Scripture Text: Selected Proverbs
Introduction: Defining the Message We decided that we need to look at the overall message of Proverbs to finish our two-year study. We have discussed the purpose, premise, principle, power, and profit of Proverbs, but how would you outline its overall message? Some might say it is about finding wisdom, daily living, or fearing God. Others might suggest it is a book of warnings or beautiful words for the wise. Perhaps the best summary is simply: Wisdom applied equals a godly life.
We are going to look at two main principles regarding this overall message: the necessity of God’s direction and God’s prescription for a successful life.
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I. Only With God’s Direction Can Life Be Worthwhile
A. You Cannot Successfully Direct Your Own Life This is a matter of sovereignty versus squandering; either we squander our lives, or we allow the sovereign God to direct them.
• The Sovereignty of God: Proverbs 20:24 says, “Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?” God has it mapped out. Some may ask, “If God knows the decision I’m going to make, what is the sense of me making a decision?” While we have free will, if God didn’t know the future, He wouldn’t be all-sufficient. We cannot fully understand our own way without His sovereignty.
• Obedience Precedes Understanding: People often ask, “What is the will of God?” But you cannot expect to know God’s specific will if you are not obeying His general will. Just as you cannot learn a language by bypassing the vowels to get to sentence structure, you must follow the general will of God to be led to His perfect will.
• Shortcuts Lead to Nightmares: Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
• The Danger of the Heart: Proverbs 28:26 tells us, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” We often make wrong decisions when we rely on our own heart—our whole being—rather than giving it to God.
B. Wisdom for Successful Living Comes from God Alone
• The Target: We are targeting the “Fear of the Lord” and the “Knowledge of the Holy.” Proverbs 1:7 tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, and Proverbs 9:10 adds that the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
• The Source: Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
C. Trust God to Direct Your Life If you want a successful life, you must trust God to direct it. This is difficult because we naturally want to do it our way; we want to keep our hands on the steering wheel. We often try to justify our own desires—like justifying eating chocolate chip cookies for breakfast by claiming the ingredients are healthy.
• The Prescription for Trust: Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
• Forsaking Personal Wisdom: Verse 7 continues, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” You must take your foot off the brake and let God control the vehicle.
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II. Follow God’s Prescription for a Successful Life
A. Regarding God: Serve the Lord in Righteousness
• Duty Not Image: Proverbs 21:3 states, “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” We must avoid “self-service” where we do things just to be seen by men.
• Confident Prayer: Proverbs 15:8 says, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” We must ensure we are not hypocritical in our prayers.
• Source of Life: Proverbs 11:30 tells us, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
B. Regarding Yourself: Practice Discipline in Every Area Just as you must put on your own oxygen mask before helping others on a plane, you must practice discipline yourself before you can help your family.
• True Stability (The Heart): Proverbs 4:23 warns, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
• True Speech (The Mouth): Proverbs 4:24 says, “Put away from thee a froward mouth.”
• True Vision (The Eyes): Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let thine eyes look right on.” Like a horse with blinders, we must stay focused and not get spooked or distracted.
• True Course and Resolve (The Feet): Proverbs 4:26 says, “Ponder the path of thy feet.” Imagine walking through the woods and coming to a stream with rocks. You must ponder which rock to step on—is it slippery? Is it stable? We must walk circumspectly, considering the consequences of our decisions.
• Unwavering Resolve: Proverbs 4:27 says, “Turn not to the right hand nor to the left.” While there is room for compromise in methodology, there is no compromise when it comes to biblical principles.
C. Regarding Your Family: Encouraging One Another in Love
• Earnest Bonding: Proverbs 23:26 says, “My son, give me thine heart.” A parent must earn the right to ask for their child’s heart by modeling Christ.
• Earnestly Purposed: Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to “Train up a child in the way he should go.”
• Earnestly Devoted: Proverbs 14:1 says the wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down.
• Earned Praise: Proverbs 31:28 describes the virtuous woman whose children rise up and call her blessed.
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Conclusion Only with God’s direction can life be worthwhile. We must trust Him, forsake our own understanding, and follow His prescription for our relationship with Him, ourselves, and our families.
