Proverbs 20:1

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 being led astray by wine:

Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

The principle behind this verse is supported by the life we see every day in every era.   Alcohol has a strange affect on mankind.  There are stories throughout God's Word and natural man's tales that speak to the truth of this verse.  AA has a complete industry devoted to helping those who are confounded and humbled by the substance of wine and strong drink.  So, few would disagree with a portion of Solomon's proverb in 20:1.   However, Solomon is not politically correct when he says that those we are intoxicated are not "wise."   To most alcoholism is not a wise or foolish thing but a disease.   If our world doesn't want to deal with the sin behind or problems we just call it a sickness.     Just today I saw a billboard that proclaimed obesity was not a decision but a disease.    So, Solomon gives us the true source of the problem with intoxication ... it is a foolish behavior and not a Spirit led behavior.  It is something believers, who have the Spirit of God leading them, would avoid since the Wisdom of God dwells in us.   Intoxication and believers are on the opposite ends of the spectrum according to Solomon.  I don't think Solomon teaches abstinence.  But he does speak about the foolishness of allowing a substance to control you.  Believers, pay attention to God's Wisdom here.  We would do well to heed the warning.

Proverbs 19:3

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 ruin our choices can bring upon us:

Proverbs 19:3

The foolishness of man ruins his way,

And his heart rages against the Lord..

Proverbs 19:3 (ESV)

When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,

his heart rages against the LORD.

A proverb is a way to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements. This proverb gives us insight about what causes us problems in our lives. The first line tells us why we run into some struggles in our lives and the second expands on it by telling us what we do about the life we ruin. Although there are certainly some great examples of a ruined life that is no fault of the individual (Job the best example), in most cases this proverb gives us insight into the most popular reason for our demise … our own foolishness. It is not some cosmic problem that cause problems in our lives. It is, according to Solomon’s wisdom, our own folly. It is when we make foolish choices that we cause ruin in our lives. And, once we make those choices, we rage against God asking, Why? Why? When we look back over our lives we will have to admit most of the issues we have that have caused us problems is the lack of the Fear of God and poor decisions to not Fear him. What choices are you making?  Our own guilt and shame rise in our hearts because of our own foolishness.  We sin against God, fail to confess the sin as sin and ask God to forgive and heal.  Then we wonder why we feel shame.  Our "heart rages against the Lord" because our will does not recognise God's authority in our lives.  That brings on shame.

Proverbs 18:14

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 depression:

Proverbs 18:14 (ESV)

A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

There is one thing to be sick and there is another to be depressed.   Solomon had some insight into depression.  You might read Ecclsiastes and see some signs of a man who found all of life vanity ... emptiness.  What he tells us in this proverb is that a normal sickness can be tolerated by the one who is sick.  However, he is speaking in the first line of physical health.   In the second line he changes the focus to sickness in regard to the spirit, the mental, and/or the psychological.  He doesn't really tell us, but the best interpretation is that he is speaking in regard to the psychology of someone.  Solomon is speaking here about someone who is in deep depression.  He is telling us that we might be able to handle physical aliments but when our spirit is lost we too are lost.   Think here about Job.   Job had physical aliments.   He was working on how to handle the physical issues.  However, the physical issues caused a problem with his theology.   Job could endure sickness, but couldn't bear it when the sickness broke his spirit.   Solomon simply warns us to be aware.  When we get into this situation in life we have only one course of action: Faith in Christ.  When we find ourselves with a broken spirit God is the only One to rescue us.  We must find solace in Him only.

Proverbs 17:6

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 grand-parenting:

Proverbs 17:6 (ESV)

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their fathers.

I have read this proverb countless times prior to my having the privilege of having grandchildren. Now that I have many, it seems all the more of a truth to me. Of course the second line is as important - it makes the first possible. The theme of the verse is that there is an obvious joy of having family come after you. In Psalm 146 we read the sad truth that when a man dies his thoughts perish on that very day. But, as this verse points out, his seed doesn't. It is glorious to have children and children's children. God gives us joy in the former and a crown in the later. We ought to rejoice in the seed that follows us. We may be forgotten by the majority of mankind, but our seed will be our glory forever.  The “legacy” we need to live is that we teach our children and grandchildren and those after us about the glory of Christ.  Note what God commanded mankind:

Genesis 1:28 (ESV)

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

One of the first things we were supposed to do in obedience to God’s command was to replenish the earth.   Man can glorify God by obeying Him.   Therefore, when man obeys God he glorifies God.  The crown of a man is to obey God’s commands and replenishing the earth is a path to that crown.  

