Proverbs 22:12 – The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 

We have studied in a previous lesson that the eyes of the Lord is referring to God’s awareness.

We see the eyes of the Lord watching over and protecting those who are following in His ways. This person, as we have said, is knowledgeable unto salvation. In the second half of this, we see that the Lord does not help the sinner further his sins.

Proverbs 22:13 – The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!”

This proverb refers to an excuse a lazy person might use to avoid going to work.  The excuse sounds silly to us, but that’s often how our excuses sound to others.  Don’t rationalize laziness.  Take your responsibilities seriously and get to work. 


https://www.intouch.org/listen/radio/a-caring-church

Great Teaching. Do we who go to Church really know each other? I don’t want a Sunday Friend.


Proverbs 20:19: A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid a man who talks too much

If a person talks about someone else to you (a talebearer), they will talk about you when you are out of sight to someone else. A talebearer is to be avoided. They reveal secrets and stir up strife.

Those who love to spread secrets will flatter to learn them.

Proverbs 20:20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

We see in this Scripture the opposite of “honor thy father, and thy days will be long upon the earth”.

Our mother and father’s love is probably more than anyone else’s. To curse them is, in essence, to curse yourself. This grievous sin will result in spiritual death.


Proverbs 21:20 – In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.    

This proverb is about saving for the future.  Easy credit has many people living on the edge of bankruptcy.  The desire to keep up and to accumulate more pushes them to spend every penny they earn, and they stretch their credit to the limit.  But anyone who spends all he has is spending more than he can afford.  A wise person puts money aside for when he or she may have less.  God approves of foresight and restraint.  God’s people need to examine their lifestyles to see whether their spending is God-pleasing or merely self-pleasing.

Proverbs 21:21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Those who pursue “righteousness” and “mercy” receive more than they seek.

We have read repeatedly that righteousness is being in right standing with God.  We also have read many times that it is Jesus’ righteousness that we take on.  We must accept Jesus as our Savior and we have righteousness.  But this speaks of a walk (followed) in that righteousness and mercy. 

We are told to be merciful because Jesus was merciful to us first.  Righteousness, mercy, and honor for us are a by-product of our salvation.

 


Proverb 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails

Man cannot always trust his own heart, but you can always trust the counsel of the Lord. Man must have a brand-new heart engraved with the laws of God before his heart is trustworthy. The counsel of God is found in the Bible.

 Proverbs 19:22: What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. 

 Here again, it must mean a poor, honest man is better than a rich liar. God says He loves a cheerful giver. If a man desires to do good, he will be kind. Rich liars are not kind since their lies bring harm; a kind poor man is more desirable 

 

 


When the spirit is broken, people lose hope. I have heard medicine doctors say that there is an element other than the severity of the illness, and the treatment they have to give for a specific disease or condition is called the will to live.

A person who says in his spirit, “I will not die,” heals faster and, to the amazement of the doctors, sometimes lives when all human hope is gone.

On the other hand, you can give someone medicine that should cure them, and if they have no will to live, they will probably die. The spirit of man is his life. Many die from a broken heart soon after they have lost a loved one.

Proverbs 18:15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 

We see here someone eager to learn by doing and by listening.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men

We see that a gift sometimes softens the heart and makes the way more accessible. This is not the word for a bribe but rather for a presentation given to someone.

I think a very nice gesture is to carry flowers or candy to the host when you are invited to dinner. It is just a way of showing you appreciate the effort she has gone to prepare the meal. Little gestures of friendship make everyone feel good.


17:19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

We see that a sinner enjoys causing others heartache. Sin and strife walk hand in hand. We also see someone who builds a fancy house from the outside so the neighbors will be envious of him. This can only bring destruction. Pride goes before a fall.

 Plainly put: This is an image of a proud person who flaunts his wealth with a huge house and a large front door, and thus invites death.

Proverbs 17:20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

A sinful heart brings forth sinful words. Ugly speaking, dirty jokes, and cursing bring even more sin. It is a never-ending cycle that feeds upon itself and gets worse and worse. This person is not honest, and those trading with him cannot believe anything he says. His deceit shows, and no one wants to deal with him. God will not bless him, and destruction is what’s in front of him. 


Read the 4 Gospels of The New Testament and allow your relationship to grow. Jesus dont have the power He is the POWER!


Proverbs 16:21: The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. 

True wisdom (godly wisdom) is the subject above.  Godly wisdom is recognized by others around you, and they have respect for you because of the decisions you make.  We see in the rest of verse twenty-one that people who speak nice things are listened to more readily.  People listen and learn more from someone who speaks softly and kindly.

The “sweetness of the lips” is like “words of honey,” which reflect intelligence, judiciousness, and discernment in speech, referring to eloquent discourse from the wise.


Proverbs 15:22-23 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.  23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-and how good is a timely word!

Because our perspective is limited, we often need the godly wisdom and insight of others when making important decisions and plans. God frequently uses the counsel of fellow believers to reveal His will.

People fixed on one way of thinking may miss the right path because they are closed to new possibilities. Seek guidance from trusted, experienced people who can expand your vision and broaden your perspective. Build a network of advisers, remain open to fresh ideas, and weigh their suggestions carefully. Your plans will be stronger and more likely to succeed.

Verse 23 continues the thought in verse 22: a counselor takes joy when sound advice, offered at the right time, is accepted.

Proverbs 15:24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

 We see that the wise choose the way that leads to heaven above. They are aware that hell exists beneath. They are on a higher plane. They seek the way of the Godly. Their home is in heaven; and they refuse the way of sin that leads to hell. 

Proverbs 15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. 

The proud do not think they need any help from anyone. God loves and helps the humble. We must reach out for his help before He will give it. When evil men try to take the property of widows, God will intervene. The most desolate (widows), who have God’s help possess a more permanent dwelling place than the prosperous and self-reliant sinners. God helps those who cannot help themselves. We really need Him, but some are too proud to admit they need Him.What the book of Psalms is to prayer and devotional life, the book of Proverbs is to everyday life.  Proverbs gives partial suggestions for effective living.  This book is not just a collection of homey sayings, it contains deep spiritual insights drawn from experience.  A proverb is a short, wise, easy to learn saying that calls a person to action.  It doesn’t argue about basic spiritual and moral beliefs, it assumes we already hold them.  The book of Proverbs focuses on God, his character, works and blessings and it tells how we can live in close relationship to him.

Solomon the third king of Israel, son of the great King David, reigned during Israel’s golden age.  When God said he would give him whatever he wanted, he asked for an understanding heart (1Kings 3:5-14) God was pleased with this request, and he not only made Solomon wise but also gave him great riches and power and an era of peace.  Solomon built the glorious temple in Jerusalem and wrote most of the book of Proverbs.  His Profile is found in 1 Kings 4.