Fear of the Lord as Foundational

Summary: Without the fear of the Lord, there is no true wisdom or understanding; the natural man cannot receive spiritual things.

Evidence: Proverbs 9:10 and 1 Corinthians 2:14 are cited to show that wisdom begins with fearing God.

God's Word as the Source of Wisdom

Summary: Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding come from God through His spoken Word, the Bible, and require study and application.

Evidence: Proverbs 2:6 and Deuteronomy 4:6 are used to show that God's law is wisdom; Weaver says, 'God gives us wisdom through his spoken word.'

The Foolishness of Rejecting God

Summary: Those who reject God become fools (morons) and are spiritually insane, acting contrary to reason and God's commands.

Evidence: Romans 1:22 and the Greek word 'moraino' are explained; Weaver says, 'A moron enjoys foolish, insane, stupid things.'

Solomon as the Prime Example

Summary: Solomon, the wisest man, lost his wisdom through disobedience, marrying foreign women, and idolatry, becoming a fool.

Evidence: 1 Kings 11 is read extensively; Weaver says, 'Solomon is not only remembered for his great wisdom but is also remembered for being a fool.'

Use It or Lose It

Summary: If we do not use and apply God's truth, we will lose it; wisdom must be actively employed to be retained.

Evidence: Mark 4:24-25 and Hebrews 2:1 are cited; Weaver says, 'If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth.'

The Danger of Old Age

Summary: Solomon's fall occurred in old age, highlighting the need for vigilance in later years to avoid losing wisdom.

Evidence: Weaver notes, 'Solomon did this when he was old,' and announces future sermons on 'the dangers of old age.'

Key Arguments

Wisdom can be lost through disobedience

Summary: Solomon's example proves that even the wisest can become fools by disobeying God's clear commands.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Is it wise to disobey God? ... You become a moron when you do so.'

True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord

Summary: Without fearing God, one cannot have true wisdom or understanding; the unsaved cannot grasp spiritual truths.

Evidence: Proverbs 9:10 and 1 Corinthians 2:14 are quoted to support this.

Worldly wisdom is foolishness to God

Summary: The wisdom of this world is contrary to God and leads to sinful practices; it must be forsaken.

Evidence: 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 and 3:19 are cited; Weaver describes worldly wisdom's arsenal.

God's Word is the exclusive source of heavenly wisdom

Summary: Wisdom comes from God through Scripture; neglecting the Bible leads to loss of wisdom.

Evidence: Proverbs 2:6 and Deuteronomy 4:6 are used; Weaver says, 'God gives us wisdom through his spoken word.'

Rejecting God leads to spiritual insanity

Summary: The Greek words for madness (anoia, paraphronia) mean being out of one's mind; rejecting God is insane.

Evidence: Luke 6:11 and 2 Peter 2:16 are examined; Weaver says, 'They were out of their mind.'

Fools despise wisdom and instruction

Summary: A biblical fool is not mentally deficient but one who refuses to listen to God's Word.

Evidence: Proverbs 1:7 and 15:21 are cited; Weaver says, 'A fool in the Bible is someone who will not listen.'

Use of truth is necessary to retain it

Summary: If we do not apply God's truth, we will lose it; God will not leave His truth to be despised.

Evidence: Mark 4:24-25 and Hebrews 2:1 are quoted; Weaver says, 'If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth.'

Solomon's idolatry was the direct cause of his loss

Summary: Solomon's marriages to foreign women led his heart astray to idolatry, directly violating God's command.

Evidence: 1 Kings 11:1-8 is read; Weaver says, 'his wives turned away his heart after other gods.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 4:7

Context: Introduction: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:20-21

Context: God made foolish the wisdom of this world; the world by wisdom knew not God.

1 Corinthians 2:6-7

Context: We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, not the wisdom of this world.

1 Corinthians 3:19

Context: The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

2 Corinthians 1:12

Context: Paul's conduct was not in fleshly wisdom but in godly sincerity.

Psalm 73:1-12

Context: Asaph envied the prosperity of the wicked, who are corrupt and speak against heaven.

James 3:13-18

Context: Earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom vs. wisdom from above which is pure and peaceable.

Exodus 28:3

Context: God filled the wise-hearted with the spirit of wisdom to make Aaron's garments.

Exodus 31:2-6

Context: God filled Bezalel with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for craftsmanship.

Luke 6:11

Context: The Pharisees were filled with madness (anoia) against Jesus.

2 Peter 2:15-16

Context: Balaam was rebuked for his madness (paraphronia) by a donkey.

Proverbs 9:10

Context: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:14

Context: The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Romans 1:21-22

Context: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (moraino).

Proverbs 15:21

Context: Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6

Context: The Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 1:1-5

Context: The proverbs are to give wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Deuteronomy 4:5-7

Context: Keeping God's law is Israel's wisdom and understanding before the nations.

1 Kings 4:29-34

Context: God gave Solomon wisdom exceeding much, and he was wiser than all men.

1 Kings 3:3-12

Context: Solomon asked for an understanding heart, and God gave him unparalleled wisdom.

Historical References

Pilgrim's Progress character Mr. Worldly Wise Man

Context: Illustration of worldly wisdom giving wrong counsel.

Bezalel and Aholiab

Context: Men filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom for tabernacle craftsmanship.

Queen of Sheba

Context: Came to test Solomon's wisdom and found it exceeded the report.

Solomon's judgment between two harlots

Context: Example of Solomon's wisdom in discerning the true mother.

John Trapp quote on Mount of Corruption

Context: Commentary on 2 Kings 23:13, noting the Mount of Olives became the Mount of Scandal.

Important Quotes

Wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom. With all thy getting, get understanding.

Significance: The foundational verse for the sermon, emphasizing the primacy of wisdom.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Significance: Key verse establishing that true wisdom starts with fearing God.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

Significance: Shows the consequence of rejecting God: becoming a fool (moron).

For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Significance: Declares that God is the source of wisdom through His Word.

If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth.