Proverbs 16:32

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 about controlling our anger:

Proverbs 16:32 (NASBStr)

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

Proverbs 16:32 (ESV)

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

This proverb gives us insight about the power of patience and keeping control over our emotions. The comparisons that are made in the proverb are very vivid. Think about a warrior, or many warriors that have the ability to take control of an entire city. Take Chicago as an example. Imagine the power of an army taking control of the entire city of Chicago. That is a lot of power. There would be little that can compare to that kind of power. Yet, Solomon tells us in this Proverb that a lone man, who has control over his temper or emotions, has more power than one of the soldiers, or even more than the entire army. Controlling your emotions gives you great power over others and great wisdom in extreme circumstances.  Notice what Paul says about this concept of “self-control” - 

1. Self-control is required at a great athlete/Christian:

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV Strong's)

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

2. Self-control is a quality of Godly older men:

Titus 2:2 (ESV Strong's)

2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

3.  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV Strong's)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Notice what we are having self-control over: Our anger.   Anger is NOT a fruit of the spirit.  Anger is not a characteristic of a Godly man.  Anger is not something great Christians demonstrate.   The second line is the opposite of the anger expressed in the first the line.  We are to “rule” our spirit.  The only what that happens is if we allow the Spirit of God to rule us.   

Proverbs 15:25

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 proud: 

Proverbs 15:25 (ESV)

The LORD tears down the house of the proud

but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

God, according to this proverb, knows who are exalted in this life and those that are abased.   God knows those who are proud and those who, because of their circumstances, have been humiliated.  In our society we see the exalted person promoted, recognized and valued.  We de-value; de-fame and diminish the lowly ... like the widow.    But, faith in God is the upside down religion.   God sees the proud and brings them down.   God sees the widow (simply an example of the lowly) and provides them with security and structure and safetly.   We ought not worry about things of life when we know God and have faith in God.  When we trust in ourselves we do not have God's mercy and grace.    When we have nothing in our lives and are striped to the bare bone, we can find faith in God and that faith will result in God providing us with the very things others strive for: Security.   When we have everything and trust only ourselves we will get what we fear: loss of everything.   Humility always trumps pride and God always knows who is who.

Proverbs 14:11

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 righteous and the wicked:

Proverbs 14:11 (ESV)

The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will flourish.

By now, if you have read very many of these blogs or a few of the proverbs, you will begin to see the pattern discussed in this proverb.    The theme of proverbs is a life with God (characterized by wisdom) and the life without God (characterized by the life of folly).   Wisdom and folly are often personified as a competing women on the street that attracts and attempts to entice the naive one to follow them.   That is one major aspect of the wisdom vs. NO wisdom theme.  Another important aspect between this natural tension between good and evil is the theme that when one chooses good something good happens.  When one chooses bad, something bad happens. That is the passion and fruit of this proverb.   We don't always see what this proverb is teaching us.  We don't see the home of the folly follower destroyed before our eyes.  We often see them live a life of ease and comfort (Psalm 73).   We also don't see the "tent" of the wisdom worshiper filled to overflowing and befitting the concept of "flourishing."  But, by faith we can see it.   Moses refused to be part of the great things of Egypt but rather suffered and endured to find a city who's maker and builder was God (Hebrews 11).   When following Christ we know that we will flourish.   We know that those who reject wisdom will find certain destruction.   When it happens isn't essential to know ... only that it will happen.  Too many believers operate by “sight” rather than by “faith.”   When we follow God’s Wisdom, by faith, we will see that our house is flourishing.   The person of follow only sees what is physically in front of them.  They think they have a life of ease, but don’t realize they have built their house on the sand.  When the rains and wind of life comes to beat against their house it will fall.   That is the point of the above proverb.  

Proverbs 13:3

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 13:3 (ESV)

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;

he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

This proverb is a contrast between wisdom and folly.  All of proverbs is that contrast.  Here, wisdom and folly are represented by the man who can guard his mouth and the one who can't.   We don't typically think of wisdom and folly contrasted in this manner.  We think of more loftier and grander comparisons.  But no, it is as simple as the ability to control your tongue.  Remember, James tells us that a tongue is like the match that starts a forest on fire.   He goes on to say it is like a rudder of a mighty ship.   Such a big ship and a ruder, sometimes, less than a few feet long and side makes the ship go starboard or port.   So, too, is a tongue for us. It is the bucket bringing out of the well of our heart whatever has been fuming, planted or nurtured.   It moves us down one path or the other.  How we use the tongue can put us in favor with kings -or, it can insult the king and he can ruin our lives.  The tongue is the perfect representation of wisdom and folly.  Folly uses the tongue as a whipping post.  It flings out endless vanity and empty air.   But, it can be a blessing to others.  It can compliment the lowly and comfort the lonely.  It can build up and instruct.  It can softly reprove to correct the stranger.    You don't have to be around long before you know what someone's tongue is connected to.   It is an extension of their foolish or wise heart.  Just listen and you'll know.

