LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:24-35                  Don’t Get Burned

     California is a state that is noted for its wildfire problems. Thousands of acres burn each year. People who live in these areas know the risks of living in a fire prone region but feel the benefits of natural beauty outweigh the risks. Then suddenly, wildfire strikes and they escape only with their lives.

These verses use the metaphor of fire to describe the consequences of adultery. If you play with adultery, you will get burned.

Answer the question in verse 26 and explain the consequences of the action:

Answer the question in verse 27 and explain the consequences of the action:

Verse 29 explains the fire metaphor. What does it mean in regards to adultery?

What is the metaphor in verses 30-31? Explain it:

     Verse 26 at first reading may appear to approve paying for the services of a prostitute but, in context of the surrounding verses, it is comparing the personal cost of the sin of adultery. People who sell themselves may have no one else involved with them; people who have families carry the consequences of this sin to the family.

     This comparison does not minimize the sin of adultery.

What is the only emotion involved in adultery according to verse 34?

Can restitution ever be made for this sin (35)?  

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

      Glorify and enjoy God today as your relationships honor Him.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:24-35                 Discipline, or Dishonor and Disgrace

     The prefix dis is a common term today. To dis someone means to show disrespect for them in words and/or actions. The last passage of chapter 6 uses metaphors to describe the ultimate form of disrespect towards oneself and others, adultery. There are at least three people involved in an adulterous relationship; two are married and one may or may not have a spouse. It is important to remember that women are not the only source of temptation in adultery; women can be tempted by the evil man (24). The female adulteress reflects the culture of Solomon’s day. The point is that it takes two people to commit this act that destroys families.

What does the person who commits adultery lack (32)?

How does this person destroy himself (33-35)?

Is there any way to undo the damage done by adultery (35)? Why?

     The big picture concept of adultery includes pre-marital adultery. Society used to view sexual intimacy outside of marriage as wrong. Now it seems to be expected, if you base your lifestyle on the relativism of popular culture and not Scripture. The discipline of saving oneself for the commitment of marriage to that special person God has created for you brings honor, respect, and deep trust to the family.

Give an example of how our culture makes adultery acceptable.

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

     Glorify and enjoy today as you are respectful in your relationships.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:23                            A Proverbs Principle

     Today we are going to look at a Proverbs Principle found in verse 23: The reproofs of discipline are the way of life. This is true for every human who has ever lived. To understand this statement we need to know what the keywords mean. Reproof means to reprimand in order to correct behavior. Discipline has two aspects. Discipline can be used by a parent to respond to bad behavior in a child (you are grounded!), It can also mean personal control of behavior.

     Discipline is a guide for life. The sluggard is an example of one who is undisciplined. His world falls in around him as a reproof but he does not respond. The consequence of his undisciplined lifestyle is abject poverty and want.

     What happens if you decide not to do your homework because you would rather watch TV? You are undisciplined in your time management and in your responsibility. The reproof will come when your teacher asks for the homework and it is not there. You will also have to answer the reproof of your parents for the bad grade. Hopefully, the humiliation of failing will cause you to change your behavior and be a successful

student.

     The following are the areas of life this chapter covers. Give a positive and negative discipline example.

Money

Time

Relationships

Behavior

 

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

 

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

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:20-24                      Life Coaches

     Hiring a life coach has become popular with trendy celebrities. These people feel the need to have another person help them accomplish goals by providing methods and assistance. Thus, a new profession has developed to help people feel good about themselves.

     These verses present the original life coaches given to each person, Mom and Dad. Setting limits and providing education are the methods used to prepare a child for adulthood. There are specific roles given to parents in these verses.

What is the father’s role (20)?

What is the mother’s role (20)?

How does the child respond(21)?

     The phrase keep your father’s commandment has several dynamics. In the physical realm it means obey Dad. Spiritually it refers to obeying God’s Word. However, in the context of this passage it seems to refer to intimate relationship with someone else’s spouse. The act of adultery seems very specific in the rest of the chapter. Dad and Mom are teaching the child how to manage relationships.

Where are Dad’s commandment and Mom’s teaching to be kept (21)?

What do they do for you (22, 24)?

What metaphor is used to describe the commandment and the teaching (23)?

 

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

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you obey His commands.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!  

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:17-18                Holy Hate III

     This is a continuation of the inconclusive list of wicked behavior God hates. When our society needs an example of this style of ruthless wickedness the name of Adolph Hitler comes to mind. He is an ultimate example of one who has all of these traits. But, we are all capable of the sins in this list and without God’s intervention we have the potential of being Hitlers.

     A heart that devises wicked plans refers to the one whose heart has not been changed by God. This heart is only capable of planning wicked acts full of the darkness of Hell. God has no place in this person’s life and is usually the object of the wicked plans. Hitler killed millions of Jews, God’s chosen race.

     Feet that make haste to do evil indicates one who, with great eagerness and enthusiasm, participates in evil acts. Hitler could not have accomplished the evil he did without others joining him. Many did so in fear but, others were eager accomplices.

     A false witness who breathes out lies refers to a legal setting in which one is purposely accused by the witness lying. Again under Hitler’s rule this happened many times.