Significance: A key application principle: truth must be applied to be retained.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to 'lose your wisdom' and how does Solomon's life illustrate this?

Context: Weaver asks if it is possible to lose wisdom and uses Solomon as the prime example.

How can we distinguish between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom in our daily decisions?

Context: The sermon contrasts worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom with wisdom from above.

Why is the fear of the Lord essential for true wisdom, and what does that look like practically?

Context: Proverbs 9:10 is cited as foundational; Weaver explains that without fear of God there is no wisdom.

In what ways does our society display 'madness' or 'insanity' by rejecting God's Word?

Context: Weaver discusses the Greek words for madness and applies them to modern culture.

How can we ensure we are using and applying God's truth so that we do not lose it?

Context: The principle 'use it or lose it' is drawn from Mark 4 and Hebrews 2.

What specific steps can we take to guard against the dangers of old age that led to Solomon's fall?

Context: Weaver notes Solomon's disobedience occurred in old age and announces future sermons on the topic.

How does the example of Solomon's idolatry challenge us to examine our own hearts for divided loyalties?

Context: 1 Kings 11 shows Solomon's heart was turned by his foreign wives; Weaver calls this losing his mind.

What role does regular Bible study and meditation play in gaining and retaining wisdom?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that wisdom comes through God's Word and requires study and application.

Applications

Forsake false wisdom

Summary: Identify and reject worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom in your life, turning instead to God's Word.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Worldly wisdom and hellish wisdom needs to be lost and forsaken as quickly as possible.'

Cultivate the fear of the Lord

Summary: Develop a reverent fear of God as the foundation for all true wisdom and understanding.

Evidence: Proverbs 9:10 is emphasized; Weaver says, 'Where there is no fear of God, there is no wisdom.'

Study and apply Scripture diligently

Summary: Regularly read, study, meditate on, and apply the Bible to gain and retain wisdom.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'If you neglect the study of God's Word... you are not going to have wisdom.'

Use truth to avoid losing it

Summary: Actively apply biblical truth in your life; failure to do so results in losing that truth.

Evidence: Mark 4:24-25 is cited; Weaver says, 'If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth.'

Guard against disobedience in old age

Summary: Be vigilant throughout life, especially in later years, to remain obedient and not turn from God.

Evidence: Weaver notes Solomon's fall in old age and warns of 'the dangers of old age.'

Avoid spiritual insanity

Summary: Recognize that going against God's clear commands is a form of madness; stay in your right mind by obeying Scripture.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Those that go against God and go against His word are out of their minds.'

Seek heavenly wisdom

Summary: Pursue the wisdom from above that is pure, peaceable, and full of good fruits, rather than earthly wisdom.

Evidence: James 3:17 is referenced; Weaver says, 'What we need is heavenly wisdom.'

Learn from Solomon's example

Summary: Take Solomon's life as a warning: even the wisest can fall through disobedience and divided affections.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Solomon is not only remembered for his great wisdom but is also remembered for being a fool.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T19:59:32Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T12:41:03Z

