Walk The Line

“Walk the Line” (SERMON)

Proverbs 3: 21-23

I would like to call your attention to our subject from the text I just read, “Walk the Line”.

The way I heard it when the legendary singer/songwriter in Country Music Johnny Cash wrote the song “I Walk the Line”.

Cash stated, "I wrote the song backstage one night in 1956 in Gladewater, Texas. I was newly married at the time, and I suppose I was laying out my pledge of devotion." After writing the song, Cash had a discussion with fellow performer Carl Perkins, who encouraged him to adopt "I Walk the Line" as the song title. Cash originally intended the song to be a slow ballad, but producer Sam Phillips preferred a faster arrangement; in the end, Cash agreed to the change, and the up-tempo recording met with success.

The song's lyrics refer to marital fidelity, personal responsibility, and avoiding temptation and criminal behavior.

Solomon was giving his son sound advice that will come in handy one day.

As you know, wisdom is a term already used frequently in Proverbs. In this book, it refers to an ability to apply godly knowledge. In prior verses, Solomon depicted wisdom as a woman (Proverbs 1:20; 3:14). True wisdom includes not just intellectual prowess but also correct moral judgment. In this verse "sound judgment" means victory or the success that results from having wisdom.

ILLUSTRATION: A father and his small son were out walking one day when the lad asked him a question. "Dad, how does electricity could go through the wires stretched between the telephone poles?

"I don't know," said his father. "I never knew much about electricity."

A few roads farther on, the boy asked what caused lightning and thunder. "That too has puzzled me," came the reply.

The youngster continued to inquire about many things, none of which the father could explain. Finally, as they were nearing home, the boy said, "Dad, I hope you didn't mind all those questions."

"Not at all," replied his father. "If you don't ask, how else are you going to learn?"

What are some of the things Solomon wants us to watch for? First,

DONT LOSE SIGHT: Solomon was concern for his son and this is why he wrote the book of Proverbs. Don’t lose sight? What don’t we to not lose sight on? What do we lose on Solomon?

A) SOUND WISDOM. In Proverbs 2:7 tells us, “And he treasures up salvation for them that walk uprightly: he protects their way.” This wisdom, which is the foundation of security, and hence is SOUND WISDOM, is that which God treasures up for the righteous.

B) USING DISCRETION. The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. Proverbs 5:2 tells us, “That you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge”. Proverbs 11:22 “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion” is referred relatively to the ugliness of a woman with poor character, although she may be considered physically attractive. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

II.THERE IS A PROMISE WITH YOU IN MIND. Solomon in all his wisdom, mentioned to us that there are two principles to follow if you are going to walk that line the right way life for your soul and adornment for your neck or grace for you.

The Bible never said or suggested that God takes but a giver. God isn’t stingy or half-hearted in his giving but He loves this old world that John wrote it like this in John 3:16 it tells us “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. He loves you enough, so you’ll not die; not a physical death (and we are going to die that way), but a Spiritual death through His Son Jesus Christ. Solomon is encouraging especially to our young people if they walk that line of life so as Solomon puts so not letting your foot stumble over those things that will keep you from walking the line of what’s in front and back of you, “...Choose life”. Deut. 30:19. Remember, you’ll walk securely so that your foot won’t stumble in those things that will trip you up along the way.

ILLUSTRATION

In their book BEYOND ALL LIMITS, Bill Bright and James O. Davis recount a story from famed English explorer, William Edward Perry, who mapped out most of the Southern Polar Cap: