He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Sources Of Ruin For Our Lives: Envy: Proverbs
23:17-19
17) Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
18) For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut
off.
19) Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Solomon
now shares with us teachings on many different sins that can ruin our lives…
EXPOSITION:
Solomon
addresses the sin of envy…
17) Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
1. Our desires should not produce jealousy of those
who are lawless and disobedient to God.
2. Instead, our desires should produce a reverence and fear of the Lord throughout the day.
2. Instead, our desires should produce a reverence and fear of the Lord throughout the day.
Do
we desire the lifestyle and possessions of those who are disobedient to the
Lord? Instead we should desire to live
lives of submission to His will and ways and the temporal and eternal blessings
that await those who are obedient to the Lord.
“[A Psalm] of David. Fret
not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers
of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut
down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do
good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Psalms 37:1-3)
18) For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut
off.
2
reasons to desire obedience to the Lord over rebellion against Him:
1. The things that are enjoyed by the lawless
will be short-lived and abruptly terminated.
2. That which the Godly live for and expect will
be long-lasting and will continue through eternity.
Envying
that which is temporal will only reap disappointment, living for that which is
eternal will reap true lasting joy and peace.
“What fruit had ye then in
those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is]
death. But now being made free from
sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end
everlasting life.” (Romans 6:21-22)
“For I know the thoughts
that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to
give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon
me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12)
19) Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Solomon
speaking out of a heart of love and concern, as if he is instructing his own son…
1. Be wise… apply the Word to our lives
2. Apply the Word to our life by allowing it to affect our life goals and desires.
2. Apply the Word to our life by allowing it to affect our life goals and desires.
When
a saint’s desires are pointed toward wisdom, they will naturally possess a
Godly lifestyle.
“My son, give me thine
heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” (Proverbs 23:26)
SUMMARY:
The
desires we possess within us will dictate our way of life. If we desire the things of the world, our way
of life will be earthly and sensual and will lead to eventual disappointment and
ruin. If we desire the things of God,
our way of life will be Godly and spiritual and will lead to eternal joy, peace
and lasting value.
“Hear, O my son, and
receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the
way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou
runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of
instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life. Enter not into the path of
the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except
they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some]
to fall. For they eat the bread of
wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more
and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked [is]
as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from
thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they [are] life unto
those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.”
(Proverbs 4:10-23)
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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