Proverbs Highlights (Chapters 1-4)

I recently read through Proverbs and have made a commitment to do so frequently because it is so powerful and practical.  Here are the highlights of my recent journey through this amazing book of the Bible ...

Proverbs 1:7 -- the place to start in life is with a healthy view of God.  Once I get a skewed and inaccurate view of God, then my life goes in "foolish" directions.

Proverbs 1:19 -- the end does not justify the means!!  Ill-gotten gain leads to loss and regret.

Proverbs 1:29-33 -- I call this the "Listen Principle" which basically says that the voice we listen to and follow the most determines where we end up!  Jesus said that His sheep know His voice ... am I listening?  Which "voices" get most of my attention?

Proverbs 2:1-5 -- the pursuit of wisdom involves an intentional process.  The only way to start a process is to desire a certain outcome.  We must desire wisdom and have the discipline to pursue it.  Often we don't want wisdom but rather validation of our own selfish desires.

Proverbs 3:25-26 -- there is a way to live without fear and worry!  It involves putting God, forsaking our "common sense" and obeying God even when it doesn't make sense (see Proverbs 3:5-6).  The difficulty is that we want to be responsible for outcomes, we believe we are smarter than God, and we would rather be "self-confident" than God-confident.  Sooner or later we'll lose this battle.  I think Proverbs teaches that humility and wisdom go together.

Proverbs 4 -- continues on the value of wisdom and the commitment it takes to get it;  Proverbs 4 also warns us against impulsiveness (how many dumb decisions have I made because I just didn't slow down??) and tell us to avoid evil paths and evil tendencies.