     One who sows discord among brothers seems to be the result of the activities in this list. Community life cannot be peaceful and pleasant when members of the community, seeking power, participate in these behaviors.

Name a desirable character trait to replace each of these seven.

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

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you faithfully walk in His ways.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:17                           Holy Hate II

      This verse speaks of three character traits God hates. The wicked proudly display these qualities because they have no desire to please God. When the righteous find evidence of these behaviors, they respond by confessing and seeking God’s forgiveness.

     Haughty eyes describes an arrogant elitism that says “I am better than you because of who I am and what I have.” People with this sin don’t acknowledge that God created all men equal and that everything they have was given to them by God. To them, God is unnecessary.

     Lying tongue describes a flippant attitude towards truth. God is truth and everything He says is ultimate truth. Actively denying truth and promoting false information is a form of denying God.

     Hands that shed innocent blood refers to killing a person outside of justice. The Bible gives two principles for ending the life of another human being; capital punishment (crime based) and war (freedom based). Current culture rallies behind the act of shedding innocent blood when abortion is allowed by societal law. This act denies that humans are created in God’s image and that each life is special.

How do these characteristics deny God?

These are characteristics of the wicked. What are the opposite characteristics of the righteous?

Apply one of the Ten Commandments to each of these traits.

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

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you live humbly before Him.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:15                           Holy Hate

     This verse describes how God feels about the sin and rebellion of those created in His image. Hate is a strong emotion. It leads to having a total disregard for the life of the hated one. Hate often leads to murder. However, when God tells us that he hates something He is speaking of a quality in His character that will never change. This hate is a righteous detesting of sin and evil. It is a character trait that God’s people must have as they live in the world. This is holy hate; we hate what God hates.

     The numbers in this verse are also of interest. Why does it say God hates six things and seven are an abomination (disgusting)? In Hebrew poetry this is a form of saying the list is not complete with the first number; similar to the American use of ‘etc.’ indicating there is more that is not stated here.

     When a wicked man is confronted with God’s holiness there is no response. When a righteous man is confronted with God’s holiness the response is one of unworthiness as seen with the prophet Isaiah.

Read Isaiah 6:1-7

How did the angels describe God (3)?

What were the physical signs of God’s presence (4)?

What was Isaiah’s response to God’s holiness (4-5)?

What did God do for Isaiah (7)?

How will you respond toe God’s holiness?

 

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

      Enjoy God today as you live a life that glorifies Him.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 6:8-15              Meet the Twins – Sluggard and Worthless

        These verses introduce two negative role models. The sluggard refuses to do anything that seems to require effort. The worthless person tries to exist with activities that don’t require work. The adjective worthless implies that he is so lazy that no one wants to employ him. He cannot be trusted. The difference between the sluggard and the worthless person is that the sluggard does nothing while the worthless man does everything possible not to do the work assigned to him. Explain the descriptions of the worthless man:

   Goes about with crooked speech (12)

   Winks with his eye (13)

   Signals with his feet (13)

   Points with his finger (13)

   With perverted heart devises evil (14)

   Continually sows discord (14)

   The worthless man is called wicked but the sluggard is not. Why do you think this is?

   What is the outcome of the worthless person’s work ethic (15)?

   Is it worse to be undependable (worthless person) or to be a sluggard? Why?

   How do you prevent becoming like either one?

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

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you do the work He has given you.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

PROVERBS 6:6-11                          Lessons from an Ant

     Ants are considered pests. There is nothing more annoying than to see a line of ants marching across the counter towards a sugar bowl where they are working hard to get food. But, these pesky little creatures are role models for the work ethic. The lazy person is told to go and examine the work ethic of the ant, so he can be wise by applying what is observed.

     There are several qualities in the ways of the ant that should be used by people. Ants do not need to be told when or how to work. They do not wait around for someone to tell them what to do; they just line up and start to do what is expected of them. Ants plan ahead so they have what is needed to survive in times when they might not be able to work . Ants work together and always appear very committed to their work.

The work of the ant is compared to the work of the sluggard in these verses.

What is the main task of the sluggard (9)?

How does the sluggard manage his time?

Are there people who cannot work?

What is the outcome of deliberately not working?

Whose fault is it that poverty and want come upon the sluggard?

How can you prevent this from happening to you?

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

      Glorify and enjoy God today as you work diligently.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

 

Proverbs 6:6-15                 Get A Job!

     The work ethic started with the first man on planet earth, Adam. God gave him the work of naming the animals, tending the garden, and having control over the earth. Work gives man a purpose in life; although it does not always bring financial gain. Serving others is considered work.

     People who are familiar with the needs of dogs know that certain breeds have a need to work. If they are kept as house dogs they begin to exhibit behaviors that show their boredom with life. This is sometimes relieved by giving them the job of carrying a backpack. So it is with people, we need to feel that what we do is important. Without work we become the sluggard (aka couch potato).in verse 6.

What is the main attribute of a sluggard?

What are the traits of a lazy person (sluggard) in verses 9-11?

What is the destiny of the lazy person? (9-11)

Why did these outcomes occur?

Do you know anyone who fits this description?

Do you have any of these tendencies?

How can you prevent this from happening to you?

 

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

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you work for Him.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!