Archive for the ‘Proverbs 18’ Category

Proverbs 22:17-18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 22, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 17, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 22:17-18 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise, apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 

The words of God are wonderful things! It is your duty to bow down your ears and hear them (Pr 22:17). It is your duty to apply your heart to love them (Pr 22:17). They will bring great pleasure to your soul, and you will be prepared to share them with others.

Keeping God’s words in your heart will be pleasant to your soul. They will be sweeter than honey (Ps 119:103), the rejoicing of your heart (Ps 119:111), and like finding great spoil (Ps 119:162). Jeremiah said they were the joy and rejoicing of his heart (Jer 15:16).

Do you crave God’s words? Job said, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). How long do you go without food? Do you crave God’s words like you do food?

Is the preaching of God’s words the best part of your week? Or is it going out to eat? Do you go to hear His very words explained? Does your pastor even believe He has God’s words? Does he present them as individual jewels from God’s mouth? Demand them!

Do you have the words of God? There are so many Bibles today, all proclaiming to be the word (singular) of God. But which Bible has the words (plural) of God? Jesus Christ and His apostles had Scripture from which they argued important doctrine from single words (Matt 22:31-33,41-46; John 8:58; 10:33-36; Gal 3:16; 4:9; Heb 8:13; 12:26-27).

Do you love and appreciate the divine library God has given you? Is it as precious to you as much fine gold and as sweet to you as honeycomb (Ps 19:10)? Do you open its pages with awe and reverence, begging God to reveal new things to you (Ps 119:18)? There are 66 books of all kinds in this library, 1189 chapters, 31,102 verses, and 788,280 words!

Only by knowing the certain words of God can we use them to answer others, for Solomon said, “That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Pr 22:21). It is only the certain words of truth that we want to hear, and it only them we want to speak to others.

If you keep these precious words within you, meditating upon them and applying them to your own life and the world around you, they will become fitted in your lips. You will have ready words on the tip of your tongue for those seeking the truth. You will be able to answer their hard questions, for the words of truth will be very familiar to your mind.

God’s true saints have His words fitted in their lips, and they feed many (Pr 10:21; 15:7). They exalt Jesus Christ as the sovereign Lord of all in their hearts, and they are always ready to give an answer to those asking for reasons for their faith (I Pet 3:15). If this is not true of you, reader, where have you failed? Do you need a better teacher, to listen more attentively, to read more often, or to meditate more carefully? Do whatever it takes!

Proverbs 18:01 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: October 17, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 18:1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment. 

Wisdom is only acquired by dedicated effort. And few men have the desire or make the effort to pursue and acquire it. So the Preacher commended the studious man or woman.

Most men will live and breathe and die in ignorant folly, even those who were offered wisdom plainly. And their lives and those of their children will bear the deserved pain.

The next verse confirms this distinction among men, for fools have no delight in learning; they are totally occupied with their own thoughts and fantasies (Pr 18:2; 17:16).

Dear reader, would the Author and writer of this proverb commend your desire and efforts for acquiring wisdom? Would God and Solomon praise your pursuit of learning?

When a man desires wisdom, he must make sacrifices. He will avoid distractions that take time and misdirect his soul. He will separate from friends and pleasures that do not serve the great goal. He will reject the popular ambitions of riches, education, recreation, or bodily exercise. His life may be lonely. Hopefully, in a church of sincere saints, he will find a few choosing the same course (Luke 8:14; I Cor 9:24-26; I John 2:15-17).

Like the man of God, he must limit obligations in this life (II Tim 2:4; I Tim 6:6-12). For this pursuit will weary his already-wearied flesh (Eccl 12:12). And the ignorant ravings of the world are an influence he must avoid (Pr 9:6; 13:20; I Cor 15:33; II Cor 6:14-18).

He will learn that when alone he has the sweetest moments of fellowship and instruction of His heavenly Father (Psalm 4:4; 63:5-6; Matt 6:6; Job 33:14-18). He knows that examining his soul and pondering the path of his feet requires separation from all the noise and activity of others (Pr 4:26; Psalm 26:2; 77:6; 139:23-24).

