Proverbs 25:26-28

26  Like a trampled spring and a polluted well

Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27  It is not good to eat much honey,

Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.

28  Like a city that is broken into and without walls

Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

I.       Introduction:

A.   We live in a society without restraints

B.   This is why we to be aware of 2 areas

1.     The pleasure of senses

a)    Honey is pleasing to the taste in small amounts

b)    Make you very sick if too much  

2.     The praises of man

a)    God deserves all the glory

b)    It is too our shame to take too much for ourselves if it detracts from God

c)     So many things we are arrogant about we had nothing to do with….They are gifts

C.   One of the most common problems among God’s people today is the problem of emotionally-driven only folks

II.    The Meaning of the Passage

26  Like a trampled spring and a polluted well

Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked?

A.   If we as Christians give way to wicked folks either by apathy or by fear or loss,

1.     We are as the trampled steam and polluted well mentioned in verse 26

a)    We serve no refreshment

b)    We are a unfulfilled promise of refreshment and life

c)     Others will get sickened if they partake from us

2.     To give way

a)    To allow the stream to be muddy, when it could have been prevented

b)    To allow the well to be polluted      

27  It is not good to eat much honey,

Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.

Proverbs 25:6

6  Do not claim honor in the presence of the king,

And do not stand in the place of great men;

Proverbs 27:2

2  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;

A stranger, and not your own lips.

B.   Too much of a good thing will also make you sick

Proverbs 25:16

16  Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,

1.     That you not have it in excess and vomit it.

28  Like a city that is broken into and without walls

Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

2 Chronicles 32:5

5  And he took courage and rebuilt all the wall that had been broken down and erected towers on it, and built another outside wall and strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in great number.

C.   Whether it is a breach in the wall or broken down completely the result is the same it is undependable, & indefensible.

D.   Identification of what is in view

1.     He is talking about the lack of self-control, of the ability to self-govern

a)    Special focus is on those being driven by feelings and emotions

2.     Feelings and emotions are not wrong however we need them as well…

a)    To put all our eggs in intellectualism is void of feeling

(1)  The result is to know about Jesus but do not love Him

b)    To put all our eggs in the emotion basket is devoid of reason as well

(1)  The results of mere emotionalism is void of reason and obedience because I may not feel it, or I feel differently about that and that is OK

(2)  We are to love the Lord with our Whole Heart, Mind, Soul, Strength.

(a)    Our emotions

(b)   Our intellect

(c)    Our spiritual nature

(d)   Our strength everything we have         

E.   Let’s look at the contrast of mere emotionalism only

Proverbs 16:32

32  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.   

Proverbs 29:11

11  A fool always loses his temper,

But a wise man holds it back.

1.     Drawing a likeness — no self-control = city with walls broken down

a)    Dilapidated

b)    Defenseless

c)     Dispersed

F.    Illustrations of how it would translate in our lives

1.     When we want to walk with the Lord but seem allow the old sinful ways to draw us back

2.     When we want to be what we should be but allow moods to dominate us

3.     When we want to serve the Lord but ruin our usefulness because of doubts based on feelings

4.     When we allow our life to be defeated and limited because of inability to control our temper (we are ready prey, easily defeated, limited even when successful)

G.  I want to make sure I identify and repeat of the issue

1.     E.g. Emotions that rule the intellect (feelings dominate the will)

2.     Why this can problem:

a)    It feels natural………our feels can not be wrong can they

b)    It is the easiest way…….the cross is not the easiest way

c)     There is a pattern my folks followed and they are all that way….most folks are wired this way I guess that is they way it is

d)    It feels good that way…..it appeals to my feelings

3.     The results of being only feeling driven:

a)    We do not know the meaning of victory

b)    We suffer the loss of spiritual joy

c)     We have broken relationships

d)    We are a profound negative influence on the lives of others

III.  The Message of the Passage

A.   There are various solutions which can be proposed

1.     Take detailed steps

2.     Learn to channel anger, etc.

3.     Settle for less demanding Christianity

B.   The KEY issue:

1.     A decision of the will is absolutely essential

a)    Before relief can be found.

b)    There is no happy solution apart from a decision of the will

2.     We must determine what is going to run our life

3.     Once the decisions have been made, we can call upon the Lord for His help

C.   The challenge is:

1.     At what point will we stop waiting for magic to take over

2.     Decide, with God’s help, to turn things around in our life?

IV.The Motivation of the Passage

A.   It clearly calls for a decision on our part

1.     Nothing will happen until the decision has been made

2.     We must take the first step — then God will act to assist

B.   It demands effort backed by the Spirit

1.     Cultivate self-control in small matters in preparation for greater needs

2.     Allow the facts of the Word to dominate your life

3.     Seek the Spirit’s power to obey

C.   It demands we Yield to Christ

1.     Are we waiting for a special feeling

2.     Are we not willing to give up what feels good

3.     We feel we can not hold out

4.     All you need do is what He has said to do

V.   Conclusion:

A.   We do not need not choose evil — just continue to yield to our mere feelings

B.   To rule our own spirit is to subdue an enemy that has vanquished conquerors

C.   Who is in charge of our life? Us, God, or the enemy

Psalm 19:14

14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. (nkjv)