The March of Folly & The March of Wisdom (Proverbs 7 & 8) | Terence Sikoryak | Landmark Church

Proverbs 10:1

The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

1. The March of Folly

Proverbs 7:1-27

2. The March of Wisdom: Proverbs 8:1-36

The Importance of Wisdom

Proverbs 7:1-5

My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your nearest kin,
5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words.

1. The Image of God
2. The Inception of Life
3. The Identity of Sexuality
4. Institution or Marriage/Family
5. The integrity of Morals
6. The Instruction of Governance
7. Israel and God’s Plan

Elements of dangerous flattery
1. Deceptive Praise
2. Erosion of Discernment
3. Pride and Ego
4. Manipulation and Control
5. Temptation to Compromise Values

1 Kings 12:14

“My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips but I will discipline you with scorpions.”

Barbara Tuchman The March of Folly
“In this sphere, wisdom, which may be defined as the exercise of judgment acting on experience, common sense and available information, is less operative and more frustrated than it should be.”

Marching into Folly

Proverbs 7:6-12

For at the window of my house
I looked through my lattice,
7 And saw among the simple,
I perceived among the youths,
A young man devoid of understanding,
8 Passing along the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house
9 In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark night.
10 And there a woman met him,
With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.
11 She was loud and rebellious,
Her feet would not stay at home.
12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square,
Lurking at every corner

1 John 3:16

“For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the father but is of the world”

The danger of Temptation: Seduction of Folly

Proverbs 7:13-21

So she caught him and kissed him;
With an impudent face she said to him:
14 “I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you,
Diligently to seek your face,
And I have found you.
16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,
Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
17 I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a long journey;
20 He has taken a bag of money with him,
And will come home on the appointed day.”
21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,
With her flattering lips she seduced him.

The Fatal Consequences of Folly: Proverbs 7: 22-23
Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it would cost his life.

Final Remarks: Proverbs 7: 24-27
Now therefore, listen to me, my children;
Pay attention to the words of my mouth:
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths;
26 For she has cast down many wounded,
And all who were slain by her were strong men.
27 Her house is the way to hell,
Descending to the chambers of death.

1. Importance of Wisdom
2. The Danger of Temptation
3. The Fatal Consequences of Folly

Johnny Cash: Hurt