Self-Control Series

INTRODUCTION

• Have you ever wanted to do something new, or have you tried to make some changes in your life that you know would improve your life?

• Were you successful in implementing the changes you sought? IF so, why were you successful?

• If you failed, do you know why?

• Today we will conclude our Wise Living series from the book of Proverbs.

• We could spend the rest of our lives on this book alone and still need more time to absorb it all!

• When you look at all of the instructions found in the book of Proverbs, they all sound great, don't they?

• Many things we hear sound great, like losing weight, getting into shape, and improving various areas in my life.

• However, any great aspirations one has in life will never come to fruition until one can learn the art of self-control.

• Today, we will dive into three areas in which we need to cultivate the art of self-control if we are going to navigate a life of faith successfully.

• If we are going to implement change into our lives successfully, we must have the self-discipline or self-control to make the changes.

• If we are going to grow in our faith, it takes self-control and self-discipline to do so.

• In our text today from Proverbs 4:20-27We will look at three areas in which we need to learn to exercise the art of self-control.

• If we can master self-control in these areas, our faith will blossom, and we will help others do the same!

• Let's turn to Proverbs 4:20-23 as we look at our first area.

Proverbs 4:20–23 (CSB)

20 My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.

21 Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

SERMON

We need to exercise self-control in the area of…

I. Guarding our heart.

• Once again, Solomon encourages his son to pay close attention to his sayings.

• We will see the text speak of paying attention which ties into listening, not losing sight, and keeping the words in one'sLet's heart.

• What is in your heart? It is what you put into it.

• Paying close attention means more than I HEARD YOU; it denotes being focused on what is said.

• Paying close attention also denotes responding in conformity.

• Paying attention is more than just hearing something; it also involves responding to what has been heard.

• In our passage, Solomon invokes the various parts of the body to help the learner see how things need to work together.

• The various body parts include; the ear (20), eyes (21), whole-body (flesh) (22), heart (23), lips (24), eyes (25), feet (26), hands, and feet (27).

› Each is a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole; the total accumulation signifies the complete person in the process. Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible, Second Edition. (Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019).

• In addition to the description of a healthy person, this text demonstrates a fundamental belief about the nature of humans.

• The writer believes in the tremendous freedom individuals have to act.

• The organs represent the ability of the individual to act responsibly.

• Individuals have the power to see, speak, think, listen, and walk.

• As such, they can set the course for their own lives.

• That is why the writer has such contempt for the sluggard who chooses to live an inactive lifestyle (6:6–11).

• Guarding our heart includes being careful what we put into the heart.

• We need to fill our hearts with God's Word and the love of God!

• Guarding our hearts also includes not losing sight of what we put into our hearts!

• We cannot allow ourselves to let the instruction depart from our eyes!

• Next, we see we are to keep the commands in our hearts!

• Keep them within your heart: Keep translates the same word and concept as in 4:4.

• This is the positive side of the negative command in the first line.

• Keeping them within your heart means thinking, remembering, and reflecting on them.

• Many languages express the idea of retaining something in the mind as guarding or keeping it in the heart, liver, or stomach.

• In some languages, this thought is expressed as "keep it warm in your innermost." (USB Handbook: Proverbs.

• Verse 22 gives the reason for the commands in verses 20-21!

• We need to realize that these teaching are life for those who find them!