Renewal In Christ Mission - How Not To Be Stupid; Gems From Proverbs

HOW NOT TO BE STUPID - GEM FROM PROVERBS

Have you ever been in a situation in which you needed practical advice and some wisdom? I certainly have - many times, and I am sure you have too. On the radio there are many talk shows such as Dr. Laura Scheshinger’s, there are also numerous newspaper columns and books which offer practical advice for life situations. But did you know that God has His writing which offers practical advice and wisdom? Found in the Old Testament, it is known as the Book of Proverbs. This book could easily have been entitled, “How Not to be Stupid”. In the opening of the 2nd chapter (v. 6) we read: “For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding. He grants good sense to the godly...”

For modern society which has lost its sense of common sense, this is a very valuable book. As a matter of fact, Proverbs is the best book by which someone can obtain common sense and wisdom, in order to avoid unnecessary difficulties and misery in life. This is God’s advice to all people - for children, for young people, for the married, for politicians and rulers.

There are so many topics and areas of life touched upon in Proverbs, that I cannot even begin to mention them all. However, I want to present some priceless gems of wisdom from this book in several areas. For example, there is much warning and advice concerning the consequences of adultery and soliciting prostitutes in this portion of Scripture. Today we live in an age in which pornography mass produces spouse abusers, sexual perverts and murderers, family breakups, unprecedented cases of people with sexual diseases, and rapists. This filth from the abyss is conveniently made available in the comfort of many homes by way of mailed magazines, the Internet, cable TV, and also through establishments which offer strippers.

Let’s see what advice God offers in this regard. Starting from the 4th verse of chapter 7, we read advice to young men, but in these days, this can easily be applied to young women also. It starts by saying: “Love wisdom like a sweetheart; make her a beloved member of your family. Let her hold you back from visiting a prostitute, from listening to her flattery.

The writer goes on to say, “I was looking out the window of my house one day, and saw a simple-minded lad, a young man lacking common sense, walking at twilight down the street to the house of a wayward girl, a prostitute. She approached him, saucy and pert, and dressed seductively. She was the brash coarse type, seen often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner for men to be her lovers.

She put her arms around him and kissed him, and with a saucy look she said, ‘I’ve decided to forget our quarrel! I was just coming to look for you and here you are! My bed is spread with lovely, colored sheets of finest linen imported from Egypt, perfumed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come on, let’s take our fill of love until morning, for my husband is away on a long trip. He has taken a wallet full of money and won’t return for several days.

“So she seduced him with her pretty speech... until he yielded to her. He followed her as an ox going to the butcher, or as a deer that is trapped, waiting to be killed with an arrow through its heart. ...Listen young men, and not only listen, but obey; ...don’t let your desires get out of hand... she has been the ruin of multitudes - a vast host of men have been her victims”. This passage ends with the grave warning in verse 27: “If you want to find the road to hell, look for her house”.

The reality of our day is that through modern technology, there are many ways to enter hell, and there are many places, such as the casinos, movie theaters, and so on, which will escort the young, as well as the old, to the abyss of hell.

Another common theme is the importance of raising children in fear of the Lord, so that they will obey their parents and not bring shame and misery to themselves and their parents. I have selected some verses which I will share with you:

“A wise youth accepts his father’s rebuke; a young mocker doesn’t” 13:1. “A rebellious son is a grief to his father and a bitter blow to his mother” 17:25. “If you refuse to disciple your children, it proves you don’t love them. For if you love them, you will be prompted to punish them” 13:24.

To wives, God says: “A wise woman builds her house, while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own efforts” (14:1). “If you find a truly good wife, she is worth more than precious gems! Her husband can trust her, and she will richly satisfy his needs. She will not hinder him, but help him all her life” (31:10,11).

And to husbands, God says: “Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from even leaders of nations” (31:30,31).

I was so excited when I prepared this sermon because Proverbs is a treasure chest full of priceless advice and wisdom directly from heaven. One of the best things you can do for yourself, for your family and others, is to read and encourage others to read this book on a regular basis.

A good summery of this writing is contained in the 8th chapter in which God says: “Let me give you understanding... let me show you common sense! Listen to me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing evil in it. My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind - if only it is open! My instructions are more valuable than silver or gold” (8:4-10).