PROVERBS (4 - 2)

0. Introduction

a) The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, passes on his practical advice in the form of proverbs. A proverbs is a short, concise sentence that conveys moral truth.

b) Proverbs covers a wide range of topics, including youth and discipline, family life, self-control and resisting temptation, business matters, words and the tongue, knowing God, marriage, seeking the truth, wealth and property, immorality, and, of course, wisdom. Although they are not meant to teach doctrine, a person who follows their advice will walk closely with God.

c) As you read Proverbs, understand that knowing God is the key to wisdom. Listen to the thoughts and lessons from the world's wisest man, and apply these truths to your life. Don't just read these proverbs; act on them!

1. Proverbs 4 (2)

a) The Security in Wisdom (Proverbs 1:14-27)

i) ¹⁴ Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
¹⁵ Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
¹⁶ For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence. 

¹⁸ But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble. 

²⁰ My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹ Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
²² For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
²³ Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
²⁴ Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
²⁶ Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:14-27 NKJV)