PROVERBS

"He that ruleth his spirit (is better) than he that taketh a city." (Prov. 16:32).

The need to exercise self-control is portrayed vividly by a physical illustration: "Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it" (25:16). One that "hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls" (25:28).

We remember that Jesus said concerning the heart: "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matthew 15:18,19). Likewise, Proverbs cautions us about the heart and its need for control. "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart" (3:3). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (4:23). "Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way" (23:19). Proverbs deals with several issues of the heart:

Strife "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly" (14:29). "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression" (19:11).

Self-trust "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered" (28:26).

Devising evil "Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord" (6:14). "An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief" (6:18).

Envying sinners "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long" (23:17).

Lust "Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids" (6:25). "Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths" (7:25).

"He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief" (17:20). "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul" (18:7). "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (18:21).

Misuses of Speech

Rash talking "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health" (12:18). "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him" (18:13). "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him" (29:20).

Too much talking "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise" (10:19).

Slander "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (11:13). "An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends" (16:27,28). "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends" (17:9). "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife" (26:20,21).

Lying "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight" (12:22). "A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies" (14:25).

Angry words "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (15:1). "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife" (15:18).

Boasting "If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth" (30:32). "Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain" (25:14). "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips" (27:2).

Right Uses of Speech "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" (15:23). "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (25:11).

Spread wisdom and knowledge "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out" (10:31).

Good counsel "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel" (27:9).

Reproof "A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool" (17:10). "As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear" (25:12). "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (27:6).

Encouragement "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (16:24 ). "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad" (12:25).

Effects of Alcohol "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again" (23:29-35).

Alcohol and decision making "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more" (31:4-7 4).

Association with drunkards "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags" (23:20-21).

Questions:

1. What kind of comparison is made to a man without self-control and what does the illustration mean in 25:28?

2. What is meant by the term "heart"?

3. Explain what you think are the best ways to control the heart (these answers do not necessarily have to come from Proverbs)

4. Is there a connection between a perverse heart and a perverse tongue?

5. From 23:29-35, list the effects of alcohol...

          -On the emotions

[Introduction to Proverbs] [Lesson 1-The Value of Wisdom]
    [Lesson 2-What it Means to be a Fool]   [Lesson 3- Relationship with God]
[Lesson 4- Relationship with  Fellowman]  [Lesson 5- Marriage Relationship]
[Lesson 6-Problem of Adultery]  [Lesson 7- Parent/Child Relationship]
[Lesson 8-Government ] [Lesson 9 - Money_Labor.html]
  [Lesson 11-Rewards/Consequences]

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Page last updated: March 03, 2003