Ignorance Is the Enemy's Only Weapon: 20 Keys to Wise Living

Sermon outline

Wisdom is the Word of God applied accurately to solve a problem, and with it you can navigate everything life brings, from desire, anger and choices to crisis, fear, jealousy and loneliness.

1. Wisdom is the word of God applied accurately to solve a problem

   Ignorance is the only weapon the enemy can use against you, and wisdom is the spiritual solution to any problem you face. University gives natural knowledge, but spiritual wisdom comes from the Word, which Jesus used as a sword against the enemy. What enters you determines what exits you: the Word makes you wiser than your enemies, compensates for inexperience, and brings length of days, riches and honour.

   Illustration: At work, when you come up with the solution to a problem, colleagues can't understand why they didn't think of it first; that is the wisdom of God functioning in you.

   “What enters you determines what exits you.”

   • Matthew 4:1-11
   • Psalm 119:98
   • Joshua 17:8
   • Proverbs 3:16
   • John 15:11
   • Psalm 119:11

2. Power

   You function in the power of God, and true power is the ability to walk away from something you desire to protect something else you love. When God has delivered you from one thing, the enemy introduces new desires, so stay stable.

   “True power is the ability to walk away from something you desire.”

   • Philippians 4:13

3. Abuse

   The Lord is your helper, so don't fear what people do to you at work, at home or around you; if God is for you, who can be against you? But never complain about what you have permitted in your life: think carefully before you say yes.

   “Never complain about what you permit in your life.”

   • Hebrews 13:6
   • Romans 8:31

4. Anger

   Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, for man's wrath does not work the righteousness of God. Anger is a passion looking for an appropriate focus.

   “Anger is simply the passion requiring an appropriate focus.”

   • James 1:19-20

5. Dating

   To the young people: don't say yes to someone outside the faith and then ask your parents or pastor whether it was the right decision, because light has no fellowship with darkness. Nobody is ever as they first appear: see how people react when their toes are stepped on.

   “Nobody's ever as they first appear.”

   • 2 Corinthians 6:14

6. Change

   If any man is in Christ he is a new creature. People don't drown by falling into the water but by staying there, so when you make a mistake, don't be too proud to admit it: get up, ask God to forgive you, and let Him wipe it away.

   “Men do not drown by falling in the water. They drown because they stay there.”

   • 2 Corinthians 5:17

7. Choices

   God has set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, so choose life. Your decisions decide your joy, so think first and sleep over a decision before you make it.

   “Your decisions decide your joy.”

   • Deuteronomy 30:19

8. Church

   Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together. People of other faiths will close their businesses for their times of prayer, while Christians often don't treat church and the things of God as important.

   “The climate around you determines the power that grows within you.”

   • Hebrews 10:25

9. Wisdom

   Wisdom is the principal thing, one of his favourite scriptures. Every problem in your life is simply a wisdom problem that needs wisdom applied to solve it.

   “Every problem in your life is simply a wisdom problem.”

   • Proverbs 4:7

10. Crisis

    All things work together for good to those who love God, so whatever the crisis, God is working it for your good.

    “Crisis is a school where greatness is born.”

    • Romans 8:28

11. Depression

    Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. When bad news hits you from east and west, keep your focus on God and let nothing move you from His Word.

    “Your focus decides your feelings.”

    • Psalm 30:5

12. Faith

    Whoever says to the mountain 'be removed' and does not doubt will have what he says, so engage your mouth, your speaking and your thinking with the Word: what you say today is what you will experience tomorrow.

    “What you say reveals to everybody around you what you believe.”

    • Mark 11:23

13. Fear

    God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Don't bury your head in the sand like an ostrich: being born again doesn't make you weak but resilient.

    “You can only conquer what you are willing to confront.”

    • 2 Timothy 1:7

14. Forgetting the past

    Remember not the former things. Stop discussing what you want others to forget, and spend time with people who remind you of your bright future, not your past.

    Illustration: A neighbour he had not seen for years could only remember that his sons, now grown men and fathers, broke his curtains as little boys 39 years ago; he declined to go back and visit, because he doesn't want to go backwards in his life.

    “Stop discussing what you want others to forget.”

    • Isaiah 43:18

15. Forgiveness

    The people who hurt you are often the closest to you, but you can't harbour a grudge, because your forgiveness of others determines God's forgiveness of you. Be careful how you treat other people's children, because you are sowing for your future.

    “Your forgiveness of others determines God's forgiveness to you.”

    • Mark 11:26

16. Study your Bible

    Study to show yourself approved. Students, among all your books don't forget your Bible and your Faith Chronicles, which he still uses every day as part of his devotional life.

    “The word of God is the wisdom of God.”

    • 2 Timothy 2:15

17. Honouring your parents

    Honour your father and mother that it may be well with you. When you have studied and found a good job, don't forget your parents, because without them you wouldn't be where you are.

    “Your reaction to your parents determines God's reaction to you.”

    • Ephesians 6:2-3

18. Jealousy

    Jealousy occurs when you believe someone else received what you earned. Instead of pulling people down when they try to rise, celebrate other people's new houses, cars and jobs, even in Christian circles, and trust God that what is due to you is coming.

    Illustration: Driving an old car, he celebrated in his heart as his pastor prayed over a businessman's brand new Mercedes-Benz, and years later he too drove brand new cars.

    “Jealousy occurs when you believe someone else received what you earned.”

    • Galatians 5:26

19. Laziness

    If any would not work, neither should he eat. The problems you solve will determine the rewards you receive.

    “The problems you solve will determine the rewards you will receive.”

    • 2 Thessalonians 3:10

20. Loneliness

    Family and friends may write you off, but God has said He will never leave you nor forsake you, so you will never be alone.

    “Loneliness is not the absence of affection but the absence of direction.”

    • Hebrews 13:5

21. The love of God

    Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. However much the enemy hates you, God loves you more, and even when those closest to you turn against you, God will never leave you.

    “The hatred of Satan towards you cannot compare with the love God has for you.”

    • Romans 8:38-39