Archive for the ‘Proverbs’ Category

Proverbs 27:15-16 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 27, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Contentious, Contentious women, Encourgement, Inspiration, Nagging and Complaining Wife, Odious woman, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 27, Quarrelsome Wife, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 27:15-16 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; Restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand

Can you restrain the wind? No! Can you hide the smell of cologne – once it is out? No! All those present know if the wind is blowing or whether you are wearing cologne or not. You cannot hide either of them. And if a man marries an odious woman, neither can he hide her obnoxious ways. Those around him know he has a difficult and painful marriage.

There is a woman in this proverb, indicated by the feminine pronoun “her.” You do not want to meet her – and you surely do not want to marry her! She is the contentious woman from the previous verse that cruelly drives her husband crazy (Pr 27:15). The poor man cannot restrain or disguise her any more than he can hide the wind or the strong scent of his cologne. Everyone knows he is condemned for life with an odious woman.

The Creator God inspired Solomon to write this proverb. He made the woman for the man, and He knew her better than all psychologists and therapists combined (I Cor 11:9; I Tim 2:13-14; II Tim 3:6-7; I Pet 3:7). Since Solomon wrote for the benefit of his son (Pr 27:11), he warned often of the seductive threat of the strange woman and of the marital threat of the odious woman. Both women are worse than death (Pr 30:21-23; Eccl 7:26).

The Bible is a library of divine wisdom. It deals openly with subjects often not discussed due to foolish ideas of etiquette. But God loves His children and tells the truth plainly to save them from pain and trouble. When men talk among themselves, they also tell the truth – they laugh and groan about irritating and nagging wives. Of course, her husband cannot tell her, for she would set him straight and send him to the couch for the night!

What is a contentious woman? She is a talkative woman that must express her opinions, correct details in conversation, question most everything, and make constant suggestions no one asked for. She is an irritating, quarrelsome, and obnoxious person. She cannot think, speak, or act graciously, because she cannot identify or appreciate that virtue; she has an arrogant, haughty, incorrigible spirit that argues, criticizes, and questions.

Few odious women think they are odious. Of course not! That is why they are odious! They cannot recognize that the conduct they think is fine and helpful is actually what angers and disgusts those around them. If you suggest she talks too much, she will defend herself by saying her opinions are helpful and useful – how can she be wrong to offer them? When hearing the Bible preached plainly, she assumes it must be for someone else.

How does this woman give herself away? Her husband is beat. He is neutered, for this wretch stole his confidence, strength, and vitality. She talks too much, so you only need listen for the woman with her mouth flapping. If she is not a yacker, look for the sour face that rarely smiles and never warmly. She has no real friends, for no one desires her painful presence. Her social interaction may only be the evil habit of being a busybody.

No man wants others to know he lives in a marital hell, so he tries to hide the odious and repulsive character of his wife. This is what Solomon said was as difficult as holding the wind or the scent of cologne in your hand. Both will get away from you! Both will be discovered by those around you! It is impossible to disguise or hide the hairy, grunting, and stinking sow when trying to display the gold ring in her nose (Pr 11:22)!

Men use various techniques to hide their disgraceful wives. One man tries to hide his contentious wife by avoiding public excursions with her. He works late, finds hobbies, or just refuses to go out. Another may foolishly try to deceive his friends by complimenting her to them (though they all know better). One man will weakly submit to her overbearing demands and questions to avoid a public squabble. And another will pamper her greedy soul with anything in sight to buy a little peace and tranquility for himself.

Such women do not deserve husbands, and no man deserves such a wife. Since this despised wretch can disguise herself during dating, every man must learn how to spot the telltale marks that reveal her cruel character (Pr 30:21-23). They are simple. She talks too much, has a proud spirit, is forward to speak, has opinions on everything, disagrees in public, gets visibly agitated, complains about circumstances, and questions everything.

Another way to avoid an odious woman is to learn graciousness and virtue and reject all women lacking them, for a great wife has both (Pr 31:10-31). The best way to spot a counterfeit is to know the genuine thing perfectly. The best way to smell an odious woman is to know the sweet nature of a gracious woman. Still afraid? A gracious woman is always adored by all (Pr 11:16). The odious woman only thinks she is respected.

Some men are male versions of the same thing. They talk too much, complain about everything, argue and debate no matter what is said, question accepted opinions and decisions, and so forth. These men should be avoided in all social unions as much as the odious woman should be avoided in marriage. Contentious persons that cause division and strife should be rejected, for they are destructive of peace and pleasure (Pr 22:10).

There are several lessons. First, every man must test a potential wife and believe the opinions of married men about her. Second, every young woman should emphasize graciousness and virtue above other objectives in her life. Third, every man married to a contentious woman needs to find an attic room or wilderness retreat (Pr 21:9,19; 25:24).

Fourth, every woman tending toward the odious character described here should repent before God, her husband, her children, and seek to live graciously. Fifth, you should warn any young man you know who is about to marry an odious woman. Sixth, every man married to a gracious and loving woman should thank God and take her out tonight!

The Bible helps men by warning them about odious women, but it also teaches women how to be gracious and virtuous, if they will learn the lesson and apply it (Pr 31:10-16; I Tim 2:9-10; 5:13-14; Titus 2:3-5; I Pet 3:1-6). However, most pulpits today are too fearful to tell the truth about females in attendance, so practical and useful subjects like this are seldom or never dealt with. They do not want to offend their odious attendees.

