Proverbs 29:16-25
APPLYING WISDOM IN A COMMON WORLD
V.16 "When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall
see their fall."
A. Certainly when there are more wicked folk there will be more trouble.
B. An important Biblical doctrine is noted.
1. Wicked nations and wicked families will eventually fall.
2. If it were not so in the process of time righteousness would be banished from
the earth.
C. Righteousness will always prevail according to God's design.
V:17. "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy
soul."
A. Here. God gives us the results of following His commands to discipline our children.
1. In the long run the family will have rest because the child will become wiser and do
right things.
2. Because of the child's wise decisions, the family will rejoice.
a. Parents rejoice when their children follow God's commands.
V:18. "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he."
A. When man rejects the Word of God, he follows his own path which may lead to his
demise.
1. The good will of man is established in the Will of God.
2. We will find true joy following the commands of God.
V:19. "A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not
answer."
A. Servant: in this case is one controlled by the lust of the flesh. a servant of the devil.
1. One who has no regard for authority or for doing right will not listen to the words
of wisdom.
2 . God's wisdom is foolish to the world.
B. A foolish man will not answer the call to the right thing because he is determined to
follow his own path.
C. We do well when we heed the corrections given by those in authority.
1. When we give reverence and respect to those in charge, our hearts are lifted up.
V:20. "Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of
him."
A. A man who speaks without thinking, is likely to say the wrong thing and / or offend
someone.
1. We should be careful to consider our thoughts before making them public.
2. It would be better to say, "I need time to think about this" or "I don't know"
than to give a rushed answer.
B. A fool who listens can learn, but a hasty man even though he has great knowledge,
will end up saying or doing the wrong thing.
V:21. "He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his
son at the length."
A. When you treat someone as family, they soon become part of the family.
1. We are commanded by God to serve one another.
a. We are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
b. We are all part of the family of Jesus Christ.
c. Therefore we are to love and cherish each other.
B. We all can be of help to one another.
1. God has gifted each of us with talents and abilities to build the body of Christ.
2. Romans 12:6 says; "We all have different gifts".
a. Our gifts are to be used to edify the body of Christ.
C. Because we are members of the same body, we role model ourselves for Christ.
1. In so doing we train up others.
V.22. "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."
A. Two human emotions we must control
1. Anger is a normal human emotion.
2. Our anger prompts us when some action against us is wrong and does not line up
with the Word of God.
3. We must control our anger to keep us from sin.
a. We must not let the sun go down on our anger.
b. In others word; get over it and move on.
4. We must not allow our anger to disturb the peace of the family.
B. The state of being furious is anger out of control.
1. Furious: Hebrew, pashang; daring and profane transgression, such as passionate
oaths, taking God's name in vain
2. When we become furious we are controlled by our anger and will cause trouble
for ourselves and others.
V:23. "A man's pride shall bring him low."
A. When we take credit for what God has done, we are in a state of pride.
1. We can take credit for nothing. We must give God the Glory.
2. When we fail to give God the glory we anger God. (James 4:6)
B. "But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."
1. God gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
2. Christ is King, we must give him the honor and abide in His grace.
V:24. "Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and
bewrayeth it not." ( The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;
he is put under oath and dare not testify. NIV)
A. When we steal, we brake God's command.
1.If we are an accomplice to a crime we are just as guilty.
2. If we witness a neighbor committing a crime, we have an obligation to
be truthful when call upon to testify.
B. Those involve in criminal activity have no regard for their own soul.
1. One involved in criminal activity set himself up for a fall.
V:25. "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be
safe."
A. We should put our trust in God.
1. Man will let you down.
2. You can depend on God.
a. Those who trust man have a lack of conviction of God's Word.
b. Inner strength comes from a knowledge of God's Word.
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