2. From the Lips to the Foundation
Proverbs
From the Lips to the Foundation
Proverbs 10:18-32

3. Review We should diligently desire to follow God’s Wisdom
But we are not forced to follow
We can choose to follow Wisdom or Foolishness
Each choice has consequences for our lives
We can tell which path someone has chosen by whether or not they keep the Lord’s commands (Prov 10:17)
Another way to tell what someone has founded his life on is to listen to what comes from his lips

4. From lips to foundation
Prov 10:18
Hatred can be something hard to spot when hidden deep in the heart
But listen for someone telling lies, and ask yourself who the liar hates
If he had no hatred for his listener, then why not tell the truth? (Eph 4:25)
Slander (defamation, evil report, unfavorable saying) is a sure indication someone is not following Wisdom
Why?
Eph 4:29-32

5. From lips to foundation
Prov 10:19-21
Either saying if you speak a lot, you’ll eventually say something wrong
One following wisdom would know not to speak too much
Or saying that someone who feels a necessity to over-explain probably knows they did something wrong
One following wisdom can stand by his actions
When the righteous (wise) does speak it is to benefit others (teaching, encouraging)
But the wicked (fool) has nothing to offer and refuses to receive wisdom

6. Riches from God
Prov 10:22
Some say this means, if the Lord is with you, you’ll have lots of money
Or if you have riches, then the Lord blessed you
Actually it says neither, it says . . .
One can be rich with the blessings of the Lord
Not rich with money
If you have the Lord’s blessing, you are rich, but not necessarily with material goods (Eph 1:3-12)
His riches do not bring sorrow with it
Unlike material wealth
In the context he is comparing the worthless foundation of the fool, to the riches of the wise

7. From foundation to action
Prov 10:23-25
A foolish heart will produce evil actions
Mk 7:21-23
Eventually those will receive what they deserve
When judgment is complete, they will have nothing left to show for their life
In contrast, a man whose heart is founded on wisdom will act accordingly
He will have what he wants
Not earthly goods, because that is what a fool wants, not what the wise wants
What the wise wants is to please God, and his reward is based on that eternal foundation
Matt 7:24-27

8. The lazy man
Prov 10:26
Many just think this is a random inserted proverb with no connection to its context
Yet, he has spoken of the lazy man before (Prov 6:1-11) as an example of dangerous behaviors that can destroy one without wisdom
Lazy people are irritating to people who expect them to do something
How does it fit in the context?
Perhaps best to tie it together with the following verses

9. From foundation to destination
Prov 10:26-30
The wise (righteous) live longer lives and lives filled with hope and gladness
They are strengthened by God
They will always (eternally) be able to dwell with God
By contrast the fool (lazy, wicked) live shorter lives filled with irritating behavior and no hope
In the end their own sin will bring about their destruction
They will have no lasting place to live, instead a place of eternal destruction
Matt 25:31-46

10. From foundation to lips
Prov 10:31-32
Making a full-circle from where he began
You know the foundation by what comes out the mouth
If the foundation is wisdom, then he will teach that wisdom and speak things that are acceptable to God
If the foundation is foolishness, he will speak perverse things (things not acceptable to God)
In the end, God will silence such speech

11. Conclusion
Matt 7:16-19
Jesus taught the same wisdom, you will know them by their fruits
Wisdom and Foolishness cannot be hidden
Your choice will be known by all
Just remember your choice carries with it a destination
Be sure you know where you’re headed and be sure that is where you want to spend eternity