Proverbs 2:1–15 (ESV) 

The way of wisdom is the Word of God.

Hear the statement if you receive, if you call, if you seek, then the Lord gives wisdom.


1.  Proverbs 13:20
People seeking wisdom hang out with people who are seeking wisdom or who have wisdom. 


2.  Proverbs 16:21–24
The wise man knows how to argue and the wise path of persuasion.

Kindness in our discussion is more persuasive than force or yelling.

Judiciousness and graciousness should guide our discussions.

The wise man guards against being insulting, attacking, rude, or overbearing.

The wise man brings calm and understanding to the discussion.

Issues are not settled with the quickest retort.

The wise man surrounds his response with kindness and patience.

He looks to bring about the righteous end by wisdom not power.

Power subdues but does not persuade.

Proverbs 18:13 goes hand and hand with this.

Here are a couple ways this can play out:

• The quick response before the person has spoken
  
  
• Making up our minds before we have heard both sides of a story

Proverbs 18:17
If you are offended go talk!


3.  Proverbs 19:11

James 1:19–20 
Quick to hear. Slow to speak. Slow to anger.

It is to the wise person’s glory to overlook an offense.

Wise people are not easily offended.

The goal is always the righteous end.

Quick to listen means digging into the issue.

• What do you mean?
  
  
• How do you feel? 
  
  
• What do you want the outcome to be?
  
  
• How do you want me to respond?

Wise people are not easily offended.

Wise people keep their eye on the goal which means getting angry doesn’t help.

Wise people try to understand the other person.

Wise people put effort into helping the other person understand without being offensive.


4.   Proverbs 19:27
The wise man is a lifelong learner, especially in with the Word of God.

Here is the problem:
If we don’t keep learning, then the information of the world will push us further and further from the truth of God.

This passage does not say, “you might stray,” it says, “you will stray. “


These are some of the acts of wise people.