Proverbs-3

Proverbs 3 – Help to avoid the pitfalls of Christian living.

Introduction:

Proverbs 3 contains ten practical lessons that Christians need to know to help them understand life and to avoid the pitfalls along the way of life.

I.    How to Live a Long Life (vv. 1–4)

A.  The key

1.   “Forget not My law”

2.   “Let thy heart keep My commandments”

3.   “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee”

4.   In other words: internalize your beliefs

B.  The benefit

1.   Quantity of life—length of days and long life

2.   Quality of life

a.   Peace

b.   Favor with God and man

c.   Good understanding with God and man

II.  How to Know the Guidance of God (vv. 5, 6)

A.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart”

B.  “Lean not to own understanding”

C.  “In all thy ways acknowledge Him”

D.  “He shall direct thy paths”

III.How to Avoid Spiritual Sickness (vv. 7, 8)

A.  “Be not wise in thine own eyes”

B.  “Fear the Lord”

C.  “Depart from evil”

IV.How to Get What You Need (vv. 9, 10)

A.  The command

1.   “Honor the Lord with thy substance”

2.   “With the firstfruits” (stress promissory nature)

B.  The reward

1.   “Barns filled with plenty”

2.   “Presses bursting with new wine”

V.  How to Handle Troubles (vv. 11, 12)

A.  Commands

1.   “Despise not the chastening of the Lord”

2.   “Do not be weary of His correction”

B.  Reasons

1.   “The Lord correcteth whom He loveth”

2.   He treats us in father/son relationship

VI.How to Understand the Importance of Wisdom and Knowledge (vv. 13–24)

A.  Their effect—happiness (blessed)

B.  Their value

1.   Their worth—above riches

2.   Their benefit—long life

3.   They bring pleasantness and peace

C.  Their possession—don’t let them get away

D.  Their benefits

1.   Help the walk

2.   Give safety

VII.           How to Be Not Afraid (vv. 25, 26)

A.  Things not to fear

1.   Unexpected calamity

2.   The desolation brought on by onslaughts of the wicked

B.  Reasons not to be fearful

1.   The Lord Himself is your confidence

2.   He will keep your foot from being taken

VIII.          How to Deal With a Bountiful Hand (vv. 27, 28)

A.  Command

1.   “Withhold not good from those to whom it is due”

2.   When you have the power to do it

B.  Illustration

1.   Don’t make your neighbor come back again

2.   If you can deal with the matter today

IX.How to Get Along With Others (vv. 29, 30)

A.  “Devise not evil against a neighbor”

B.  “Strive not without a cause”

X.  How to View the Wicked (vv. 31–35)

A.  “Envy not”

B.  “Choose not His ways”

C.  Agree with God’s analysis of him and his ways

Conclusion:

A practical book has practical truth for our daily lives. These ten steps will lead to success, especially to spiritual success. It is not enough to write them down or even to memorize them. We must put them into practice in our daily lives.^[1]