Seven Deadly Sins

INTRO

Wisdom is our one word for Proverbs. The book of Proverbs regularly communicates the difference between wisdom and folly. While Proverbs had a royal court perspective and wisdom literature, it also approached wisdom from a parenting perspective. All of this pointed to God’s wisdom, which would ultimately be revealed in Christ: “Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom . . . But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30).

TEACHING

Proverbs 6:1-5: Constable pointed out the dangers of “assuming the liability for the debts of others” in these verses.¹ Solomon warned against co-signing on a loan for your neighbor. This was a general admonition against becoming indebted to others. The apostle Paul wrote: “And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self” (Philemon 18-19). In a seeming contradiction, Paul offered to take on Philemon’s debt to Onesimus. However, Paul took on Philemon’s debt in an attempt to bless Philemon, not to make a personal profit. The motive made all the difference.

Proverbs 6:6–11: Solomon moved on to speaking against laziness. Solomon charged the slacker to observe the ant to become wise. In this instance, wisdom would be gained from observing a creature that was obedient and dedicated to its task. Similarly, people can become wise by observing and spending time with other people who are obedient to God.

Proverbs 6:12–15: Solomon cautioned against being unfaithful. The gestures in verse 13—“winking his eyes, signaling with his feet, and gesturing with his fingers”—were all methods by which this person deceived others to get his way. This person’s condemnation would come quickly and would be irreversible (v. 15).

Proverbs 6:16–19: Solomon listed seven things that are “detestable to Him:”

1. Arrogant eyes—a callback to verse 13a–“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves”(Philippians 2:3). Jesus is our example of living a humble life (Philippians 2:5–11).
2. A lying tongue—a callback to verse 12b–Jesus said this attitude of lying to others comes from Satan: “You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is not truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars” (John 8:44).
3. Hands that shed innocent blood —“You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool!’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron!’ will be subject to hellfire. So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:21–24).
4. A heart that plots wicked schemes—a callback to verse 14a––an obvious example of a wicked scheme would be plotting a terrorist scheme. David’s affair with Bathsheba was another example of a wicked scheme.
5. Feet eager to run to evil—a callback to verse 13b—Adam and Eve ran to evil: “Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it, she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it”(Genesis 3:6). Adam and Eve saw temptation, were drawn to it, and intentionally walked toward it.
6. A lying witness who gives false testimony—While still a form of lying, this form of lying was specifically identified because of its intent to crush someone else. “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator”(Colossians 3:9–10).
7. One who stirs up trouble among brothers—The Lord has always wanted His people to be unified.

Proverbs 6:20-35: The tone shifted back to parents’ admonitions to their son. The son was exhorted to view their teaching “as a light” and see discipline as “the way to life” (v. 23). Solomon again warned against lust (vv. 25–26) and adultery (v. 29) by asking, “Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? Can a man walk on burning coals without scorching his feet?” (vv. 27–28).

CLOSING

When we begin to go down a path that is contrary to God’s wisdom, we will have to deal with consequences.