BY BETH GRIZZARD READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! Proverbs 1:2, 5 Proverbs means a wise and short saying. *Proverbs has a lot to say about wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Let’s read: Proverbs 2:1-6, 10-12, 20 Proverbs 3:13-14 Proverbs 4:5-7 ** Definitions from the Webster Dictionary----- Wisdom - The ability to understand what is right, true, or enduring; good judgment; knowledge. Instruction - The act of teaching or instructing; important knowledge; a lesson; an order or direction. Understanding (understand) - To comprehend; to realize; to know the feelings and thoughts of. ** Some ways we can grow in wisdom, instruction, and understanding: Most people do not want to hear from these because they simply don’t want to be told what to do. 1) Mom and Dad 2) Church 3) Good books 4) Most of all --- The Bible ********** *** Proverbs chapters 8 and 9 tell us the importance of wisdom. Proverbs 8:11, 19, 32-34 Proverbs 9:9-10 *** Proverbs chapters 10-29 give some contrasts between the wise man and foolish man. -----we will only look at a few. DEFINITIONS: Wise - (wants to learn) having great learning; having a capacity for sound judgment marked by deep understanding. Fool - (does not want to learn) One lacking good sense or judgment. To trick or mislead someone. Contrasts (differences) Between A Wise Man and A Fool 1. Proverbs 10:1, 8, 14 2. Proverbs 14:1, 16 3. Proverbs 15:2, 7 4. Proverbs 29:11 ** Let’s go back and look at Proverbs 1:7. **********   *** Proverbs chapters 20-29 give us specific warnings! 1. Proverbs 20:1, 19 2. Proverbs 21:19, 23 3. Proverbs 22: 24-25 4. Proverbs 23:17 5. Proverbs 24:21 6. Proverbs 25:19 7. Proverbs 26:22 8. Proverbs 27:1 9. Proverbs 28:14 10. Proverbs 29:11   ** Throughout the Bible there are instructions and commandments for us to live by, but if you will take the time to read and study the Book of Proverbs, you will find that the WHOLE Book is FULL of wisdom, instructions, understanding, and warnings. *** We need Proverbs 3:21; 4:1, 5 and 13; 5:1 so we can do Proverbs 4:14-15, 25-27. ******************** ** Proverbs chapters 15-26 has much to say about our mouth, tongue, lips, words, thoughts, eyes, ears, heart, ways, etc. **** Lastly, look at Proverbs 15:32-33. “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” ***************  Just in the few verses we have read, we see that Proverbs has a lot of instructions. - When we are doing papers in school, taking a test, or someone telling us what to do, we are supposed to pay attention to the instructions that are given to us. This is an important part of our everyday life. How much more important is it that we pay attention to the most important instruction we will ever have! - God’s Word. - So, let us all “Read THE INSTRUCTIONS!” ******  Make it a priority to read Proverbs throughout your life - especially while you are in your teen years and as young adults. Let it be an encouragement to do right in your Christian life and to help keep you from digging yourself a “pit” or putting yourself in situations that will scar you for the rest of your life.  Many people in life have written books with cute or what is considered to be wise sayings, and a lot of them are really good, BUT you cannot find any better wisdom than what is written here in Proverbs and throughout the other Books of the Bible. There are a lot of good books we can read, and we should make it a matter to do so, but they should never be any more important to you in your life than God’s Word. ****** It is very important what you and I read!! By Beth Grizzard