SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 4:23-27

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Wisdom: The Comprehensive Application Of The Word To Our Life Prov 4:23-27

23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

 

INTRODUCTION:

This set of proverbs reminds us of the need to apply God’s Word to every area of our life….

EXPOSITION:

Solomon describes the 5 core areas that produce our lifestyle and testimony…

23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
1. Our desires:
The desires we have within us will dictate all that will flow out of our life.
That is why it is very important that we watch over and guard our desires by placing a wall around them, only allowing them to be influenced by the Lord and His Word.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”   (Psalms 139:23-24)

 

24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
2. Our speech:
We are to, literally, turn off speech that is twisted, deceitful and hidden.
We are to put aside and walk away from any verbal statements that are immoral, ungodly, or profess error in opposition to the Word of God.

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion [is] vain.”   (James 1:26)

25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
3.  Our eyesight:
We are to keep our eyes on the goal our Lord has set before us.
We are not to be diverted from our pursuit of His will and glory, by looking aside to the carnal temptations of the world.

“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.”   (Psalms 119:37)

 

26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
4. and 5.  Our actions and lifestyles:
We are to be constantly examine of our “walk of life”… what we are doing and where our actions are leading us, what type of example we are setting for others, are we bringing honor and glory to Christ and His cause.
Our lifestyle should be firmly set and grounded to bring glory to the Lord by fulfilling His will.
Therefore, we are to not turn from the path we are on.
The easiest way to keep on the proper lifestyle path is by guarding each step making sure it doesn’t step to that which opposes Christ.

’See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].”   (Ephesians 5:15-17)

SUMMARY:

The 5 great controlling aspects of a person’s life and testimony; desires, speech, eyesight, actions, and overall direction and goals in life, are to be set firmly to glorify the Lord, fulfill His will, and testify of His workings.   By guarding each of these aspects of life and rejecting sinful influences, God’s people can live a spiritually successful life of obedience to Christ.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

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