True churches are the bride and wife of Jesus Christ; God arranged for His son to marry them, and they will live forever in intimate bliss with Him in heaven. Does this glorious Husband openly delight in you? Or is He ashamed of your offensive ways? He threatened to spew the church of Laodicea out of His mouth (Rev 3:14-19). He threatened to leave the church at Ephesus (Rev 2:4-5). Is He totally happy with your spirit and conduct?

 

Proverbs 19:13 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 19, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Codependent Children, Contentious, Contentious women, Dear Woman, Disrespectful Children, Encourgement, Fathers and Sons, Foolish Son / Daughter, fools, Inspiration, Irritating wife, Odious woman, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Quarrelsome Wife, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, virtuous women
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. 

Two horrible things can happen to a man. He can marry an odious woman, or he can have foolish children. Both are disasters and make marriage and children very sober matters. The persons and relationships that should be for help and pleasure become like enemies. It is wisdom to carefully consider these potential threats and avoid them at all costs.

This proverb is priceless. The two matters at stake are very serious – an unhappy marriage or shameful children. Either one tortures and destroys a man over many years. A man enduring both faces daily pain hard to describe in words. But God gave this proverb by King Solomon to save you from both evils, and He reduced it down to one single, simple rule. Glorious wisdom! Incredible mercy and kindness! Keep reading!

Contentious women know how to get a man, a foolish man. They decorate the outside, their physical appearance, by many means, to capture his eyes. They hide and disguise what is inside, their character defects and faults, by a show of grace, respect, submission, and love. These efforts are made until the wedding is over. Then the odious wife makes her appearance (Pr 30:21-23)! And what a hideous and ugly sight she is! Poor fool!

The careless man now has a disease worse than cancer – he has fallen into the torments of hell on earth – he has fallen under a curse worse than death (Eccl 7:26). He must go home to this wretch every day for the rest of his life, and he has to sleep with her! He quickly learns to work extra hours, take up hobbies like hunting, or build a detached workshop to get away from the noise of this nagging and brawling creature (Pr 21:9,19; 25:24).

In public he tries to hide her, but how can he? She is as obvious as a huge sow attached to a small piece of gold jewelry (Pr 11:22). The poor man cannot avoid his great shame, for everyone sees he has married a repugnant and revolting corruption of the fairer sex (Pr 27:15-16). He knows both friends and enemies whisper about his horrible life at home.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, but the woman here is rottenness in his bones (Pr 12:4). So bitter is the pain of the wrong woman that Solomon thought it worse than death (Eccl 7:26). And he listed an irritating wife as one of the great curses of earthly life (Pr 30:21-23). The poor husband cries, “O precious death, take me from her!”

A contentious wife will question, discuss, debate, or oppose most anything. She presumes her ideas are at least as good as his. She constantly talks back. She is proud, stubborn, and self-righteous. She cannot follow; she must lead. She asks too many questions, makes too many suggestions, and does not cheerfully obey. She loves to correct her husband, who never gets facts just right. But she will seldom accept correction herself. She always has a reason why tonight is not a good night! Or why the next morning is not night!

The continual dropping here is a very rainy day (Pr 27:15). You cannot stop it; it keeps on dropping. You cannot stop her noise and resistance. These are not pleasant raindrops on a secure roof; they are the irritating drops of a leaking roof that destroy tranquility and peace. Any man who has tried to sleep near a leaking faucet understands perfectly. She is torture! The foolish son may be cast out; the contentious wife must be endured. The foolish son is in his room; the contentious wife is in your bed! O take me, precious death!

Therefore, let every man take great care how he marries and how his sons marry. Young fools do not know how to judge women, so fathers must help them, lest they are consigned to fifty years with this woman. Fathers, by the very nature of the relationship, you have more experience in marriage to a woman than your son has in the ignorance and folly of childhood and youth. You have been married longer than he has been alive!

It is a shame this rebellious generation thinks they can make this far-reaching decision on their own. So there is an epidemic of dysfunctional marriages, divorces, and adultery. Young man, it is far better to be lonely and frustrated in your own house and bed than to marry an odious woman and have to live and sleep with her for your entire future. There is something worse than being single and lonely – being married to the wrong woman!

If you have married poorly, dear man, repent of your folly and allow no more. Marriage must be managed by the divine rule of subjection, and if you compromise here, the dropping will continue (Gen 3:16; I Cor 11:3,8-12; 14:34-35; Eph 5:22-24,33; Col 3:18; Tit 2:5). If she professes any fear of God, bring her to her Creator’s throne and show her both His wise design and sentence of judgment (I Tim 2:13-14). If this fails, Christian husband, bring her to the church by the Lord’s prescription (Matt 18:15-17; I Cor 6:1-8).

Every man who has a virtuous wife (Pr 31:10-31), gracious and kind, meek and quiet, should first thank his Father in heaven for such protective mercy and then take the good woman out for a meal and praise her a few times. She deserves it. You owe it. God has saved you from a life of soul-sapping, heart-rending, mood-altering, body-denying agony.

