Tag Archives: Proverbs

Love at Home (A Word to the Wise)

25 Friday Sep 2015

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Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred (Proverbs 15:17, NKJV). Have you ever been around a person who longs for acceptance, or love? Certainly you have. The experience of love is that quality in life that encourages a person to walk securely knowing that whatever failures there might be in his or her life there will still be acceptance. On the other hand, those who long from something they feel they do not have (and cannot get) will produce for themselves false security and acceptance. All the while, on the inside, there is bitterness and loneliness. They seek to please, but they do not always know how best to do so, so they love only as they know how – and it is not love at all.

 

The Watchman’s Eyes (Word to the Wise)

20 Wednesday May 2015

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The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3, NKJV). The fool has said in his heart there is no God; this is because he is entirely ignorant that the Lord is watching him! The fool is not only the atheist, but also the one who believes in the Lord, but refuses to modify a life (his own) toward that which is righteous. The sentiment is has an obvious application. There is nothing one can do, there is nothing one can say, there is nothing one can think that the Lord does not already know about. Sobering!

Understanding Foolishness (A Word to the Wise)

15 Wednesday Apr 2015

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Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools Proverbs 14:33, NKJV). The knowledge and fear of the Lord are directly connected to wisdom. With the Lord’s wisdom residing in the heart of His servants, it is only “natural” (or should I say “spiritual”) that one will have understanding. With this understanding come clear thinking, and clear thinking gives a person a path easily seen to take. The fool, on the other hand, having none of this can’t help but the see the wisdom that belongs to another that is so much escaping him. Another perspective, in Ellicott’s Commentary, we read: “‘Wisdom rests in the heart of him that hath understanding;’ he does not care to drag it out and exhibit it, but the fool cannot keep to himself anything which he thinks he knows.” RT

I Want God!

13 Monday Apr 2015

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There are a great many people living in this world who want God. They want God because only God makes sense with regard to meaning and purpose in life. There is nothing that atheism, agnosticism, or even some forms of skepticism can offer—it is always negative. Yet, for the people who want God, they don’t want God on His terms, but on their own. Because they think and live this way, they are not interested, many of them at least, in hearing anything of God’s will as expressed in the Scriptures (Bible). The Scriptures are rather clear about such an approach to life, and one can read it from Proverbs 14:12. There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depths of hell (Brenton’s translation of Greek Old Testament (LXX)). Why is it that people struggle so much with this? It is not a struggle so much, but a desire to sooth one’s conscience when there is guilt laying within that is not addressed. RT

Anger and Understanding (A Word to the Wise)

20 Friday Mar 2015

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Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly (Proverbs 14:29, ESV). One who is quick to get angry is generally one who has taken little time to hear all the evidence that is available. There is little that is deliberate, but there is much that is reactionary. A reactionary person is of little benefit in leadership or counsel when judgments made are without the necessary information. On the other hand, the one who is slow to anger is likely to be slow to judge also. The reason for this, it should be, is because information is gathered in order to make an informed decision. This one has great influence with others.

The Lord’s protection (A Word to the Wise)

25 Wednesday Feb 2015

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In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge (Proverbs 14:26, ESV). If the word “his” is understood to refer to the Lord, then those who love the Lord have a place to hide and be protected from the arrows that Satan surely casts about. Certainly, when following the Lord’s way, the obedient one has minimized, if not altogether eliminated, internal spiritual aggravations in life because the life lived is not one’s own (Galatians 2:20). This kind of response is fear and reverence toward Him who is holy and Judge of all.

Satan, hedonism, and a word to the wise

18 Wednesday Feb 2015

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A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful (Proverbs 14:25, ESV). There are a number of ways to understand this – all interrelated. First, there is the truthful witness in a trial. Perhaps one being accused will be vindicated. Second, there are words of wisdom from another wherein the recipient of those words can make immediate application and spare oneself from physical harm that could end in death. Third, and ultimate, there are the words of Jesus that save. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Thus, all who would enter the blessings of the Father must do so through Him. On the other hand, Satan will lie to whatever degree he can to destroy. All those who live his hedonistic ways might very well do the same. RT

A Word to the Wise

22 Thursday Jan 2015

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Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness (Proverbs 14:22, ESV). Think about what is being said here. The plotters of evil are worse than those who actually do evil. Sometimes the evil done is on the “spur of the moment” with no planning. The planner, however, has a heart that is devises evil – a lot like the devil with cunning seeking to destroy. On the other hand, the one who plans to do good not only is doing something virtuous in making plans to benefit someone else, but that which is received by them in accomplishing their plan is even greater.  The positive response is sometimes greater than the action done because there is an understanding of what it means to love God and one’s neighbor.

A Word to the Wise

13 Tuesday Jan 2015

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Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor (Proverbs 14:21, ESV). Those who are of shallow substance, those who have a quality of character that is as deep as half-inch rain’s mud puddle are the quickest to lose interest in the well-being of another, especially one who is poor. In fact, as the Lord looks at it, there is no way that such a person can be saved in that state of mind. It is a state of mind that lacks love. How does one love another if there is no interest in the other person? On the other hand, those who are generous in their material goods are in great position to be generous in their words that are full of love and teaching. All this for a great purpose.

A Word to the Wise

09 Friday Jan 2015

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The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends (Proverbs 14:20, ESV). The KJV uses the word “hated.” Certainly a strong word, but what is it that we are to understand? It could be intense dislike, but it is probably more along the line of the actions manifested towards other people than a particular emotion (though it is certainly possible the emotion is in view). In other words, those who are economically poor have little they can offer in the way of material goods toward others that might desire or expect some material hospitality. Consequently, some people stay away from them much more readily than they do others who have money. There may be no intention to do as much, but it happens. The wealthy, or rich, have others gather around him (her), but the substance of that “friendship” is only as lasting as the money. RT