Proverbs 5:2
that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
that you may maintain discretion
The phrase "that you may maintain discretion" emphasizes the importance of wisdom and careful judgment in one's life. The Hebrew root for "discretion" is "מְזִמָּה" (mezimmah), which conveys a sense of purpose, thoughtfulness, and prudence. In the context of ancient Israel, discretion was highly valued as it was seen as a means to live a life aligned with God's will. Discretion involves the ability to discern right from wrong and to act accordingly, which is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. This phrase encourages believers to cultivate a mindset that is thoughtful and intentional, ensuring that their actions reflect a deep understanding of God's principles.

and your lips may preserve knowledge
The phrase "and your lips may preserve knowledge" highlights the role of speech in maintaining and conveying wisdom. The Hebrew word for "preserve" is "נָצַר" (natsar), which means to guard, keep, or watch over. This suggests an active responsibility to protect and uphold knowledge. In biblical times, oral tradition was a primary means of passing down wisdom and teachings. Therefore, the ability to articulate and safeguard knowledge was crucial. The "lips" symbolize communication, and this phrase underscores the power of words to influence and instruct. It serves as a reminder to believers to speak truthfully and wisely, ensuring that their words reflect the knowledge and understanding that comes from a relationship with God. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), and thus, believers are called to use their speech to edify and build up others in the faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. The Audience
The primary audience is Solomon's son, but by extension, it includes all who seek wisdom and understanding from God.

3. The Setting
Proverbs is set in the context of ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Discretion
Discretion is the ability to make wise decisions and avoid unnecessary risks. It is crucial for maintaining a life that honors God.

Preserving Knowledge
Our words should reflect the knowledge and wisdom we have received from God. This means speaking truthfully and wisely.

Guarding the Heart and Mind
By maintaining discretion and preserving knowledge, we guard our hearts and minds against the deceit and folly of the world.

The Role of Wisdom in Daily Life
Wisdom is not just theoretical; it is practical and should be applied in everyday decisions and interactions.

Seeking Godly Wisdom
True wisdom comes from God, and we should continually seek it through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and fellowship with other believers.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can you apply the principle of maintaining discretion in your daily decision-making process?

2. In what ways can your speech reflect the knowledge and wisdom you have gained from studying the Bible?

3. How does the concept of discretion in Proverbs 5:2 relate to the idea of guarding your heart as mentioned in Proverbs 4:23?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to seek and apply godly wisdom in your life, as encouraged in James 1:5?

5. How can you ensure that your words are gracious and seasoned with salt, as instructed in Colossians 4:6, while preserving knowledge as Proverbs 5:2 suggests?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 2:11
This verse speaks about discretion and understanding guarding you, which aligns with the theme of maintaining discretion in Proverbs 5:2.

James 1:5
This New Testament verse encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, which He gives generously, connecting to the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge in Proverbs.

Colossians 4:6
This verse advises believers to let their speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, which relates to the idea of lips preserving knowledge.
The Wise Man's Intention in Giving AdviceFrancis Taylor, B. D.Proverbs 5:2
Caution Against Sexual SinsProverbs 5:1-14
Meretricious Pleasures and Their ResultsE. Johnson Proverbs 5:1-14
Victims of ViceW. Clarkson Proverbs 5:1-20
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Discretion, Guard, Lips, Maintain, Mayest, Observe, Preserve, Purpose, Reflection, Regard, Reserve, Ruled, Thoughtfulness, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 5:1-2

     5887   inexperience
     8313   nurture

Proverbs 5:1-4

     8281   insight

Proverbs 5:1-6

     5745   women

Proverbs 5:1-14

     5345   influence

Proverbs 5:1-23

     5276   crime
     5481   proverb

Library
The Cords of Sin
'His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.'--PROVERBS v. 22. In Hosea's tender picture of the divine training of Israel which, alas! failed of its effect, we read, 'I drew them with cords of a man,' which is further explained as being 'with bands of love.' The metaphor in the prophet's mind is probably that of a child being 'taught to go' and upheld in its first tottering steps by leading-strings. God drew Israel, though Israel did not yield
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Last Things
A sermon (No. 667) delivered on Sunday morning, December 31, 1865 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "At the last."--Proverbs 5:11. The wise man saw the young and simple straying into the house of the strange woman. The house seemed so completely different from what he knew it to be that he desired to shed a light upon it, that the young man might not sin in the dark, but might understand the nature of his deeds. The wise man looked abroad and he saw but one lamp suitable
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
A Sermon (No. 915) delivered on Sabbath morning, February 13th, 1870 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins." -- Proverbs 5:22. The first sentence has reference to a net in which birds or beasts are taken. The ungodly man first of all finds sin to be a bait, and charmed by its apparent pleasantness he indulges in it and then he becomes entangled in its meshes so that he cannot
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
The first sentence of the text also may have reference to an arrest by an officer of law. The transgressor's own sins shall take him, shall seize him; they bear a warrant for arresting him, they shall judge him, they shall even execute him. Sin, which at the first bringeth to man a specious pleasure, ere long turneth into bitterness, remorse, and fear. Sin is a dragon, with eyes like stars, but it carrieth a deadly sting in its tail. The cup of sin, with rainbow bubbles on its brim, is black with
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 16: 1870

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought,
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

"The Truth. " Some Generals Proposed.
That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this noble piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more clearly understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some generals, and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ is called the Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are to make use of Christ as the Truth. As to the first. There are four general things here to be noticed. 1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are all
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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