1. Text: Prov. 11:22

2. Pigs With Gold Rings What a picture that is painted for us! Prov. 11:22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Prov. 11:22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. The golden ring, although it is shiny and valuable, in no way changes the pig for the better All too often in life we focus on the golden ring and not the pig it is attached to! In life we will all face some pigs with gold rings & we need to be prepared to make the right decisions! In life we will all face some pigs with gold rings & we need to be prepared to make the right decisions!

3. Pigs With Gold Rings Prov. 11:22: Looks aren't everything – A woman without virtue is like the gold ring on a pig Prov. 9:13; Prov. 21:9, 19 No amount of physical attraction will undo or overshadow a spouse's conduct and the pain that comes with it Prov. 27:15 When choosing a spouse you must look past the gold ring (physical attraction)! When choosing a spouse you must look past the gold ring (physical attraction)!

4. Pigs With Gold Rings Look at their actions, attitude, hobbies, friends, family, and words – II Cor. 6:14: Are they Christians? Prov. 12:15; 14:16; 21:20; 24:5; 29:11: The wise man contrasted with the fool. Prov. 11:16; 14:1: The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. Prov. 31:10 (31:30) An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. Prov. 31:10 (31:30) An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. When looking for someone to spend your life with, dont choose the gold ring attached to the pig! When looking for someone to spend your life with, dont choose the gold ring attached to the pig!

5. Pigs With Gold Rings Sometimes our choices in where to live can look golden, but we might be moving to the pig pen! Lot learned this lesson the hard way: Gen. 13:10 Gen. 13:12-13 (All Lot saw was the gold ring and not the pig) 12. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. 13. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD. Gen. 13:12-13 (All Lot saw was the gold ring and not the pig) 12. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. 13. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD. Lot's failure cost him everything: He lost his herds when God destroyed Sodom – Gen. 13:7-10 He lost all of his family except two daughters – Gen. 19:14, 26, 31-36 Our choice of residence may look like a golden opportunity but very well may land us in the pig pen! Our choice of residence may look like a golden opportunity but very well may land us in the pig pen!

6. Pigs With Gold Rings Most people want to be liked and be found in the In or Cool Crowd Very often the cool crowd is just a herd of swine with golden rings! Prov. 13:20; Prov. 20:19 The prodigal son found this lesson out first hand: After he had the time of his life with his new friends and wasted all his money on parties and women (Lk. 15:30), he found himself with the pigs (Lk. 15:15-16) Prov. 19:4, 6 4. Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend. 6. Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts. Prov. 19:4, 6 4. Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend. 6. Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

7. Pigs With Gold Rings You cannot run with the pigs and not smell like one Prov. 5:22; I Cor. 15:33 Prov. 18:24 24. A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24 24. A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Friendships are important – rewarding or a drag: Ps. 41:9; Job 6:14 Choose your friends wisely – don't look at the golden ring of popularity and likeability because that ring is attached to a pig! (or, pigs!) Choose your friends wisely – don't look at the golden ring of popularity and likeability because that ring is attached to a pig! (or, pigs!)

8. Pigs With Gold Rings This lesson can be applied to any aspect of our lives There will always be something shiny that grabs our attention but we must look beyond the gold ring and see if there is a big old pig attached to it – Some gold rings come with a pig! Not all that glitters with gold is valuable! Looks, location and people are not always what they seem: Beware the pigs with gold rings! Looks, location and people are not always what they seem: Beware the pigs with gold rings! Let us make wise decisions in discerning the gold in life from the gold attached to pigs! Let us make wise decisions in discerning the gold in life from the gold attached to pigs!

9. Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)