Posts Tagged ‘proverbs’


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:5 – The LORD detest all the proud of heart.  Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. 

Pride is the inner voice that whispers, “My way is best” It is resisting God’s leadership and believing that your are able to live without his help.  Whenever you find yourself wanting to do it your way and looking down on other people, you are being pulled by pride.  Only when you eliminate pride can God help you become all he meant you to be.


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 12:16 A fool show his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 

When someone annoys or insults you, it is natural to retaliate.  But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble.  Instead, answer slowly and quietly.  Your positive response will achieve positive results.  Remember Proverbs 15:01: A gentle answer turns away wrath.


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.   

Who would prefer a friend’s wounds to an enemy’s kisses?  Anyone who considers the source.  A friend who has your best interest at heart may have to give you unpleasant advice at times, but you know it is for your own good.  An enemy, by contrast may whisper sweet words and happily send you on your way to ruin.  We tend to hear what we want to hear, even if an enemy is the only one who will say it.  A friend’s advice, no matter how painful, is much more valuable.


Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 5:11-14 – At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.  You will say, “How I hated discipline! How may heart spurned correction.  I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors.  I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.”     

At the end of your life, it will be too late to ask for advice.  When desire is fully activated, people don’t want advice they want satisfaction.  The best time to learn the dangers and foolishness of going after forbidden sex (or anything else that is harmful) is long before the temptation comes.  Resistance is easier if the decision has already been made.  Don’t wait to see what happens.  Prepare for temptation by deciding now how you will act when you face it.


Proverbs 2:6-7  For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He hold victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. 

 God gives us wisdom and victory but not for drifting through life or acting irresponsibly with his gifts and resources.  If we are faithful and keep our purpose in life clearly in mind, he will keep us from pride and greed. 


Under Gods Command
 Proverbs 28:09 – If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law even his prayers are detestable.

God does not listen to our prayers if we intend to go back to our sin as soon as we get off our knees.  If we want to forsake our sin and follow him, however, he willingly listens-no matter how bad our sin has been.  What closes his ears is not the depth of our sin, but our secret intention to do it again.  God hears our intentions as clearly as he hears our words.


Under Gods Command

Proverbs 15:10 – Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. 

We know that when we leave the path of righteousness, the Lords discipline is waiting for us, and will bring us back if we heed his correction.  Those who continue down the wrong path, who just can’t stand to be corrected, will suffer many troubles as which some of those can lead to death.  So if you have a problem taking correction from someone, start praying to God to change your heart.


Under Gods Command

Proverbs 1:8  Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Our actions speak louder than our words. This is especially true in the home. Children learn values, morals, and priorities by observing how their parents act and react every day. If parents exhibit a deep reverence for and dependence on God, the children will catch these attitudes. Let them see your reverence for God. Teach them right living by giving worship an important place in your family life and by reading the Bible together.


Under Gods Command

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

“Knowledge” refers to those who have knowledge, those who live right and speak the truth. It takes discipline, determination, and hard work to live God’s way, but God protects and rewards those who make the commitment to follow him.


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:3 –Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

There are different ways to fail to commit whatever we do to the LORD.

• Some people commit their work only superficially. They say the project is being done for the LORD, but in reality they are doing it for themselves.
• Others give God temporary control of their interest, only to take control back the moment things stop going the way they expect.
• Still others commit a task fully to the LORD, but put forth no effort themselves, and then they wonder why they do not succeed.

We must maintain a delicate balance: trusting God as if everything depended on him, while working as if everything depended on us. Think of a specific effort in which you are involved right now. Have you committed it to the LORD?