Clean Transcript

Losing Your Wisdom and Losing Your Mind

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

All right, let's open our Bibles then to Proverbs chapter 4. Proverbs chapter 4. We're going to look at verse 7. I'm not necessarily expounding this one particular verse, but I am going to show you, I think, one of the greatest applications of it. So let me just say that this message today is going to be the first in at least probably a four or five part series. Although each message would stand on its own, I think they're going to be self-explanatory and at the same time needed to help understand each one. So, look if you would, Proverbs chapter 4 and verse 7, a very simple verse, the Word of God says, principle, it said, wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom. With all thy getting, get understanding. Look at it again, wisdom is the principle thing, Therefore, get wisdom with all by getting good understanding. So today the title of the message is losing your wisdom and losing your mind. So here's a good question. Is it possible for one who is wise to become unwise?
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Another way to ask that question is, is it possible to lose your wisdom? If it is possible to lose your wisdom, What is the cause of the loss of the wisdom? Now, there are some types of wisdom that need to be lost and need to be forsaken as quickly as possible. In fact, the truth of the matter is these wisdoms are false wisdoms. They are not the true wisdom of God.
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Anyone who's ever read Pilgrim's Progress, if you have not read it, I would encourage you to do so. If you have read it, I would encourage you to read it again. But one of the characters in Pilgrim's Progress was Mr. Worldly Wise Man. And he, of course, was giving Pilgrim all kind of direction and all kind of counsel, which, of course, was totally and completely wrong. So there is indeed a world of wisdom. So this world of wisdom is not known for obedience to God. nor is it known for holiness or righteousness. Worldly wisdom and the worldly wise man is the kind of individual that will survive in a dog-eat-dog world.
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He does not care what it takes, he does not care who it hurts, he does not care what he does or how it is accomplished, just so he can make it to the top. So there you have fraud, deceit, immorality, blackmail, lying, conniving, backstabbing, and character assassination. All of these things are in the arsenal of the worldly wise man. So I want you to follow me very quickly in some scriptures. I want you to turn first of all to 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and look at verses 20 and 21 because I'm going to delineate for you this worldly wisdom that is spoken of very clearly in the scripture and show how wrong it is and how contrary it is to God and His Word. So in 1 Corinthians 1, look at verses 20 and 21. The Word of God says, where is the wise? Where is the scribe?
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Where is the disputer of this world? Now look at this. Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. So the wisdom of the world, as accurate as it may be worldly speaking, it does not know God whatsoever. So if you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 at verses 6 and 7, here the Apostle Paul says this, albeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this world. nor the princes of this world that come to know it. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world under our glory." So here's the contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Now if you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, Again, the Word of God says, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
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For it is written, he taketh the wise in their own practice. So the wisdom of this world is absolutely foolishness with God. If you would turn right over to 2 Corinthians chapter 1, 2 Corinthians chapter 1, look if you would please there at verse 12. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 12. Worldly wisdom is also known as fleshly wisdom. The apostle says, for our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in sincerity and godly, in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world and more abundantly toward you. So he says not in fleshly wisdom. No, no. but in real godly sincerity and simplicity. Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 73, because Psalm 73, written by Asaph, is indeed, I would say, the apex, the height of worldly wisdom and shows you exactly the worldly wise man. So look at it in Psalm 73 and let's begin reading there with verse one. Look at this.
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Asaph writes, truly, God is good to Israel, even as such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps and will not slip. Why? Here's why. For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. So I want you to note he's connecting foolishness with the wicked right away.
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Now look in verse four. Here's why he was so almost fallen down because what he saw in them. He said, for there are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm. They're not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore, pride compassionate them about any change, Violence covered them as a garment. Now look at this. Their eyes stand out with fatness.
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They have more than the heart could wish. Now he tells you who they are. They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression. They speak loftily. Watch this. They set their mouth against the heavens. They don't mind cursing God. They set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue walking through the earth. Therefore his people return hither and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
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And they say, this is the wicked. How does God know? And is their knowledge in the most high? And look what he says in verse 12. Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world. They increase in riches. So here you have the worldly wise man that is so absolutely corrupt. He does not object to cursing God. he'll take his thumb and walk through the heavens and say whatever he pleases.
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Now, if you will turn in your Bible to James chapter 3, I'm going to show you that there are other types of wisdom as well. In fact, James chapter 3 distinguishes for you between a hellish wisdom and a heavenly wisdom. So I want you to look at the difference here. This is why I'm saying that there are some types of wisdom that needs to be forsaken quickly. Notice if you would James chapter 3 and skip down to verse 13.
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He asks, who is a wise man and a dude with knowledge among you? So if he claims to be wise, here's what he's to do. Let him show out of a good conversation his conduct, his works with meekness of wisdom. Now watch verse 14. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For wherein being in strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
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Now watch the difference, but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intrigued, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." So worldly wisdom and hellish wisdom needs to be lost and forsaken as quickly as possible.
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Now the word wisdom is used in different ways in the Bible. The Hebrew word for wisdom is the word kokama and it refers to wisdom that is evidenced in skill, in shrewdness, in patience, and also in ethical and biblical behavior. Now, you have the books of wisdom in the Bible. There are five books of wisdom. There's Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. So these five books that are known as wisdom literature.
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Have you ever wondered how those Israelites made everything that God required for the tabernacle later on for the temple, but how they made it exactly the way God ordained it to be made. He gave Moses the pattern of the mount. But let me show you. I want you to go back in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 28. Exodus chapter 28 and look if you would please at verse 3. Exodus chapter 28 and verse 3. Look at this. Exodus 28 and verse 3.
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The Word of God says, And thou shalt speak unto all that are wisehearted, whom I have with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. But notice it, I have filled them with the spirit of wisdom.
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Now, if you look in Exodus chapter 31 and verse 3. Exodus 31 and verse 3.
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Now we're talking about Bezalel. In fact, we'll read verse 2. God says, See, I call by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur. of the tribe of Judah. And I filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom. Look at this. And in understanding and in knowledge and all manner of workmanship. Then he goes on to say in verse four, to devise cutting works, to work in gold and silver and in brass, cutting of stones. God just gave him wisdom, ability, understanding. Let's get down to verse six. God says, and I behold, I have given with him a holy ad, the son of Isamach of the tribe of Dan. And in the hearts of all that are wise hearted, I put wisdom.
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That they may make all that I have commanded me. I've often wondered. If any of these people had what you and I would call natural abilities and natural skills. Regardless of whether they did or did not, that which gave them the ability to perform as they did was the fact that God gave them wisdom and understanding. I've often showed Alex little clips of little children, and one of them was five or six years old, playing the violin. And you would think a five or six-year-old playing a violin would play something like the cat and the mouse or something like that, but here they are playing Beethoven and Bach. And Alice would always say, well, they have natural skills, and God gave them skill as well. And that's true. So I've often wondered, these people that God endued with wisdom and understanding and knowledge in all of these areas, I've often wondered, Well, did they lose those skills and that ability after they finished the work of God?
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And the answer is probably not, because the Bible does tell us that the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. So if God gave them those gifts, in all probability, they kept them.
