Proverbs 9:6 (Mini Sermon)

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6. Pro 9:6 - "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding." A. Forsake the foolish, and live; i. Wisdom's message to the simple whom she calls to dine with her in her house (Pro 9:1-5) is to forsake the foolish, and live. ii. Simple people tend to gravitate towards fools (2Sa 15:11; Pro 7:7-8; Rom 16:17-18). iii. Evil communications corrupt good manners (1Co 15:33). a. A companion of fools shall be destroyed (Pro 13:20). b. Those who hang out with drunkards and gluttons will learn their ways and come to poverty (Pro 23:20-21). c. A companion of riotous men shames his father (Pro 28:7). d. We must not make friends with an angry man lest we learn his ways and get a snare to our souls (Pro 22:24-25). e. Being around wicked people will vex our souls (2Pe 2:7-8). iv. Thus the reason to forsake the foolish. a. Forsake v. - 1. trans. To deny (an accusation, an alleged fact, etc.). Obs. 2. To decline or refuse (something offered). b. To decline or refuse to bear, encounter, have to do with, undertake; to avoid, shun. 4. To abandon, leave entirely, withdraw from; esp. to withdraw one's presence and help or companionship from; to desert. b. Foolish n. - 1. Fool-like, wanting in sense or judgement. c. Fool n. - 1. a. One deficient in judgement or sense, one who acts or behaves stupidly, a silly person, a simpleton. (In Biblical use applied to vicious or impious persons.) d. People who are deficient in judgment and sense and behave stupidly must be abandoned, left entirely, and withdrawn from. e. We must cease to be companions of fools and instead be companions of those who fear God (Psa 119:63). v. He that forsakes wisdom's way and her correction shall die (Pro 15:10). a. He that turns away from wisdom's warning will die (Pro 1:32). b. Thus the reason to forsake the foolish, and live. B. and go in the way of understanding. i. We must always be moving forward. ii. To merely forsake the foolish is not sufficient. iii. After abandoning the company of fools we must then go in the way of understanding. a. Understanding n. - 1. a. (Without article.) Power or ability to understand; intellect, intelligence. b. of understanding, intelligent, capable of judging with knowledge. b. The way of understanding is a path of life which is guided by intelligence, judgment, and knowledge. c. The way of understanding is found by learning God's precepts in His word (Psa 119:104). d. Those who stay in the way of understanding find favor with God (Pro 13:15). e. Those who wander out of the way of understanding remain in the congregation of the dead (Pro 21:16). iv. Examples of forsaking the foolish and going in the way of understanding are: a. forsaking lying and instead speaking truth (Eph 4:25). b. forsaking thievery and instead laboring (Eph 4:28). c. forsaking the use of corrupt speech and instead using speech which edifies others (Eph 4:29). d. forsaking bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice, and instead practicing being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving towards others (Eph 4:31-32). v. Those who are to be guests in wisdom's house (Jesus Christ's church) need to forsake the foolish and go in the way of understanding, which is demonstrated by bringing forth fruits meet for repentance (Luk 3:7-14).