The Struggle Is Real — Shane Idleman

The title is I'm actually gonna do a series in Proverbs entitled life hack series it's a life hack series and you know that's really big right now in the Millennials and the 20 and 30 year olds on life hack and hack basically means a skill or a novelty Method that increases productivity and efficiency in all walks of life.

They even have health hacks where you can hack your health and hack your body and really it's not a hack. It's just you know, how your body's designed but Proverbs is I'm going to talk about how we can hack In a good way a life hack that can really be productive and can really help us and that is going to be obviously wisdom This morning.

The Daily Struggle to Obey Wisdom

The title is we can probably put up there if we have it. The struggle is Real the struggle is real. What is that struggle to obey the voice of wisdom? It is very real. It is very difficult is very challenging.

So I want you to think of something commit today to obey the Word of God regardless of feelings regardless of circumstances and regardless of the advice of others who oppose wisdom and That is this the struggle is real.

Is it not to obey God's Word or to drift away? To a bit to do what God's Word says or to do what I want to do. The struggle is real. It's a daily struggle. I would submit to you that this happens daily that we have choices to make that whether we either obey God's Word or we don't and.

And that that struggle is real. It's real in our children and Wisdom helps us get keep decisions in check. Does anybody want to make sure they're in the will of God? They want to make sure your decisions are lined up with the will of God.

Wisdom as God’s Voice of Truth

That's what wisdom is for. Here's why wisdom is so important. This is wisdom is actually God's voice of truth. Saying here's the way to walk in it choose life and not death walk in this way. So wisdom is basically what God has clearly outlined for us in his scriptures in the Word.

Proverbs 117 is where we're gonna start. I'm sorry Proverbs 1. I don't know why I have 17 there 1 through 7 probably. The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David so Solomon is writing the book of Proverbs and I'm not gonna go through Proverbs verse by verse that is very challenging very difficult because two verses it's here and then the next verse.

It's way over here and it doesn't really allow a person to go through. Expositionally, it's more of a topical book. But we're gonna start at Proverbs 1 because it does give us a lot of good information.

The first chapter the Proverbs of Solomon the son of David king of Israel to know. To know wisdom and instruction now, here's where we make mistakes. This isn't just to know. Intellectually, it's actually to apply.

To know it to apply wisdom and instruction to perceive the words of understanding. So as you look to God's Word as you're filled with wisdom, you begin to perceive the words of understanding. To receive the instruction of wisdom.

Justice judgment and equity. God. Do we need that today? Justice judgment equity equity is just moral uprightness. There's something solid to it to give prudence to the simple. Are you do you consider yourself stupid like I used to when I was younger and not real smart?

Not up there. Not not mighty and noble like the Bible says not many mighty and not many noble are called. But God uses a foolish things to confound the wise and maybe didn't do that great in high school.

Anybody not go to college and kind of simple. This is for you because it says the Bible says it will give prudence it will give wisdom and learning. I believe I Believe a person without a college degree can be smarter than a PhD.

I'll leave it there. Possibly not in the particular topic. Right or in their field of interest. I'm not gonna go in and argue against a cardiologist. And think I you know, I can do heart surgery better.

Obviously. I can't. I wouldn't even attempt that. But when it comes to the profound things in life when it comes to wisdom and knowing what is true. Your children can know more than those with doctorate degrees.

The young man. It gives prudence to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man. Here's to know if you're wise will hear and increase in learning meaning. They're always wanting to learn.

They have a teachable spirit. We want to learn we want to listen we want to grow and a man of understanding will attain wise Counsel. He will look for wise counsel, and it's a good test this morning. Do you look for wise counsel?

Seeking Wise Counsel and Listening to Others

Because I know a lot of people they're not real concerned with what others say they are going to do what they want to do and You might say well Shane you said earlier not to listen to the opinions of others, right?

If they oppose wisdom if they oppose truth. But those who are hungry for more of God, they want to be make make sure they're on the right path. They will go to those who are godly account who can offer godly counsel and they will ask them.

