Treasure Quest - Week 2

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT

PEOPLE INTERPRET WHAT YOU SAY NOT WHAT YOU INTENDED TO SAY. 

1. THE WISE UNDERSTAND THAT OUR WORDS PRODUCE EITHER LIFE OR DEATH
Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10:6 NIV

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. James 3:5-6 NLT

Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? James 3:9-11 NLT

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 NLT

Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10:6 NIV

2. THE WISE LISTEN MORE THAN THEY SPEAK
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. Proverbs 10:13-14 NIV

You know the biggest lie that people believe about wise smart people is that they know everything and they have to tell everybody they know everything. So we think the wisest people in the world or those that talk the most it's actually the opposite. if you read the gospels I want you to understand something about Jesus he asked 10 times more questions that he gave answers. Which means he was in a constant state of  listening to whoever he was having a conversation with and then asking questions based on their responses to get them to a place a true understanding. The greatest skill you can have as a leader, a disciple maker, a spouse, a parent, and a friend is the ability to listen.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT LISTENER?
ATTITUDE
ACTIONS

ESSENTIALS FOR EXCELLENT LISTENING

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood” -Stephen Covey

 3. THE WISE DON’T DIE ON EVERY HILL
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. Proverbs 10:19 NIV

Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 NLT

4. THE WISE ADD VALUE WITH THEIR WORDS
The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. Proverbs 10:21 NIV

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 NIV

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8 NIV

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 NLT

Now you may think you're the farthest thing from that right now well here's the beautiful thing about Jesus we've all fallen short of his glorious standard and we are all sinners in desperate need of his forgiveness in the Bible says when he washes us clean the old has gone in the newest here and we have the beautiful opportunity to change directions and move off of that Spectrum of curses and negativity in move towards the spectrum of life and blessings.

ALTAR