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Now, remember I told you the title of this message was losing your wisdom or losing your mind or and losing your mind. So in order to understand how we're going to lose wisdom, if we're going to lose it, we have to know what wisdom is. And the truth of the matter is, before I tell you that, we lose almost anything and everything. We've lost our skills, we've lost our patience, we've lost morality, we've lost health, we've lost money, we've lost everything imaginable. And you've probably heard the old adage, The individual said, well, of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. Well, that's about the way it goes, because we have certainly lost a lot of things. But the loss of wisdom, in one sense of the word, is the loss of the mind. When we lose our wisdom, when we lose our mind, we cease thinking biblically and in reference to God and his law.
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Now there are two Greek words, and I'm going to show them to you, that are translated as madness and folly. I'm going to tell you what they really mean. I want you to turn in your Bible, if you would, first of all, to the book of Luke chapter 6. And Luke, if you would, please, at verse 11. Luke chapter 6 and verse 11. This is in reference to the Pharisees and their anger at the Lord Jesus Christ because he healed a man on the Sabbath day so if you look at what the Bible says notice in Luke chapter 6 and verse 11 and they that is the scribes and pharisees and they were filled with madness and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus of course they wanted to put him to death but noticing with what the Bible says and they were filled with madness. Now, this Greek word for madness is anoia. It is translated in our Bibles as madness and folly.
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It implies a lack of understanding and madness expressing itself in absolute rage. I've seen people like that. They are raging monsters. they've basically lost their mind.
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Now to understand this word Anoia, the latter part of the word actually comes from the noun nous, which is mind. It is translated in our Bible mind over and over and over. And whenever you put an A or an alpha in front of a word, it negates the word. So, actually, when the Bible says that they were filled with madness, here's what it actually means. They were out of their mind. They were not in their right mind. They were insane. And, of course, you would have to be insane and not in your right mind to be angry and upset with the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus, who had only done what he should have done and healed that individual on the Sabbath day. But the Bible talks about them being mad or out of their mind.
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Now, if you will turn in your Bibles to 2 Peter chapter 2, 2 Peter chapter 2 and look in verse 16, here is the second word, 2 Peter chapter 2, look if you would in verse 16, because this has reference then to Balaam the false prophet. So, look at it if you would in verse, oh, Let's read 15. "...which have forsaken the right way, and are going astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosar, who loved the wages of unrighteousness," now here it is, "...but was rebuked for his iniquity, the dumbass speaking with a man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet." So here's another word for madness, it is paraphronia. Paraphronia. It has reference to Balaam, and of course, it literally means madness or insanity. Now, you have to remember that God told Balaam not to go. Finally, more princes were sent, and finally God said, look, if they get up and call you in the morning, you go with them. But he did not wait for them to call. He wanted the money.
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So he got up and said, let's go. And of course, that's when God met him with the angel and the angel had a sword drawn. And notice the Bible calls it madness. And so it has to be a type of insanity to knowingly, willingly go against God and against his plain, evident word.
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Now, let me tell you and show you this exactly. Paraphronia is the Greek word, okay? It's literally with madness, with insanity. Years ago, when I was in the university, in my first year of Greek, I was preaching in Marsden's Cafeteria. Every Sunday morning, they would allow me to preach there. I forget what time, it was early, 8 or 9 o'clock. I got to preach to all of the employees of Morrison's Cafeteria. They would have them there, and I would come in and preach for about 30 minutes before the day started.
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And there was a young black boy there, and he had a T-shirt on, and in big letters across the front of it, it had Filippo Nino. And so I asked him, I said, what does that word mean? He said, I don't know, man. He said, it's just a T-shirt. I'll wear it. I said, well, now wait a minute. I said, I don't think I'd be wearing a shirt if I didn't know what was written on it. I said, I just started taking Greek. I said, phila, I know, is love, because phileo means I love, and philos would be the noun. That's where we get our English word phileo and family from. So I said, I know the first part is love, but I said, I don't know the last part. But I said, I'll look it up, and I said, I'll tell you. So I went back home and got my Greek lexicon. And it's the word for insanity. So literally what he had written across his shirt was a lumber of insanity.
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And so this is what the Bible is saying about Balaam. Paraphronia. And in other words, he is going along with insanity. He's out of his mind. He's lost his mind. He's going absolutely contrary to God. I want you to understand this word so that you can understand and also see what is prevalent in our society in our land today. Look, if you would, at our counties, look at our state, look at our society, look at our nation, and look how insane people really are and what they're doing.
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And it seems like absolute madness. You've heard the old adage that common sense is not so common anymore. And that's true. So you have to ask what in the world has happened to us? And why are we so absolutely insane? I'm going to show you. If you look in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, the book of Proverbs chapter 9 and verse 10, you will have the answer. Proverbs 9 and verse 10.
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Here's what the Word of God says. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Now think about that. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Now since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, where there is no fear of God, there is no wisdom. Look at it again. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. Also, since the fear of the Lord and its knowledge happen to be understanding, where there is no fear of the Lord, there is no true wisdom, and there is no true understanding.
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So, men may understand in terms of the world, they may understand in terms of the flesh, they may understand in terms of hellish wisdom, But it is impossible for them to understand in the terms of righteousness, holiness, and obedience. So let me give you a verse that I've given you before. 1 Corinthians 2 and verse 14. The Bible says, for the natural man, that is, the unsaved man, man by nature, he says, but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, Neither can he know them.
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He doesn't have the ability because they are spiritually discerned. So those that do not fear the Lord and do not obey him cannot understand the truths, the principles and the precepts of Scripture. And thus they are out of their mind. They are insane and they have committed absolute folly.
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Now, let me give you a good illustration. Look in your Bible to the book of Romans chapter 1. Romans chapter 1, and let's begin reading there with verse 21. Romans chapter 1, look in verse 21. Here's an interesting, interesting word. Look at this. Romans 1 verse 21. Because when they knew God, They glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, look at this, but became vain in their imagination, and their foolish heart was darkened, look now, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like the corruptible man and the birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things Wherefore God also gave them up.
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Now watch if you would. I'm not talking about giving them up, although that is another sermon in itself. But look if you would in verse 22. For fessing themselves to be wise, they became as fools.
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Now the interesting thing is, the Greek word is morano. And it literally means to become a fool, to act foolishly, or to prove a person or a thing to be foolish. you may not be familiar with the word morino but the noun is moros and it means foolish it means fool it means to be impious it means to be godless the word moros if you conjugate the word you come down to the greek word moros You know what a moron is?
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We used to use that term all the time when I was a child. And there were even moron jokes. You know, the little moron. But the word moron means foolish. It means to be stupid. It means to be insane. It means literally to be out of your mind. So let me show you what a moron is. If you look in your Bible to the book of Proverbs chapter 15, Proverbs chapter 15, And look if you would please at verse 21. Here's a good illustration. Proverbs chapter 15. Look if you would there at verse 21. Look what the Bible says.
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Folly is a joy to him that is destined to wisdom. But a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Folly, that is foolishness, is a joy to him that is destined to wisdom. A moron enjoys foolish, insane, stupid things. That's exactly what he's saying. Now, what is our source of wisdom? Well, let me quote it. You can look at it if you like, but it's Proverbs chapter 2 and verse 6.
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Listen carefully what the Bible says. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
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Now, I want you to think about this verse. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Now, God may give wisdom and God may give understanding immediately, that is, without the use of means. That's exactly what he did to Bezalel and Aholiab. He just immediately gave them wisdom to know how to do all of these things. But usually, however, when God gives us wisdom, when God gives us understanding, it is immediately that is through the use of means.