God chose the dark night for Abraham (Gen 15:5), the back of the desert for Moses (Ex 3:1), the plain for Ezekiel (Ezek 3:22), the wilderness for John (Luke 1:80), and Arabia for Paul (Gal 1:17). The blessed Lord rose exceeding early to meet alone with His Father (Mark 1:35), or He would spend the night alone with Him (Luke 6:12).

With great ease of travel, telephones, email, and all sorts of communication devices in homes, offices, and cars, you are cursed with a curse. Solitude has become a much greater difficulty and not understood by any. The hours farmers had with an ox and God have been stolen away by progress! It has benefits, but it also contributes to distraction.

Writing psalms while watching sheep is a luxury this perverted generation cannot afford.  Men even move the clocks to force more activity into a day, when the sun is crying, “Be still!” Rebekah would still be single, if she waited for a meditating man in a field today (Gen 24:62-67). Lord, help your children flee to the hills for some quiet and solitude.

Having separated from the diversions that deceive, distract, and destroy most men, the good man seeks and intermeddles – gets deeply involved, concerned, and occupied – with all facets of wisdom. He dives into the study and contemplation of all aspects of creation and revelation, with the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and the man of God as guides. This pursuit requires an intense and thorough search (Pr 2:1-9; II Tim 2:15; I Tim 4:13-16).

Even the ostrich and horse deserve your careful attention and consideration (Job 39:13-25). How will you remember, meditate, and muse on all His works in a few minutes (Ps 143:5)? Can you in a few minutes comprehend the dimensions of a Saviour’s love (Eph 3:14-19)? With the fullness of God your personal reward, does it not deserve more investment? When did you last break forth in praise for a single thought (Rom 11:33)?

How will you read, let alone consider and meditate upon, the 31,101 verses in your King James Bible? Yet Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, commends the careful meditation of every verse. Only a man with great desire, who separates himself from other distractions, will make any progress in this extensive and valuable project.

Some with weak desire will say there is not enough time. So the apostle told men to redeem time for wisdom (Eph 5:15-17). You can buy time by giving up other activities. There are 168 hours in a week, only half of which you work and sleep. There is much time squandered and wasted in foolish pursuits and slothful management. Lord, help.

Scripture tells of dedicated seekers of wisdom. David and Daniel prayed three times daily (Ps 55:17; Dan 6:10). The blessed Lord at twelve was intermeddling in all wisdom, while his peers played (Luke 2:41-52). The disciples left all to follow Wisdom in the flesh (Mark 1:16-20), and Paul counted anything else as dung (Phil 3:7-14). He chose one thing to do (Phil 3:13), as he knew a double mind was folly (Jas 1:8).  The Bereans heard Paul’s preaching with ready minds and searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).

Dear reader, what have you done this week to pursue wisdom? How many minutes have you read the Word of God? How many minutes have you prayed? Studied a proverb? Reviewed a sermon? Contemplated or discussed spiritual matters of significance?

Dear parent, what have you done to plant this ambition in your children? Hannah trained Samuel so well he worshipped the Lord after his weaning (I Sam 1:20-28). Lois and Eunice trained Timothy thoroughly in faith and the Scriptures (II Tim 1:5; 3:15). It is the duty of fathers to train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4).

Jesus Christ taught that the kingdom of heaven is like hid treasure, for which a man would joyfully sell all he had to buy the field and dig for it (Matt 13:44). Or it was like a wonderful pearl, for which he would sell all that he had to purchase it (Matt 13:45-46). Does your life reflect this holy zeal? What sacrifice will you make today to seek wisdom?

Few will understand this proverb, and fewer yet will live it. The way of ignorance and folly, which leads to hell here and hereafter, is very wide with many travelers. And the way of wisdom, which leads to life here and in glory, is very narrow with only a few that find it. Let not any of those who name the name of Christ be found in the wide way.

Can you spare a few minutes of 168 hours in a week to seek wisdom? Why die foolish, with your life a great waste of time, and your children cursed to repeat your ignorance and suffer its consequences? Angels desire to look into these things that involve men (I Pet 1:12), but most men are too busy! May writer and reader search their souls.

