October 9, 2019

Lessons from Proverbs 11 #

Proverbs 11:1

Intro.

Much of this chapter deals with Righteousness or being upright, or just. You will see these words used more than any other topic in this chapter.

I. Righteousness Defined (1, 3) #

“The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 11:3)

A. Honesty - (1) #

Bible times, they didn’t have digital scales. They would have a set of weights, and a scale. If you wanted a lb of flour, they would put a 1lb weight on one side, and weigh out 1lb of flour. To cheat people, their 1 lb weight, wouldn’t weigh a pound.

Honest - Characterized by integrity or fairness and straightforwardness in conduct, thought, speech, etc.; upright; just; equitable; trustworthy; truthful; sincere; free from fraud, guile, or duplicity; not false; (Websters)

B. Integrity (3) #

Integrity - Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive

Right and wrong MUST be defined by a single source!

God and His Word are the only source to determine right and wrong!

a) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Moral soundness cannot be separated from the Word of God

Doing right when NO ONE IS AROUND!

Integrity directly correlates to your relationship to God!

C. Example: #

Job -

a) “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3)

Loss -

In Chapter 1 we read that Job lost everything!

Even his children!

Maintained his Integrity!!!

Job wasn't going to use his losses as an excuse to become biter with
God!

Job was guided by his loyalty to God, regardless of life
circumstances!

1. #

II. Righteousness Directs (3, 5) #

“The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 11:3)

A. Guide (3) #

Living overseas, God has graciously granted us the opportunity to see many touristic places in my life time.

Groups of tourists…. The Guide was often seen carrying a flag to direct the people to just the right places, and give them the relevant details to a particular place.

Guides know the best 1. routes, 2. places, 3. history, 4. how much to do in a day.

If integrity is maintained as the Word of God, and it is our GUIDE… God knows about places, God knows the best route, God knows the history!

You NEED someone knowledgeable in Life to get you through!

Perversity destroys the transgressor.

B. Direct #

“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23)

Christians can become accustomed to walking independently of God!

1 year old learning to walk, holds onto your hand, when they think they are big enough… they don’t want to hold your hand! - Independent!

You should NEVER get to the place in your life, where you live independent of God!
“Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:11)

We need to follow God’s direction in our life!

Work, how we dress, friends, how we spend money, what we watch, where we go, what we do… God is interested.

III. Righteousness Delivers (4, 6, 8, 21) #

A. From Death (4) #

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” (Proverbs 11:4)

This is obviously Jesus Christ’s righteousness, not ours!

It is a free Gift, that He offers!

B. From Damage (6) #

“The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.” (Proverbs 11:6)

This world is a mess!

Transgressors fall all the time by their own work.

People always think they are the exception, they will get away with fraud, stealing, lying, cover up…. It will come out.

“Give someone enough rope, and they will hang themself!” - the modern proverb of a Bible truth!

1. Verse 8 gives us a similar truth! #

“The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” (Proverbs 11:8)

Sometimes we are delivered, by staying out of trouble, because we are guided by righteousness, and that keeps us out of trouble.

Sometimes when trouble finds us, God delivers us out of trouble! This happened to David quite a few times.

C. From Defiance (21) #

It often seems as though evil forces would join hand in hand against righteousness, and those doing right!

You may struggle, you may have difficulty, but in the end, you will be delivered!

IV. Righteousness Delights #

A. God (1) #

Who do you live for?

I do what I want to do. I live for self… well that is a selfish kind of life.

There is a whole in life, that only Jesus can fill for you!

People seeking after riches, after they accumulate their riches… are often left unfulfilled.

Riches, pleasure and power cannot fill that void in life.

Living to please God will bring a new perspective to your life.

Deut 25:13-16 - This was even included in the law!

It was not just intended for every merchant, but for every Israelite!

God delights in his children living right, even in 2019!

B. Others (10-11, 27) #

“When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” (Pro 11:10–11)

When you live right, God will bless. The number of people that live right… the more the blessing, till the area is blessed!

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

Living right, and doing right we be a blessing to others around us!

God controls the weather, God controls the economy, God controls all of that! He is able to prosper an area or pronounce judgement on another area.

Example: 1. Sodom and Gomorrah… 2. Nineveh

“He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” (Proverbs 11:27)

V. Righteousness Develops - (18, 31) #

A. Reward (18, 31) #

There are physical rewards for living in righteousness.

There is prosperity, it doesn’t mean you will be rich, but you will be blessed!