Proverbs 12:4

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 marriage:

Proverbs 12:4 (ESV)

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

You have to read this proverb from two points-of-view.   One view is from that of the husband and one view is from that of a wife.  From the husband's vantage point we have a wonderful vision of respect and glory.    An excellent wife (virtuous) is a wonderful thing for a man.   It is like a "crown" on the head.   Most men can relate to that vision.   Most men feel like they "deserve" a crown on their head so this isn't such a hard concept for them grasp.   For men to have a wife who they can be proud of is a great feeling.  It crowns him with glory and pride.   On the other hand, thank of the wife in this proverb.   The wife sees this from a different point-of-view.  To be virtuous for her husband and toward her husband brings her honor and glory as well.  On the opposite side is the wife who brings shame to her husband.  That is like rottenness in his bones.   From crown to crones disease by just a change in relationship.  That is what a good marriage relationship can do for them each.  That is why it is so important to have a good relationship with a wife and to make sure a wife has a greater relationship with God.   Her relationship with God (who gives her virtue) will make her husband a better man.   Developing a relationship with God will not only give your life a blessing from God will it enhance your relationship with your partner.   God is at the top of the triangle and as we each draw close to Him we draw close to each other.  

Proverbs 11:31

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 contrasting the righteous and the wicked:

Proverbs 11:31 (NASBStr)

If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth,

How much more the wicked and the sinner!

Proverbs 11:31 (ESV)

If the righteous is repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Throughout Proverbs we see the righteous and the wicked contrasted; as we do the fool and the wise one. In both cases we see them both dually rewarded for the journey they decided to take in life.  Both have their focus on The Lord but the righteous fear Him and the wicked ignore Him.   In the above proverb we see that the righteous will be rewarded "in the earth."   It also states that the wicked and the sinner will be rewarded and implies, "in the earth."   God knows the difference between the two.  He also knows the reward the two should receive.   We work all of our lives for rewards.   We love to receive them.   In fact, if we don't receive them we are quite frustrated and even angry.   The Apostle Paul also mentions our wages.  He tells us in Romans 3:23 that the "wages" of sin is death.   So, we deserve death.  Everyone one of us.   Yet, God gives us righteousness as a gift and that is a reward we can rejoice in and sing praises over.    God is the giver of life and the rewarder of death.   He will bless His children with life and those who reject Him with death.

Proverbs 10:27

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 the fear of the Lord:

Proverbs 10:27 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

When a person chooses the way of folly vs. the way of wisdom (the theme of Proverbs), he is not only choosing to honor God or not honor God, he is choosing the quality and quantity of his life.  Those who choose to honor God are rewarded with long life and with abundant life (Prov 3:2; 9:11; 14:27).   Those who choose folly will live in folly and be awarded with folly; which leads to death (Job 15:32,33 & 22:16; Psalm 55:23).   Those who reject God and choose self find themselves making decisions that hurt the body and that causes death to draw quickly and quicker.  When we read about King Hezekiah, we learn that God is the one who gives length to days (2 Kings 20:18-20).    Wisdom in the heart causes decisions of the will to result in safer life for the body.  A safer life for the body means life is longer.    When we choose to associate with those who are given to danger and hatred we can expect to suffer the consequences of the those choices.  This proverb does not say that if we, by faith, and choose wisdom we will always live longer.   We know that God takes some home early in their lives.  We also know that those who reject God can live a long time.   But, the principle stated in the above proverb is for us to learn and live.  Follow Christ in faith and you will have a life that is abundant and meaningful and, by God's grace, long.  If you, in disbelief, follow your own will you will have a life of pain and suffering and, by God's grace, short.   That is what God's Word says in the above Proverb.  Those who live in the fear of the LORD live in a way to make wise choices about their life.  Those who reject God and do not fear him will, more often than not, will make poor choices that result in a rough and struggling life.   Yes, believers have rough lives and struggle.   But, in Proverbs the theme holds true: Those who Fear the LORD have blessing and those who don’t have folly and curses.  

Here are the other proverbs that speak to the Fear of the Lord.  It is the theme of Proverbs.  Note what happens in our lives when we fear the Lord:

1. We obtain knowledge:

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV Strong's)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2. We see who hates knowledge:

Proverbs 1:29 (ESV Strong's)

Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

3. We know God:

Proverbs 2:5 (ESV Strong's)

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

4. We hate evil:

Proverbs 8:13 (ESV Strong's)

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

5. We obtain wisdom:

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV Strong's)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

6. We prolong our life:

Proverbs 10:27 (ESV Strong's)

The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

7. We gain confidence:

Proverbs 14:26 (ESV Strong's)

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,

and his children will have a refuge.

8. We avoid the snares of life/death:

Proverbs 14:27 (ESV Strong's)

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,

that one may turn away from the snares of death.

9. We are content:

Proverbs 15:16 (ESV Strong's)

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord

than great treasure and trouble with it.

10. We learn humbly:

Proverbs 15:33 (ESV Strong's)

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

11. We turn from evil:

Proverbs 16:6 (ESV Strong's)

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

12. We have a satisfied life:

Proverbs 19:23 (ESV Strong's)

The fear of the Lord leads to life,

and whoever has it rests satisfied;

he will not be visited by harm.

13. We have a rich life:

Proverbs 22:4 (ESV Strong's)

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord

is riches and honor and life.

14. We avoid envy:

Proverbs 23:17 (ESV Strong's)

Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.