What do you think of this? I'm wanting to learn. I'm wanting to grow. I can't tell you how many times that has helped me and. And and and give given me a different side to this. I Actually asked my wife's thoughts this morning on what I shared with you earlier about what's going on in our nation.

Because I said I'm struggling. I I don't know what to do with this. And we have to look to others because it's good to bounce things off of them. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Fear of the Lord as the Foundation of Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord is a very good thing. It's a very good thing because when you fear God you treat others differently.

You you act differently you have respect and reverence for God for the house of God for worship for the Word of God. There's a there's a reverence and a respect and I shared last night and I've told you this before.

Maybe some of you are new have not heard this but when I was in construction. In the construction business, I ran heavy equipment and in doing so you dig underground. Which means you have a lot have to have a lot of reference.

I'm sorry reverence and respect for what is buried underground. You'd be amazed at what you're driving over from storm drains to Verizon. Verizon high high optic Cables and fiber optic. I'm sorry fiber optic cable, Southern, California Edison Right off Avenue s in the freeway.

I think it's 42 inch might be a 36 inch gas main to Texas. You know big 36 inches is. It's about this high big circle when we were drilling holes over there for that park and ride many many years ago.

We had to have the gas company there with us every day. Anytime we turn on a piece of equipment. They had to be there. Why because there's reverence and respect. And I don't think he was joking he says if you guys hit that we're all dead within a few blocks.

See, there's a there's a it's gonna change how I Operate the equipment. It's gonna change how I How I treat that job site, there's a reverence. There's a respect same thing the fear of God when you that's what's going on in our culture.

That's what's going on the state of California as there's no fear of God. There's no there's they could care less. There's no God if there is a God he's a cosmic ball of love. He just loves us and he doesn't care what we do because God is within and we are gods.

There's no reverence. No respect. Do you want your neighbor to fear God? Why? We know because it is the beginning of wisdom in the beginning of knowledge. It's the beginning of everything now. It's interesting here.

The Bible will go on to say the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. So to really know something if it's true knowledge. You have to fear God and then it says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

So really to apply and that's the difference knowledge is knowing wisdom is doing so you can there's people in the church. They are so knowledgeable. But they're very foolish. They know but they don't do that's why in marriage counseling marriage is falling apart it's it's it's just Just falling apart, let's just leave it that and People will quote scripture.

She just needs to come back home and submit to me. Knowledge even that's even out of context many times knowledge, you know it but you have to apply it. Wisdom walk in humility and gentleness. I don't remember who it was and I probably won't get this right but I was reading a book about a hundred and fifty years ago 1850s or maybe close to the 1900 a man was asked a very famous preacher.

He was asked by someone he this guy started explaining his marriage problems, and it's it's this and that and The guy looked at him. He said I don't know you and I don't know your wife. But I can tell you almost always that humility will fix it.

Same same thing goes out to us today that there is a way to fix a lot of our issues if we would just humble ourselves and submit to God and if you're already saying in your heart or in your mind, but You're already off the course of wisdom, there's no but When God's Word says something we can't add a comma and but I Know it says this.

But get rid of the but that might be a good sermon title. No more, but No more, but well Hashtag no more, but we're gonna we're gonna we're gonna stop. We're gonna stop saying but about God's Word so know how to apply equity and justice.

Applying Equity, Justice, and Moral Wisdom

It says you will know how to apply equity and justice. Equity is the spirit of the law the spirit that is behind something actually the Reason why for example? I mentioned it last week the First Amendment.

One of the rate one of the benefits of reading the founding fathers in the founding era and their and their original Writings not what people think they believed but you begin to see the Spirit of why things were written and you hear about freedom of speech freedom of speech freedom of press.

It would have never been designed to protect pornography and things like that. The spirit behind it was not that the spirit behind it was to give people a voice and not be under tyranny again. So that's what equity is.

You will know the spirit behind something and also justice. You will know the application of it. What is right? And what is wrong? That's why we should desire godly men and women on the Supreme Court.

Godly men and women running for office godly men and women in our in our local courts and in our police Officers in all areas we should want men and women who love God and love justice. What is truly fair not partiality.