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So I did not go to bed totally ignorant and wake up with a master's degree the next morning. It does not work like that. So that means usually you have to study, you have to work for the knowledge and for the understanding that is for sure. I want you to notice Proverbs 2 and verse 6 one more time before we go to Proverbs 1. I want you to watch this. For the Lord giveth wisdom out of his mouth immediately cometh understanding and knowledge. In other words, God gives us wisdom through his spoken word. Where is his spoken word? It's our Bible.
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This is what the doctrine of inspiration is all about. We say the Bible is the inspired word of God. Well, what is inspiration? Here it is. Inspiration is the strong conscience in breathing of God into men, qualifying them to give utterance to the truth so that the words that they spoke and wrote were and are indeed the very words of God himself. So let me say this another way. The Bible is just as if God spoke every single word himself. He did, but he inspired men to write it.
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Now, if you will go back in your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 1, I told you that Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon were known as wisdom literature. So look in Proverbs chapter 1 and let's read at least the first four verses. Watch this. The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. Why did he write this? Here's why. To know wisdom and instruction. To perceive the words of understanding. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice and judgment and equity.
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To give subtlety to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion. Look at verse five. A wise man will hear and will increase in learning. And a man of understanding shall attain a wise counsel. So let me tell you something about a fool. A fool in the Bible is not a mentally deficient person. A fool in the Bible is someone who will not listen, someone who will not hear, someone who will not read, someone who will not receive instruction.
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And so God speaks through his Word. His Word is absolute truth. for you and I to obtain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, it means that we must read, we must study, we must meditate, and we must apply the truth that he has revealed.
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Now, let me tell you what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3, verse 15, I want you to listen carefully. Here's what Paul said to him. And from a child, thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation so if you want wisdom concerning salvation you must get it from The Bible is the Bible who makes you wise unto salvation. Now, what else did the Apostle Paul tell Timothy? Well, in First Timothy chapter two and verse seven, he said this, consider what I say and the Lord give the understanding in all things. Now, it is true that understanding is the gift of God, but God does not give that understanding willy nilly. He said, consider what I say, and the Lord give me understanding. In other words, God's going to give understanding as we read, as we study, as we think, as we meditate.
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God then gives the understanding. So God's Word is our wisdom. It is our understanding. Now, I want you to go back in your Bible, if you would, to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 4, and I want you to see What the Word of God teaches concerning God's Word, God's Law, look at it in Deuteronomy chapter 4 and we will begin reading there with verse 5. Deuteronomy 4, look if you would please at verse 5. Moses writes, Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do so in the land when you go to possess it. Now look what he says in verse 6.
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And what nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you today? Now, I want you to note in verse six, he says that we're to keep and do them. Why are we to keep and obey the words of God? He says, for this is your wisdom and your understanding. You're different than other nations. They don't have his word. They don't have his law. This is your wisdom and your understanding. They will say you're a great nation because, ah, you've got wonderful, righteous, and godly laws. Yes. And you're an understanding people. So clearly then, verse 7 says this, And what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them? How is God nigh unto us? Well, we understand that God is omnipresent. But here in the context, he's talking about God's law. He's talking about God's word. God is nigh unto us because we have his law. We have his word. Now, what I want to do is this today. I tried to set the stage so I can show you the greatest biblical example of someone who lost his wisdom.
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I want to say this another way. To me, this is the greatest biblical example of someone who has lost his mind. I'm going to tell you about an individual that you already know about. But I'm going to show you how it is possible to lose your wisdom and to lose your mind. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to First Kings chapter four. 1st Kings chapter 4. And this individual who had more wisdom than anyone that was alive at that time was none other than King Solomon. Notice if you would in 1st Corinthians, I'm sorry, 1st Kings chapter 4.
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Let's begin reading there with verse 29. 1st Kings chapter 4, verse 29. Look now. And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country and all the wisdom of Egypt. So he was smarter. He knew more than any of those individuals, for he was wiser than all men. That's a wonderful statement. for he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezraite, and Heman, and Karkal, and Darda, and the sons of Mahal.
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And his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs, and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is Lebanon, even the hyssop that springeth out of the wall. He spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping beings, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon from all kings of the earth which have heard of his wisdom. So God gave him wisdom, the Bible says, exceeding much. Now, if you will turn back to first Kings chapter three, beginning there with verse three, you're going to find that Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave it to him. So first Kings three and verse three, And Solomon loved the Lord.
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I want you to note that. He loved the Lord. How did he love the Lord? Walking in the statutes of David, his father, only sacrificed and burned incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. A thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night.
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And God said, ask what I shall give you. And Solomon said, Thou hast shown unto thy servant David, my father, great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth and in righteousness, and upright as a heart would be, and that thou hast kept him this great kindness, and that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king, and son of David, my father, and I am but a little child, and I know not how to go out and come in, and thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people that cannot
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be numbered nor counted from a multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people that I may discern between good and bad, and who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" And the speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long by, neither hast thou asked riches for thyself, nor asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment. Behold, I have done according to thy words, and, lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, look, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." And God said, I've also given you all of these other things, that you did not ask for. So when God asked him, what would he like from God?
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Basically, this is what he said, Lord, I don't have sense enough to come out of the rain. You have to give me wisdom. And God, the Bible says, gave him exceeding much. He had wisdom beyond our understanding.
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Now, if you will turn to 1 Kings chapter 10. 1 Kings chapter 10, beginning there with verse 1, you will see what happened when the Queen of Sheba came to test Solomon's wisdom. Look at this. 1 Kings chapter 10, verse 1. And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with a hard question. and she came to Jerusalem with a very great train with camels that bear spices and very much gold and precious stones and when she was come to Solomon she communed with him of all that was in her heart and Solomon told her all her questions there was not anything hid from the king which he told her not and when the queen of Sheba had seen all of Solomon's wisdom and the house that he had built and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cup-bearers, and his assent by which he went
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up into the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. And she said unto the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land, of thy acts, and of thy wisdom. Howbeit, I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it. And, behold, a half was not told me. thy wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame which I heard. Happier thy men, happier these thy servants which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on the throne of Israel, because the Lord loved Israel forever, therefore may he be keen to do judgment and justice." So the Queen of Sheba said, I had not believed the words until mine eyes had seen it. And she said, behold, the half was not told me. Thy wisdom and thy prosperity exceeded the fame which I have heard.
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Now, I am sure that you remember the first instance in the Bible where Solomon had to use that wisdom because there were two harlots. And each one had a child. And one of those harlots, the Bible says, overlaid her child during the night and the child died. That is, she rolled over on the child. And so what she did, she got up early the next morning, took her dead child, put it with the other harlot and took the other harlot's living child and put it by her. And so she said the living child was hers and the dead child belonged to the other harlot.
