Proverbs 15- An invetory of our ways

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There is a biblical truth and principal about how we can lead our lives and it’s pretty simple. We have the option to go our own way or we have the option to go God’s way. - Proverbs 15 is full of contrasts. It compares:
wisdom to folly
Righteousness to wickedness
merriness to brokenness
peace-ability to wrath
ect.
These contrasts and attitudes are wonderful but they’re really only signs and symptoms of our heart
Matthew 15:18-19 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
Matthew 15:18–19 KJV 1900
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
What we do is based in our heart
Thats why: Daniel purposed in his heart
The betrayal entered the heart of Judas
We are even told to guard our heart Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 KJV 1900
Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
David prayed for a renewed heart Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 KJV 1900
Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.
This Proverb is full of symptoms and outcomes meant to help us diagnose our way, our walk, our heart. A spiritual diagnostic test.
We’re told to examine ourselves
2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV 1900
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1 Corinthians 11:28 “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”
1 Corinthians 11:28 KJV 1900
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Proverbs 15:9 “The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.”
Proverbs 15:9 KJV 1900
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
A culmination of how God feels about the ways we can go.
God’s way: Psalm 18:32 “It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect.
Psalm 18:32 KJV 1900
It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect.
Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
Psalm 37:5 KJV 1900
Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 128:1 “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; That walketh in his ways.”
Psalm 128:1 KJV 1900
Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; That walketh in his ways.
Psalm 25:4 “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.”
Psalm 25:4 KJV 1900
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
Vs. our way
Psalm 146:9 “The Lord preserveth the strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and widow: But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.”
Psalm 146:9 KJV 1900
The Lord preserveth the strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and widow: But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Proverbs 3:31 “Envy thou not the oppressor, And choose none of his ways.”
Proverbs 3:31 KJV 1900
Envy thou not the oppressor, And choose none of his ways.
Ezekiel 3:19 “Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”
Ezekiel 3:19 KJV 1900
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
As we go through this proverb we should examine our selves. God provides an excellent check list for us
Psalm 119:10 “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”
Psalm 119:10 KJV 1900
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Take inventory, Examine, Check up

The indicators

- In this Proverb we have several things in which God contrasts.

Speech:

Grievous words Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1 KJV 1900
A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.

Soft answer -A patient or gentle answer

Proverbs 14:3 “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.”
Proverbs 14:3 KJV 1900
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Patience is a product of the Holy Ghost working in us

Knowledge and foolishness

Life and death
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 18:21 KJV 1900
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Our speech as people of God is to edify
Ephesians 4:29 “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.”
Ephesians 4:29 KJV 1900
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.
So much of what we say is indicative of our hearts
Ephesians 5:4 “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
Ephesians 5:4 KJV 1900
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Solitude: Who we are in private is also brought to in to be inspected. Our private behaviors will reveal much about how we feel about God.

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.”
Proverbs 15:3 KJV 1900
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.

Our Heart

Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
Proverbs 15:13 KJV 1900
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
A walk with God will produce joy
Joy- A fruit of the Spirit
Theres a joy of Salvation
Psalms 51:12 “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Psalm 51:12 KJV 1900
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.
Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.”
Proverbs 15:28 KJV 1900
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Proverbs 15:14 “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: But the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.”
Proverbs 15:14 KJV 1900
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: But the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
There is even a wise and foolish heart. God even reveals the attitude of a foolish heart
Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.”
Psalm 14:1 KJV 1900
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.
Thoughts Proverbs 15:26 “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: But the words of the pure are pleasant words.”
Proverbs 15:26 KJV 1900
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: But the words of the pure are pleasant words.
There is even a right and wrong way to think
Thought process Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 4:23 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;”
Ephesians 4:23 KJV 1900
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Wrong thought process
Romans 8:7 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
Romans 8:7 KJV 1900
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Worship- Proverbs 15:8 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: But the prayer of the upright is his delight.”
Proverbs 15:8 KJV 1900
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Describes a sacrifice made insincerely or for the purpose of appearing righteous
Is your worship real?
Theres even a foolish kind of worship
Eccl 5:1 “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.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1 KJV 1900
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.
They have no regard for a life of complete obedience and surrender to God

Self-Pride

Another point of contrast given is pride and humility
Proud- Proverbs 15:25 “The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: But he will establish the border of the widow.”
Proverbs 15:25 KJV 1900
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: But he will establish the border of the widow.
Psalm 10:4 “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”
Psalm 10:4 KJV 1900
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Proverbs 8:13 KJV 1900
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate.
It’s an anti-God attitude
Unable to accept instruction
Proverbs 15:5,10,12 “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: Neither will he go unto the wise.”
Proverbs 15:5 KJV 1900
A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Proverbs 15:10 KJV 1900
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: And he that hateth reproof shall die.
Proverbs 15:12 KJV 1900
A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: Neither will he go unto the wise.

Importance- The Effects ones walk can have on life

A lack of peace is a result of a foolish way
Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
Proverbs 15:13 KJV 1900
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:6 “In the house of the righteous is much treasure: But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.”
Proverbs 15:6 KJV 1900
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 KJV 1900
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
A walk with God will produce peace
Death is a consequence of going our own way.
Spiritually and in relationships ,blessings, life
Proverbs 15:10 “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: And he that hateth reproof shall die.”
Proverbs 15:10 KJV 1900
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: And he that hateth reproof shall die.
A correlation between wisdom in receiving reproof and life
We receive reproof from the scriptures
2 Tim 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Happiness is a blessing of going God’s way
Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
Proverbs 15:13 KJV 1900
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Destruction
Proverbs 15:25 “The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: But he will establish the border of the widow.”
Proverbs 15:25 KJV 1900
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: But he will establish the border of the widow.
The ultimate end of going ones own way is destruction.
Destruction in life from sins consequences and spiritually
Romans 3:16 “Destruction and misery are in their ways:”
Romans 3:16 KJV 1900
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 KJV 1900
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Theres life in God’s way
Proverbs 15:24 “The way of life is above to the wise, That he may depart from hell beneath.”
Proverbs 15:24 KJV 1900
The way of life is above to the wise, That he may depart from hell beneath.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 KJV 1900
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus is that way to life !

Implications- Not only does our way we live but it has cascading consequences

-We must choose the way we’ll go
Life in the righteous way of God
Death in the foolish way of the wicked
If you’re here and you have not accepted God’s way to be saved and live a life pleasing to him you’re going to way of the fool. You can go God’s way, turn to Jesus!
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6 KJV 1900
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
You’re here and you are seeing ways in which wandering has occurred?
Turn to God’s way
Humble yourself
Proverbs 16:18-19 “Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Proverbs 16:18–19 KJV 1900
Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
be meek and submit
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5 KJV 1900
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:21 KJV 1900
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Obey the scriptures and turn to God
Isaiah 55:7-8 “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:7–8 KJV 1900
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Hosea 14:9 “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, And the just shall walk in them: But the transgressors shall fall therein.”
Hosea 14:9 KJV 1900
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, And the just shall walk in them: But the transgressors shall fall therein.
God’s way is better. Turn to it!
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