May 23, 2020
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!
In Proverbs 6 Solomon gives more counsel for wise living to his children. He instructs his son to make things right quickly with those who would have reason to accuse them, to be diligent and hard-working rather than lazy, and to avoid walking in wicked and perverse ways which the Lord detests.
Finally, Solomon takes time to once again warn his son against adultery. Solomon warns his son to keep the advice of his parents close to his heart, because it will lead him in the right way and not in the path of the adulteress. He warns his son about those who commit adultery, that they are like a man carrying fire next to his chest and expecting not to get burned; their expectation that they will not have to face the consequences is equally absurd!
Proverbs 6
Practical Warnings
6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
have given your pledge for a stranger,
2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
caught in the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, and save yourself,
for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:
go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
4 Give your eyes no sleep
and your eyelids no slumber;
5 save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
8 she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil,
continually sowing discord;
15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
Warnings Against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s commandment,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always;
tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,
but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
none who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;
he will give all the goods of his house.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense;
he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor,
and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious,
and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation;
he will refuse though you multiply gifts.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
We see two things in this repeated warning against adultery in the book of Proverbs; first, that God takes the marriage covenant deathly seriously, and there are consequences for those who dishonor it. Second, that we sometimes believe, to our own harm, that we can toy around with sin and that somehow everything will be okay.
We cannot afford not to take sin seriously. If we do, we are playing with fire and we are going to get burned, one way or another. Sin might be dead, but it is still deadly, and we must combat it in the power of the Holy Spirit! Living in God’s wisdom means living within His boundaries!
- What are some ways we tend to minimize or belittle our sin? How do we sometimes think that we can get away with it? How can we turn from this attitude?
Family Discussion Question:
- Have you ever done something that seemed harmless to you at the time, but later on it ended up really bad for you? How does that relate to the way this passage talks about sin?
Dear Heavemly Father,
It is so wonderful to read in Your Word each day. Solomon was so wise to keep on instructing his son in the ways of righteous living. I am so thankful that I had parents that taught me about You. A parent can never give up on their children because sin is lurking around everywhere. So many times we try to minimize or justify our actions but a sin is a sin to You and we will pay the price in some way.
Please help me, Oh Lord to always consider You in all that I say, do, or think . I want to live wisely and be an instrument for You. Thank You for all that I have and for Your abiding love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
” ABBA Father God, THANK YOU and PRAISE YOU for conveying Holy Wisdom to us thru Your WORD to keep us safe from the snares of sin. I pray to be watchful of and not have haughty eyes, a lying tongue. To never shed innocent blood physically or in my heart. Jesus, help me to run to you only, keep my heart and mind pure from devising any wickedness or desire for any evil. Jesus, bind my tongue in purity of speech so I will not show any seeds of discord, instead only peace and unity, bearing only a true witness of my neighbor and You. Lord Jesus, daily bind your WORD around my heart and life so I will keep your commandments and bear witness to YOUR GRACE, MERCY & SALVATION. Amen.”
Amen
I will bind them on my heart always, and tie them around my neck. When I walk, they will lead me, and when I lie down, they will watch over me, and when I awake, they will talk with me.
Father, may I think of you as I take each step today. May praises to you be on my lips. Guide my steps towards heaven and along the way, together, may we find one more for Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus thank you for Your Words of wisdom. I lift up our leaders to You Lord. May Your Words lead them. May they fear You in every decision they make. May they not turn to the left nor turn to the right but look only to You Lord. We need You so. We need Your truth. Forgive me Lord for I am a sinner. Words cannot be said for how grateful I am that You paid the price for me. For Your mercy and grace which are new each morning. You are my Savior Lord Jesus. In Your precious Name I pray Amen.
Father, thank you for Your words of guidance. Words to live by. Marriage is for life!
Heavenly Father,
You know the things that I have done that hasn’t been pleasing in your sight and I so thank you for confessing my sins to you, for repenting and for your forgiveness. Sin attacks daily and so grateful for your word and love that protects us and guides us closer to you. I am nothing and can do nothing without you. Thank you for the perfect Father that you are who was tempted by Satan but never sinned. Although there are consequences to our sins, thank you for not giving us what we deserve for our sins but showing compassion, grace and love. Help us all each day to be reminded that when we sin it also affects others. Help me to continue to be light in the darkness and always trusting in you in Jesus name. Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
Where do we start? Yes, there are consequences when we toy with sin, but there is also forgiveness. We shouldn’t commit the sin because we know of Your character, but if we commit a sin and repent, we are thoroughly and whole-ly (completely) forgiven. One grand reason for this is that You want us to live! If I fear taking the next step because I might screw up, that is no life! (Don’t we all do this at times…it gets us nowhere.)
James 1
/ / / /
Testing of Your Faith
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 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.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Mil gracias Señor! You meet our every need and answer every question! I love you so much!!!
Amen
Thank you for your grace and mercy….without it, I would be lost forever. I thank you for your promises, that if I confess my sin to you, You are faithful and just to forgive my sin, and cleanse me.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! I will bless the Lord at all times & His praise shall be continually be in my mouth! Thank you for your goodness!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for loving us so much that you’ve given us Your warnings and lessons to help us live our daily lives in victory.
I pray each time I open my Bible and read, You will plant Your truths deep into my heart. May they take root and grow me in wisdom and knowledge so I will know how to respond, react, and face each moment of today.
In Your precious name, I pray.
Amen.
Praise God
Gracias padre porque tú eres un padre amoroso y recto, gracias porque tú nos guías y nos enseña tu palabra, ayúdanos a no caer en la tentación y ser fieles a tu palabra, gracias por ser nuestro padre celestial y darnos tu maravillosa enseñanza gracias padre en nombre y por amor a tú hijo amado amén ?
Convict us of our hidden sins Father. Help us to confess them to you. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness and give us a clean heart. Help us to not judge others, but remove the log from our own eye.
Bottom line – if sin wasn’t deadly serious as stated above, then why did Jesus have to die on the cross? We can justify our sins all we want, but as the Bible tells us, the wages of sin is death. That’s as serious and clear as it gets!
Thank you Heavenly Father for such great instructions for life. Thank you for blessing me every day. In Jesus Name, Amen
Thank you Lord for allowing me to learn from my past mistakes, for your gentleness, your patience, but perseverant justice. Help me resist temptation, that you would be sufficient and that your desires would be mine.