Proverbs 18:04 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: September 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

How deep and flowing are you? A wise man has a deep reservoir of profound wisdom, which produces words of prudent counsel to help others. His soul sends forth a steady flow of wisdom, which is a tree of life to many. How deep and flowing are you?

This proverb is not about just any man, but rather it is about a wise man, which comparing the two clauses clearly shows. Only a wise man’s mouth feeds knowledge to others (Pr 15:7; 16:23; Eccl 10:12; Ps 37:30-31). Fools’ mouths pour out foolishness.

The proverb has two beautiful similes. The first one declares a wise man’s words are like deep waters. What can you learn by this comparison? His wisdom is deep: it is not just a superficial view of things (John 7:24: Is 11:1-4). His wisdom is plentiful: he can help with different dilemmas (Job 29:21-25; Matt 13:52). Only understanding men can draw it out, for a wise man is not easily persuaded to speak of wisdom (Pr 20:5; 17:27).

The second simile compares a wise man’s words to a spring producing a flowing brook. A wellspring is the source or spring of a stream. As a brook supplies water to prosper lower lands, so a wise man speaks to help those around him. His mouth is a well of life (Pr 10:11). His instruction is a fountain of life (Pr 13:14). He feeds many (Pr 10:21). He is health and a tree of life to others (Pr 12:18; 15:4). Fools are deadly (Pr 13:20).

Solomon had largeness of heart and wisdom above all others (I Kgs 4:29-34). He could speak on any subject, including trees. Men from the courts of all the kings of the earth came to hear his wisdom. But Solomon’s Son, Jesus Christ, was greater than Solomon. When Jesus spoke, people were astonished by both His authority and graciousness (Matt 7:28-29; Luke 4:22). And He could shut His enemies’ mouths at will (Matt 22:46).

How deep and flowing are you? Have you learned the words of truth to give certain answers to those that ask (Pr 22:17-21)? Have you meditated on God’s word to be able to answer enemies, teachers, and ancients (Ps 119:98-100)? Do you study before answering a new matter (Pr 15:28)? Have you learned how to answer every man graciously (Col 4:6)? Have you shown a noble spirit by restraining your speech (Pr 17:27)?

Have you sanctified the Lord God by exalting Him in your heart, so you can give a sound reason for your hope (I Pet 3:15)? Do you trust Scripture as being sufficient to make the man of God perfect (II Tim 3:16-17)? Do you love others enough to discover their needs and help them (I Thess 5:14; Heb 3:12-13)? Are you spiritual enough to save those who are weak around you (Gal 6:1; Jas 5:19-20)? Can you speak about the things of God to others, especially your children and grandchildren (Ps 71:14-18; 78:1-8; Mal 3:16)?

If you can answer these questions positively, you are the man of this proverb. If you cannot, you need to work on two things. First, you need depth of wisdom so your words are like deep waters. You do this by acquiring much wisdom from the Bible. Second, you need to prime the pump and get your words flowing like a brook. You need to reject foolish reticence or fear of man in order to answer and teach others in need of wisdom.

Proverbs 18:06 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: March 18, 2013 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command
Proverbs 18.06 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

Foolish talkers should be beat. You have heard them. They are obnoxious. Arguments and debates follow them wherever they go. Are you ever one? Do your words grate, irritate, frustrate, or provoke others? Wisdom and success depend on ruling your speech.

Consider the next proverb, which is related. “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Pr 18:7). A man that cannot rule his speech will destroy himself. His mouth will get his soul into trouble in all sorts of ways. He needs to be beat.

Do not think Solomon’s conclusion is too harsh. The beating is for their own good! The beating would increase peace and quiet by silencing those that make a loud nuisance with their mouths. If they had potential for success, the beating would help them find it. If it were done, it would not be done much, for fools would control their speech to avoid it.

A problem today is a gross misunderstanding of so-called free speech. No one has the right to say anything they wish. All men have the responsibility to only say those things that please God and profit men. But now with the flick of a finger, emails or texts or tweets send arrogant words, haughty speech, and disrespectful retorts all over the place.

