Proverbs 2:14

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about those who rejoice in evil:

Proverbs 2:14 (ESV)

who rejoice in doing evil

and delight in the perverseness of evil,

Evil loves and rejoices in evil.   Those who have no moral fiber or have no anchor of truth, delight in doing whatever is in their hearts.   This may be one of the biggest problems believers have when living in a non-believing world (remember, we are strangers and foreigners here).   Believers don't grasp how much non-believers love and delight in the way they live their lives - which, my definition, is evil, because it is absent of God.  Now, non-believers may not agree with that thought pattern, but in the above proverb, Solomon, speaking for God, says that is the case.   What he has just written is that if we seek wisdom and God's truth as the anchor of our soul it will keep us from evil ... from evil people: "Who delight in doing evil."   It is not a hard task for evilness to practice evil.  If you simply used the entertainment community you would see the truth of this verse.  They delight in portraying evil.  Even believers get caught up in this portrayal since we pay to watch, experience and embrace the products from the entertainment industry.   Don't be shocked when bad things are actually celebrated.   Don't be shocked that conviction doesn't set in, because evil actually enjoys evil.   Addiction is an enjoyment for a short period that provides delight and rejoicing for a brief period of time.   Evilness delights in evil.  Folly is evil.   Folly rejoices in the evilness of men.   Righteousness rejoices in the joys of God.  Since we have evilness in us (all men are evil), then we crave this evilness as well. It is only the Sprit of God that can deliver us from evil.   

Matthew 6:13 (ESV Strong's)

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Galatians 1:4 (ESV Strong's)

who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

God delivers us from evil.  

Proverbs 1:32

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight into those who reject truth:

Proverbs 1:32 (ESV)

For the simple are killed by their turning away,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

The first chapter of Proverbs is the thesis statement of this chapter. Solomon list out the very things he is about to tell them. Like a good speaker, Solomon tells us what he is about to tell us for the rest of his speach. He doesn't leave us in the dark. In the above proverb he gives us the insight we need to understand all the rest of the proverbs he will write regarding the fool or the "simply one," or the "naive." Those who refuse to listen to the wisdom described in this book are naive and fools (different degrees of rejecting God's truth, sourced in two different root causes). Their actions (both waywardness and complacency) will be their final destruction. If you have ever meet someone who rejects God's truth you can appreciate the truth of this verse. The complacency they demonstrate is quite vivid. They simply go on in life without thought as to their life, both beginning and end. That complacency will kill them. They do not see the clues God gives them as to how to change their life or why to change their life. They just go about in their waywardness and it will kill them. God may even send difficulty to wake them up. But, once they weather the storm, it is back to complacent behavior. God wants them to see their future destruction. The book was written to outline that for them.  The simple and the fool are not governed by guilt or shame.  They simply ignore truth and therefore the benefits of guilt or shame are lost.  

Proverbs 30:12

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight recognizing your own faults:

Proverbs 30:12 (ESV)

There are those who are clean in their own eyes

but are not washed of their filth.

Solomon is in the process of writing about a variety of people who can't find wisdom.   He has just told us about a group that are unkind to there parents.  In this proverb he tells us about those who think so highly of themselves they fail to see that they, too, have filthiness.   It is amazing to hear someone put down others for their "problems" and not recognize their own ... or, worse, fail to address their own.   Solomon is telling us that those who miss out on wisdom are those who think too highly of themselves.  To acquire wisdom you have to ask God (see James).   To acquire wisdom, you have to fear the Lord, which implies you see your own sin in light of His holiness.  To acquire wisdom  you have to be humble.   Those who are "pure" in their own eyes can't and aren't humble and therefore can't and won't acquire wisdom.  We live in an age full of this type of person.  Sports stars are probably the most egregious of the spirit of humility.   Their very nature tells them to have confidence and to fight and to be superior.  The same with entertainment and legal mindsets.   The same is true of educational mindsets.   There really isn't any occupation whose mindset is not impacted by the spirit of "self-proclaimed purity and pious behavior."   There is a generation like this.   We live in it.   Are we like it?