Let every woman examine herself in the only honest and true mirror in the world – the Bible (Jas 1:21-26; Ps 19:7-14). After seeing your blemishes and defects, make the required changes for the reward. Reject the foolish fantasies of society and your selfish thoughts about yourself (Ps 119:128; Is 8:20). Read God’s opinion, as you just have. Then prove your own work and rejoice in yourself (Pr 14:14; Gal 6:4-5; I Pet 3:1-6).

A foolish son is also a horrible thing in a man’s life. It can steal the joy and life out of your soul, knowing that you generated and trained an idiot. The Preacher saw foolish sons, for he had foolish brothers, and his son Rehoboam was a fool. Read his pain and learn the sober lesson (Pr 10:1; 15:20; 17:21,25; 23:15-16,24-25; 29:3,15). It is wisdom to learn from the mistakes and pain of others – so pay attention and grasp this lesson.

A calamity is very grievous affliction or adversity; it is deep distress, trouble, and misery. It is a painful disaster. It is the turning of things upside down. It is a catastrophe and tragedy that bleeds the vitality from a father’s heart. This does not overstate the grief caused by a foolish son, for a son instead should be the joy of his father’s heart. And where a father could be thankful and honored, he is instead bewildered and despised.

Fathers! Train the foolishness out of your son, while there is hope (Pr 22:15; 19:18). Here is a calamity you can avoid (Pr 29:17). Save your son! Save yourself! If you neglect his training, he will default to foolishness (Pr 29:15). His training is a commandment (Pr 22:6; Eph 6:4), and the Preacher tells you what will work – the rod and reproof (Pr 29:15; 23:13-14). A loving father will train his son, and he will start early; a hateful father will neglect him to the hurt of them both in the long run (Pr 13:24; 8:33-36).

If you are too busy, too tired, too reserved, too slothful, too interested in other things, or use any other excuse to avoid training him, you will bear your burden. Calamity and shame will come, unless you repent and beg for God’s mercy and the recovery of lost years when you should have done your simple duty (Pr 29:15; 13:15; Gal 6:5; Joel 2:25).

If you have a foolish son, repent and beg God to help you recover him (Joel 2:23-27). Bring your authoritative and loving instruction to bear by whatever means you have. Further compromise will bring greater pain in the future, as with Eli (I Sam 2:29; 3:13). If your son fears God, bring him before his Creator and remind him of his duties (Eph 6:1-3). If he persists and is a church member, bring him before the church (Matt 18:15-17).

Every man who has wise and noble sons should first thank God his Father for such protective and kind mercy and then praise and honor his sons for their faithfulness. There is nothing that should open a father’s wallet as quickly and as wide as a wise and obedient son. Being overbearing all the time will discourage them (Col 3:21; Eph 6:4).

Let every son, of any age, examine himself in the only honest mirror – the word of God (Jas 1:21-26). Are you a joy to your father? Or are there things you know you should be doing better? Correct them! Reject the insolent notions of your wicked generation and your rebellious thoughts of folly. Read God’s opinion about young men, as Proverbs clearly declares. Then prove your own work and rejoice in yourself (Pr 14:14; Gal 6:4-5).

Both dangers to your happiness and success, an odious wife or a foolish son, are solved by one simple rule – the fear of the LORD. If you marry a woman that truly fears the LORD, you will have a jewel for life (Pr 31:30; I Pet 3:1-6). If you teach your son the same fear from early days, he will rejoice your heart (Ps 34:11; Eccl 12:13-14). It is this simple, and the only wise God and history’s wisest king wrote it down for you. Priceless!

Dear Christian reader, what kind of a wife and son are you to your Husband and Father in heaven? Does your Bridegroom rejoice in your constant fidelity, passionate love, and joyful submission? Or are you an odious stench in His house? Is your Heavenly Father pleased with the blessing of adopting you? Or are you a son that needs to be chastened often? Let every reader examine himself to fulfill his Husband’s and Father’s desires.

And further, dear reader, the proverb teaches the disappointment of this world’s greatest privileges and pleasures, even though ordained by a perfect Creator. The very things prized very highly, marriage and children, can so easily bring the greatest miseries. Without His grace, all is vanity and vexation of spirit! Here is the great lesson that God alone must be the portion and the treasure of your soul (Ps 73:25-26; Matt 6:19-21).

Spiritual Training 18 February 2015

Posted: February 18, 2015 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 12:11-15 1I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!   14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?

Paul was not merely revealing his feelings; he was defending his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul was hurt that the church in Corinth doubted and questioned him, so he defended himself for the cause of the gospel, not to satisfy his ego.

Paul explained that the only thing he did in the other churches that he didn’t do in Corinth was to become a burden—to ask the believers to feed and house him. When he said, “Forgive me this wrong,” he was clearly being sarcastic. He actually did more for the Corinthians than for any other church, but still they misunderstood him.

Paul had founded the church in Corinth on his first visit there (Acts 18:1). He subsequently made a second visit (2:1). He was planning what would be his third visit (see also 13:1). Paul explained that, as before, he didn’t want to be paid, fed, or housed; he only wanted the believers to be nourished with the spiritual food he would feed them.

Lets Bring it Home: When you are “put on trial,” do you think only about saving your reputation or are you more concerned about what people will think about Christ?

Proverbs 18:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 18, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 18:18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

If men cannot solve a dilemma, God can! Men have faced decisions that were nearly or totally equal in their minds. In such cases, a faithful use of the lot decided it. At other times, men were not able to resolve disagreements among parties. In such cases, a faithful use of the lot peacefully ended the conflict. In both cases, God settled the confusion.

