PROVERBS 15

Creator – creation Distinction For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1:16-17 One Triune Creator Personal Sovereign God Independent Infinite Authority REVELATION Creation Dependent Finite Submissive

GOD’S REQUIRED DUTY The duty which God requires of man, is obedience to His revealed will. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

GOD’S ETHICS – OUR DUTY ETHICS – the study of: Moral values Good or bad…worth Moral duties Right or wrong…ought GOD’S ETHICS BRIEF – The Ten Commandments GOD’S ETHICS EXPANDED – Proverbs

PROVERBS 15:1, 4, 18 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 Patience? Kindness? Self-control? Hypocrite?

PROVERBS 15:2, 7 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. We have heard of the pride of Moab— how proud he is!— of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence; in his idle boasting he is not right. Isaiah 16:6 What we say and what we do not say reveals our heart. What do people hear from you?

PROVERBS 15:3, 11 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man! And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 God is omnipresent and omniscient. God knows everything you think, say and do. Is that a comfort or a warning to you?

PROVERBS 15:5, 12, 32 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. Authority – Submission/Humility vs. Rebellion/Pride Those who know God, trust God, and love God joyfully submit to God and want to be trained by Him. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

PROVERBS 15:6, 25, 27 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. The leader’s relationship to the Triune God effects everyone in the home. What do you pursue with energy, time, and emotion? Are those under your authority encouraged or discouraged to submit to God and His Word?

PROVERBS 15:8, 29 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; Romans 3:10 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 1 John 2:4 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

PROVERBS 15:9, 10 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19

PROVERBS 15:13, 14, 15 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. Our purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 Your response to life is determined by your relationship to God. What does your response say to others?

PROVERBS 15:16, 17 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 1 Timothy 6:6 Love God and Love people, and be with those who do. The wealthy are content; the poor want more.

PROVERBS 15:19, 21,24, 25 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 How do you make decisions?

PROVERBS 15:23, 26, 28 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The right words at the right time come from the thoughts and the heart of the righteous. Do you know the right words? Do you know the right time?

PROVERBS 15:31,33 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Humility comes before honor. Submission then adoption. God’s revelation: Bad News & Good News but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:8-9