LIFE COACH

Proverbs 5:2-4               The Forbidden Woman’s Temptation

     The concept of forbidden seems to signal a need to check out what is denied. God in His wisdom gave us the Ten Commandments to provide rules for living in the way of righteousness. These rules contain the words “you shall not” thus forbidding behaviors that are sinful. Sadly, our rebellious natures get the best of us and we do what is forbidden, resulting in negative consequences.

     The comparison of the righteous and the wicked take on female personas in the following chapters of Proverbs. Wisdom has already been presented in the feminine. In this chapter we see the presentation of folly as the forbidden woman. The concept of adultery is present in her persona. Some people would complain that this is not a fair analogy, as men are also guilty of adultery. The writer is comparing two qualities, not genders. So when you consider the concept of the forbidden woman, an adulterer, remember this is the picture of a lifestyle void of Wisdom.

How is the speech of the forbidden woman described (3)?

What is alluring about her speech (3)?

Why is it important to be able to discern who this is when she speaks?

How do you gain this discernment?

What does verse 4 say about the reality of this woman?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify God today as you enjoy the Wisdom He gives you.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

    

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 5:1-2                                  Discretion      

     Culture is driven by the marketplace; what sells becomes fashion. Sadly, the marketplace is tended by people who are not compelled by God’s law. Their God is the dollar. So, culture becomes victim to their foolish whims. Discretion is not a part of freedom of expression in this setting. Competition for recognition requires constant edginess, thus moving further away from previous cultural taboo.

     In our age of instant information via television and the internet we are bombarded with messages that soon become part of a daily intake. Our minds become numb to the messages and our lives reflect this immunity as we buy into cultural trends. We need guidance through this web that can so easily entangle.

     Discretion is the keyword for this chapter. Webster defines discretion as the ability to make sound decisions. This ability is based on discernment, perceiving with keen understanding or insight.

What does discretion allow you to do (2)?

Why should your lips guard knowledge (2)?

What should your speech demonstrate if you walk the paths of righteousness?
What are cultural temptations to not do what is advised in verse 2?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you live a life of discretion.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 5:1-23                                            Wisdom and Folly

      The book of Proverbs is a continual comparison of wisdom and folly, two character traits that are the source of all human behavior. Many theories are put forth as to why people behave the way they do but, stripped down to the basics, only wisdom and folly are left as the basis for human behavior. Having said that, we need to look at the levels of wisdom and folly. There is the human behavioral level where basic choices of life are made. Wisdom and folly exist as considerations prior to making a choice.

     The ultimate of wisdom and folly are found in the antitheticals of good and evil – God and Satan. The path of Wisdom is the one chosen by God’s people through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The path of folly is chosen by those whose lives have not been influenced by the Holy Spirit and are under the influence of Satan’s rule in the world. This concept makes the content of Proverbs very clear – wisdom or folly.

     This chapter has to do with sexual purity in one’s life. The content of this chapter, and others that deal with this subject, are based on the one man – one woman relationship. Yet there is a broader concept embedded in the text; Wisdom is the spouse to whom God’s people are to be faithful. The New Testament speaks of the church (God’s people through the ages) being the Bride of Christ. As a child of God I am called to be faithful to Christ – Wisdom.

What does folly mean? What does wisdom mean?

What are the consequences of a life of folly?

What are the consequences of a life lived with wisdom?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God as you live the Wisdom He gives you today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:25-27                                         WALK THE WALK                                    

     You are probably familiar with the concept of walk the walk in the context of leading by example.  These verses address this concept in the context of staying on the path of righteousness despite intense temptation to move to another path. Thoughtful self control is implied in these verses. Just like an athlete competing at the Olympic level you must only be focused on the goal and you must know where your feet are at all times.

     Walking the walk also implies a certain level of knowledge of what you are doing. To ponder the path of your feet implies studying the map so you know where you are going. You don’t just walk down the first path you come to, and if you find yourself on a wrong road, you go back to the map.

What is the task of the eyes in your walk?

Why is it important to see where you are going?

What helps you see your path (look at verse 18)?

Why is it important that your gaze is forward (25)?

How can you ponder the path of your feet (26)?

What two ways of dealing with temptation are presented in these verses?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God to day as you walk the walk.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY! 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:20-24                        FACTS OF LIFE

     The words and sayings spoken of in this passage are from God the Father. These words are contained in Scripture and span millenniums. God uses earthly fathers (parents) to teach His truths to their children. Scripture is of the greatest value because it is God’s special revelation of Himself to man. These verses describe how one’s whole self must be involved in making God’s Word an integral part of his being.