But what is fair not judging off skin color, but what is fair? And then he goes on to say to give prudence to the simple. Again I clarified that the simple would be someone who doesn't have a degree and I'm not against degrees.

I think you should get one if God has called you to do that. I think it's it's it's fine to do that. You might want to have a degree if you're going to perform surgery. Not a bad idea. Yeah, some jobs actually require it.

You have to know what you're doing. But for many people God's Word will give prudence to the simple to the young man knowledge and discretion this month in September in 1536 take your mind back there five hundred years ago almost William Tyndale who simply translated the Bible in The common tongue of the people was executed in Belgium by strangulation and then burned at the stake.

He said I defy the Pope and all his laws if God spared my life I will make a plow boy know more of the scriptures than thou dust. Than what you do he said if God gives me the breath and The time and the energy I will make a plow boy.

One of the most simplest people back then a farmer knew nothing illiterate probably didn't even know how to read. He said I will make that man wiser than the papacy wiser than the Pope if you can just learn the scriptures.

A Wise man will hear and increase learning. So wise man will hear and increase learning. A man of understanding will ask for wise counsel. So again, the struggle is real. The struggle is real. Are you hearing?

Are you increasing in knowledge? And not everybody. I'll just share this with you. Not everybody was happy that I kind of reached out to a black pastor and a friends with him. And we've talked we've had unity events and I and and I know the heart of some people is is good and there's not that.

Many people against it, but they're the thought is well, that's why are we wasting time in that? It's not a big deal. There's a bigger fish to fry. I don't see the point of it and actually this is the the point of it is to learn and To see from the others perspective.

Unless you put on their glasses. You're not gonna see from their perspective. You don't know where they're coming from so a wise man will actually sit down and listen and See where they're coming from try to understand their perspective.

Versus always wanting to be right always want to get the last word in always wanting to to prove their point. It's it's it's part of wisdom to listen to those you disagree with. Can you sit down with a Muslim?

Can you sit down with somebody of a different skin color and hear why they don't agree with you about Kaepernick and Nike? Can't can you listen? It's it's wise to listen and understand and grow from that.

Wait silent this morning. Maybe I better pull out a different sermon for the second service. I'm kidding. Of course, right we need to hear this. I'm still upset about my first point that I want to just keep going back to that because I am just I'm just appalled at what what our nation has become and we need wisdom.

Parents’ Godly Counsel for Their Children

We need to go back to that verse 8 my son my son hear the instruction of your father. Here how many young adults in here? I'm gonna make your kids listen to this part. Take the CD. We have 200 kids now at least signed into Children's Ministry now, they call it Westside Christian Fellowship home.

I'm hoping we can get them to hear at least this part. The Bible says my son. Hear the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother. For they will be a graceful ornament on your head and chains about your neck.

Did you hear my son here hear the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother. Let me tell you why every young adult hear me hear me loud. Hear me clear whether it's today whether it's in the future.

Nobody cares for you more than your parents, especially if they're Christian parents. I should probably clarify nobody cares for you more than your Christian parents. Nobody they here's the here's what?

Here's why they you go don't get along sometimes. Me too with with my kids as they get older we see what is lurking ahead. We see where these choices are going to lead you we see what could happen been there done that.

Right, so we offer Godly counsel we say hey, here's where this is going. Be careful. Oh mom dad. You just don't want me to have fun. No, it has nothing to do with fun. I don't want you to ruin your life.

There's there's probably not a month goes by my son doesn't want to go climb on the roof of the house. Dad, can we go get the big ladder? No, you can't get on the roof. Why you don't want me to have fun.

Can we go down this big hill on our bikes. No, no, there's cars turning the corner at 30 miles an hour. You just don't want us to have fun. Or as they get older son daughter. We love you. We want the best for you, but that person you're dating will hurt you.

They'll just oh you you just don't understand. Oh, no, I understand. Be careful because they love you more than anyone else they see where those bad choices are going. They see you crying on the phone a year from now realizing you married the wrong person.

They see how that anger and that boy can turn into hatred and physical abuse and they want to warn you. Listen to the voice of your father's and your mother's because they see God's given them the gift to speak life into you and that's another concern of my culture.

