Are you struggling with life’s conflict? When two objects attempt to occupy the same space at the same time, do you feel like a boat being tossed around at sea by an unforeseen storm? Nestled in the middle of the Bible is a treasure map to navigate life’s challenges, guiding you through the storms of life to a deeper intimacy with God and stronger relationships with those around you. Journey through wisdom’s chartered waters to examine thirty navigational beacons to help you travel safely through life’s seven seas: (1) finances, (2) friends, (3) faith, (4) failure, (5) family, (6) fools, and (7) future.

King Solomon began The Thirty Sayings of the Wise with the secret to applying them to our lives: Listen. Learn. Lean.

Listen. 
Solomon called followers of God to: “Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach” (Proverbs 22:17). This command implied a wholehearted, focused approach to prioritizing the priceless content.

Learn. 
Listening opens the door to learning the thirty sayings: “For it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have them ready on your lips” (Proverbs 22:18). When you make the content sticky to your heart, you can recall it when conflict arises. The right word spoken at the right time is, indeed, priceless (see Proverbs 25:11).

Lean. 
Listening and learning have a purpose, which is to lean on God: “So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you” (Proverbs 22:19). The Thirty Sayings of the Wise are designed to grow your faith in God, shrewdly applying your relationship with Him to your circumstances in order to be used by your Creator to draw others to Himself.

Follow Solomon’s advice for applying The Thirty Sayings of the Wise to your conflict. Listen to the sayings by opening your heart (see Proverbs 22:17). Learn these thirty wise words so that you can recall and speak them when conflict arises (see Proverbs 22:17-18). Lean on God, not yourself or the sayings (see Proverbs 22:19). When you listen, learn, and lean on God, then you will have knowledge, good advice, truth, and answers for your challenges. The Holy Spirit will navigate you through life’s conflict toward community, deeper relationships in Christ: “Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you” (Proverbs 22:20-21).

Memorize Proverbs 22:17-21. Recite the verses every morning and every evening, begging God for His wisdom to permeate your life. You will become His faithful messenger to a lost and hurting world.

Episode 94: 30 Sayings of the Wise: Finances from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.