Proverbs 3

Written on 05/09/2024

Verses 1-4

  • Be careful to retain/memorize Scripture, and live by it

    • This will guide you into a long and happy life.

    • God and people will respect you.

 

Verse 5-6

  • Look to what the Word says in every situation that you encounter. Don't look to your own thoughts or opinions.

    • This allows God to guide your life perfectly.

 

Verses 7-8

  • Don't ever see yourself as knowing enough or wise enough (Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 8:2). Always seek more wisdom.

  • Verse 8. Live in obedience to the Word, and your body will be healthiest

    • Sin causes the body to decay and be more vulnerable to sicknesses (Romans 6:23, Galatians 6:8). 

 

Verses 9-10

  • Use your money the way that the Bible says to—use it wisely—and you will have the wealth that you need.

    • If you are lacking finances, always ask yourself first how you can change what you do with your money.

 

Verses 11-12

  • Part of gaining wisdom is loving correction even when it is painful. Receive correction as a loving hand. Don't dislike correction/criticism, or you will not become wise.

    • See Hebrews 12:5-11. Receiving correction well makes us better in the end.

 

Verses 13-20

  • We will be joyful and live a long life if we have wisdom and understanding.

  • Wisdom is better than wealth, and yet it brings wealth to a person because it teaches you how to best use your money.

    • Remember that wisdom will make your life the most joyful that it could be.

  • The wisdom that you will gain from God's Word is the same wisdom that God used to create and perfect the universe.

    • Just like God's wisdom made creation “very good”, your life will be “very good” if you use God's wisdom to guide your choices

Verses 21-26

  • Having wisdom will give you confidence from God for how to handle situations in life

    • This will prevent you from being afraid of anything, and it will prevent you from sinning or making the choices that cause unnecessary evil.

    • Resisting fear is not merely a matter of prayer. Being able to overcome fear entirely requires having the wisdom that's needed to handle situations that would otherwise make you afraid.

      • Confusion, uncertainty, and lack of knowledge make people afraid or worried.

 

Verses 27-35 – Now we turn to wisdom applied in specific situations.

  • Verses 27-28. Wisdom requires urgency. Be urgent and punctual with your actions.

    • Not only is it sinful to not do what is good when you are able (James 4:17), but it is sinful to delay doing any good or right action.

      • Practically, it is wrong to delay paying a person or giving something to them that you said you would give them (Deuteronomy 24:14, Leviticus 19:13).

  • Verse 29-30. Do your best to be peaceful with all people (Romans 12:18). Don't be argumentative with anyone, and treat others kindly

    • Why? A practical reason is that the people around you will be helpful to you, in time of need, if you are helpful to them.

  • Verses 31-35. Don't entertain desire for anything that unbelievers or sinners have. Why?

    • They might have momentary pleasure, but they are under God's wrath and will be destroyed in the end.

    • You, on the other hand, have a relationship with God with joy and peace that will last forever.