I. Genuine Believers fear God and turn away from evil (13)
1. Job (28:12, 23, 28)
a. Wisdom = fear the Lord
b. Understanding = know and avoid evil
2. Moses (Deut. 4:5-6, 32:28-29)
a. If keep God’s statutes, then your wisdom, understanding observed by watching Gentiles
3. Solomon (Prov. 4:13-26)
a. Wise, Understanding man will be blessed: long life, riches, honor, peace, eternal life, happiness
II. Pretenders deceive themselves and others that they are Christians (14-16);
1. Bad Seed: Pretenders embrace earthly, fleshly and demonic wisdom (15)
2. Corrupt Root: Pretender’s heart will be motivated by bitter jealousy, selfish ambition (14)
3. Rotten Fruit: Pretenders will reap a life of disorder, every evil thing (16)