Wise Counsel for Everyone
Base Text: Proverbs 3:1–12
Introduction
A. The Book of Proverbs is one of the richest sources of wise counsel for every human being; it contains instruction for every area of life—from finances to relationships, from wisdom to devotion.
B. In this particular chapter, we find essential advice for those who desire to serve God faithfully and walk in prosperity and peace.
C. We will examine principles that will strengthen our faith and help us avoid falling into the snares of the enemy.
D. All of us need this counsel to grow in the Christian life and to walk correctly before God.
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I. We Must Always Follow the Word of God (Proverbs 3:1–2)
A. The First Counsel is Clear: Do not forget or fail to keep the Word of God (Prov. 3:1).
We must treasure it in our hearts and diligently preserve it.
B. The Word Must Dwell Richly in Us (Col. 3:16).
It is what causes us to grow spiritually; we must desire it as spiritual milk (1 Pet. 2:2).
C. The Word is a Lamp for Our Lives (2 Pet. 1:19).
When we turn away from it, we inevitably stumble and fail.
D. Why Obey It?
Because it prolongs our days and brings peace (Prov. 3:2). Obedience brings protection and blessing (Ps. 91:14–16; Prov. 3:16; Prov. 4:10).
E. Peace and blessing are the natural result of keeping the Word.
There is no true peace without obedience to God.
• Application: Are we reading, guarding, and obeying the Word, or are we merely hearing it without practicing it?
II. We Must Show Steadfast Love (Mercy) and Truth (Proverbs 3:3–4)
A. God exhorts us to never let steadfast love (mercy) depart from us.
We must have genuine compassion toward all people.
B. Mercy is sensitivity to the suffering of others.
The merciful is blessed (Prov. 14:21; Prov. 19:22).
C. Only the merciful will receive mercy from God on that day (Matt. 5:7).
We must practice it continually.
D. We must also live in Truth: honesty, integrity, and righteousness.
God hates lying; no liar will enter His kingdom (Rev. 21:8). Lying has its origin in the devil (John 8:44). Truth must characterize all our relationships (Eph. 4:25).
E. The one who practices steadfast love and truth finds favor before God and man (Prov. 3:4; Prov. 8:35).
• Application: Are we known for our compassion and our integrity, or for the opposite?
III. We Must Trust in God (Proverbs 3:5–6)
A. To trust in God at all times is fundamental counsel.
Distrust leads to stumbling and difficulty.
B. We must not trust in man (Jer. 17:5–8).
Trusting people brings a curse; trusting God brings blessing. Do we want to live under a curse or be blessed?
C. Trusting God means delighting in Him (Ps. 37:3–6).
He will act and grant requests according to His will. Confidence grows when we hear His Word (Prov. 22:17–19).
D. Trust is demonstrated by acknowledging God in all our ways (Prov. 3:6).
There are ways that seem right to a man, but their end is the way to death (Prov. 14:12; 16:25).
E. We must guard the way of the Lord (2 Sam. 22:22).
Commit our ways to God (Ps. 37:5). His way is strength for the upright (Prov. 10:29).
F. Jesus spoke of two gates and two ways (Matt. 7:13–14).
Trust in God leads us down the narrow way; trusting in man leads us down the broad way.
• Application: Is our trust placed in God or in our own limited understanding?
IV. We Must Fear God and Turn Away from Evil (Proverbs 3:7–8)
A. True fear of God helps us turn away from evil.
Fear means reverence, respect, and obedience.
B. The fear of the Lord is wisdom; turning away from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).
It is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7; 9:10).
C. To fear the Lord is to hate evil (Prov. 8:13).
Only one who fears God can abandon sin (Prov. 16:6).
D. The early church grew because it walked in the fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31).
Fear produces a righteous walk.
E. The fear of God brings physical blessing: it will be medicine to your body and refreshment to your bones (Prov. 3:8).
• Application: Are we living with reverence and hatred for sin, or are we tolerating what God condemns?
V. We Must Honor God with Our Wealth (Proverbs 3:9–10)
A. Honoring God with our wealth means recognizing that everything comes from Him.
Israel failed in this regard (Isa. 43:23–24).
B. Riches come from God (1 Chron. 29:11–14).
He allows us to manage what we have.
C. We must give generously, not selfishly (1 Cor. 16:1–2; 2 Cor. 9:7).
The work of God advances through the faithfulness of His people.
D. Many do not honor God even though they have prospered.
To give is to honor the one who gives us everything.
E. The reward is abundant (Prov. 3:10).
We will have blessing, multiplication, and provision (Matt. 19:29–30; 2 Cor. 9:6, 8).
• Application: Are you honoring God with your wealth, or are you only enjoying what He gives without acknowledging Him?
VI. We Must Not Reject the Discipline of the Lord (Proverbs 3:11–12)
A. We must not reject divine discipline.
God disciplines us to correct and transform us.
B. Blessed is the one who receives discipline (Job 5:17; Ps. 94:12–13).
The disciplined will find rest even in affliction.
C. Discipline is a sign of love (Prov. 3:12; Heb. 12:5–11).
Just as a father corrects his son out of love, so God corrects us for our good.
D. Do not despise discipline; it is for our profit and spiritual growth.
• Application: Do we recognize discipline as an act of love, or do we resist it stubbornly?
See also
- Preaching on Unbelief Versus Faith
- Preaching on Seeing God Face to Face
- Preaching on Romans 8:35 Who Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ?
Conclusion
A. The Proverbist offers us essential advice for serving the Lord as He deserves.
B. If we obey these principles, all will go well with us before God; if we ignore them, we will suffer the consequences.
C. Let us live by applying this wise counsel to experience the Lord's blessing, direction, and correction in every area of our lives.