A fool prefers talking to listening, especially if corrected. He would rather argue and contradict than humble himself to instruction. Lacking respect for authority and others, he speaks when he ought to be silent. His froward speech leads to confrontations, and his inappropriate remarks beg for someone to give him stripes on his back with a rod.

Here is another common theme in Solomon’s Proverbs – ruling your speech. The tongue is a powerful thing; it can be used for good or evil, life or death (Pr 18:21). A wise man studies to answer (Pr 15:28); he is slow to speak and says no more than necessary (Pr 17:27-28). But a fool pours out foolishness, letting everyone know he is a fool (Ecc 10:3).

Fools cannot control their mouths (Eccl 10:12-14). They talk too much. They talk without thinking. They retort quickly. They talk when they should not. They fight fire with fire. They answer issues before they even hear them (Pr 18:13). They are disrespectful and irritating. They question things not to be questioned; they argue about words to no profit.

Fools have no discretion. They do not know that different situations call for different words and tones. They just plow ahead verbally, like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Their quarrelsome approach to conversation is offensive and confrontational, resulting in hurt feelings, contention, and strife. They cause fights, and they deserve to be beaten!

Solomon taught soft answers turn away wrath and end fights (Pr 15:1). Gideon knew such wisdom, as he flattered Ephraim to take away their anger at not being invited to the early stages of the battle (Judges 8:1-3). Wise men know such discretion, but fools can never learn it. There is only one way to teach a fool – stripes from a rod (Pr 26:3).

Parent, do you consistently and diligently teach your children the rules of gracious speech? It is a very valuable thing you can teach them. Success in every part of life, from marriage to their professional success or a role in a church, requires sober and thoughtful speech. You are with them every day; you can fulfill this proverb literally. Do not allow them to bicker or argue with siblings, dominate conversations, jest, or talk back to you.

Christians always speak with grace (Col 4:6; Eph 4:29). If salty criticism is needed, only a small amount is to be used. Open debate and wrangling are wrong (I Tim 6:3-5; Titus 3:9). Saints reject blustery exchanges about anything! Once a fool is corrected, no more words should be used (Pr 26:4-5; 23:9). Let him fall into his ditch (Matt 7:6; 15:12-14).

But fools will be meddling. They want to question everything. They want to argue any and every point. They want to object. They want to get their two cents in. They want to remember past offences. They want to correct details. They want to whisper about others.

They are saucy and insolent. They are critical and negative. They are crude and rude. They are hasty and loud. They are impulsive and obnoxious. They are graceless and shameful. They are fools – they cause contention and fights – they deserve to be beaten.

Are you one of them? Are you ever guilty of disturbing the peace of those around you and getting into unnecessary conflicts – unnecessary in the minds of others, for every fool is always right in his own eyes. Will you humble yourself and change your speech habits?

How important is this little proverb? After this life you will stand before the Creator God and give account for every idle word you spoke while on earth – your speech will help determine your destiny (Matt 12:34-37). You will then wish you had been beaten for foolish talking. Instead, God in kind mercy sent you this proverb by the pen of Solomon.

God is more severe than Solomon! He hates the perversity of filthy speech, foolish talking, or jesting; He calls for giving of thanks instead (Eph 5:4). He is sending Jesus soon to judge men for these sins. “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (Eph 5:6).

Proverbs 18:02 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 18, 2013 in 18:02, Acceptance, Bible Study, fools, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 18.02 – A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. 

Wisdom and truth are not important to a fool; he is more interested in his own thoughts. When understanding and his opinions have a collision, he always follows his heart. He loves his own thoughts and desires, and he wants to tell and promote them as widely as possible.

Here is the basic error of the fool – he values his opinions and preferences more than truth. He is in love with himself, obsessively so. And he is always seeking an audience to share his thoughts. This folly is widely promoted today, the perilous times of the last days, when men love their own selves and reject sound doctrine (II Tim 3:1; 4:2-4).

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.  

 

Proverbs 18:11 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 18, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 18, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, wealth
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Proverbs 18.11 – The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, they imagine it an unsalable wall. 

