Galatians 5:16–17 (ESV) - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Galatians 5:1 (ESV) - For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Proverbs are about probabilities – accumulated wisdom from experience and observation in life.

Proverbs are not promises nor formulas for success.

Proverbs focus on the general rule, not the exceptions.

What is wisdom?
Wisdom = skill, applied knowledge

Biblical proverbs communicate a set of practical skills for living well in God’s world for His glory.

“Reading a Proverb takes only a few seconds; applying a proverb can take a lifetime!” – Talk Through the Bible. Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, pg. 161.

Why should we listen to biblical proverbs rather than other proverbs?

1. Because they are God-centered, not man-centered.

James 3:13–18 (ESV) - Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Why should we listen to biblical proverbs rather than other proverbs?

2. They are inspired (“breathed out”) by God through Solomon.


1 Kings 3:12 – Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

1 Kings 11:1–4 (ESV) - Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 3He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 4For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Why should we listen to biblical proverbs rather than other proverbs?

3. They embody the wisdom of Jesus and point to Him as our only hope.

Proverbs 1:1–7 (ESV) - The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV) - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Psalm 34:4 (ESV) - I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:8–9 (ESV) - Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

The fear of the Lord = to live in awe and respect of almighty God

James 1:5–8 (ESV) - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Discussion Questions

1. Read Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10. Are wisdom and knowledge synonymous here?

2. What five purposes for Proverbs do you see in Proverbs 1:2-6?

3. According to Proverbs 2:1-5, how can one understand “the fear of the Lord”?

4. How do people display the fear of the Lord in the following passages – Exodus 20:18-21; Joshua 2:1-14; Job 1:1, 4-5; Psalm 112:1 and 128:1.

5. Would you say your lifestyle shows that you really fear God in a healthy way? Why or why not?