August 14, 2019
Importance of the Word #
Proverbs 7:1-5
Intro.
These first few verses stress the importance of the Word of God. Again, we see the introduction, “My son”, once again as a father to a son. It is fair to take this as the Father, to you, his child.
I. Priority of the Word (1-2) #
A. Lifeline - “and live” #
Salvation - eternal life
Sin, State of man (lost, undone, empty, needy), Saviour, Salvation!
Staple of Life - Bread, Water
Growing up with good water you whole life, you don’t appreciate the value of water! At 18years old, first trip to Peru. I was introduced to the phrase, “Don't drink the water”. I became ever so aware of the importance, and daily need for water! When we went to the mission field in 2002, water was my primary concern!
Nothing should concern us more than the Word of God in our life! - Don’t take it for granted!
B. Love - “apple of thine eye” #
“apple of thine eye” only used 5 times in the Bible. It is an expression that means, the most precious thing to us!
The Word is our staple of life, but it should not only be the thing that keeps us alive, but it should be our love!
Something that means more than life to us!
II. Place of the Word (3) - Fingers, #
A. Fingers - as a ring upon thy hand #
Decoration -
A ring often is used to decorate! The Word of God should decorate our life, and make us look different!
Just as a ring would adds beauty someone, so should the Word of God add beauty to our life.
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Daily reminder!
a) The ring is visible to those who where it.
a) Prov. 6:21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
1. A necklace is clearly visible to others, and it speaks of how your life should shine. A ring is also visible to others, but it is visible to the person wearing it… and is a reminder. #
Identity! - signet in the Bible
The Word of God should be part of identity!
Who we are, not just who we are at church, but who we are wherever you go.
You are a child of God, a Christian, at all times!
Authority!
a) “And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;” (Genesis 41:42)
The Word of God bound on our finger, should remind us every day that
God, and His Word should be, and is the authority of our life!
b) “… and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
B. Heart (4) #
Word
a) Prov. 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; [write them upon the table of thine heart:]{.underline}
b) Prov. 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, [Let thine heart retain my words]{.underline}: keep my commandments, and live.
c) Prov. 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; [keep them in the midst of thine heart.]{.underline}
d) Prov. 6:21 [Bind them continually upon thine heart]{.underline}, and tie them about thy neck.
Do you get the idea, that this is something important.
I cannot illustrate, iterate, or explain how important it is to have
the Word of God in your heart!
Wickedness... if you are not conscientiously filling your heart with
the Word, it will fill with wickedness!
Naughty person -
Prov. 6:14 [Frowardness is in his heart]{.underline}, he deviseth
mischief continually; he soweth discord.
Sins the Lord Hates:
Prov. 6:18 [An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations]{.underline},
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Drawn away because of your heart!
Prov. 6:25 [Lust not after her beauty in thine heart]{.underline};
neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
What's in your heart???
C. Family - Sister & Kinswoman (4) #
All wisdom, and understanding come from the Word.
Go to the Word for counsel in every situation!
III. Protection of the Word (5) #
A. Keep thee! #
It is your own interest and life that is at risk.
God wants to keep you.
Commands, laws, and the Word of God, is not just a bunch of rules and regulations, they are setup for the our best, to protect us!
Jesus being led away, into the wilderness, was tempted!
Each time his response was, “It is written!”
It was written upon his heart!
B. From the Woman #
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Prov. 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
a) As someone living right, as someone that is pure, you will be hunted!
1. The devil wants you to fall, and fail! #
a) Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
C. From words of flattery #
The counsel from the Word of God, and the Spirit, will give you discernment
People will try to manipulate you with words.
- Psa. 12:1 ¶ Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?