• Proverbs 3:1-8 [1] My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, [2] for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. [3] Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (NIV)
The opening 9 chapters of the book of Proverbs are made up of thirteen “father to son talks.” Solomon has written down words of wisdom for his son to never forget. We are now the beneficiaries of a loving father’s wisdom passed on to the next generation. Chapter 3 is the beginning of the fifth discourse of fatherly instruction. The opening verse is a reminder to not forget the father’s teaching.
• Proverbs 3:1-2 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart, [2] for they will give you a long and satisfying life. (NLT)
This gives us a good opportunity right at the beginning to stop and recall what we have learned the last two weeks in our study of the book of Proverbs.
The godly counsel and wisdom found in Proverbs is not something many Americans will accept today. You won’t find Oprah or Dr. Phil encouraging you to find wisdom by learning from the book of Proverbs. Americans don’t think biblically.
Does anyone recall the four philosophies or ways of thinking that dominate our culture?
1. INDIVIDUALISM – I live for myself; what’s in it for me?
2. SECULARISM – God is not necessary.
3. RELATIVISM – There is no absolute truth.
4. TOLERANCE – All ideas are equally right and valid; politically correct.
• Proverbs 14:12 There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. (MsgB)
The church of Jesus Christ holds the answer to the misguided thinking in America today. You and I are called by God to live our lives in such a way before the people around us that they will give glory to God. (Matthew 5:16) Thus the reason we have come to the book of Proverbs. We need wisdom for right living. Wisdom is more than just head knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge applied in our daily lives to do and say the right things at the right time. It’s the mind of God revealed for daily living.
Why seek wisdom? Why study Proverbs? The opening verses of Proverbs showed us four reasons why we should take the time to learn from its wisdom.
1. Wisdom puts us on the right path pointing us in the right direction.
• Proverbs 1:2 Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it’s going; (MsgB)
2. Wisdom gives us God’s perspective on life; we gain needed insight.
• Proverbs 1:3 A manual for living, for learning what’s right and just and fair; (MsgB)
3. Wisdom instructs the young; we can learn from the experience of others.
• Proverbs 1:4 To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. (MsgB)
4. Wisdom increases in our lives; the wise can become wiser.
• Proverbs 1:5-6 There’s something here also for seasoned men and women, [6] still a thing or two for the experienced to learn. (MsgB)
So far then we have discovered four keys to wisdom for right living. The first key is the foundation for living. If you miss this you will only be wise in your own eyes because according to Solomon you’re really a fool.
Key #1: Start with God; Fear the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7)
The fear of the Lord is active; our lives will be changed from the inside out.
Key #2: Learn wisdom from those who fear the Lord. (Proverbs 1:8-19)
Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with those who fear the Lord.
Key #3: Answer wisdom’s call; wisdom is found in our daily choices. (Proverbs 1:20-21)
Jesus gives us wisdom in our daily routine; He reveals the mind of God for our lives. Wisdom is not earned it is practiced daily.
Key #4: Remember the Law of the Harvest; consequences follow your actions. (Proverbs 1:22-33)
Blessings for those who fear the Lord:
1. You will receive God’s Spirit.
2. You will be kept safe and receive God’s peace.
This morning we are going to continue to learn wisdom for right living. Let’s dig a little deeper into the third chapter of Proverbs and discover two more keys for having wisdom in our lives.
Key #5: Let authentic love lead you everyday; make love your guide and your motive.
• Proverbs 3:3-4 [3] Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (NIV)
• Proverbs 3:3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. [4] Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people. (MsgB)
What has been carved upon your heart? Is love what motivates your action? Does love guide and direct what you say and do? Perhaps I should put it this way, “How is your love life?” I’m not asking about your relationship with your significant other; I want you to think about the condition of the love in your life.
Is love at the center of your life? Does love fill your heart? Is your love strong and faithful; does it last through thick and thin? Does your love endure the test of time and trials?
• Proverbs 20:6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? (NIV)
Let’s be honest. Americans don’t understand real love. Just like Hollywood plays at love, Americans love everything from “A” to “Z;” you name it and we can find someone who will say they love it.
Love today is fickle and fleeting. A love relationship might last one night, one month, or one year. Few today expect to find a love that lasts a lifetime; perhaps even fewer are willing to give others love for a lifetime.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear. As believers we need to stop having a “love affair” with things. How often do we say things like, “Oh I love that dress,” or “I loved that movie.” The word love is thrown around so much it has lost its real meaning.
You and I are not to love things. Expand your vocabulary when you talk about things.
Love should be used only in the context of relationships; we should express our love for God and other people.
Let me put it another way. We should only give love where the capacity to return love is present. Notice I did not say we should only give love to people who love us back. No matter how bitter, cold and hard an individual may become the ability to express and give love to others remains within the center of the human heart.
The Bible says God will take those with a heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). In other words, God will transform the cold and lifeless heart and give it feeling once again so it can receive and express love.
• Proverbs 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for. (NIV)
• 1 Corinthians. 13:4-8 [4] Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, [5] Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always "me first," Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, [6] Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, [7] Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. [8] Love never dies. (MsgB)
