1. If you've put your foot in your mouth (1-11)

If one inadvertently makes a foolish commitment, he should not fatalistically give up and sleep. He should get rid of his pride, face the problem and solve it. Fatalism is laziness. We can learn a lesson from the diligent ant--he never gives up.

2. Seven things the Lord hates (12-19)

The Lord hates: Eyes that despise others; lying lips; hands that hurt others; hearts that devise wicked schemes; feet that rush to evil; false witnesses who destroy the good name of others; one who stirs up trouble among brothers. We must give our eyes, lips, hands, heart and feet to God for his use as instruments of righteousness (Ro 6:13).

3. The way to life (20-35)

The wise writer of Proverbs tells us again that to discipline our wayward hearts and walk in the way of God's commands is the way of life (23), while to allow lust to capture our hearts and lives is the sure way to destruction.

Application: Lord, help me to learn diligence and positive obedience from the ant.
One Word: Go to the ant and learn