From the Lips to the Foundation

Proverbs 10:18-32

Review• We should diligently desire to follow God’s

Wisdom– But we are not forced to follow

• We can choose to follow Wisdom or Foolishness– Each choice has consequences for our lives

• We can tell which path someone has chosen by whether or not they keep the Lord’s commands (Prov 10:17)

• Another way to tell what someone has founded his life on is to listen to what comes from his lips

From lips to foundation• Prov 10:18

– Hatred can be something hard to spot when hidden deep in the heart• But listen for someone telling lies, and ask

yourself who the liar hates– If he had no hatred for his listener, then why not

tell the truth? (Eph 4:25)

– Slander (defamation, evil report, unfavorable saying) is a sure indication someone is not following Wisdom• Why?

• Eph 4:29-32

From lips to foundation• Prov 10:19-21

– Either saying if you speak a lot, you’ll eventually say something wrong• One following wisdom would know not to speak

too much

– Or saying that someone who feels a necessity to over-explain probably knows they did something wrong• One following wisdom can stand by his actions

– When the righteous (wise) does speak it is to benefit others (teaching, encouraging)• But the wicked (fool) has nothing to offer and

refuses to receive wisdom

Riches from God• Prov 10:22

– Some say this means, if the Lord is with you, you’ll have lots of money• Or if you have riches, then the Lord blessed you

– Actually it says neither, it says . . .• One can be rich with the blessings of the Lord

– Not rich with money– If you have the Lord’s blessing, you are rich, but

not necessarily with material goods (Eph 1:3-12)• His riches do not bring sorrow with it

– Unlike material wealth

– In the context he is comparing the worthless foundation of the fool, to the riches of the wise

From foundation to action• Prov 10:23-25

– A foolish heart will produce evil actions• Mk 7:21-23• Eventually those will receive what they deserve• When judgment is complete, they will have

nothing left to show for their life – In contrast, a man whose heart is founded on

wisdom will act accordingly• He will have what he wants

– Not earthly goods, because that is what a fool wants, not what the wise wants

• What the wise wants is to please God, and his reward is based on that eternal foundation

– Matt 7:24-27

The lazy man• Prov 10:26

– Many just think this is a random inserted proverb with no connection to its context• Yet, he has spoken of the lazy man before (Prov

6:1-11) as an example of dangerous behaviors that can destroy one without wisdom

– Lazy people are irritating to people who expect them to do something• How does it fit in the context?

• Perhaps best to tie it together with the following verses

From foundation to destination• Prov 10:26-30

– The wise (righteous) live longer lives and lives filled with hope and gladness• They are strengthened by God• They will always (eternally) be able to dwell with

God– By contrast the fool (lazy, wicked) live shorter

lives filled with irritating behavior and no hope• In the end their own sin will bring about their

destruction• They will have no lasting place to live, instead a

place of eternal destruction– Matt 25:31-46

From foundation to lips• Prov 10:31-32

– Making a full-circle from where he began• You know the foundation by what comes out the

mouth

– If the foundation is wisdom, then he will teach that wisdom and speak things that are acceptable to God

– If the foundation is foolishness, he will speak perverse things (things not acceptable to God)• In the end, God will silence such speech

Conclusion• Matt 7:16-19

– Jesus taught the same wisdom, you will know them by their fruits

– Wisdom and Foolishness cannot be hidden• Your choice will be known by all

• Just remember your choice carries with it a destination– Be sure you know where you’re headed and be

sure that is where you want to spend eternity