Perhaps the worse thing about the human spirit is that we want to be worshiped.   In fact, we want to worship ourselves.   We not only desire honor, when we can't get it ourselves, we like to honor others instead.   We love to promote others and worship others.   In the above proverb we see the reason for that worshp.  We are so pure in our own eyes we can't, or won't, see the filth we have in our heart.   That causes us to have a distorted view of ourselves and everything we touch or view.  It clouds our view of the world.   Instead of seeing the world through our sinful eyes and seeing events through the eyes of God via faith, we see everything upside down.   When we see ourselves exalted we fail to humble ourselves.   When we fail to humble ourselves and see our sin we can't approach God in faith and trust.   We simply trust ourselves and our ability.     We don't see the wretchedness of our soul.   It is when we are blind to that filth that we think their is something in ourselves valuable enough to worship.   True wisdom is about seeing God correctly and seeing ourselves, in light of that view of God, correctly.   If we want to fear The Lord (and thus have wisdom) we have must have the proper view of God AND of the filth in our hearts.

Proverbs 29:19

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about motivation:

Proverbs 29:19 (ESV Strong's)

By mere words a servant is not disciplined,

for though he understands, he will not respond.

Proverbs 29:19 (NASBStr)

A slave will not be instructed by words alone;

For though he understands, there will be no response.

Proverbs 29:19 (NIV1984)

A servant cannot be corrected by mere words;

though he understands, he will not respond.

In leadership training there is much talk about how to motivate employees or workers.   Much has been written in the modern world of psychology on the art and aspect of motivational theory.   Just how do you motivate someone who is supposed to be working for you?   Apparently, according to Solomon, in the above proverb, there is at least one type of employee (servant) who will not be motivated, corrected, or instructed by mere words.  Typical motivational speech will not work on this person.   Solomon is implying you have to have something other than words to get them to adhere to the instructions you are giving them.   We can talk and titilliate and reward with carrot all we want, but apparently, this person is only motivated by the fear of discipline.   If they were serving out of love, this proverb would not apply.  If they were serving out of duty, this proverb would not apply.   If they were serving out of the hope of reward, this proverb would not apply.   There are servants (employees) who do serve for one of those reasons.   But this particular person is only motivated by the threat of discipline.   Mere words are not enough.   One size does not fit all in the motivation of others.   Solomon is telling us that we need to know the servant if we want the employee the correct motivation.

Each line of the Hebrew poem works in conjunction with the other. In this proverb the second line gives further information on the first line. The subject mentioned here is on correcting those under you in authority. Yes, the context uses the word slaves, something we would despise and reject today. But the meaning of the text here should not be rejected. When we have others under our authority (parent-child; employer-employee; coach-player; etc.) we may not be able to correct them with simple instructions. They might understand, but understanding is not enough. The verse does not imply we are then to strike them, beat them or hurt them. It is simply stating that words and instructions, given in the best manner may never be enough for some. The servant will not change until there is an emotional attachment with his heart. State your case and wait for God to change the heart. We are not the ones who have the ability to change hearts. Only God does that.

Proverbs 28:27

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about giving:

Proverbs 28:27 (ESV Strong's)

Whoever gives to the poor will not want,

but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

God loves the poor.  He expects us to love the poor, as well.   The above proverb gives us two truths to believe and act upon in regard to today's dilemma with poverty.   The first is that we are to be giving and there are benefits for such actions.   We think if we give our wealth, time or resources away we lose.  But, God states we will not lose, but rather God will bless us.  It should be noted that this does not mean if we give $10 we get $20 back.  What it means is that God will bring into our lives a sense of peace and lack of "wanting."   We won't become poor ourselves.  That doesn't mean we will become richer.   It doesn't even mean we will have the same level as before.   It simple means what it says: We won't want.   God can and will take away our own inward needs when we give.  We won't want. The second truth is as equally motivating.  When we close our eyes to the poor, we ignore them and don't care for them, we will putting our lives in line of many curses.   Not just a few!   God sees those who don't see poverty and need.   He doesn't hold us responsible for what we don't to see.   He does hold us responsible for what we refuse to see.  We can't simply observe the poverty and do nothing.  We can give to our church and ask our church to distribute to the poor.  But that does not give us the privilege of refusing to see what is right in front of us.