What is a lot? It is a chance event used to settle a dilemma. In this day, men might flip a coin, roll dice, or draw straws. The purpose is to let the chance event choose a solution from two or more alternatives. In Bible times, the purpose and use of the lot were the same, though the actual items used for the lot may not have been coins, dice, or straws.

If a solution could not be reached by other means, a lot would end contentions, if all parties submitted to the method and outcome of the lot. The mighty are mentioned, because rich and powerful parties are more prone to contention, are more fierce and stubborn in it, have greater assets at risk, and are more able to continue lengthy conflicts. If the lot could settle differences of great men, then surely it was sufficient for the poor.

Are there chance events in the universe? Yes, from your view! No, from God’s view! When you flip a coin, you cannot predict the result beyond probability mathematics, which is 100% ignorant and uncertain as to any specific outcome. But God has already purposed the outcome of every lot and all so-called chance events in His secret will (Deut 29:29). Just ask Ahab (I Kgs 22:28-37)! All lots are entirely disposed by God (Pr 16:33)!

There is a sovereign God in heaven, and wise men see His choices for their lives in the past and future. He did not ask if you wanted existence, or the conditions of it. And you cannot end it. Give Him glory! Wise men accept His choices in the past (Pr 22:2; Is 45:9; I Cor 4:7), and they humbly submit to His will for the future (Jas 4:13-15). They tremble before a Being with such dreadful authority and power (Job 42:1-6; Rom 9:20-21).

Pagans have used the lot from antiquity. Without Scripture to guide them through life, they needed chance events to solve difficulties. The Bible shows Persians, Mediterranean sailors, and Romans using the lot (Esther 3:7; Jonah 1:7; Matt 27:35). Of course, Jehovah used each lot to accomplish His own purpose, even though they were ignorant of Him!

Israel used the lot to find God’s will for their national life. They used it to select the scapegoat (Lev 16:8), divide Canaan to ten tribes (Num 33:54; Jos 14:2; Acts 13:19), condemn Achan (Josh 7:16-19), pick Saul as king (I Sam 10:20-24), find Jonathan guilty (I Sam 14:40-42), give cities to the Levites (I Chron 6:63), settle the courses of the priests (I Chron 24:5,31), and pick inhabitants for Jerusalem (Neh 11:1). And the apostles even used a lot to settle on Matthias as the replacement apostle for Judas (Acts 1:23-26).

However, there is no use of the lot in the New Testament after Pentecost. With completed Scriptures and the gift of the Holy Ghost, there is clearly less need for a chance event to provide direction. The word of God is able to make the man of God perfect (I Cor 13:8-12; II Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; II Pet 1:19), and the Holy Spirit can direct his mind (Ps 143:10; Rom 12:1-2; Eph 5:14-17; Phil 1:9-11; Col 1:9-17; 4:12; Heb 13:20-21).

If you face equal choices in all respects, or a dilemma you cannot solve by searching the Scriptures, seeking many counselors, or by prayer and fasting, then commit yourself to a solemn lot with a fervent prayer for God to honor it (I Sam 14:41; Ps 66:18; Acts 1:23-26; II Chr 30:18). Using the lot, even for serious matters, without these conditions opens you up to tempting the Lord and despising His inspired wisdom. Let the reader beware!

Though the Bible in both testaments endorsed the lot, it cannot be used for matters that wisdom should resolve, for doing so tempts the Lord (Pr 28:9; Matt 4:5-7). It is an evil symptom of human depravity that men would rather trust a lot than “thus saith the Lord.” God inspired written wisdom for your life, and you should heed it first (Ps 119:128). It is weak or devilish faith that requires “a fleece” to obey what has already been commanded.

Confusion where Jehovah has spoken is to reject God’s word (Dan 3:16-18; Rom 1:20-27; I Pet 3:6). Even in matters the Bible does not address, God will honor His churches (Matt 18:15-18; I Cor 6:1-5) and pastors (II Chr 19:8-10; Ezek 44:23-24; I Tim 5:17; Heb 13:7). Never let the lot replace His ordained means of wisdom. The Lord also allows you to follow your heart: He will direct your steps (Pr 16:9; Ruth 2:1-3; Jas 4:13-15).

Bible use of the lot cannot justify games of chance involving money or important matters. Only fools buy lottery tickets or gamble (Pr 1:32; 6:1-5). God ordained men should labor diligently (Pr 12:11; 13:11), avoid wasting their substance (Pr 12:27; 18:9), save money (Pr 6:6-8; 21:20), be able and ready to give to others (Eph 4:28; I Tim 6:17-19), and reject vain pursuits contrary to these goals (Pr 13:23; 28:19). Let the reader beware!

Do you recognize and submit to the sovereignty of God in the “chance events” of your life? The Most High chose your sex, parents, intelligence, nationality, appearance, and opportunities, among many other factors of life (Ps 139:16). He chose your spouse by arranging the circumstances of your romance, and He chose your job or profession by another set of circumstances. And He either gifted you for offices among men or not. Are you fully content with His perfect choices, as Israel was with the lot (Pr 16:33)?

