Proverbs 6

This week let’s look at how to avoid some of the folly in life.  Proverbs 6 is really a chapter on what not to do to keep a happy life.  It’s not a list of rules, but of warnings.

Vs. 1-5 deal with Surety or co-signing for loans.  God states that we’ve snared ourselves by co-signing for a loan.  He goes so far as to tell us not to sleep until we get out of a surety situation.  We avoid a lot of heartache and hurt relationships by following this practice.  If you co-sign for a loan, you might as well consider it as a gift.

Vs. 6-11 deal with our work.  God calls our attention to the ant and his wisdom.  The ant, without an overseer, sees a need and fills it.  The ant is then contrasted with the sluggard or lazy person.  We must realize the importance of our work ethic.  A poor worker is a poor testimony.  Every Christian doesn’t have to be a leader, but ever Christian must show initiative and willingness to take on responsibility.  The ant thinks ahead.  It sees the goal and thinks through the steps to meet the need.  Be of value to your work and ministry by showing initiative and willingness to take on responsibility as life allows.  For example – greet a visitor and help them, pray with the person at the altar, help that person with a common struggle.  The employee that knows the boss’ goals and thinks ahead to accomplish them is gold.

Vs. 12-15 reveal the wicked man.  This is the first of many conversations about the wicked man.  He is one that is fast talking and uses his personality and charisma to use you.  It’s not so much the compliment as it is the intent behind the compliment.  Vs. 15 tells us that this type of man will end up broken.  We must be careful that we don’t follow and envy them.  Use examples of this to teach your children so that they will see it’s affects.

Vs. 16-19 is God’s hate list.  There are 7 items in this list.

1. A proud look – arrogance, vanity, haughtiness, self-sufficiency.  This comes from comparing ourselves to those around us.  Notice as you read the verses that God doesn’t just dislike “a proud look” – He hates it.  Servanthood is the test of Christianity – Pride and a Servant’s heart cannot co-exist.  I encourage you to look at yourself.  Are you unwilling to help certain people or let others help you?  That’s the pride we must tame.

2. A lying tongue – simply a liar.  This is everything from telling a lie to taking credit for things we didn’t do to cheating.

3. Hands that shed innocent blood – murder (directly & indirectly).  There’s the obvious direct meaning as murder, such as manslaughter and abortion, but there is also the indirect meaning.  Indirect encompasses who we vote for to create laws.  On the spiritual side, we shed blood with our silence about Christ.

4. A heart that devises wicked imaginations – This would be pornographers, molesters, homosexuality.  Note – God hates the heart, not the person.

5. Feet that are swift in running to mischief.  This is the person always looking for a fight either physically or with ideas and words.  This type of action is damaging to a church.

6. A false witness – this a liar about a situation.  We can be blinded to the truth due to our prejudices and loyalties.

7. Sowing discord – intentionally driving a wedge for personal power or personal gain.  This does not mean we shouldn’t stand for our beliefs or for what is right.  It means that we shouldn’t be intentionally causing confusion.

Take the time to review your life for these items.  More importantly put them in your heart and mind, so when the situation arises that you will refrain from the actions and have a Christ-honoring life.