Character Studies in Proverbs : Lesson #8 What People of Character Have

(Proverbs 3:19-27)

One of the definitions that we use for character is who you are and what you do when no one else is watching. In this lesson we will see some of the characteristics that a person with character would have. The question that you should ask yourself is do I have any of these characteristics and if not why I am I not trying to obtain them.

Characteristics of a person with character :

1)  Their eyes will be in the right place. (verse 21)

• Note that in the verse it says let not them depart from thine eyes”. What is the them? From the previous verses we see three important things that are mentioned that should remain before your eyes. Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding.

Knowledge – anything you know or can learn

Wisdom – being able to use what you know

Understanding – being able to relate knowledge and wisdom to God.

• The eyes are one of the most important senses. Do you realize that the vast majority of temptations will come from what you see? When you think about how many hours children and adults set in front of a TV screen or computer screen it is no wonder that the world is in the shape it is in.
• Satan knows how to get you through your eyes just as he did Eve. Note in Genesis 3:5-6 one of the first things he dealt with is her eyes. Look at the phrases “your eyes shall be opened” and “when the woman saw that the tree was good for food”. Satan is attacking her by getting her eyes on the wrong thing.
• When David committed Adultery with Bathsheba it all started with David looking at her when he should have not been. (2 Samuel 11:1-27) Now after David learned this lesson the hard way note what he said in Psalm 101:3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”
• Usually what we set before our eyes will eventually cleave to us. Therefore a man of character will keep the right things before his eyes.

2)  He will have peaceful rest (verse 24)

• Note that a man of character will have peaceful sleep.

• If you have behaved yourself properly when other are around and also when others are not around then you should not have to worry and keep yourself up at night wondering if someone will tell on you or if you will eventually get caught.
• Proverbs 16:7 is a good cross reference for this verse because it says that when a man’s ways please the Lord he will make his enemies to be at peace with him. There is not only good rest in having character but there is peace and safety also.

3)  His confidence will be in the Lord (verse 26)

• There is a difference between having confidence in the Lord and being arrogant or cocky. Arrogance and cockiness are both associated with pride and a man of character avoids pride at all cost.
• There may be a lot of things that a person can do. For instance you may be a good athlete, a good singer, a good musician, a good speaker, or you may be very skilled in a particular craft or trade that pays a lot of money. May be you are very smart and have a great job paying a lot of money. Even though you do these things you must realize that everything you have comes from God. God gave you the talent or the skill or the brains or the health to do whatever he is allowing you to do. Therefore your confidence should be in him and not in yourself.

Psalms 118:8-9 (Our confidence is to be in God and not man)

Proverbs 14:26 (In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence)

Proverbs 25:19 (Confidence in an unfaithful man is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint)

• Where is your confidence in God or your own abilities?

4)  He will care for his neighbors (verse 27)

• Now be careful with this verse because it says “to whom it is due”. Some people will try to tell you that you are un- Christian if you do not help them. But remember you cannot help someone who will not help themselves.
• A good cross reference for this verse is found in Galatians 6:10. Having character will help us to see past ourselves and be will to help a brother or a sister in need.
• Also we must remember that if we know to do good and we do it not it is a sin (James 4:17).

We need these characteristics in our lives as both saved people in the church and as both saved people in the world. Let us strive each day to build our character more and more.

Character Studies in Proverbs : Lesson #8 What People of Character Have (Proverbs 3:19-27)

Handout

1)  According to the proverb what should our eyes be fixed on?

2)  Why are the eyes so important? List some verses that show us this.

3)  Why would someone of character be able to sleep at night?

4)  What is a good cross reference for verse 24?

5)  Who should our confidence be in?

6)  Who should our confidence not be in?

7)  List two cross references for verse 27.

8)  What is the danger of not doing good when we know to do it?