PROVERBS 14:12-14 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

A story of VICES OR VICTORIES

PROVERBS 4:23 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

WHAT IS A VICE? A vice is anything or behavior that is habitual, repetitious and difficult to control or damaging.

GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND: 1. The path that leads astray.

PROVERBS 14 :12-14 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

PROVERBS 20:1 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

PROVERBS 23:20-21 20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags.

PROVERBS 21:17 17 He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

PROVERBS 13:13 13 The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND: 2. What is God’s purpose for us?

PROVERBS 23:19-20 19 Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way. 20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

PROVERBS 23:33-35 33 Your eyes will see strange things And your mind will utter perverse things. 34 And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. 35 “They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink.”

LUKE 21:34 34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;

PROVERBS 14:8 8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.

PROVERBS 15:16 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND: 3. The pride that will stop us.

PROVERBS 21:24 24 “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.

PROVERBS 16:18 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

PROVERBS 29:23 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

PROVERBS 15:25 25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND: 4. The plan that delivers.

WHAT WE CAN DO: We have to understand what guarding our hearts looks like. We must give up control. Accept God’s help.

A story of VICES OR VICTORIES