Proverbs 7

This chapter is basically a story of two kinds of people...

Who are the two characters in this story? (7:6-9, 10-12)

How are they each described? What are their respective attitudes?

Side Note: because this section was written to “my son”, the naive person is a young man, while the tempter is a woman. However this scenario and these truths can be easily applied to young women by changing the language.

What is the strategy of the tempter? (7:21-23)

What is her ultimate goal? (7:24-27)

What does it mean to be naive?

Why is this not the same thing as being innocent?

How does the author in this passage model both shrewdness and innocence? (7:6-7)

Why do you think that we need to be aware of Satan’s schemes to lure us into sin?

Practically speaking, what are some ways that we can become aware of Satan’s schemes without actually giving in to temptation or sinning?

Compare Proverbs 7:21-23 with Matthew 10:16

Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary iii. Instructions for Their Mission (10:5–16)

Christians are not to be gullible simpletons. But neither are they to be rogues. Innocent is literally ‘unmixed’, i.e. pure, transparent; it demands not naivety, but an irreproachable honesty. The balance of prudence and purity will enable Christians both to survive and to fulfil their mission to the world

How might our lives look different if we were only shrewd and cunning (serpents) but not at all concerned about being morally blameless (sheep)?

How might our lives look different if we were only concerned about being morally blameless (sheep) but not at all shrewd (serpents)?

How does the young man in Proverbs 7 illustrate our need to be both shrewd and innocent (Mat. 10:16)?