Wisdom: What is it?

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Tim Keller

Religion & Spirituality, Religion, Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Christianity, Spirituality

4.8 • 15K Ratings

🗓️ 25 July 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

There are choices everywhere, just zillions and zillions of choices. And if you don’t make good choices, it can be very destructive. Bad choices blow up on you. Every choice is like a fork in the road, and once you make it, you really can’t go back to where you were. What does it take to make good choices? It takes wisdom. And the book of Proverbs is perhaps the most famous text in the world on wisdom. If we look at Proverbs 1, we can see the basics: 1) what wisdom is, 2) why it’s important, 3) why it’s a problem, and 4) where you can find it. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on September 8, 2013. Series: Wisdom in Life. Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-9, 22, 32-33. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to the Gospel in Life podcast.
0:05.6	Many of the questions we face in life are complex and aren't always answered by simply following rules.
0:11.6	Do I speak up now or do I wait? Should I take that job or stay where I am?
0:16.1	That's why wisdom is so crucial. But how do we develop it?
0:20.2	Today, join us as Tim Keller explores how we apply
0:23.1	God's wisdom to the everyday complexities of our lives. After you listen to today's teaching,
0:28.6	we invite you to go online to gospelandlife.com and sign up for our email updates. When you sign up,
0:34.7	you'll receive our quarterly journal and other valuable gospel-centered resources.
0:39.0	Subscribe today at gospelinlife.com.
0:48.3	Tonight's scripture reading is from the Book of Proverbs, chapter 1, verses 1 through 9, 22, and 32 through 33.
1:00.2	The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, for gaining wisdom and instruction,
1:07.2	for understanding words of insight, for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
1:14.6	doing what is right and just and fair, for giving prudence to those who are simple,
1:21.1	knowledge and discretion to the young, let the wise listen and add to their learning,
1:27.0	and let the discerning get guidance.
1:29.9	For understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise,
1:35.5	the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1:42.1	Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your
1:47.1	mother's teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. How long will
1:54.9	you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools
2:00.6	hate knowledge? For the
2:02.6	waywardness of the simple will kill them and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
	...

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