Practical Application

Proverbs 6

In this chapter of Proverbs we read of practical points that Solomon wants his children to learn from.

1) Do not get into debt. (1-5)

He warns his son not to get into debt because it is controlling. This is very practical for us today as the individual debt of every American is rising. We should not owe anyone anything and we should not charge interest to those in need. Obviously there are certain things that I am pretty sure the average person can not pay for such as a house, but we should never be controlled by money but control money knowing all is from God. Luke 16:13 says, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” Be careful with money now, so you can handle it better when you are older. Remember all your stuff is from God, honor him with it.

2) Laziness (6-11)

Are you lazy? Look at how you spend your time, are you productive? This is something that everyone needs to look at, because it is easy to become lazy. Are you lazy with your school work? What about chores? What about for the kingdom of God? Ephesians 5:15 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Awake, couch potato , get to work for the Lord. Be an example in your work for school, home, and personal life. Like it says in vs 10-11 a little rest, a little sleep and poof poverty will pounce on you like a bandit. Spiritually speaking this is so true, be careful with your time. Read the Word everyday!

3) Watch for the Deceiver (12-15)

Solomon is talking about the habitual lier, the one that lies all the time and that can never tell the truth. They desire to lie so much that their life is a lie. Be careful and stay away from these people, they will deceive you and bring you into their life of lying and you will start becoming like them. Verse 14 talks about the heart of this type of person, “Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble. The end of these types of people is destruction just like the wicked. Be careful who your friends are and what they say.

What other things can you learn from this chapter of Proverbs, let me know.

The Pursuit of Purity

Proverbs 5

The next few chapters the father is writing to his son with wisdom regarding the adulteress woman. These chapters can be applied both to guys and girls as purity is an issue that both deal with.

The Bible is clear about sin and what is sin. We live in a society that is very rampant with visual temptations for our flesh. We live in a society that does not look down upon sex outside of marriage. It can be very hard to keep focused on the right path (Proverbs 4:25-27) especially in purity. Purity is defined as dictionary.com says, “The condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes.” and I would add to our mind or body. We as believers know our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and we are to treat our bodies as pure vessels (1st Corinthians 6:19). This concept of fleeing from anything that can compromise our purity is being thrown out the window more and more today. As Solomon expressed deeply that, “[my son] pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you have learned.” We need to listen to these words from God’s Word as well so we can stay away from sin.

What we can learn from this chapter is that we need to not even toy with the idea of our purity. In verse 7 it says, “So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house!” Stay away from the things of the world. Hold fast to your gift of purity. Anyone can stumble and fall in this area, that is why you need to learn that boys or girls or evil, just kidding. You need to learn that our eyes should be on the Lord and not another person until they are your husband or wife. Watch yourself for it is easy to fall in this area. Watch yourself to know that you need help to keep pure. Have an accountability partner, talk to your parents and strong Christian friends. Make sure you are in the Word Everyday! Ask God to give you the strength to last and as Paul told Timothy, flee from sexual immorality (2nd Timothy 2:22)

Staying the Course

Proverbs 4

In this Proverb, the father is instructing the son to listen to the wisdom, advice, and counsel given by him and his mother. He contrasts the way of the wicked in vs 16-17 and 19 which says, “For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. The way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over” with the way of the righteous which vs  18 says, “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”

Have you ever hiked before? I am not that big of a hiker, but I will occasionally go on hikes. The first time I went on a hike, which was an all day hike, I found myself getting tired and stumbling a lot. I had to look and stare at my feet constantly and view what was ahead in the path. I needed to know so I did not trip on rocks, or if the ground was uneven. The same is with our Christian walk. We know the Devil crawls around like a roaring lion, ready to devour and destroy us (1st Peter 5:8). As Solomon was writing for the reader, his son, to be warned and to know the consequences of sin, of wickedness. Psalm 1 says, “Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all that they do. But not the wicke! They are worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”

In closing as Solomon wrote to end this chapter, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked keep your feet from evil.” Watch what is ahead of you, the Devil is smart and crafty and wants us to fall. Cling to the Lord and his Word as the word is light and guide to our path (Psalm 119:105). Read Everyday!

Wisdom

Proverbs 2

I have read wisdom is the knowledge of what is right and true. I also heard someone tell me, wisdom is learning from past failures. The book of Proverbs defines wisdom by this, it is learning from discipline, learning from understanding, and how one passes on what was learned to other people. It is learning from your failures, the failures of others, and most importantly without having to fail, learn what God has to say and direction he gives through his word.

In this chapter of Proverbs we see some of the benefits of listening and learning from wisdom.

1) It is Fruitful to gain wisdom.

In verses 5-8 we see that God is the one who gives true wisdom and understanding. When you seek this wisdom it brings you into a right relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. Then we read that we have protection in this life (from making poor decisions and not giving into sin). Wisdom is something given by God, true understanding is a gift from God who graciously gives it.

2) Wisdom Directs Your Path

Throughout Proverbs we see the comparison and contrast of the wise person and the fool. The wise will make right decisions and the fool will make poor decisions. As theses are all practical points to apply in our lives, verses 9-11 show us that it is good for our lives to follow after God’s wisdom. In verse 9 is says, “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, and every good path.  It is foolish to not want to have good direction in this life. The Bible is our road map to life which the Holy Spirit is our GPS. Seek the Lord and his wisdom and you can’t go wrong. You will not regret following after God and his wisdom. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given. Ask God today for his wisdom with every part of life and he will direct your path in the way of knowing what is right and wrong.

More Instruction Please

We start a new book today, Proverbs. It was written by David’s son Solomon as instruction on listening and doing what is wise. King Solomon wrote the first 6 verses as a reason why it is important to listen to wisdom and to gain knowledge. Solomon wanted to teach, his son and those that read this what to learn from his failures and not having to fail themselves.

Know Wisdom and Instruction.

In verse 2 we see that the purpose of Proverbs is to receive wisdom and instruction; to be able to handle wise dealings in righteousness, justice, and equity. It was to give knowledge and discretion to the youth too. Proverbs is so relevant for us today, we can learn many wise things from this book but more importantly grow closer to the Lord through true knowledge and wisdom.

The first instruction that Solomon wrote to his son was to listen to the words of his father and mother and how precious they are. They are like graceful garland or pendants on your neck, which is something you can wear and be proud of (vs 8-9). The second instruction was to stay away from those that want you to sin. In psalm 1 we read that the man who stays away from those that sin is happy or blessed.

How important is it that you choose your friends wisely. We all have peers but we can choose who we hang out with and who we listen to. Solomon was instructing his son to choose wisely with those he hangs out with. If someone is encouraging you to sin, they are not helping you. They are bringing you down spiritually and also may inflict harm upon you. In 2nd Corinthians 6:14, Paul was encouraging the Corinthian church to choose who it was hanging out with. They were to not be unequally yoked together with a non-believer. This would mean do not choose your best friend whom you do everything with to be a non believer.  Proverbs 27:17 says, As iron sharpens iron, let one man sharpen another. We should choose those that would help us become stronger, more efficient Christians than someone that would bring us down spiritually.

I could recall different stories of middle schoolers that have gotten themselves in trouble by hanging out with the wrong people. It did not just happen, it was small compromises that led up to getting into serious trouble. Be warned and encouraged to seek friends that love the Lord. As Solomon wrote that these people that want you to sin, their result is not good and actually bad.