Those who have money, goods and resources, sometimes think they need to horde them.   They are afraid if they give them up they may never accumulate them again; or, as much, again.  However, God gives so that we can give.   God tells us via Solomon (the riches man recorded in the Bible) that if he gives, if we give, we will never want.   Everything we give in a sincere heart will be blessed with a return blessing.  On the other hand, if we shut our eyes to the needs of the poor (in this case, those less fortunate than us) we will not only lose our goods, wealth or resources, we will accumulate curses in replace.  God has always wanted those with the means to care for those who have less.  God says He actually creates the poor:

Proverbs 22:2 (ESV)

The rich and the poor meet together;

the LORD is the Maker of them all.

 The rich can care for the poor to show mercy and grace.  It is when we lack mercy and grace that we receive curses.  God is in charge of those too.  Giving is a true act of the heart.  It can only really come from the heart.   When it does, it is blessed by being given more to give.

Proverbs 27:8

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about a man who wanders from his home:

Proverbs 27:8 (ESV)

Like a bird that strays from its nest

is a man who strays from his home.

 This proverb gives us insight on our own vulnerability. We have to understand the context surrounding the days in which this proverb was written. In Solomon’s day that aspect of living together in a large city was the only true way to be safe. The city provided protection and provisions. The person who wandered from the city lacked these things. Solomon’s wisdom here is that like a bird that leaves the nest we open ourselves to being vulnerable once we leave the security of our home. The key word here is the word “strays.” It means to flee or abandon. This verse is not talking about the person who leaves the security of home to accomplish a purpose and returns to safety. Solomon is referring to a person who flies from tree to tree and exposes himself to the hunter of the world. He/she “strays” from home, not looking to return. Avoid being vulnerable to the world and return to the safety and love of the home.  Solomon might also be referring to those who stray from God’s wisdom (understanding the context of the book of Proverbs).  Remember in chapter 8 we read that Wisdom has set her banquet table for us.   When we stray from that table we should not be surprised if we run into problems.   Solomon also stated that there is “safety” in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14).   So, our “nest” might not be our home but the seat of God’s wise counsel.  We are in a dangerous place when we stray from God’s wisdom.  

Proverbs 26:18-19

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the tongue:

Proverbs 26:18-19 (NASV)

Like a madman who throws

 Firebrands, arrows and death,

 So is the man who deceives his neighbor,

And says, “ Was I not joking?”

Proverbs 26:18-19 (ESV)

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death

is the man who deceives his neighbor

and says, “I am only joking!”

Sarcasm and rude, coarse jesting is a matter of life in today's society.   When the era of "sitcoms" hit the television viewing audience we were introduced to an ever growing view of "put-down" humor.   We have a constant bombardment of ridicule from cartoons for kids to cartoons for adults, all of which increases the desire to get the same response from others.   Solomon is telling us that this act of tossing "jokes" at each other, at the expense of the hearer, is like tossing arrows at them.   Poor joking is deception.   It is the world we live in today.   We are being deceptive, harmful and mad when we do such things to others.   Paul calls it coarse jesting and tells us it is not befitting for believers (Eph. 4:5).  Jesus tells us to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no."   We are not to be using our speech to hurt others.   We are to use our tongue to bring peace and strength to others.   Don't use your tongue to get a laugh from others at the expense of others.    You may think it is funny.  To them it is like being hit by firebrands, arrows and death.  It robs people of enjoyment of life because it focuses on some negative aspect of life. You might enjoy the put-down, but to them it is an arrow in the back.

