Thoughts From Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:20-27

²⁰ My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹ Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
²² For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
²³ Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
²⁴ Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
²⁵ Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
²⁶ Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

In chapter 4 the writer continues in the “My Son” instructions.  He states the condition on which his instructions depend.  There are three steps to the preparation he intends his readers to have.

1.       Strict attention to the Word.

2.      Understand the absolute necessity of this Word. It is “life”.

3.      Pay close attention to the desires that they are stopped before they start.

cf James 1:14-15.  Note Proverbs 4:23.

He then gives the application of the caution.  This seems a further illustration of 4:18-19.

A.    All conversation must be subject to: 1) disciplined in truth 2) restraint in volume and frequency.

B.     The purpose and motives are to be constrained by a righteous intent.

C.     Do not act without first giving serious thought to what you are doing.  “Look before you leap” is trite but true.

D.    A righteous walk is straight.  There is simplicity to righteousness.  As simple as it may sound, most good conduct is “just do it”.  Look at the simple instructions already given.  Know the perils. Avoid them!