Riches ruin most men. Their pride grows with their money. They see no need for God or most men. They believe they are safe from trouble; they assume they are smart for their success. They are blinded to the fact God made them rich, they cannot avoid death He will soon send, and they will give their most detailed accounting to Him with hell to pay.

Rich men trust their money for safety. It is their strong city. They think they can buy their way out of trouble. It is the high wall around their city formed by their conceit. But their arrogance deceives them! They cannot postpone death; they cannot take a cent with them; and the holy and terrible Judge they will soon meet cannot be bribed by any payment!

The rich think themselves secure from all enemies, as if in a strong city; they imagine the city has a high wall to repulse even aggressive attackers. But both city and wall are the deceit of conceit! Cancer has no regard for money, nor does Father Time. Trouble will breach the wall; death will storm the city; and the final judgment will sweep it all to hell!

You will not fully appreciate this proverb, without reading the one before it. There you find, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Pr 18:10). What a difference between the righteous and the rich! The righteous find safety in the LORD Jehovah, while the rich look to their assets and income for help.

Can the rich buy themselves safety? They can hire a crop duster to spray their property for mosquitoes! They can post bond for a prodigal son! They can buy politicians for laws to subsidize their businesses! They can pay the best doctors for a nearly perfect facelift! They might even be able to pay the ransom to get a young child back from kidnappers!

So the rich man lives with the arrogant confidence of a conqueror. He eats at the best restaurants, flies first class, and has a chauffeur. He does not worry about unemployment, braces for the children, his failing parents, paying the mortgage off, getting the kids through college, or anything else. He thinks he has it made – until he dies and wakes up naked in the blinding light of the Judge of all flesh, Who has no regard for rich men!

David wrote about these men and their insane thinking (Ps 49:6-14). They cannot buy off Death for any in their family, no matter how beloved. They presume Death will not strike them like others. They see great estates transferred or destroyed when rich men die, but they ignore the warnings and continue in arrogance. They name buildings and parks after themselves to promote their honor. They die like hyenas and rot in the grave, but their descendants or beneficiaries approve their lifestyle and the same arrogance. Fools!

Are you enticed by the lifestyles of the rich and famous? Hollywood and the devils behind it want to sell you that damning picture. Do the gated communities with massive mansions and manicured lawns cause you to envy the wicked? Do you resent your job or your modest home or even your life? Be wise and choose contentment, lest you also fall for their dysfunctional lives, divorces, drugs, drunkenness, and so forth.

Jesus described a haughty rich man, who had more abundance than he could store. He conceitedly boasted he would build bigger barns to hold it all, and he would then begin his luxurious retirement in total luxury for many years. But the Lord said to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). His high wall fell down! His strong city was taken!

The rich are rich by God’s choice (I Chr 29:12; Ps 75:6-7; I Cor 4:7). They ought to be the most humble, for they should know and admit more quickly than others that it was all of God’s sovereign mercy and favor that they have anything. There is no such thing as a self-made man, and anything by inheritance is merely a function of birth. Anything a man has or is able to do is a gift from God, and He should give God all the glory and praise.

There is a terror they dread, and they cannot defer or postpone its visit to their bedroom. It will cause fear in every direction. It will root out and destroy all their confidence. It is the king of terrors – death itself (Job 18:11-14). What lies ahead for the foolish rich man, “He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world” (Job 18:18)?

No wonder Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved (Matt 19:24). He had just seen a fine young man turn away from following Him due to his money (Matt 19:21-22). Never desire something so dangerous! You cannot serve two masters, so choose God today and hate riches (Matt 6:24). Be thankful for what you have, and give any extra away to those in need (I Tim 6:17-19).

Wise reader, reject any confidence in riches that come your way (Ps 62:10; I Tim 6:17). Do not seek them, as they have damned many souls before you (I Tim 6:7-10). Remember that infinite wisdom says godliness with contentment is great gain (I Tim 6:6). Choose wise Agur’s prayer as your own, and be content with moderate means (Pr 30:8). Build instead your confidence in the LORD by good works (Pr 18:10; I Tim 6:19).

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