Proverbs 3:21 (Mini Sermon)

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1.      Pro 3:21 – “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:”

1. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes:
   1. The them in this verse refers to wisdom and understanding.
      18. Solomon stated in Pro 3:13 that the man that finds wisdom and understanding is happy (blessed, fortunate), and then he gave the reason for it in Pro 3:14-18.
      19. Solomon then again extolled wisdom and understanding in Pro 3:19-20 by showing that the Lord used them to create the universe.
      20. In Pro 3:21, Solomon again exhorts his son to lay hold on wisdom and understanding.
      21. In Pro 3:22-26 he gives additional benefits and blessings that accrue from getting and retaining wisdom.
   2. In order to possess the blessings of wisdom and understanding, we must let not them depart from our eyes.

• There are two ways which we can do this: physically and spiritually.
  1. Physically
     • Wisdom and understanding come from the word of God (Pro 2:6).
     • If we continually read the scriptures, they will literally remain in the sight of our eyes.
  2. Spiritually
     • Our eyes also represent our understanding (Eph 1:18).
     • Hence the reason that when we understand something, we often say “I see.”
     • By keeping wisdom and understanding in our thoughts and our “mind’s eye” we don’t let them depart from us.
     • In other words, we should always be thinking about how to be wise.
  3. keep sound wisdom and discretion:
     1. There are different types of wisdom.
        1. There is the wisdom of God (1Co 1:21) and the wisdom of this world (1Co 1:20).
        2. The wisdom of this world is devilish (Jam 3:15).
        3. The wisdom of God is sound wisdom.
           • Sound – II. 8. a. In full accordance with fact, reason, or good sense; founded on true or well-established grounds; free from error, fallacy, or logical defect; good, strong, valid.
           • Wisdom n. – 1. a. Capacity of judging rightly in matters relating to life and conduct; soundness of judgement in the choice of means and ends; sometimes, less strictly, sound sense, esp. in practical affairs: opp. to folly.
        4. We must keep sound wisdom, wisdom that is true, good, and free from error if we are to experience the blessing that comes from it.
     2. We must also keep discretion.
        1. Discretion n. – 1. The action of separating or distinguishing, or condition of being distinguished or disjunct; separation, disjunction, distinction. II. 2. The action of discerning or judging; judgement; decision, discrimination. III. 6. Ability to discern or distinguish what is right, befitting, or advisable, esp. as regards one’s own conduct or action; the quality of being discreet; discernment; prudence, sagacity, circumspection, sound judgement.
        2. Discreet a. – 1. Showing discernment or judgement in the guidance of one’s own speech and action; judicious, prudent, circumspect, cautious; often esp. that can be silent when speech would be inconvenient.
        3. Wisdom enables a man to make sound decisions, and discretion enables him to know when to act and when not to.