If you were attacked by a thief and he held a knife to your throat, what would that mean? __ Yes, you would be in danger of him cutting your throat and killing you. In that frightening and dangerous situation, you had better do as he demands if you want to stay alive.

Our text this evening speaks of putting a knife to your throat, but you are to be the person holding the knife to your own throat. Follow along as I read Proverbs 23:1-8. Our text this evening is Proverbs 23:2. “And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.”

Transition

In context, Solomon is speaking about gluttony. He is addressing all who are owners of an appetite for food. He was warning those common people, who were invited to eat a lavish meal with a ruler, to rigidly control the appetite. If this is not done, it will endanger their reputation, health, and possibly their life.

In addition to the primary application, many other applications come to mind because the word “appetite” can also apply to any passion or lust that we might have. Therefore, to apply this verse to our daily lives, there are several things we must do.

We must…

Know our weaknesses.

1. No one knows us like you know ourselves.
   1. We know our likes and dislikes.
   2. We know the things that appeal to us in good ways and in bad ways.
   3. In 1 John 2:15-16, the Lord places our sinful desires in three categories. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
      1. We have lusts of the flesh. Anything that appeals to our flesh falls in this category. It may be food, sex, clothing, styles, pleasures, money, possessions, etc.
      2. We have lusts of the eyes. These are things that appeal to our eyes. It may be things we see on TV, videos, the indecent dress of others, fashions, etc.
      3. We have the pride of life. These temptations appeal to our emotions and mind. Things like popularity, honour, praise, pleasing peers, our prize possessions, our appearance, excelling in sports or hobby, promotion, revenge, etc.
   4. Others may look at us and think that we are struggling with a particular appetite, but deep down in my heart and yours, we know our own weaknesses. However, both our pride and the devil do not want us to think of our appetites as God sees them. (Proverbs 6:16-19) “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 8:13) “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
2. We should wisely make a list of our weaknesses.
   1. This takes honesty and humility. No one likes to talk about his own weaknesses, yet this is important for our victory.
   2. Right now, in your mind, list some of your appetites that you know God wants you to control.
   3. Though it is even more painful, I have found it helpful to give my wife a list of my weaknesses so that she can help me put a knife to my throat and so she can pray for me. You could do the same with a trusted godly friend.
      KNOW your weaknesses!
      We must…

Be watchful for tempting situations.

1. Once you know your weaknesses, be watchful.
   1. Note Solomon’s warning in verse 1, “consider diligently what is before thee.”
   2. This common man is sitting at a ruler’s table looking at all the delicious feast that is before him. He may have eyed the huge leg of lamb, the fat turkey, the tender chickens, the juicy beef steaks, the potatoes, the salads, and then the rich cakes, pies, ice cream, and much more. His mouth is watering as he waits to dig in. He does not want anyone else to get the biggest pieces that he has eyed for himself.
   3. Then his conscience pricks him saying, “You are not to be a glutton. You must eat only a moderate portion.” Though we hate that, especially when we remember that Christmas feasts are coming soon, yet we know it is true!
   4. Remember, the principle applies to all appetites.
2. Do not let yourself make excuses.
   1. People who are grossly overweight, know that they eat too much, but the keep doing it because they make excuses.
   2. Christians who do not control their appetites for things God condemns, know they are wrong, but they make excuses like – just once won’t hurt, God understands my needs, everyone else does it, I can quit any time.
      We must KNOW our weaknesses! Be watchful for tempting situations. Then…
      We must…

Severely restrain ourselves.

1. This is where the knife comes in.
   1. Remember the thief who threatens you with a knife to your throat?
   2. God is telling us that gluttony as well as yielding to other ungodly appetites, is no laughing matter. It is life-and-death serious to God.
   3. John told us that if we love the world, we do not love God as we should.
2. We must hold the knife to our own throats.
   1. Solomon is not speaking literally. He is using the knife illustration to get our attention and to show us the severity of the situation.
   2. When we are tempted to yield to appetites that displease God, we must take severe action to restrain ourselves.
   3. God wants us to be wise, prudent, and temperate (i.e., self-controlled). To do so, we must live under “knife to the throat” strict discipline.

Conclusion

If we are to control our appetites for too much food or for things God forbids, we must 1) know our weaknesses, 2) be watchful for tempting situations, and 3) severely restrain ourselves.

What appetites do you have that require a knife to your throat? Make no more excuses. Admit your guilt to God. Ask the Lord for extra grace. Get out your knife of self-discipline.

Song: Yield Not to Temptation – 364
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A Knife to Your Throat
15 December 2024 PM ~ Proverbs 23:2