We raise kids on pornography at 10 years old. They acted out. They can have sex with the prostitute in a video game and then we blame Society right or we blame the church or we blame political parties when it starts in the home.

Home mom dad's teacher children. The struggle is real most problems between Christian kids and parents are because the parents see where these decisions will lead them and they want to warn them. They want to guide them.

They want to To teach them how to be proper godly men godly women growing up. So there will always be this you can't avoid them. And I'm not sure a parent should be this kid's best friend. That that's a toughy.

They have to be what God's called them to be. Mentoring them and leading them but I also believe we need to be careful not force. Too much of God's Word down their throat until they get sick of it and all they see is us throwing Bible verses at them and not listening and not loving and It can really turn them away.

So kids remember that here are the instruction of the father and your mother not the dope dealer down the street who wants your money. Not the person who wants you to try this new pill or this new drink.

Not this person has something on their phone. They want to show you. Be careful. Those are the wrong things to follow. But what does it mean for they will be graceful ordnance on your head and chains about your neck?

Well, I like what got questions org says it says this like fine jewelry. Wisdom is often obtained at a great cost. Jewelry has a history of value and can even be passed along to future generations. Further those who actively use the wisdom of their parents will see it reflected in their lives.

Other people will notice the wise choices the wise behavior and the wise words. Just as someone will notice the fine jewelry a person puts on. That's what he's saying that they'll notice they'll notice that and as a word of encouragement parents if you've not succeeded in this area.

Run to the cross. Whether your kids are old Shane, it's too late now. I don't know if it's ever too late. I think if you commit your works to the Lord and Say Lord, I'm sorry. I blew it many areas. I believe God can give you that that place of leading and helping your children again.

They'll look to you for advice. They'll look to you for wisdom. And if they're still in that young shapeable age begin begin now to commit your life to God's Word and to be good examples. And then we read in verse 10 that enticement pulls against wisdom.

The Enticement of Sin and the Pull of Temptation

Here's why the struggle is root was real wisdom says this enticement says this. So you have a struggle? You ever do tug-of-war? Did I ever share that. I used to do that at the at the fairgrounds. Many years ago is 25 and it was a bodybuilders against the farmers and we never won.

He's because he's farmers they get out of their truck. He's like 350 pounds six foot five and he's the anchor. I'm like, oh lord. But it was a four-minute struggle and I almost passed out of heat exhaustion to pull on a rope that hard for four minutes.

Try it. It's not easy. So the struggle in the Christian life is real wisdom says this. Enticements want this and you live in that struggle often. Paul said wretched man that I am. Who will free me from this body of sin and death for what I want to do I don't do and what I don't want to do I do and there's there's this struggle that happens.

But the Bible offers much wisdom here as well. My son if sinners what entice you. Entice you it always is enticement if it doesn't look good taste good or feel good. We wouldn't do it correct. Who's struggling with eating too much broccoli right now?

Chocolate Donuts coffee alcohol for some Marijuana. It's big now. It's legal. Yes, it's fine. I won't go there. I got chewed out in a store about six months ago from a lady about this issue and I totally get it on medicinal purposes.

But that's like 1 of usage 1 is for medicinal. The rest is to check out and These people are checking out and then getting in their vehicles. What would you. California is just I? We need to we just need to go forward in Proverbs here.

My son if sinners entice you if they entice you do not consent if they say come with us. Let us lie and wait to shed blood. Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. Let us swallow them alive and shaol and and whole like those who go down to the pit.

Now this seems a little extreme and he is giving an extreme example. What they would do is they would wait and they would rob people they would kill them and take everything they have. We shall find all kinds of precious possessions.

It's interesting enticement things like this sin will always promise something without the work. That's why I have to be careful of money of money marketing schemes. You ever heard that word pyramid. I Mean people say Shane you can make $10 ,000 this month run run run run run because God blesses hard work and diligence but enticement will always Relate to that easy way always take the easy way.

