Why do some people continually run into problems? Why does conflict seem to follow them everywhere they go? Why do they often argue and disagree with those around them? Why do they often make poor choices that end up with regret? Though they may want to change, why do they seldom succeed? Why is it that other people avoid most of these problems?

The answer to these questions is found in our text this evening. (Proverbs 22:5) “Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.” God tells us that the troubled person is froward and the trouble-free person keeps his soul.

The word “froward” means crooked or perverse. The definition of “perverse” is, “Marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict. Resistant to guidance or discipline; tending to do the opposite of what is normal or wanted.”

The word “keep” means to guard, watch over, or protect.

Transition

This evening I want us to contrast the Perverse and the Protected so that you will choose to be protected not perverse.

First, Let’s Contrast Their Attitudes

  1. The perverse person is careless
    1. One commentator described the froward, perverse person as follows: “A froward person is contrary to what is demanded or reasonable; perverse, difficult to deal with, hard to please; refractory, ungovernable; bad, evilly-disposed, naughty. These stubborn people are going to do things their own way regardless of what is right or what they are taught.” LGBT
    2. The perverse person has a know-it-all attitude. He does not want to listen to advice.
    3. He does not care what people think. By the way he acts, he shows that he does not care what God thinks.
  2. The protected person is cautious
    1. He is a person who has a prudent or cautious attitude. (Proverbs 22:3) “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
    2. He wisely evaluates every situation carefully than to rush in and later regret it. He remembers God’s counsel. (Proverbs 18:13) “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
    3. He has a humble attitude. He knows that he does not have all the answers and he happily seeks advice before making decisions. (Proverbs 29:23) “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
    4. He has an attitude that wants to please the Lord. He wants to be sure that his choices are biblical and honouring to the Lord. He follows the commands found in (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
      ☆ So, the perverse has a careless attitude but the protected has a careful attitude.

Second, Let’s Contrast Their Actions

  1. The perverse person acts recklessly
    1. He thinks he is always right and opposes anyone who challenges him. He resists guidance. He refuses to admit when he is wrong. He is stubborn and contentious.
    2. God says his ways are crooked. He does not control his actions. (Proverbs 2:15) “Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:”
    3. God says he lips are perverse. He says things that are inappropriate. (Proverbs 4:24) “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.”
    4. God says he has a heart problem. His twisted actions come from his heart and displease God. (Proverbs 11:20) “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.”
    5. God says he acts like a fool. (Proverbs 19:1) “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”
    6. God says his walk is the opposite of an upright person. (Proverbs 28:6) “Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.”
  2. The protected person acts fearfully.
    1. He posts a guard at the door of his soul or heart that refuses to allow evil to enter. He says “NO!” to temptation.
    2. He follows God’s advice in (Proverbs 4:23) “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
    3. He practices the principle, “If in doubt – don’t!”
    4. He remembers that one day he will give account to God and chooses his actions fearfully. (Ecclesiastes 11:9) “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”
      ☆ So, the perverse acts recklessly, but the protected acts fearfully.

Third, Let’s Contrast Their Acquisition

What will they acquire or get in life?

  1. The perverse person gets thorns and snares
    1. Thorns are bushes like roses that grab, poke, and cut the skin, making passing through painful and difficult.
    2. Snares are traps. They are hidden in the path and catch unsuspecting birds and animals.
    3. Being unwilling to listen and determined to make his own choices, the perverse person runs into sin and finds himself in the thorns and snares of its consequences. (Proverbs 17:20) “He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.”
    4. Matthew Henry describes this person well. “In the way of the froward, that crooked way, which is contrary to the will and word of God, thorns and snares are found, thorns of grief for past sins and snares entangling them in further sin. He that makes no conscience of what he says and does will find himself hampered by that imaginary liberty, and tormented by his pleasures. Froward people, who are soon angry, expose themselves to trouble at every step.”
    5. Charles Bridges adds, “His stubbornness brings him into infinite perplexities, out of which he can find no issue.”
    6. Yes, the life of the perverse person is painful and gripping. It will lead to many heartaches and then hold its victim tightly in its trap.
  2. The protected person gets a more peaceful life
    1. He will keep himself far from the foolish ways of the froward. He will be kept far from the thorns and snares that hurt and trap those who have twisted character.
    2. Those who live by the Word of God will be preserved from the heartache and traps of the ungodly. (Proverbs 6:22) “When thou goest, it [your parent’s biblical training] shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”
    3. Bridges wisely states, “Our happiness and security therefore lie in an humble submission to the Lord; desiring nothing so much as conformity to his will; dreading nothing so much as being left to our own waywardness. Thus keeping our soul, we shall be far from the thorn and snare of the froward.” (Proverbs 4:26) “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.”
    4. The protected also gets God’s blessings for doing right (Psa 1:1-3).
      ☆ So, the perverse gets thorns and snares, but the protected gets a more peaceful life.

Conclusion

Each of us here this evening is either a perverse person or a protected person. Each is either living your way or God’s way. Each is either heading for thorns and snares or for a more peaceful life. Quite obviously, living like the protected person is the wise choice. When Jesus said there is a broad way that leads to death and a narrow way that leads to life, he did not say there was a middle road that enjoys the best of both worlds. The same is true with the perverse and protected lives. There is no middle ground; you are living one or the other.

If you have been living the life of a perverse person, you do not have to continue down that road. By confession and with God’s help you can change. By submissively obeying God’s Word to guard your life, you can develop a careful attitude, you can start acting fearfully, and you can enjoy a more peaceful life. Be protected not perverse!

Song: His Way with Thee – 367
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Perverse or Protected
5 June 2016 PM – Proverbs 22:5 –Fortifying the Family – Scott Childs