Proverbs 25:27

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about seeking glory:

Proverbs 25:27 (NASBStr)

It is not good to eat much honey,

Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.

Proverbs 25:27 (ESV)

It is not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

Before we make any application to the above proverb it would be good to re-read and consider one that Solomon penned and is listed just prior to this one, in chapter 25:

Proverbs 25:16 (NASBStr)

Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,

That you not have it in excess and vomit it.

Between the two we can see Solomon's point and how he uses the simply understanding of too much food (honey) to talk about seeking too much glory (honor).   Solomon wants us to know that honey is good for us and even nutritious to our body, if eaten in the proper amount ... moderation.   But, too  much honey and it is not good.   So, too, if we seek honor for ourselves.   It is not good to seek out honor, beg for it, or entice and invite it.   True honor from men is not seen by Solomon as completely wrong, sinful or foolish.   But, to seek too much of it is gluttony without the food.   When we desire the praise, honor and glory from men we steal from God and forget our talents, our skills, or our ability of which they praise us, ultimately comes from above.   When men rise up and praise other men, that is not wrong or even sinful.   In fact, in Proverbs 3:27 we are warned against withholding honor from someone who has earned it.   The problem falls onto the one who seeks honor and the praise of men and/or consumes too much of it.   When men begin to praise you remember it is like eating honey; a little is good, but too much will make everyone sick.

Proverbs 24:28

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about truth:

Proverbs 24:28 (ESV)

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,

and do not deceive with your lips.

Perhaps the worse thing we can do to someone is to lie for the purpose of hurting someone.   One of the large themes of Proverbs is that of truth.   God is truth and therefore we are to walk in truth.  In Ephesians 4:25 we are told to speak the truth, in love.  We are not only to speak the truth to each other, the later part of this proverb instructs us not to use our lips even to deceive.   We are not to be deceptive in our very nature.   You can't use your lips to lead others astray.  Remember, Satan in the garden never actually told a bold faced lie.   He simply used information to deceive.  When we use information to bring about deception we damage them and we damage ourselves.   In the below proverb we read that when we deceive others we are like a club, a sword and an arrow to them.    

Proverbs 25:18 (ESV Strong's)

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor

is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

When I read this proverb I think of the way politicians damage their constituents with "deceptive" lies.   They don't use bold face lies.  They use spin.  They use deception to promote themselves.   They use deceit to gain their power.   They use lies to get what they want and damn the rest.  That is not truth.  God is truth.

Proverbs 23:34

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight drinking:

Proverbs 23:34 (NASBStr)

And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea,

Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast.

Proverbs 23:34 (ESV)

You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,

like one who lies on the top of a mast.

In this section of Proverbs 23 Solomon is telling us the ill effect of too much alcohol.  He doesn't actually condemn alcohol as much he is warning us about how many poor choices follow those who spend too much time with the wine.   In this particular proverb we see Solomon speaking about how alcohol can cause us to become unaware of dangerous situations.  Everyone would agree that laying down in the midst of the sea makes little sense.   Solomon is using absurdity to illustrate the foolishness of giving your senses over to a substance you can't control but rather can control you.   He adds to the argument by giving them a second illustration of someone who is totally unaware of danger and puts themselves into a foolish situation.  He tells them that alcohol can cause you to take a nap in a small basket at the top of a sail boat mast.    Even today, in the modern boat era, one would not take a nap at the top of a sail boat mast.  Just think how foolish that would be in Solomon's day.   God is warning us that foolishness can lead to further foolishness and can put us in even more danger.   Don't allow a substance you put into your mouth to confuse the mind to make even poorer choices.