He said we will fill our house with spoil and cat and then he said in first 14 cast in your lot among us in other Words, let's go. Let's do this. Let's all have one purse. Come on. Let's just join in.

So I want you to notice the steps here with enticement. It looks fills or tastes good. Whatever wisdom says the opposing view the opposing force is going to look good. Tastes good feel good. Will it not?

For example wisdom says How's it? What does wisdom say about financial success and and being diligent financially and working hard. What I just said wisdom says that? The enticement is pulling us in the other direction take the easy path.

Also, it shows you the benefit the profit and not the cost. Not what eventually happened, that's where that's where they were enticement comes from it entices Ah that looks good. That lure looks really good to the fish as he's swimming.

But what happens when he right here and Ends up on the boat in the skillet. See, it's always enticing that looks good. But wisdom keeps us away from taking the wrong bait and then three there is continual nagging.

There's continually nagging. That's how temptation works. It often won't just tap you on the shoulder once. It's a come on, come on, come on, come on. Come on it wants to wear you down. Whoever says it up.

All right. All right. You remember? Okay, let's go back. We're younger for some of you. All right. All right, just one or all right. All right, just this time. Just this time. All right. I know I shouldn't watch that movie, but let's go.

Let's go. See it's a nagging Delilah that's how temptation works. It's often it's pretty easy for most Christians say no, I'm not going there. I'm not going there but then that sin begins to nag and A lot of times what happens is our thinking starts to to diminish.

We are initially so strong in our thinking no, no, no and Then as it nags Try fasting. Back to the broccoli issue, right? It's a nope. I'm doing this. I mean Everybody can fast after a big breakfast they commit to it.

Anyway, all right starting tomorrow. Starting tomorrow I'm going to fast. Oh, that sounds so great. But then come tomorrow and That's how enticement works it begins to nag it begins to pull like these guys come on.

And that's what we should warn our kids the other kids will do that. Come on. Come on. It's no big deal. Come on, it's no big deal. Others are doing it. Oh, okay, that should make it. Okay, then More often than not if the culture is going this direction kids.

You should be going the opposite direction and adults. So there's a nagging that happens it begins to it begins to just just Night and day sometimes it'll it'll nag on us until we cave in or bring it to the cross and flee the devil.

I'm sorry. Resist the devil and he will flee and resist those things and say no this is what God's Word says see sometimes. Sometimes you have to go back to the promises of God. Here's why it's so hard.

We often don't feel like going back to the promises of God. But God says do it regardless of how you feel. Jesus defeated Satan with the Word of God. It is written man shall not eat bread alone. But he but what every word that proceeds from the mouth of God it is written.

See he was hungry. How do you know that chain the Bible said? After 40 days and 40 nights, which is usually when the body resorts to real genuine hunger, or you're going to die. It's begin to consume itself believe it or not it can last for a while as it's as it's as it's fueling off of your fat storage your Adipose tissue and ketone ketones and ketogenic diets and all that.

That's where they get all that from but your body's fine for a season. But when it's time to eat your body will tell you and the body says Jesus and the Bible says Jesus became Hungry he hungered and the devil said now that's my opportunity.

So when he said no, I'm not listening to you. He went against his feelings. He felt like eating. He felt like giving in. So when it comes to wisdom you often have to go against how you feel and do what is right.

And then the feelings will come later the feelings of peace and enjoyment because self-discipline has taken place. So rarely will you feel like obeying God's Word all the time shouldn't say rarely because most of us do we feel like it.

But there will be challenging times where the Word of God won't feel Good to you at least obeying it and forgetting the promises and like oh, I'm just a mess. I'm gonna cave in don't do it. That's a time to strengthen yourself.

Avoiding Compromise with Sin

Verse 15 my son do not walk in the way with them. My son do not walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path. For what I'm sorry for their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed blood.

Again verse 15 my son do not walk in the way with them. So he's saying don't even walk in the way with them. Now the picture I get anyway is. You know the person said no, I'm not I'm not I'm not gonna do that with you guys.

I'm not gonna participate. Okay, would you would you at least walk with us? Down the road at least come with us at least walk with us. I know you're not gonna do it. But would you walk with us? Would you just go with us?