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And they came to the king. And both of the harlots were claiming living child. And so Solomon says, bring me a sword. What I'm going to do is I'm going to cut the child in half, give half to this one and half to the other. And the real mother of the child begged Solomon not to do that, said, let her have the child. Please don't kill that child. Let her have a child. But the other woman said, nay, nay, nay, let it be neither mine nor thine, but have the child. Solomon said, I don't know why I killed this child, this is his mother over here.
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That was just an illustration of his wisdom. I can give you multiple illustrations of Solomon's wisdom. That's the very fact that he built the temple. He understood everything that was to be done. And he fortunately made a lot of things that went into that temple himself. However, the truth is this. He lost his wisdom. and he lost his mind before I show it to you I want you to turn one more time to 2nd Chronicles 2nd Chronicles and I want you to look in chapter 9 at verses 22 and 23 2nd Chronicles chapter 9 verses 22 and 23 look at this And King Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom that God had put into his heart. Wow. So God imparted wisdom.
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You remember a few months back, I preached two messages. learning the righteousness of God, and then losing the righteousness of God. So it's possible not only to lose the righteousness of God, but it's also possible to lose the wisdom that God has given you.
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Now, let me show you. Turn in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 11. 1 Kings chapter 11. As you look at this, you're going to see that Solomon not only lost his wisdom, he lost his mind. So look at this, and there will be an answer as to how he lost his wisdom and his mind. So 1 Kings 11 verse 1, But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites. Look at verse 2.
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of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, You shall not go into them, neither shall they come into you. You're not to marry them, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. Solomon claimed to these in love, and he had 700 wives, princesses, 300 concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zithonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab in the hill that is before Jerusalem, that was the Mount of Olives, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon, and likewise did he for all the strange wives which Bernean sins and sacrifice unto their gods.
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And the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel who had appeared unto him twice. and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods, but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant, my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake, But I will rend it out of the hand of thy son, that be Rehoboam. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen. And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite, he was of the king's seed, and Edom. And of course he stirred up other adversaries as well. Now, we know and we confess and we say that Solomon was the wisest man on earth at that particular time.
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Well, let me ask you a few questions. Is it wise to disobey God? Is it wise to provoke God? Is it wise to turn away from God? Is it wise to do that which God has absolutely forbidden someone to do? It's not wise. You become foolish. You become a moron when you do so. You become insane because you're literally out of your mind.
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Now, I want you to turn over to 2 Kings chapter 23 and look if you would please at verse 13. 2nd Kings 23 and verse 13. We'll come back to this passage in a few weeks, but notice if you would, this is what Josiah is doing, but notice if you would verse 13. And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth, the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh, the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom, or Moloch, the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. Note, if you would, that Mount of Olives is now called the Mount of Corruption or the Mount of Scandal.
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Now, I want you to listen to this quote from John Trapp. in the hill that is before Jerusalem, even in Mount Olivet or Mount of Olives, called for that cause the Mount of Corruption or the Mount of Scandal. Listen, in the very face of God's house, so that God could never have looked out of the sanctuary, but he saw the vile hill of abominations. In other words, it was built across from the temple and the temple housed the presence of God and so when God looked out he saw the mount of corruption all of these false gods being worshipped that Solomon made altars for so God then was greatly displeased with Solomon Solomon greatly provoked God and
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therefore God took away his kingdom and God raised him up adversaries and there was no longer any peace in the land. So you have to ask how in the world could someone like Solomon who was so full of wisdom lose that wisdom? How in the world could Solomon do that which he knew that God had absolutely forbidden to do and the result was exactly as God said what would happen they would turn away your hearts and his heart was turned away now Solomon is not only remembered for his great wisdom but is also remembered for being a fool, for being a moron, for losing his wisdom.
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Now, don't you listen to my question. Is it possible to lose your wisdom? Is it possible to lose your mind? And the answer is absolutely yes. How do you lose it? The answer is through disobedience, through rebellion, against God and His Word.
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Now I want to give you a truth that I have repeated over and over through the years. I want you to turn in your Bibles if you would to Mark chapter 4 and I want you to look at verses 24 and 25 just momentarily with me. Here's the truth and I want you to listen because I want you to think about this. If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth. Wow. Look at Mark 4, verse 24. In fact, let's read verse 23.
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Our Lord said, if any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said to them, take heed what you hear. With what measure you need, it shall be measured to you. And to you that hear, that is obey and apply, shall more be given. For he that hath to him shall be given, and he that hath not from him shall be taken, even that which he hath."
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In other words, if you don't use the truth, you are going to lose the truth. You and I are not only human, we're fallen humans. And the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 1, listen carefully, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest seed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. How many times have you said it slipped my mind? Or I forgot. God said we should give the more earnest seed to his word, lest at any time we should let it slip. So here's the truth. If you do not If you do not use the truth, if you do not apply the truth, if you don't make the truth your own, you will lose it. God is not going to leave his truth around to be hated, to be despised, to be misused and abused. He's just not going to do that.
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Solomon had all the wisdom. and you'll all sit through disobedience. Wow. So mark this down. If you do not use the truth, you'll lose the truth. The second thing is this. Since wisdom is the principal thing, that's what the Bible says in Proverbs 4 verse 7. Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and with thy wisdom get understanding and knowledge. It is impossible to get it, that is, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, apart from the grace and mercy of God and apart from God's Word. If you neglect the study of God's Word, if you neglect reading God's Word, if you neglect meditating upon God's Word, if you neglect applying God's Word, you are not going to have wisdom nor understanding or knowledge. You're just not going to do it. Because you're acting like a moron. You're acting foolish. Wow. Well, those that go against God and go against His word are out of their minds. That's what the word means.
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They're not in their right mind. They are insane.
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Now, I want you to turn to your Bibles one last passage and that's Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7. I want you to see this. Look in Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7. Look what the Bible says. Proverbs 1 verse 7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Hang on. But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Morons despise wisdom and instruction. Those who do not have their right mind despise wisdom and instruction. If you do not want to lose the wisdom that God has placed in you, you must use it. You must supply it. He must thank God for it. And if you want more wisdom and more understanding and more knowledge, you have to continue to study and meditate. For the Lord giveth wisdom and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. We do not need worldly wisdom. We do not need fleshly wisdom. We do not need hellish wisdom. What we need is heavenly wisdom.
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Now, the next two sermons are going to be a continuation of 1 Kings 11. And I've titled those two messages, the dangers of old age. If you don't want to lose your wisdom. If you don't do not wish to endanger yourself in your later years, He must listen. Because Solomon did this when he was old. Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom. And all by getting, get understanding and knowledge.
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Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to thee this day. We thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We pray, Lord, that you would indeed give us wisdom give us understanding, give us knowledge. The Lord, that which we do have, which we do possess by your grace and mercy, enable us, Lord, to use it and apply it and multiply it for your honor and your glory. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, whose name we pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T19:59:32Z