Humble yourself before the dread sovereign of the universe and bless His glorious name for the choices He has made in your life, for He has done so by infinite wisdom for good and holy purposes (Pr 16:4; Is 57:15; 66:1-2). If you have hope of eternal life by His saving grace in Jesus Christ, then you are bound to give thanks for His choice of you to it (II Thess 2:13). Bring Him a gift of praise (Heb 13:15)! He is a great King (Mal 1:14)!

 

Posted: February 10, 2015 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Life expectancy, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 

What can best help you live longer? Nutrition? Health care? Exercise? Genetics? Stress? What would you pay to know the certain answer? Your Creator God had Solomon write the secret formula for long life in this proverb. And it is free for your use! If you scoff at this simple rule, you must love death (Pr 8:36). If you are wise, you will realize it is repeated several times, and you will make it your priority (Pr 3:2,16; 4:10; 9:11; 28:16).

Solomon did not use actuaries – statisticians that compile mortality data for calculating the probabilities of when you will die. He knew by revelation and inspiration from God that your moral lifestyle has more impact than any other factor. He knew it by revelation from the Bible (Ex 20:12; Deut 4:40; 5:16,33; 6:2; 22:7; Ps 55:23; Eph 6:1-3). He knew it by inspiration from heaven (Eccl 12:9-10; Is 8:20; II Tim 3:16-17; II Pet 1:19-21).

Life insurance companies use actuaries to come up with averages. They employ thousands and spend billions of dollars to determine human life spans. After all this work and expense, they estimate the average life expectancy is about 73. But Moses wrote 3500 years ago that 70 was typical for most people and 80 for strong people – an average of about 73! You can read it in Psalm 90:10! How did Moses know? By inspiration!

A life expectancy of 73 is an average. Men die around the average. No one is an average. If a godly man lives to be 90 and a rocker dies of an overdose at 56, it is an average of 73. If two godly grandparents live to be 85 and their sodomite grandson dies of AIDS at 49, the average is 73. If all 50 members of a small church live to be 75, but an excluded drunkard dies in a car accident at 35 with his 11-year-old child, it is an average of 73.

What is the fear of the Lord? It is a reverent love and respect for God that causes a person to read and obey the Bible, God’s word. It is the basis for all wisdom and happiness (Pr 1:7; 9:10; Ps 112:1-3; 128:1-6; Eccl 12:13). What is wickedness? It is living a life by your own lusts according to the world’s ideas. It is your choice how you live. But it is God’s choice when you die, and He makes His choice based on this proverb (Eccl 7:17)!

How is life shortened? Sin accelerates aging: the world calls it “hard living.” Cirrhosis of the liver from drunkenness and STD’s from fornication are examples. Sin brings self-inflicted deaths such as suicide and accidents due to foolishness or rebellion. The sin of adultery can provoke murder by either spouse. Sin can bring capital punishment on murderers or other violent criminals. Sin can also bring about the supernatural judgment of God upon a person by any means at any time. The proverb is true. Believe it!

God killed Er and Onan for different reasons, but they greatly shortened the life expectancy of Judah’s family. Eli outlived his sons by many years, but all three died for sins. Why did Nabal die early and leave his widow to David? Because he was wicked! Absalom was a rebel traitor, so it is no wonder Joab killed him in the prime of life. But before being killed, Absalom killed his brother Amnon for raping his sister. And Solomon killed his brother Adonijah for an attempt on the throne. No wonder God chose Solomon to write these words. He saw life shortened greatly among David’s children!

Do not think such things only occurred in the Old Testament. God never changes, and He has not changed (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8). He is still a fearful God and consuming fire (Heb 10:31; 12:29). Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead in the middle of the church for lying about their giving. The Corinthian church had many members die prematurely for abusing the Lord’s Supper. And Herod Agrippa I died for his arrogance after a speech. “The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.”

Are you surprised the average life span of rappers is about 27? Consider their lifestyle! The average life span for rockers is 42 in America and 35 in Europe. Homosexuals die 20-30 years sooner than otherwise expected. Did the following persons get close to 73? Elvis? Hitler? Diana? Bonnie and Clyde? JFK and Marilyn? Al Capone? Babe Ruth? MLK, Jr., Janis Joplin? Jim Morrison? Jim Hendrix? Jim Dean? Alexander? Errol Flynn? Napoleon? John Lennon? You know the answer, and you know why by this proverb.

Compare the general population life expectancy and statistics of those who go to prison for their wickedness. The United States Sentencing Commission defines a life sentence as 39 years. Coupled with the average age of 25 at sentencing, prison life expectancy is 64 compared to 73 for the general population. For those committing crimes in their youth and being sentenced earlier, the life expectancy falls to around 55. Let God be true!

Do you know of exceptions? Of course you do! So did Solomon (Eccl 7:15)! He knew that the infinite God works many things for many reasons in every life, and he knew these other factors did not nullify this rule at all (Eccl 8:12-13). If you want to worry about the exceptions and try to sort out the other divine factors in a person’s life span, then go ahead. But do not be surprised if God counts your curiosity as scorn. Granting a sinner many years as the prosperity of fools or taking the righteous away early to avoid coming trouble does not alter the certain fact – the fear of the Lord prolongs life.

