Proverbs (12)

Wisdom’s purity prepares and preserves.

The fear of the Lord prepares us for and preserves us through temptation.

Preparation

(6:20-23 & 7:1-4)

How?

Keep (6:20, 7:1-2)

Do not forsake (6:20b)

Bind (6:21, 7:3)

Tie (6:21)

Treasure (7:1b)

Write (7:3b)

Point: Prepare for battle against temptation by constantly fearing God. By absorbing His Word.

Transition: Notice the result for marinating in God’s word...

lead (22a)

watch over (22b)

talk with you (22c)

pathway is illuminated (23)

Transition: Now, notice the specific result for absorbing God’s word. This disciple paves the way for preservation through temptation. Look at verses…

Preservation

(6:24, 7:5)

Importance of repetition.

Observation of comparison and contrast. In the introduction he brings up the heart, the neck, walking, talking, fingers, writing. Basically, he is emphasizing the importance of devotion to God in the nity gritty aspects of all of life. Now, notice how that devotion preserves the nitty gritty aspects of life through temptation.

When our hearts (vs 6:21) are desiring the beauty of God, there will be no room to desire the beauty of the evil woman (vs 6:25). When God word is written on our hearts (7:3), we will be able to discern the deceptive heart of the prostitute.

When our feet are walking in the way of discipline, we will be lead away from the senseless pathway of sexual temptation. Reality is that we are never under the cover of darkness. Always under observation.

When our ears are tuned in with the conversation of God’s word, we will be able to detect the static frequencies of smooth words from the tongue of an adulteress. The more we hear the truth, the better we can discern a lie.

When your hands are bound with the word of God, and your fingers are writing them on your heart, you will recognize that sexual immorality of any kind is stealing. That person, who may even be enticing you along, is not yours. And to selfishly gain a temporary pleasure from that person is theft. Keep your hands to yourself, because when you do not you end up destroying yourself. The consequence is death, like an Ox going to slaughter (7:22).

When our treasure is in the commands of God, we will recognize the cheap imitation of sexual immorality and realize the cost of the temptation for a fake thrill. If you play with fire, you will be burned. (6:27)

When wisdom is our sister and close friend, we don’t fall for the slick talk and false friendliness of harlots.

Transition: Wisdom’s purity prepares for and preserves us through temptation.

Why is this so important?

Because wisdom’s purity reveals our relationship with God.

God must bring about the new birth that changes our desires. If we do not belong to God through faith in Christ we will not fear Him. If we are not reconciled in a relationship with God through faith in Christ, we will not desire to be prepared to fight against temptation.

However, when we are made new in Christ Jesus He begins a work in us that helps us to treasure Him and be free from the slavery of sin. We can have wisdom’s purity leading us and guiding us by the power of the Holy Spirit with the truth of God’s Word. However, even for the Christian we need to be constantly and consistently prepared to take the ways of escape that the Lord gives us in order to preserve us through temptation.

Temptation doesn't just knock on the door and leave, it leans on the doorbell. Consider the example of Jesus.

Closing: What does diligent and disciplined devotion to God and His word look like? How do we bind them on our hearts? how do we tie them around our neck? How do we talk with them? How do we treasure God and His word? How do we write them on our heart?