19. THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

Proverbs 1:7 KJV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

INTRODUCTION

The Book of Proverbs is one of the most practical books in all the Bible.

It is not merely a book to read…It is a book to live.

Proverbs teaches us:

• how to speak

• how to think

• how to work

• how to parent

• how to handle money

• how to choose friends

• how to avoid temptation

• how to walk with God

Charles Spurgeon - often emphasized that Proverbs is wisdom “clothed in plain garments.” He viewed Proverbs as intensely practical theology. He frequently connected Proverbs to sanctified daily living.

Warren Wiersbe - described Proverbs as: “God’s book on how to live wisely in the real world.” He emphasized that Proverbs is not just a collection of sayings, but a call to:

character

discernment

spiritual maturity

Wiersbe frequently noted: Psalms teaches us how to worship, Proverbs teaches us how to walk daily

David Jeremiah - frequently presents Proverbs as: “Timeless truth for modern living.”

He emphasizes:

decision-making

family wisdom

integrity

speech

finances

relationships

Jeremiah often points out that Proverbs addresses the practical issues people face every day:

anger

pride

laziness

purity

friendships

leadership

The word “proverb” means: “A short saying packed with truth.”

It is heavenly wisdom condensed into simple statements.

💡 Proverbs is like a father sitting down with his son and saying:

“Before you go out into this world… let me teach you how life really works.”

BACKGROUND OF PROVERBS

Primary writer was Solomon.

1 Kings 4:32 says Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs.

Agur (Proverbs 30)

King Lemuel’s mother (Proverbs 31)

The theme of the book is wisdom.

But biblical wisdom is not merely intelligence.

A person can have:

• education without wisdom

• knowledge without discernment

• information without godliness

Biblical wisdom is:

“The ability to see life from God’s perspective and live accordingly.”

I. THE FOUNDATION OF WISDOM

Proverbs 1:7 KJV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Everything in Proverbs starts with this truth:

A right relationship with God is the foundation for a right life.

You cannot build a wise life on a foolish spiritual foundation.

The fear of the Lord is not terror alone.

It is reverence.

Honor.

Submission.

Recognition of God’s authority.

Modern culture says:

“Trust yourself.”

Proverbs says:

“Trust God.”

Modern culture says:

“Follow your heart.”

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Proverbs teaches us:

A wise life begins when God becomes the center.

💡 A compass only works when it points north.

A life only works properly when it points toward God.

Special Point: Wisdom is not first intellectual…It is spiritual.

II. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN WISDOM AND FOOLISHNESS

One of the major themes in Proverbs is the continual contrast between: the wise man and the fool

The wise man:

• receives correction

• listens

• grows

• fears God

• thinks before speaking

• avoids evil

The fool:

• rejects instruction

• mocks truth

• follows impulses

• talks too much

• ignores consequences

Proverbs repeatedly teaches:

Choices determine direction.

Direction determines destiny.

💡 A train may move only inches at the switch track…

But miles later it ends in a completely different destination.

Small decisions matter.

That is why Proverbs focuses on daily living.

Because life is not usually ruined in one moment.

It drifts one decision at a time.

III. THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

Proverbs has much to say about speech.

Proverbs 18:21 KJV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Words can:

• heal

• wound

• encourage

• destroy

• comfort

• divide

A foolish tongue creates fires. ….. A wise tongue creates peace.

Proverbs warns against:

• gossip

• lying

• angry speech

• prideful speech

• flattering speech

💡 Once words leave your mouth, they are like feathers released in the wind, You can never gather them all back.

Special Point: A spiritual mouth reveals a spiritual heart.

IV. PROVERBS TEACHES WISDOM FOR RELATIONSHIPS

Proverbs teaches about:

• friendships

• marriage

• parenting

• leadership

It warns about:

• evil companions

• immoral relationships

• laziness

• pride

• uncontrolled anger

Proverbs repeatedly says:

Who you walk with will affect who you become.

Proverbs 13:20 KJV

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

💡 If you place a cold coal beside burning coals, eventually it becomes hot.

But if you remove a burning coal from the fire, eventually it grows cold.

Relationships influence spiritual temperature.

That is why Proverbs constantly warns young people about wrong influences.

V. PROVERBS TEACHES THE DANGER OF PRIDE

Proverbs 16:18 KJV

Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride says: “I do not need correction.”

Wisdom says: “Teach me.”

Pride destroyed:

• Lucifer

• Saul

• Nebuchadnezzar

• Haman

• Many homes and churches today

God can help a broken man.

But pride keeps people from repentance.

💡 The tallest trees often break first in the storm because they refuse to bend.

Pride resists until it breaks.

CONCLUSION

The Book of Proverbs teaches:

• wisdom over foolishness

• discipline over impulse

• truth over deception

• humility over pride

• righteousness over sin

But the central question is this:

Will we listen?

Proverbs is filled with invitations:

“Hear.”

“Listen.”

“Receive instruction.”

“Forsake not wisdom.”

💡 A GPS only helps the driver willing to follow directions.

God has given wisdom in His Word… But many still choose their own path.

The tragedy is not lack of truth….. The tragedy is neglected truth.

Are you building your life on:

• emotion

• culture

• pride

• impulse

Or on the wisdom of God?

Because a wise life is not built accidentally.

It is built daily through obedience to God’s Word.