Reader, what will you do about the cold facts of mortality? Become one more statistic short of 73? The Creator God of heaven knows this proverb, and He has confirmed it in the New Testament. He knows to which commandment He first attached a promise of long life – the honor of parents (Eph 6:1-3). This knowledge should plan one event for your day – a call or letter to your parents or a dinner with them. Or will you defeat death by taking your vitamins, suffering through low-fat meals, and running on a treadmill. Humble yourself! Fear the Lord! Honor your parents! Keep God’s commandments!

But even 73 is a short life! Very short! Too short! The Bible compares it to grass, a vapor, a handbreadth, a tale that is told, a watch in the night, a postal worker, a swift ship, an eagle pursuing prey, a shadow, and a weaver’s shuttle. It disappears before you can get your hands on it. The only true cure for death is the gift of eternal life, and it is only by the grace of a sovereign God through the perfect life, death, and resurrected life of Jesus Christ (Rom 6:23). True believers in Jesus Christ will live forever (John 11:25-27).

Proverbs 06:31 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 6, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 06, Proverbs 07, Spiritual Training, Stealing, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 6:31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it coast him all the wealth of his house

Stealing is a crime, even if to obtain food when hungry. A man can beg or borrow food, if he has an emergency. Though men do not despise a thief for stealing food due to hunger, they will still punish him according to the law for violating the property rights of another person (Pr 6:30). If too proud to beg or borrow, then he will be reduced to servitude to restore the stolen goods and give proper compensation to their rightful owner.

This proverb is part of Solomon’s condemnation of adultery, for there is no justification for that heinous crime (Pr 6:27-35). Men may understand stealing due to hunger, but they will still require full restoration. But adultery cannot be understood! It cannot be undone by any amount of payment, and men do not understand such a criminal act, for it violates a man’s most intimate possession without any possibility of restoration or replacement.

Cavemen did not dream up property rights or the protection of property. The LORD God Jehovah of Israel laid down the law by writing in stone, “Thou shalt not steal” (Ex 20:15; Deut 5:19).  When found, thieves had to restore the stolen goods and compensatory goods to the extent of two to seven times the amount stolen (Ex 22:1-15). If the thief could not pay, he was sold into slavery to clear his debts. So much for foolish debtor’s prisons!

How far did God’s laws go to protect property rights? If you found a thief in your house, you had the right to use lethal force and kill him. God understood the value of security at night and the rush of adrenalin at the intrusion of a thief in your house. However, if you found the thief selling your stuff the next day at a flea market, you could not exact physical revenge on him. He was merely to restore the stolen property (Ex 22:2-3).

Such restitution would reduce a nation’s prisons. If a thief cannot pay, sell him as a slave in the private sector. Thieves would not “pay their debt to society” by living in a warm dormitory, eating three meals a day, having proper clothes, and playing cards. They would quickly learn the value of property and freedom without any expense to taxpayers.

Property rights are not an invention of capitalism or political or economic theory. They are God’s revealed will and law for society. He protects your assets from others, who by envy or greed covet what is not theirs and will subtly or violently try to take yours. If you know this, then take care to protect others’ property, even more than your own (Gen 31:39; I Sam 25:14-16; Pr 16:11; 20:10,14,23; 22:28; 23:10; I Cor 6:7-8; Phil 2:4).

Dear reader, do you understand that adultery is much worse, for the damage done cannot be repaired, and the loss is far greater? So God required capital punishment for a sin that today is glamorized and protected (Lev 20:10; Deut 22:22-24; Job 31:9-12; Heb 13:4). If the thought of a thief breaking into your house and taking your things is offensive, you should be much more offended and angry at any thoughts of adultery. Keep your heart with all diligence to despise and hate any fantasy to harm another marriage by adultery.

God compares His relationship to His people as a marriage, so He considers friendship you have with the world to be spiritual adultery (Jas 4:4). He hates the world, and the world hates Him, so your flirting with worldly friends, lifestyle, or philosophy is as abominable to Him as a wife making love to her husband’s enemy. Be faithful and loyal to Him alone today, letting Him know that you also hate the world and will not touch it.

Proverbs 04:16 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 4, 2015 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Evil People, friends, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 04, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command, Wicked Friends
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Proverbs 4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

Wicked friends will destroy you. If you want to grow in wisdom and godliness, you must avoid foolish companions. Paul wrote, evil communications corrupt good manners (I Cor 15:33). Solomon soberly warned his son to stay far away from evil men (Pr 4:14-15). Their hearts are controlled by sin and their thoughts dedicated to it (Pr 4:16-17).

Good and evil are opposites, and good men and evil men are also opposites. They are perpetual enemies (Pr 29:27). Wise and just men choose to live successful lives, and God blesses them with light (Pr 4:18). Foolish and wicked men live in darkness, stumbling through a dysfunctional life by the blindness of arrogant and ignorant hearts (Pr 4:19).

There are two kinds of people on earth – the righteous and the wicked. While the wicked may perform outward acts that appear good, those acts come from a heart that is only evil in God’s sight (Ps 14:1-3; Rom 3:9-18). While the righteous may sometimes live foolishly, yet they have a righteous heart that is vexed by sin (Ps 73:16-22; II Pet 2:7-8).

This proverb and the next are Solomon’s warning about the depraved character of wicked men (Pr 4:16-17). Mischief and wickedness are more important to them than sleep. They cannot rest nor be content unless they have corrupted or hurt others. Wickedness and violence are their bread and wine. They must eat them every day to satisfy their hunger!