What physical parts of the body are used in integrating God’s Word into your life?

What is the role of the heart (spiritual center where worldview and passions are based)? What does God’s Word do for you? (22)

     Verse 23 states that the heart (spiritual center) must be kept with constant vigilance. This implies the importance of filtering what is allowed in to your heart so that your passions and behavior are based on God’s truth and not words that are crooked or devious (24). We live in a culture that offers many choices for information, good or bad, to arrive at one’s heart for entrance. God’s Word must control the filter of what is allowed to enter. The principle of what goes in is what comes out rules, and requires vigilance to maintain a healthy life.

List ways that you can keep your heart healthy.

 

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God as you keep your heart with all vigilance today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:20-27                             USE YOUR BRAIN

     These verses seem to be an anatomy lesson on using your brain to keep you from making wrong choices. The brain is the most complex organ in the body with multiple integrated tasks. It controls everything that the body does. The brain contains the memory, intellect, will, emotions, and judgment. Sensory input tells the brain about its environment. When reference is made to the heart, the passage is actually referring to that part of the brain that contains our passions causing us to formulate a worldview. Thus, the heart (brain) drives our behavior. These verses are all about using your brain.

What statements in these verses refer to the senses?

What statements refer to behavior?

What statements refer to the physical?

What statements refer to the spiritual?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy your Creator today; you are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:18-19                                       Light/Dark

     Nightlights are one of the greatest inventions. Actually, Thomas Edison’s invention of the incandescent light bulb is higher on the list of great inventions because, without it we would still be using candles to light our homes. In the darkest night, light is cast in the areas of the home that are used at night. Without lighting in these areas people would stumble and bump into objects in their pathways.

     The pathways described in these two verses are as different as light and dark. The path of the righteous is light, and the path of the wicked is dark. In fact, the light is described as becoming brighter with time. The dark is described as deep darkness – extremely dark.

Why does the path of the righteous become brighter with time?

Where does this light come from? (John 8:12)

What does 2 Corinthians 4:6 say about the source of light?

How does one get on the path of the righteous? (1 Peter 2:9)

How did the path of the wicked become deep darkness? (Romans 1:18 – 23)

How does one move from the path of the righteous to the path of the wicked?

What path do we all start on at birth?

How do we recognize the path of the righteous?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you walk in His light.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:14-17                                     Do Not Enter

      Once a child learns to walk, or a teen driver earns his license, there are rules that must be followed. The first rule of mobility has to do with where one can travel safely. So it is with daily living, there are rules that must be followed. The parent uses strong action words to express where the child should not go in theses verses. These all have a negative tone.

List the negative action words in verses 14 – 15:

What is the child to actively avoid?

Describe the qualities of the way of the wicked? (check out Romans 1:18-22 if you need help)

What gives the wicked insomnia? (16)

What provides nourishment to the wicked? (17)

Give an example in popular culture that fits this description:

How can you be tempted to follow the way of the wicked?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you follow His rules of the road.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY! 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:13                                 TEACHABLE

     Every teen looks forward to the day they can get behind the wheel of a car and go down the road. This is the ultimate freedom. Parents dread the day their children begin to drive because there is a large learning curve in knowing how to safely propel a dangerous weapon down the road.  This knowledge only comes through experience. Parents actually risk their lives when they climb into the passenger seat beside the teen who is having a first episode at the wheel. At this point it is critical that the new driver understands that he has not gained knowledge of driving by being a passenger. It only comes from spending time controlling all  aspects of driving. This is not the time to argue with the instructor.

In the context of the example above how do you keep hold of instruction?

How do you not let instruction go?

How do you guard instruction?

Describe how instruction is your life in the example of learning to drive.

What qualities are necessary to have a teachable heart?  

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as He teaches you.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:12,14                          WALKING                          

    We are going to consider the process of walking. Have you ever thought about the dynamics of ambulating from here to there? You did not come into the world with the ability to walk. It is a motor skill that is usually developed between 1 and 2 years of age.  In fact we have a name for infants who are learning to walk, toddlers. These little ones lose their balance and fall many times before they are competent walkers.

     Once competent, there is no thought given to this complex process because it has been practiced so much that the brain, neurons, muscles, and bones work together to give instant mobility.

Verse 12 speaks of a difficulty in walking. What can hamper one’s ability to walk?

What can cause one to stumble? What choices do you have to make when you are walking? What is walking a metaphor for in these verses?

Read Psalm 1:1 and compare it to these verses?

Read Isaiah 40:31. According to this verse how do you get the energy to walk and run spiritually?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God as you walk with Him today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!