Losing Your Wisdom and Losing Your Mind

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver explores whether it is possible to lose one's wisdom, using Solomon as the prime biblical example. He distinguishes between worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom versus true wisdom from God, which begins with the fear of the Lord. The sermon argues that wisdom is lost through disobedience and rebellion against God's Word, and that neglecting Scripture leads to folly and spiritual insanity. Applications emphasize the need to use and apply God's truth to retain and grow in wisdom.

Introduction and the Question of Losing Wisdom

Weaver introduces Proverbs 4:7 and poses the question: Is it possible for a wise person to become unwise or lose their wisdom?

False Wisdoms to Forsake

Worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom are described as false and contrary to God, needing to be lost quickly.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 1:20-21

" So here's the contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Now if you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 19, Again, the Word of God says, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

Biblical Definitions of Wisdom

Wisdom in Scripture includes skill, shrewdness, and ethical behavior; God gave Bezalel and Aholiab wisdom for craftsmanship.

And the answer is probably not, because the Bible does tell us that the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. So if God gave them those gifts, in all probability, they kept them.

Losing Wisdom as Losing the Mind

The Greek words anoia and paraphronia are examined to show that madness and folly mean being out of one's mind, or insane.

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 2:15-16

"...which have forsaken the right way, and are going astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosar, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,"

now here it is,

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 2:15-16

"...but was rebuked for his iniquity, the dumbass speaking with a man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet."

The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:10 teaches that without the fear of the Lord there is no true wisdom or understanding; the natural man cannot grasp spiritual things.

The Foolishness of Rejecting God

Romans 1:21-22 shows that those who reject God become fools (morons); folly is joy to the destitute of wisdom.

Now watch if you would. I'm not talking about giving them up, although that is another sermon in itself. But look if you would in verse 22. For fessing themselves to be wise, they became as fools.

Listen carefully what the Bible says. For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

God's Word as the Source of Wisdom

Wisdom comes from God through His Word; we must study, meditate, and apply Scripture to gain understanding.

Israel's Wisdom and Understanding in God's Law

Deuteronomy 4:5-7 shows that keeping God's law is Israel's wisdom and understanding before the nations.

Solomon: The Greatest Example of Losing Wisdom

Solomon was given exceeding wisdom, but through disobedience and idolatry in his old age, he lost his wisdom and became a fool.

The Consequences of Solomon's Folly

God was angry, raised adversaries, and tore the kingdom from Solomon's son; the Mount of Olives became the Mount of Corruption.

Application: Use Truth or Lose It

If we do not use and apply God's truth, we will lose it; wisdom is retained and increased through continued study and obedience.

Conclusion and Call for Heavenly Wisdom

Fools despise wisdom and instruction; we need heavenly wisdom, not worldly, fleshly, or hellish wisdom. Future sermons will address the dangers of old age.

Losing Your Wisdom and Losing Your Mind

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	11272514563140
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: Can We All Just Get Along?
Genre	Sermon
Date	2025-11-16
Dictation Name
Book	Book 082: Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom - Volume 2 — Chapter 44
Source Timed Segments	77

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and the Question of Losing Wisdom: Weaver introduces Proverbs 4:7 and poses the question: Is it possible for a wise person to become unwise or lose their wisdom?
False Wisdoms to Forsake: Worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom are described as false and contrary to God, needing to be lost quickly.
Biblical Definitions of Wisdom: Wisdom in Scripture includes skill, shrewdness, and ethical behavior; God gave Bezalel and Aholiab wisdom for craftsmanship.
Losing Wisdom as Losing the Mind: The Greek words anoia and paraphronia are examined to show that madness and folly mean being out of one's mind, or insane.
The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom: Proverbs 9:10 teaches that without the fear of the Lord there is no true wisdom or understanding; the natural man cannot grasp spiritual things.
The Foolishness of Rejecting God: Romans 1:21-22 shows that those who reject God become fools (morons); folly is joy to the destitute of wisdom.
God's Word as the Source of Wisdom: Wisdom comes from God through His Word; we must study, meditate, and apply Scripture to gain understanding.
Israel's Wisdom and Understanding in God's Law: Deuteronomy 4:5-7 shows that keeping God's law is Israel's wisdom and understanding before the nations.
Solomon: The Greatest Example of Losing Wisdom: Solomon was given exceeding wisdom, but through disobedience and idolatry in his old age, he lost his wisdom and became a fool.
The Consequences of Solomon's Folly: God was angry, raised adversaries, and tore the kingdom from Solomon's son; the Mount of Olives became the Mount of Corruption.
Application: Use Truth or Lose It: If we do not use and apply God's truth, we will lose it; wisdom is retained and increased through continued study and obedience.
Conclusion and Call for Heavenly Wisdom: Fools despise wisdom and instruction; we need heavenly wisdom, not worldly, fleshly, or hellish wisdom. Future sermons will address the dangers of old age.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Wisdom can be lost through disobedience

Solomon's example proves that even the wisest can become fools by disobeying God's clear commands.