Proverbs 22:6

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about raising a child:

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

This was probably the first proverb I ever memorized.   It was required work in my home as we grew up.   It was supposed to be impressed that my parents were raising me the way God wanted me and that was the way I was supposed to go and would go.  Hopefully they were not far off.   This proverb sounds much like a promise as well as a principle.  (Treating the proverbs as promises vs principles, or both, is a blog for another day.)  I do think Solomon is telling us that proper training yields proper results.  I don't think anyone can really, in a perfect manner, train a child up exactly as he/she should go, so the results in real life will be mixed.   I don't think a child will ever, with their depraved mind, accept all the training they receive so in real life the results will be mixed.   But, the goal is to train a child up "in the way he/she should go."  Let the results be in God's hands.   I do think their are two aspects of what he means, "in the way he/she should go."   One aspect is obviously the "way of the Lord."  That is the way we know he/she should go so it is not hard to miss.   That is putting the emphasis on the "should" part of the verse.   However, I think there might be some emphasis on the "way he" aspect of the proverb.  Everyone has a unique way they are born and should live their life.  They have a personal DNA - I call it their "appe-type" - their hunger - the type of way they want to live.    I think when we can raise our children to approach life in their particular DNA - Appey-type, but per God's plan, we have a recipe for success.  Each child needs to know how God's Word and God's plan fits into his/her unique hunger for life.   We can't bend them to one mold.  We must introduce God's Word and show them how to bend their life hunger to God's plan through the Spirit of God.    Train them up in the "way" they "should" go.   So the answer might be both.  We are to train children in their particular way and how that particular way is to be submissive to God’s way, His Word.   

Proverbs 21:28

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about truth:

Proverbs 21:28 (ESV)

A false witness will perish,

but the word of a man who hears will endure.

In Proverbs 19:5 and Proverbs 19:9 we have already been told by Solomon of the fate of those who give a false report about something.  

Proverbs 19:5 (ESV Strong's)

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Proverbs 19:9 (ESV Strong's)

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who breathes out lies will perish.

In those two matching proverbs we are told that a false witness will perish.   That makes Proverbs 21:28 a third proverb where we are admonished to avoid negative reports based upon untruth.   God is a God of truth.  Jesus stated that He was the truth (John 14:6).   However, in the above proverb we also have the antithesis of the first line:  The one who speaks truth, because he took time to hear truth, will speak forever.  Or, the one who hears truthful words and speaks truthful words, as one commentator said, "gets the last word."  Those who speak about truth will find their opportunities to speak more truth.   Those who speak lies will find that they will get less opportunities to speak untruth.    Think here of Daniel.  He was able to serve four kings while in captivity.   Those wizards and wise men who spoke lies were killed and replaced.   Joseph was allowed to speak truth to his family, an Egyptian lord, a warden of a jail, two men of the royal service court and Pharaoh himself.   Those who tell truth will get the last word.

Proverbs 20:28

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight: 

Proverbs 20:28 (NASBStr)

Loyalty and truth preserve the king,

And he upholds his throne by righteousness.

Proverbs 20:28 (ESV)

Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,

and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

Proverbs 20:28 (NIV1984)

Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;

through love his throne is made secure.

Later in the book of Proverbs, Solomon will add to the meaning of the above proverb as follows:

Proverbs 25:5 (NASBStr)

Take away the wicked before the king,

And his throne will be established in righteousness.

God knows leadership.  He established leadership.  If we want to know what leaders to follow that will last, or we want to be a good leader that will last, we need to know and practice this proverb.   Christ said in John 14 that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Earlier, in the same book, we read about Him being the God of Love.   To lead like Christ is to have your authority and leadership established.   God established leaders who demonstrate Christ-like leadership.   Seeking truth and practicing love are the main components of leadership.   When we seek to resolve conflict, set vision, manage property, or develop teams, these qualities must be first and foremost in the minds of leaders.  They are non-negotiable.   Mature leaders seek love and truth.  They practice it in patience and allow God to establish their rule and authority.   Only God can do that.  And, He only does that when we seek truth and love in our leadership.