There are no neutral men. Righteous men are the followers of Jesus Christ and godliness, and wicked men are the captive slaves of Satan and sin. Men either base their lives on the absolute terms of the Bible, or they base them on the world’s lies received from the devil. It is this great antagonism that makes worldly friends impossible for dedicated Christians.

The NEA, ACLU, PTA, NOW, MTV, CNN, FNN, UN, PETA, ECM, AFL-CIO, UAW, USA, DNC, RNC, and organizations of this world are dedicated to the overthrow of Bible Christianity. They work day and night for mischief and to cause men to fall from righteousness and truth. They cannot sleep until they get rid of Jesus Christ, His disciples, and His doctrine from the earth. Take a strong stand on any Bible subject and find out!

You must measure your friends and associates carefully and strictly and reject those that do not meet God’s high standards, like David did (Ps 15:4; 101:3-8; 119:63,79). And Solomon taught the same (Pr 9:6; 13:20; 14:7; 19:27). Some of these sinful threats to your success may be family members, but DNA and earthly blood ties matter very little to God or true disciples (I Sam 23:17; II Chr 15:16; Matt 10:34-37; Luke 14:25-33).

The God of heaven and the wisest of men command you to avoid the world, reject their opinions, despise their lifestyle, and hate their offers (Ps 101:3-8; Rom 12:1-2; II Cor 6:14-18; Eph 5:7-13; Jas 4:4; I John 2:15-17). No matter how subtle the insinuation or seductive the temptation against the absolute authority of the Bible, you must turn away with all your strength to avoid being corrupted (I Cor 15:33; I Tim 6:3-5; II Tim 3:1-5).

Proverbs 03:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: February 3, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 03, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 3:22 They will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 

Here is a prince – crowned with life and decorated with grace. Here is a successful man or woman – living a great life with a glorious reputation. Here is prosperity – saved from painful living and public shame. The man who keeps sound wisdom and discretion will have a wonderful life and a great name. Reader, what hinders you from being a prince?

The proverb concludes a sentence, which states, “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion” (Pr 3:21). The plural pronoun “them” refers to wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in the context (Pr 3:13-20). Life for your soul and grace for your neck are based on steadily following sound wisdom and discretion.

What is sound wisdom? It is real wisdom, true wisdom, the wisdom of God. The wisdom of this world – abortion, divorce, evolution, fornication, labor unions, rap, sodomy – is foolishness. The wise men of this world – Darwin, Einstein, Marx, Sagan, Spock – are fools (Is 8:20; I Cor 1:20; 2:6; 3:19). Sound wisdom comes only from God and the Bible (Pr 2:7; 8:14; I Tim 1:10; II Tim 4:3-4). It is the only wisdom you should want or keep.

What is discretion? It knows what words or actions are best for any occasion. It knows what, when, where, and how to do anything. It is the reservation that holds a person back from foolish impulsiveness. It is discipline and self-denial to not speak the first words you think or not do the first thing that comes to mind. It is discerning and discriminating judgment to know the best approach and response to any situation.

What is “life unto thy soul”? Depressed, dysfunctional, or destructive living is like death. True wisdom and discretion give a happy and successful life rather than this death. They keep you from making fatal mistakes, and they increase and extend a good life. Solomon had already given a great description of the good life in the context (Pr 3:13-18).

What is “grace to thy neck”? Ornamentation or jewelry is often put around a person’s neck to show glory, honor, or reward. Consider the neck chains Pharaoh gave Joseph and Belshazzar gave Daniel (Gen 41:42; Dan 5:29). Wisdom and discretion enhance and exalt a man’s reputation, as if he had been awarded a gold chain by a great king (Pr 1:9).

Living a happy life and having a great reputation require godly wisdom and discretion (Pr 4:5-13; Ps 34:12-15). This is the lesson of the proverb. The Lord God of heaven will teach wisdom and discretion to any man who will despise his own thoughts, repent of his sins, and follow the teaching of the Bible. The purpose of the Bible, especially Proverbs, is to teach wisdom and discretion for a successful life (Pr 1:1-6; Ps 1:1-3; 19:7-14).

Proverbs 26:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 26, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 26, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 26:22 The words of a talebearer (gossip) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly

Parents and teachers used to punish tattlers. God still does! Tattling is now a forgotten sin. But God remembers and punishes it! Tattling is talebearing, the spreading of injurious or malicious reports about another person. They cause deep wounds in men, which makes those telling them guilty of murder, because the sin is based in hatred.

This proverb’s wisdom was important enough to have a twin (Pr 18:8). Repeating the rule today will be valuable, for backbiting, gossiping, slandering, talebearing, or whispering are not condemned anymore. For reporters today, talebearing is falsely called journalistic liberty, or even duty. For fools, it is “letting you know the truth about so-and-so.”

God does not care if what you tell about another person is true or not – both are sins. If you tell something false about another person, you have slandered them. If you tell something true, you are a backbiter, talebearer, and whisperer. God hates all three. Talebearing is telling secret facts about another person to defame or hurt them (Pr 11:13; 20:19), so do not think you are innocent because you know the information is true.

Of course, you have not heard or read anything against talebearing in a long time. This generation is addicted to it, because there is little restraint on wickedness or wicked men. Tabloids, newspapers, news programs, and news websites all race to discover whatever secrets they can find about anyone and spread them as far as possible. It is a journalistic objective to make money from the salacious lusts of a hateful and wicked generation.

