Proverbs 3:5–6
Sermon on Proverbs 3:5–6: Trust in the Lord With All Thine Heart
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
— Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)
Big Idea
Whole-hearted trust in the Lord, set against the temptation to lean on our own understanding, produces a life God Himself directs.
Context
Proverbs 3 is a father's instruction to a son — practical wisdom for living before God. Verses 5–6 are the hinge.
Expository Outline (verse-by-verse)
1. Trust Wholly (v. 5a)
- •With all thine heart — no partial trust.
- •Trust is more than belief; it is reliance.
- •'All' is the operative word.
2. Lean Not on Your Own Understanding (v. 5b)
- •Not 'don't think' — 'don't lean.'
- •Your reasoning is not the foundation.
- •Spiritual independence is the original sin.
3. Acknowledge Him in All Ways (v. 6a)
- •Acknowledge — to know intimately, to involve.
- •All thy ways — career, family, finances, hidden life.
- •Not just church on Sunday.
4. He Shall Direct Thy Paths (v. 6b)
- •Not 'show you a map.'
- •Not 'remove all obstacles.'
- •'Direct' — He aims your steps.
Topical Outline (one big idea)
1. What Trust Is
- •Reliance, not just belief.
- •Whole-hearted, not partial.
- •Demonstrated by obedience.
2. What Trust Is Not
- •Refusing to think.
- •Demanding clarity before obeying.
- •Hedging God with backup plans.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 55:8-9 — My thoughts are not your thoughts.
- James 1:5 — If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.
- Psalm 37:5 — Commit thy way unto the LORD.
Illustrations
- "A car's headlights only show 200 feet ahead — but you can drive across the country that way. God's guidance is rarely a floodlight."
Application questions
- Where are you leaning on your own understanding right now? What would whole-hearted trust look like by Friday?
Closing prayer
Lord, we trust You. We lean not. We acknowledge You. Direct our paths. Amen.