Character Studies in Proverbs : Lesson #2 What can happen if we don’t listen to God?

Proverbs 1:22-33

The thought for our lesson today is “What can happen when we do not listen to God”. Obviously if a lost man doesn’t listen to God he will never get saved. And the passage definitely deals with that scenario. We will look at the passage more in a spiritual sense and see that even though a saved person will not lose his salvation there is still great danger and devastation that can come to him as a result of not listening to God.

First we will look at the 3 types of people that are addressed in Verse 22. The question we must ask ourselves is do I fit the description of any one of these people.

• Simple ones – Careless or indifferent people who never search out a matter to learn what is right and wrong. (Proverbs 7:7 ; 14:15 ; 22:3)

• Scorners – Those who refuse to hear rebuke, those who think they are superior in their mind because of their actions. (Proverbs 13:1 ; 14:6 ; 15:12 ; 21:24)

• Fools – We will let the bible define this one (Proverbs 1:7 ; 14:9 ; 20:3 ; 10:18 ; 26:11 ; 17:24 ; 17:10 ; 28:26)

What is rejected by the Simple ones, the scorners, and the fools?

• The Counsel of God (vs 25)
• It is an interesting thing that in a society as we have today where counselors seem to be a dime a dozen that very few people are getting real or lasting help.
• Note the following verses which deal with the counsel of God.  Proverbs 11:14 ; 15:22 ; 19:21

• The last reference says that it is the counsel of the Lord that shall stand. That is why very few people are getting real counsel because man is giving out worldly wisdom instead of God’s wisdom.

• The Reproof of God (vs 25)
• If we will not listen to the counsel then it is only natural that he will try and reprove us.
• As we see in this generation in which we live this is a society that does not want or listen to reproof. No one is wrong anymore. That is why they have tried to remove the word of God from everything because it plainly tells man when, where, and how he is wrong.
• Notice that one of the primary reasons the scriptures were written was for reproof. (2 Timothy 3:16)
• Note some other verses on the reproof of God. Proverbs 10:17 ; 13:18 ; 15:5,10,31,32

• If you don’t believe that people have no use for reproof today just reprove someone and see what happens.

What are the results of rejecting the counsel and reproof?

• God laughs when calamity comes and mocks when fear comes (vs 26)
• Many would say that this is a cruel God and not a fair God. But remember despite what picture people paint of God today he is holy, just, and righteous. And he will not overlook sin.

• Desolation, Destruction, Distress and Anguish will come upon you (vs 27)
• Many think that because God does not punish us the minute that they sin they have gotten away with sin. But remember you will reap what you sow no matter what. (Galatians 6:7-9)

• God may not answer when they call upon him (vs 28)
• Many think that one day they will just decide to call on God when they need him down the road, but they may find that he will not always answer them.

• They shall eat the fruit of their own way (vs 31)
• Sometimes the worst thing that can happen is that God gives someone exactly what they wanted. Then they see it is not at all what they wanted.

What are the results of hearing the counsel and reproofs of God?

The answer is found in verse 33. Note those who hearkeneth unto the Lord Shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. This doesn’t mean that trouble will never come your way. But when it comes it would be better to have the Lord on your side than against you in the matter.

Character Studies in Proverbs : Handout #2 What can happen if we don’t listen to God?

Proverbs 1:22-33

1)  Give a definition and references for the following type of people.

Simple ones –

Scorners –

Fools –

2)  What are the two things of God that are rejected according the scripture? Give verse supporting how important each one is.

3)  What are the consequences of not listening to God according to this passage?

4)  What are the results for hearing the counsel and reproof of the Lord?