God's Word goes so far as to even identify what type of person we should avoid, stay away from, and especially never consider as a viable marriage partner. The list is timeless, and can be your guide to a joyous Biblical marriage. How about taking a look at some of those 200 verses with me today? Let’s open to Proverbs chapter 1.
Bad Boys and Men Look and Act Like This
Now, for the other side of the fence. What type of man would God say to stay away from, avoid imitating and setting any attention or affection upon?
Beware of becoming a Perverse speaker Proverbs 2:12. To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things. This is one whose mouth is familiar with words that are off color, smutty, innuendo, vulgar, and crass.
Beware of becoming a Wicked Person Proverbs 5:22. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. To this man God, God's Word, God’s worship, holiness, purity – are all repulsive and a cause for mockery. A wicked person easily mocks discipline, they mock humility, they mock respect and they mock authority.
Beware of becoming a Worthless Person Proverbs 6:12. A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth. This type of man has no direction, no purpose, no goals, no plans, they are just wanderers through life looking for and finding bad stuff.
Beware of becoming a Lustful Person Proverbs 6:26-27. For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. 27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Watch their eyes. What turns their head? If a man can’t resist looking at a woman, married or not, he won’t stop those wandering eyes, wandering hands, unsatisfied longings. A lustful man chases anyone for merely external appeal, looks for cheap and quick thrills; and will only grow more lustful, more unsatisfied, and more ungodly.
Beware of becoming an Empty Person Proverbs 7:7. And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, This is a person with no substance, no depth, no long term visible growth, no discipline, they work to buy shoes, to prowl the malls, to play video games, to waste their lives doing nothing of substance or worth.
Beware of becoming a Foolish Person Proverbs 10:23. To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. You can spot this type of fellow because he always clowns around, always wants attention, always seeks to dominate conversations, always seeks to catch the spot light, shows off, brags, takes needless risks, always daring others, never respects authority. In fact, a foolish child is a child who cannot control themselves when outside the reach of their parents. Your child should sit with you until they are mature enough to sit alone without talking, writing notes, giggling, poking, and drawing others attention away from the teacher, the pastor, the leader, or the ministry.
Beware of becoming a Lazy Person Proverbs 10:26. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. This is the fellow who lays around, avoids work, loafs, sleeps in, over eats, over sleeps, always late, always behind.
Beware of becoming a Cruel Person Proverbs 11:17. The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. This type is mean to animals, mean to people, hurts with words, often angry.
Beware of becoming a Quick Tempered Person Proverbs 14:17. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. This is the red faced, hot worded, hasty and physical person who shoves, pushes and easily fights with those who get in his way.
Beware of becoming an Ungodly Person Proverbs 16:27. An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. This fellow rarely show hunger for God's Word, or concern for the Spirit of God, or passion for fellowship or worship of God. They have no song from the Lord on their heart, anger and self-centeredness are their habits.
Beware of becoming a Perverse person Proverbs 16:28. A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. They are drawn to the gross, the violent, the borderline, they are un-shockable, un-embarassable, unfeeling, and uncaring.
Beware of becoming a Violent person Proverbs 16:29. A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. They are fighters, argumentative, brash, harsh and hurtful.
Beware of becoming an Isolated Person Proverbs 18:1. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. They aren’t socially responsive, withdrawn, introverted, and unwilling to talk to anyone but a few chosen ones. They stonewall parents, teachers, and anyone who seeks to guide them. They follow their own way and are headed to the Pit.
Beware of becoming a Guilty person Proverbs 21:8. The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right. They are under the load of guilt for things they have done and often are actually under conviction for disobeying the Lord.
Beware of becoming an Unfaithful person Proverbs 25:19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. They don’t keep their word, they change their mind, they stand you up, keep you waiting, and are basically unreliable.
Beware of becoming a Unsatisfied person Proverbs 27:20. Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. They never get enough, never have enough, always want more, and even then – that is never enough. They are listless, restless, and helplessly held by their desires.
Next week: Dr. Barnett shares scriptures for wives...