Big idea: If we are going to live in a skillful, Christ-like way we must beware of foolishness and sinfulness!
- Beware of foolishness!
Why? Foolishness can bring slavery (v. 1-5)
Debt enslaves - it becomes a trap.
In trying to help somebody else, they hurt themselves.
How could debt keep you from serving God in a particular way?
- less money to give
- lack of freedom to go where God wants you to
- less time to serve (work dominates your life
- Ultimately you are serving creditors rather than God
Foolishness can also bring robbery (v. 6-11)
Laziness robs us of much.
In trying to help themselves, they hurt themselves.
The wisdom writer tells the lazy person to study ants.
The difference between foolishness and wisdom here is found in the small things...
Both of the examples of foolishness (in Prov. 6) are similar because they both lack the ability to look ahead…
Financial foolishness - no idea what is coming down the pike
Laziness - you need to work as hard as you can now because you have no idea what is coming down the pike.
- Beware of sinfulness!
Why? Sin brings brokenness (v. 12-15)
perversion, dishonesty and divisiveness will destroy you.
In trying to hurt somebody else, they hurt themselves.
This person is manipulative, using his or her body for sin rather than God’s glory.
- Our speech (v. 12) should be used to praise God and encourage others (crooked)
- Our eyes (v. 13) should be used to see the needs around us and see God’s glory in the universe, driving us to praise Him (winks)
- Our feet should be used to go where God wants us to go. (“How beautiful are the feet of those who share the gospel - Rom. 10) - (signals)
- Our hands should be used to do God’s will (points)
Theme of Crookedness - v. 12 (speech), v. 14 (perverted heart)
A person’s crooked behavior stems from their crooked heart.
God hates sin! (v. 16-19)
- haughty eyes
- lying tongue
- hands that shed innocent blood
- wicked heart
- evil actions
- disunity
Sin is completely incompatible with God! He cannot stand sin.
God hates sin more than I or any other human ever could. That should cause us concern.
Yet at the very same time He loves us more than any human ever could.
Christ is our only hope!! Romans 8:1 - “There is therefore now…”
This should cause those of us who are children of God to be grateful and motivated towards holy living.
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