TEACHING NOTES ‌ Introduction Once again we are in a major political season in America. Campaigns and media are telling us that this election is life and death for our nation. One candidate is said to be a threat to democracy and the other candidate promises to rescue the nation from the last administration. Emotions are high and everything seems chaotic. How should Christians think and behave in this situation? In this session, we will learn that the first step in navigating politics as a Christian is to seek wisdom. Series Overview: 1. Wisdom vs Chaos 2. Pick Your Poison 3. What Now? 4. King & Kingdom ‌ Proverbs 3:19–20 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. ‌ Explanation: God created and ordered the world by wisdom. This means that wisdom is the foundation on which everything else is built. If we lose wisdom, we eventually lose everything else. Why? Because foolishness is destructive. Therefore, no matter what is going on in our culture the people of God must seek wisdom. ‌ Proverbs 3:21–24 21 My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. 24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ‌ Sound wisdom = Heb. tushiyyah - to know what is good, successful. ‌ Discretion = Heb. mezimmah - discernment, ability to determine what is right or wrong, ability to identify lies and schemes. ‌ They will be life for your soul = Because God founded everything on wisdom, living in wisdom leads to life. They reverse is also true—if you live in foolishness, it will lead to death and destruction. ‌ When you lie down = Wisdom removes fear. Living by wisdom and discretion leads to peace/rest. ‌ Proverbs 3:25–26 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. ‌ Do not be afraid of sudden terror = In the context of American politics, we are constantly being told to be afraid of sudden terror/disaster. We’re told climate change will end the world suddenly if we don’t do something now. We’re told that conservative views are a threat to democracy. We’re told that restricting abortion will kill mothers. We’re told that if we don’t allow children to medically transition their gender they will kill themselves. ‌ Fear is used to encourage quick, uninformed, and ridiculous decisions. ‌ The ruin of the wicked = While it may seem that the wicked prosper, their success is limited. God will judge the wicked and wicked nations. At some point, God will step in and put a stop to the wicked. ‌ The LORD will be your confidence = Biblically and historically the judgment of the wicked always effects the righteous. When Israel and Judah were exiled, the righteous were also exiled. ‌ Proverbs 3:27–29 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. 29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. ‌ Explanation: No matter what is going on in our nation and culture, we are still called to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). Jesus said that loving God and your neighbor are the greatest commandments and “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40). While we have little influence in changing Washington DC, we can do good to those around us. ‌ Proverbs 3:30–32 30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, 32 for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence. ‌ Do not contend with a man for no reason = The Hebrew word for “contend” is tarob, which means “to strive, fight, attack, complain, start a contest.” A person who loves to start trouble or nitpick everything about another person is not a wise person. ‌ Do not envy a man of violence = The Hebrew word for “violence” here is hamas, which means “oppressive, fierce, destructive.” Why would anyone envy a violent person? Being contentious and controversial is attractive to many. This is why politicians and preachers who say shocking and controversial things gain popularity. People who speak truth and wisdom often do not gain popularity in our culture. ‌ The devious person is an abomination = The Hebrew word for “devious person” is naloz, which means “perverse, scheming, cunning.” Being deceptive is detestable to God. ‌ The upright are in his confidence = This line can also be translated, “his friendship is with the righteous” or “he reveals his counsel to the righteous.” ‌ Proverbs 3:33–35 33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. 35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. ‌ The wicked are cursed, scorned = The wicked are bound to the consequences of their wickedness. This curse is not something God has to impose on the wicked, but is simply the logical outcome of wickedness. In God’s created order, sin has consequences and righteousness has consequences too. That is how God designed His creation to work. ‌ The righteous are blessed, honored = Being blessed by God does not mean that we are free from suffering. In the Bible, blessing is described as a having a divine purpose. Anyone who has read the Bible at all should notice that the righteous suffer, but they are also blessed. The Doctrines of Chaos: ‌ Doctrine 1: You need to be angry about ________. ‌ What good is it to be angry over something outside of your control? ‌ When we stay angry about things outside of our control anger is now in control of us, does nothing to solve the problem, and only hurts us. ‌ James 1:19–20 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ‌ Doctrine 2: You need to be afraid about ________. ‌ Fear (anxiety) is looking into the future, imagining the worst possible scenario, and allowing that imaginary scenario to govern present reality. ‌ Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ‌ Matthew 6:25, 27 “25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life… 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” ‌ Doctrine 3: You need to affirm _______ or else. ‌ Affirming evil is not loving. Affirming evil is evil. ‌ “When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” — Thomas Sowell ‌ Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” ‌ Doctrine 4: Follow your feelings because truth is relative. ‌ Voting based on how a candidate makes you feel is unwise and dangerous. ‌ We should vote for policy not personality. ‌ James 1:5–8 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. ‌ Next Week: Pick Your Poison ‌