Every man has secrets – private matters – such as sins, faults, failures, losses, a firing, a criminal record, a bankruptcy, his salary, a divorce, a disease, or even a birthmark. They are his secrets, and no one else needs to know them or should know them. To tell even one person that does not absolutely need to know for God-given reasons is talebearing (Pr 11:13; 20:19). It is violent raping of another’s reputation out of envy, hatred, malice, or worse. It is your duty before God to protect anyone’s secrets as if they were your own.

Where does the vicious and vile desire come from to spread secrets about another person? It comes from pride, the devil’s sin, to exalt yourself at the expense of another. If you can make him look bad enough, then you might appear virtuous to fools or talebearers like yourself. It also comes from hatred, which is the devil’s work in the first family, when he moved Cain to kill his brother Abel, simply because Abel was the better man.

Telling secrets about another person deeply wounds his heart and soul, which is intended by “belly” (Pr 20:27). There are truly two wounded – the one having his reputation hurt by the report and the listener having his opinions sinfully altered (Pr 16:28; 26:20). God will severely punish these verbal murderers (Pr 26:20-26; Ps 55:21-23). Since Christians should not include such men (Ps 15:3), tattlers are obviously going to hell (Rev 21:8,27).

The wound of talebearing is quite irreparable, so it is like murder in another way. Once you spread a secret to others, your apology to the person you hurt does not bring back your words or repair the damage done. If you apologize to the person you told, and they forgive you, they still have information in their mind that should not be there. You have murdered a reputation.

Reader, you have two duties. First, you must avoid and reject talebearing yourself. How? Regard the reputations of others with Christian charity and love, and protect them with holy zeal. Carefully say only good things about others, especially when they are not present. God will see your efforts to protect and build others up, and He will bless you.

Second, you must reject talebearers from your friendship or church, for they are poison to the souls of men and destructive to the unity of a church (Pr 25:23; Ps 101:4-5). God hates these wicked souls that sow discord instead of unity, and you should hate them as well (Pr 6:16-19; Ps 139:21-22). Get angry about their sin and drive them far away.

Instead of being a talebearer, be a praise-bearer! Rather than spread bad things to hurt a person, spread praise to build up his reputation. Instead of being a backbiter, be a back-kisser! When others are not around, tell lots of good things about the person. Imagine the result if those that know you only said good things about you in your absence. How can you get this blessing started? Tell someone today something good about another person.

 

Proverbs 23:34 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: January 23, 2015 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Proverbs 23, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 23:34 You will be like on sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 

What is it like to be very drunk? Solomon compared it to lying down in a ship in a storm. Rather than being on deck, where his eyes could assist his balance, this man lies in the hold of the tossing ship, feeling as if he will soon be turned inside out. His head swims; his stomach retches! Better than that, drunkenness is like lying on the top of a ship’s mast, where the ship’s rolling motions are compounded greatly by the length of the mast.

The context is Solomon’s warning to his son about the terrible effects of drunkenness (Pr 23:29-35). He described a list of physical consequences (Pr 23:29), the enticing attraction of alcoholic beverages (Pr 23:30-31), the painful results being similar to a snake bite (Pr 23:32), the attendant breakdown of moral inhibitions (Pr 23:33), and the addicting nature of drunkenness (Pr 23:35). Here are plain warnings against getting drunk.

Drunkenness is a sin, but it is also stupid! Drunks lose self-control, their balance, the food in their stomachs, and their reputations. They voluntarily choose to pursue nausea in the belly and confusion of the mind; drunkards are great fools. Why in the world would a person drink too much of a thing that he knows will make him very sick and cause him much misery? Ignorance! A foolish heart! Peer pressure! Bad habits! Addiction!

What is the cure? Do not get infatuated with alcohol (Pr 23:30-31). Recognize and admit wine and strong drink are deceiving (Pr 20:1). Remember that a moderate amount can give the benefits God intended (Pr 31:6-7; Ps 104:14-15; I Tim 5:23). The sin of drunkenness occurs when a person drinks to excess, which is condemned (Eph 5:18).

Wine itself is no more sinful than bread. Drunkenness and gluttony are both sins of the human heart. Wine and strong drink are sources of drunkenness, but only when they are abused by consuming too much of them against God’s word. Bread, pizza, and donuts are sources of gluttony, but only when they are abused by consuming too much of them against God’s word. The sin is in the human heart’s choice to overeat or over drink.

Wisdom is the power of right judgment – knowing what to do in any situation to please God and good men. Wise men use wine or strong drink cautiously, especially if they are in authority (Pr 31:4-5; Eccl 10:16-17; I Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3). They want full control of their faculties, and they will not give it away for the momentary foolishness of drinking too much. They recognize wine’s value, use it only moderately, and hate drunkenness.

No matter what the world says, drunkenness is a sin (Luke 21:34; I Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:19-21). And it is stupid, as the proverb declares metaphorically. Those who desire to be wise in the sight of God will use wine with great caution. They will rule their spirits and circumstances to keep from drinking too much. Such prudence will save them from the foolish sin of drunkenness, and it will save them from the gut-wrenching and mind-confusing consequences of drunkenness. Only fools will drink on without careful regard.

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