Weaver asks, 'Is it wise to disobey God? ... You become a moron when you do so.'

True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord

Without fearing God, one cannot have true wisdom or understanding; the unsaved cannot grasp spiritual truths.

Proverbs 9:10 and 1 Corinthians 2:14 are quoted to support this.

Worldly wisdom is foolishness to God

The wisdom of this world is contrary to God and leads to sinful practices; it must be forsaken.

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 and 3:19 are cited; Weaver describes worldly wisdom's arsenal.

God's Word is the exclusive source of heavenly wisdom

Wisdom comes from God through Scripture; neglecting the Bible leads to loss of wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6 and Deuteronomy 4:6 are used; Weaver says, 'God gives us wisdom through his spoken word.'

Rejecting God leads to spiritual insanity

The Greek words for madness (anoia, paraphronia) mean being out of one's mind; rejecting God is insane.

Luke 6:11 and 2 Peter 2:16 are examined; Weaver says, 'They were out of their mind.'

Fools despise wisdom and instruction

A biblical fool is not mentally deficient but one who refuses to listen to God's Word.

Proverbs 1:7 and 15:21 are cited; Weaver says, 'A fool in the Bible is someone who will not listen.'

Use of truth is necessary to retain it

If we do not apply God's truth, we will lose it; God will not leave His truth to be despised.

Mark 4:24-25 and Hebrews 2:1 are quoted; Weaver says, 'If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth.'

Solomon's idolatry was the direct cause of his loss

Solomon's marriages to foreign women led his heart astray to idolatry, directly violating God's command.

1 Kings 11:1-8 is read; Weaver says, 'his wives turned away his heart after other gods.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 4:7: Introduction: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:20-21: God made foolish the wisdom of this world; the world by wisdom knew not God.
1 Corinthians 2:6-7: We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, not the wisdom of this world.
1 Corinthians 3:19: The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
2 Corinthians 1:12: Paul's conduct was not in fleshly wisdom but in godly sincerity.
Psalm 73:1-12: Asaph envied the prosperity of the wicked, who are corrupt and speak against heaven.
James 3:13-18: Earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom vs. wisdom from above which is pure and peaceable.
Exodus 28:3: God filled the wise-hearted with the spirit of wisdom to make Aaron's garments.
Exodus 31:2-6: God filled Bezalel with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for craftsmanship.
Luke 6:11: The Pharisees were filled with madness (anoia) against Jesus.
2 Peter 2:15-16: Balaam was rebuked for his madness (paraphronia) by a donkey.
Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
1 Corinthians 2:14: The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God.
Romans 1:21-22: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (moraino).
Proverbs 15:21: Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom.
Proverbs 2:6: The Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 1:1-5: The proverbs are to give wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Deuteronomy 4:5-7: Keeping God's law is Israel's wisdom and understanding before the nations.
1 Kings 4:29-34: God gave Solomon wisdom exceeding much, and he was wiser than all men.
1 Kings 3:3-12: Solomon asked for an understanding heart, and God gave him unparalleled wisdom.

Historical References

Pilgrim's Progress character Mr. Worldly Wise Man: Illustration of worldly wisdom giving wrong counsel.
Bezalel and Aholiab: Men filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom for tabernacle craftsmanship.
Queen of Sheba: Came to test Solomon's wisdom and found it exceeded the report.
Solomon's judgment between two harlots: Example of Solomon's wisdom in discerning the true mother.
John Trapp quote on Mount of Corruption: Commentary on 2 Kings 23:13, noting the Mount of Olives became the Mount of Scandal.

Important Quotes

Wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom. With all thy getting, get understanding.

The foundational verse for the sermon, emphasizing the primacy of wisdom.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Key verse establishing that true wisdom starts with fearing God.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

Shows the consequence of rejecting God: becoming a fool (moron).

For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Declares that God is the source of wisdom through His Word.

If you do not use the truth you will lose the truth.

A key application principle: truth must be applied to be retained.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean to 'lose your wisdom' and how does Solomon's life illustrate this?

[Context]

Weaver asks if it is possible to lose wisdom and uses Solomon as the prime example.

[Question]

How can we distinguish between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom in our daily decisions?

[Context]

The sermon contrasts worldly, fleshly, and hellish wisdom with wisdom from above.

[Question]

Why is the fear of the Lord essential for true wisdom, and what does that look like practically?

[Context]

Proverbs 9:10 is cited as foundational; Weaver explains that without fear of God there is no wisdom.

[Question]

In what ways does our society display 'madness' or 'insanity' by rejecting God's Word?

[Context]

Weaver discusses the Greek words for madness and applies them to modern culture.

[Question]

How can we ensure we are using and applying God's truth so that we do not lose it?

[Context]

The principle 'use it or lose it' is drawn from Mark 4 and Hebrews 2.

[Question]

What specific steps can we take to guard against the dangers of old age that led to Solomon's fall?

[Context]

Weaver notes Solomon's disobedience occurred in old age and announces future sermons on the topic.

[Question]

How does the example of Solomon's idolatry challenge us to examine our own hearts for divided loyalties?

[Context]

1 Kings 11 shows Solomon's heart was turned by his foreign wives; Weaver calls this losing his mind.

[Question]

What role does regular Bible study and meditation play in gaining and retaining wisdom?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that wisdom comes through God's Word and requires study and application.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T12:41:03Z