Well, of course I can do that. He's saying don't even do that. Because that's one step of compromise. You Don't negotiate with sin. You don't negotiate with enticement. And right when I read this Psalm, I'm sorry.

Yeah, Psalm 1 1 came right to my mind. Blessed is the man. Who what who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. You don't even you don't walk with them. Nor does he stand in the path of sinners? Nor does he sit in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the what law of the Lord.

And that's where I think a lot of Christians get in trouble. I'm not gonna do it, but I'll walk with you. I don't want to say too much here in case this person listens. They don't go here. They don't even live here.

But friends I knew from high school He was sober. I don't know four months. He's and they took a trip somewhere. So yeah, I'm not I'm not I'm not drinking but I'll go with you. I'll go with you on the trip.

Well, who's gonna be the stronger person on that trip? And He fell back into it again now his wife filing for divorce. I'll go but I'm not see. You can't you can't. That's compromise and the devil says, okay, that's just one step closer.

That's one step closer where I want them to be. We don't have them yet. Read read CS Lewis's book the screw tape letters. It's interesting how the devil works. So you're walking with them you're Participating with them but people might say but how do you minister to people then?

Well take it to the Lord if you can if you can walk with them and minister to them and they're gonna not pull you Down then of course by all means but we know those certain trigger points. We know those areas We can't walk with just yet.

We know there are areas in our lives where we're not strong enough. We have to use wisdom. We say no, I can't go down that I can't go down that path. Don't even stand on the path have no relationship with the unfruitful works of darkness and They make haste to shed blood.

Is it interesting it's talking about shedding blood for a profit that still happens today. Verse 17 surely in vain the net is spread in sight of any bird. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird, but they lie in wait for their own blood.

They lurk secret secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain it takes away the life of its owner. So everyone who is greedy for gain greedy. I've got to have it selfish.

You're you're you're actually gonna rob yourself of life. It may eventually kill you. It's funny. He says here even surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. In other words these foolish sinners see the trap and still they walk right in.

They see the trap and they walk right in and. Then verse 20 to 23 the call of wisdom the call of wisdom. So now we have heard the bad news. Let's look at the good news. Wisdom calls aloud outside. This is incredible.

Wisdom’s Public Call to Repentance

Wisdom calls out loud outside. She raises her voice. It's okay to raise my voice when I preach. If it's wisdom, so that's what wisdom is doing. Wisdom calls outside. It's calling to you. It raises her voice in the open square.

The open squares. Usually where they would debate or answer questions or the king or or the officials would be there and they would handle legal matters. So it's even there. It's even there wisdom is crying out in the open square.

She raises her voice that says she cries out in the chief concourses. I mean the highest positions of authority in the land. Wisdom is crying out at the opening of the gates in the city. She speaks her words and she says how long you simple ones?

How long will you love simplicity for scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge? So this is a wonderful picture and I still believe it's for us today the wisdom cries out. Wisdom calls out.

Wisdom goes out everywhere cries out. Look turn back. Turn back to God. Simple of heart those who strayed turn back to God. Wisdom is clearly and loudly Proclaiming the truths of God's Word. But will we listen?

It's just how long? Will you not listen for scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge. But then it says something interesting. Turn at my rebuke. Turn at my rebuke. Surely I will pour out my spirit on you.

I will make my words known to you. So there's a promise here. You can take God to the bank on this one. Turn at my rebuke. Does anybody being rebuked during the sermon by the Word of God? Hmm, that's not too encouraging.

Just just go like this. But here's the answer turn at my rebuke. Surely I will pour out my spirit on you. What a reward. What a reward. God says when you turn back to me, I'm going to pour out my spirit upon you.

I'm going to have you feel peace and joy again. So how long she calls she raises her voice she cries out and That's why preaching must include rebukes from time to time. Because we are looking at the wisdom of God's Word.

It's not just it's not all just touchy-feely. It's not all just love and grace and mercy. Thank God for those things. I need his mercy and his love and grace on a daily basis. We preach his mercy. We preach his grace.