Wisdom's Rival
I was told I had the freedom to treat this either as a Bible class or a sermon. So, classic me—I’m doing both.
Let’s start with some discussion questions. Kids, don’t be afraid to speak up. Adults, you too.
Shoutout to Gabe—great job leading singing! We should get you in the Worship Leader Institute.
Discussion: Accidental Bad Decisions
Q: Has anyone ever made a bad decision—not because you planned to, but because you weren’t really thinking?
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Example: “I used a range on a boat to jump off a cliff, but there was a tree I didn’t see. Jumped into it. Cut my leg.”
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Response: Okay, well… questionable cliff-jumping, but thanks for sharing!
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Another example: “At work, we climb roofs to install flashings. Getting up is easy. Getting down—not so much.”
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Another: “I once used an extension cord as a harness.”
…Yikes.
Sometimes we make bad decisions not because we intend to, but because we don’t think ahead.
Discussion: Small Decisions, Big Consequences
Q: Can you think of a small decision that led to something much bigger—either for better or worse?
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“I got married.”
Yeah—asked someone out, now you’re stuck for life. One small decision, big outcome. -
Another: “We got dogs. Ended up with a storm shelter full of puppies.”
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My story:
People ask me why I went from law to ministry. It wasn’t a “road to Damascus” moment. The youth minister at our church left, so my wife and I offered to help out “just temporarily.” Four years later… we’re still here.
What’s More Dangerous: Obvious or Subtle Temptation?
Q: Which is more dangerous—a bad decision you know is bad, or one that seems good at the time?
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Some say: The bad one you knew was bad—because you have no excuse.
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Others: The one that seems good—because you’ve convinced yourself it’s fine.
Takeaway:
Temptation that looks good can be more dangerous because it deceives you into thinking you're on the right path.
Setting Up Proverbs 7: Who’s Writing?
We’re in Proverbs 7, and I love this chapter.
At our church, our yearly theme is “Wise Guys,” so I had just finished preaching through Proverbs. This lesson hit home with a lot of people.
Important background: Proverbs is structured as ten lectures from a father to a son. Chapter 7 is the final lecture.
Q: Who wrote it?
Solomon.
Was he wise? Yes.
Did he always make good decisions? Not even close.
That’s what makes Proverbs powerful. It’s not wisdom from someone who always got it right—it’s wisdom from someone who got a lot wrong, and is warning you: “Learn from my mistakes.”
How to View Wisdom (vv.1–5)
Solomon says:
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Keep my commands.
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Write them on your heart.
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Say to wisdom, “You are my sister.”
Let’s unpack that:
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“Apple of your eye” = Literally “the pupil of your eye.” It’s your lens. You’re to see the world through wisdom.
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“Bind them to your fingers” = Keep wisdom at your fingertips. You can’t forget your fingers; they go with you everywhere.
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“Write them on your heart” = Wisdom should define who you are on the inside.
This is the same structure God uses in Deuteronomy 6—frontlets on your eyes, bind it to your body, talk about it all day long.
Solomon is echoing God: Live by wisdom in thought, action, and identity.
Reading All of Proverbs 7 (vv.6–27)
Solomon then tells a story—one you have to read in full to feel its impact.
A young man lacking sense goes walking near the adulteress’s house… at night… four times it says that.
She meets him, dressed provocatively, grabs and kisses him, and says,
“I’ve just offered sacrifices. My husband’s gone. I’ve prepared my bed. Come, let us delight in love.”
And the man follows her, like:
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An ox to the slaughter
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A deer caught and shot
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A bird flying into a trap
He doesn’t realize: It will cost him his life.
The Strange Woman = Foolishness in Disguise
This woman is described as a strange or foreign woman—meaning, she doesn’t belong. Not just because she’s unfaithful, but because sin doesn’t belong in God’s creation.
God created everything as good. That’s our default state.
Repentance is simply returning to what God created you to be.
So when sin shows up—it’s strange.
How Did This Happen? Step-by-Step
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He’s young and lacks sense.
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He walks at night toward danger.
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She’s ready and waiting—he’s not.
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She convinces him it’s safe.
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She convinces him no one will know.
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She convinces him it’s good.
He doesn’t plan to sin. He just drifts toward it—one small decision at a time.
Example Progression:
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One more episode → tired at church.
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One credit card → debt.
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One bet → addiction.
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One thought → affair.
Small steps lead to life-altering outcomes.
The Temptation Playbook
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Trust me.
“I’m religious.” “I just came from church.”
→ Sin pretends to be good. -
You won’t get caught.
“My husband is far away.”
→ Secret sin is especially dangerous. -
I’ve prepared for this.
The woman has planned everything.
→ Temptation prepares for you, even if you don’t prepare for it.
If you’re not paying attention, temptation will catch you off guard.
Illustration: Speeding
Why do we speed?
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Everyone else does.
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It’s efficient.
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We’re running late.
And most of the time—we don’t get caught.
That same logic is how we justify sin.
But just because you’re not caught, doesn’t mean it’s right.
Graphic Ending, On Purpose
Solomon closes with jarring imagery:
“Like an ox to the slaughter…”
“Like a deer shot through the liver…”
It’s gross. It’s graphic. But it sticks with you.
One small decision—wandering out at night—ends in ruin.
Final Challenge: Say Yes to Wisdom
When I was a kid, we were told to “Just Say No” to drugs.
But that’s not enough.
We must say YES to something better.
Replace sin with wisdom. Replace bad habits with good decisions.
The man in Proverbs 7 fell because he wasn’t where he should’ve been.
She had been to worship.
Where had he been?
Closing Prayer
God, thank You for this time to study Your Word.
Help us examine our decisions and where they lead.
Help us choose wisdom, not foolishness.
Thank You for the faith of this church.
Bless this congregation, strengthen them, and draw them closer to You.
Forgive us when we fall short.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
