Proverbs – Introduction To WisdomSample

Down-to-Earth Wisdom

Are you allowing the Father’s wisdom to shape how you conduct your friendships? To shape the way you treat your friends? Are you being wise in your boundaries, especially in your relationships with people you find attractive?

These are critical and practical questions addressed by Solomon in this third section of Proverbs 6. After looking at finances and work, he moves to relationships, especially our friendships with others.

In Proverbs 6:16–19, Solomon says, “There are six things God hates, seven in fact.” Seven is the number of completion. By including seven items, Solomon emphasizes that these are completely abominable.

All seven items have to do with relationships. The common thread throughout is harming others through patronizing, spreading gossip, violence, scheming, gloating, bearing false testimony, and stirring up enmity between friends.

In our next section, Solomon looks at the issue of lust. He warns us to keep our boundaries strong. If you lust after someone else’s spouse and sleep with him or her, you may even pay for it with your life.

The lesson here is that our wrong choices today have dire consequences tomorrow. Solomon warns us to think about the future. “How can a man light his pants on fire and not be burned?” (v. 27, TPT) That’s a great question.

Let’s be wise in our relationships.

The issue of personal boundaries is so important, whether you’re married or not. What areas of your life can you bring to your Father, asking him to help you strengthen your borders?