Sensibleness in one’s approach to life (2 of 2)

Introduction:

There are 11 minutes of game play in a football game. Tonight I have 11 minutes of Scripture to read.

Proverbs on Sunday nights when the kids are with us.

We are going to circle one word used three times. Let’s see if we know how to use it in a sentence. 3 volunteers.

What is the word or words we have used to replace it in common speech?

Common sense.

Proverbs 8:12 (AV)

12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

Wisdom urges the simple to gain prudence a sensibleness in one’s approach to life.

Proverbs 8:5 (AV)

5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

1 Samuel 16:18 (AV)

18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

Proverbs 14:8 (AV)

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Proverbs 14:15 (AV)

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Proverbs 14:18 (AV)

18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Prudent: (1) acting with or showing care and thought for the future, (2) a sensibleness in one’s approach to life.

Youth should listen to this. They have a role among us believers.

1 Timothy 4:12 AV

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Need to take control of what we say.

Proverbs 10:19 AV

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Words should be gracious

Colossians 4:6 AV

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Words should be ministers of grace

Ephesians 4:29 AV

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Speak truth about God

1 Timothy 4:13 AV

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

a. When you want to say something but don’t know what to day. Read Scripture.

b. Someday would like to have continuous reading of the Scripture. 70 hours

c. Prepare to speak by knowing God’s Word.

1 Peter 3:15 AV

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Tell the truth regardless of the cost or how it makes you look

Ephesians 4:25 AV

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Avoid foolish and filthy talk

Ephesians 4:29 AV

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Express gratitude often

Ephesians 5:4 AV

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

When there is a need to instruct others do so with meekness.

2 Timothy 2:25 AV

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Do not use your speech to boast

Proverbs 27:2 AV

2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

1 Corinthians 1:31 AV

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Prudent in speech to God

Ecclesiastes 5:1–3 AV

1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

Among the vanities that Solomon deals with in this book is the vanity of our own speech in our approach to God.

A. Keep thy foot

James 1:19 AV

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Write out prayers.

Do not say prayers that you do not mean or are empty.

B. Watch your mouth

Matthew 6:9 AV

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Speak in a respectful manner to God.

Prudent in speech to others

A. Speaking brings danger or protection.

Proverbs 14:3 (AV)

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

B. Our speech is a sign of our fear or lack of fear of God.

Speaking truth is a sign or wisdom.

Speaking lies is a sign of foolishness (saying there is no God)

Proverbs 14:5–7 (AV)

5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

iii. Listening to lies is a big deal.

In truck with someone who turned on music to ignore what I was saying.

C. The prudent can assess correctly the great issue of life and death, whereas fools only think they can

1. Wisdom gives understanding of the path. Others have to fake it

Proverbs 14:8 (AV)

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Yeah, yeah I know where I am going just a little further.

2. Fools mock sin because they have no real understanding so they do not understand our purpose in being created.

Proverbs 14:9 (AV)

9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

3. Our words and the words or others may not reflect our heart and motives.

Proverbs 14:10 (AV)

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

Proverbs 14:13 (AV)

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

4. Fools try to convince themselves and others they are right.

Proverbs 14:14 (AV)

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Back to farming. You reap what you sow. Galatians 6:7

Proverbs 14:12 (AV)

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

5. Proper speech comes from proper listening.

Proverbs 14:15 (AV)

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Prudent receive a crown

A. Riches promised to the wise.

Proverbs 14:24 (AV)

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

1. Hard to understand

You may not think you have riches as some one define it.

Proverbs 15:6 (AV)

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Here are some promises. Our riches can be seen in our homes. It can heard as laughter around a table. It can be experienced in those moments with God in His Word.

Proverbs 22:4 (AV)

4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Riches aren’t the things we buy but the thins in our lives produced by humility and the fear of the Lord.

B. Foolish are bear a label attesting to that they are spiritual bankrupt

Proverbs 14:24 (AV)

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

C. Fear of the Lord is the deciding factor in life.

Proverbs 14:27 (AV)

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

D. Likewise, the only true security for a nation, a church, or a family is righteousness

Proverbs 14:34 (AV)

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Prudence tells us that we need one another.

Proverbs 14:28 (AV)

28 In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

Prudence tells us to be patient.

Proverbs 14:29 (AV)

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Prudence protects our physical heath

Proverbs 14:30 (AV)

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Prudence says caring for the oppressed honors God.

Proverbs 14:31 (AV)

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Righteousness among a group of people has a beneficial effect

Proverbs 14:34 (AV)

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Conclusion:

Could you imagine living in a country that lived according to these principles?

You can live in a home where this is the standard?

You can be part of a church that is exalted by righteousness.

A king is pleased when his servants are prudent.

Proverbs 14:35 (AV)

35 The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

This should be our prayer tonight

Psalm 141:3 AV

3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.