Proverbs 26:28

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about lying and flattering lips:

Proverbs 26:28 (NASBStr)

A lying tongue hates those it crushes,

And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 26:28 (ESV)

A lying tongue hates its victims,

and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Solomon is warning us in this proverb about the speech of those around us.   He is telling us that those who lie to us may think the untruth is innocent and harmless.  However, every lie, no matter how small, is harmful.  He says it "crushes".    And, if lying were not enough, we read in the second line that we are to beware of those who come with a flattering tongue.   Lying will crush you, but flattering still works a subtle ruin in our lives.   As Word Biblical Commentary puts it: 

"lying tongue hates those it hurts. See 10:18. flattering mouth works ruin. See 29:5; cf. 16:13."

When people use their speech for something other than to convey truth we see the downfall that works in the hearts of others.  Deception (whether in a full lie or in a false, flattering manner) will work destruction in our hearts.  Beware of it.   When we speak the truth in love we have a better opportunity to see freedom and liberty as truth sets you free.   Lying, deception and false flattery bind us.   Beware of them.   They crush and work ruin.

Proverbs 25:13

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about communication: 

Proverbs 25:13 (ESV)

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

is a faithful messenger to those who send him;

he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Who doesn't like good news.   We typically wait eagerly for it.   We get excited at the prospect of good news.   Since most are not farmers we might have trouble with Solomon's analogy, but his point is none-the-less weighty: "In hot work a cool breeze is so refreshing, so too a good word on a bad day."  If you are in sales and you are waiting for word to see if your client says "yes" to the proposal, you know this truth.  If you are in sport and you are waiting to see if you are "in" or not, you know this truth.  If you are grand-parent "to-be", you know this truth.   But, the "message" in this proverb is implied as being "good news."   The real emphasis in this proverb is not necessarily the message, but the messenger.   What Solomon is telling us is that carrier of the message is as important as the message.   In our day of email, voicemail and cyber communication we might fail to miss this truth.   But, Solomon wants us to know that the person who delivers this message, in "faithfulness" is an important and refreshing aspect of the communication system.      Perhaps what Solomon is telling us is that good news needs to be entrusted to faithful messengers.   We ought to take as much care in the delivery of good news as we are the manufacturing of good news.  There is no doubt their is an implication for those who are messengers of the gospel.  We don't want to diminish that truth.  But, the principle provides guidelines to all our communication.   As you deliver God's Word (or, truth derived by studying God's Word and in prayer) be a faithful messenger.  That is as refreshing to the hearer as the message.

Proverbs 24:8

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about evil plans:

Proverbs 24:8 (ESV)

Whoever plans to do evil

will be called a schemer.

Do you care what people call you?  Surprisingly, many don't care what their reputation is with others.   In this proverb Solomon is giving us one of the simply facts of life.  If you sit around and make plans to do evil you will get the reputation as a schemer.  We need to realize, that in our lives, we will have such people show themselves.   Especially in our youth.   Young men and women who are bored, lack a moral compass, or simply have not been able to come to control the evil in their hearts will plan evil and scheme evil.   Jacob, before his name was changed to Israel, was a schemer.  His name actually means supplanter, which means to take another's place.  He schemed (once on his own and once with his mom's help) to take away his brother's birthright and blessing, even though God had already provided it through a promise.  Rather than trusting God, he schemed.  That is how he was known.   That is the point of Solomon's proverb.   If you know a schemer, they are always trying to figure out how to get out of work.  They are always trying to figure how to sue someone to get rich.  They are always devising schemes to get something they don't deserve.   The religious leaders of the day schemed with Judas how to betray Jesus.   Ultimately our scheming is all about evil - selfish desires for ourselves to get something God promised (but we don't want to wait); or God denies us (and we think we can have it anyhow).   Our plans to do evil will, in the end, give us a reputation as a schemer.    See further for an example of schemer the story of Ammon and his cousin, Jonadab.

Proverbs 23:8

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about selfish men:

Proverbs 23:8

You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten,

And waste your compliments.

Some proverbs are just too graphic.   Solomon seems to have an obsession with vomit.  He uses the same word (Hebrew to "spew") in 25:16.  

Proverbs 25:16 (ESV)

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,

lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

In 26:11 he uses it in reference to fools being like a dog, who in turn eats his vomit.  

Proverbs 26:11 (ESV)

Like a dog that returns to his vomit

is a fool who repeats his folly.

The word is used nine times in the Bible and Solomon has penned a third of them.   Here he began a couple of verses prior to warn us about sitting down with selfish men who only have their own appetites in their minds.   He is telling us to be careful what we take from a selfish man, no matter what the gift looks like.   It will come violently out of us and the compliments we used to obtain it, or show appreciate for it, will be wasted.  When we go to work for a selfish person and we show them respect, despite their demonstration they don't deserve it, we fall into the sphere of this warning.  What he gives can violently come back to haunt us and our very compliments are wasted.   In 23:6 he tells us not to eat the bread of a selfish man.  Here, in this proverb, is why.   The stuff he gives you may go down good, but it comes up violently.   It will leave a bad taste in your mouth.  It will waste the good you showed him/her.   Be careful who you surround yourself with and who you want to be seen with.   We tend to seek these selfish beasts out and we marvel when it comes back to hurt us.  Selfish people don't see friendship as an opportunity to give - they see it as an opportunity to get.  Don't follow them and eat what they give you.  You will puke it out and waste the time you invested in them.  David did this with Saul.  Saul was so selfish.  David so giving.  David ended up vomiting the things Saul gave him.  His compliments were lost.   Solomon must have heard these stories and thus was born this proverb.

Proverbs 22:11

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them. 

Proverbs 22:11

He who loves purity of heart

And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.

Leadership loves those who promote Godliness in their life.   Even if the leader is not a Godly man or women themselves, most leaders value a follower who has gracious speech and pure motives from the heart.   Leaders (Kings) make friends with such people.   At least they should.   Leadership, good, moral leadership, surrounds themselves with quality people.   You can often, if not always, spot great leaders based upon the people that are around them ... the people they surround themselves with.   Immoral leaders don't care who they listen to.   The story of Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12 is a good example of this.  He surrounded himself with his friends from his youth and failed to see the value of listening to those who love purity and speak graciously.   We ought to strive to be like Daniel.   King Nebuchadnezzar was a friend to Daniel.   That's because Daniel was a walking example of this proverb.   Pharaoh was a friend of Joseph because Joseph was a friend of God and fulfilled this proverb.   The king is the friend to the one who acts like a king.  

Proverbs 21:10

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about our desires:

Proverbs 21:10

The soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Proverbs 21:10 (ESV)

The soul of the wicked desires evil;

his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

How we get along with our neighbors says more about us than them.   It is amazing how we can mistreat one another in the close proximity of a neighborhood.  In this proverb Solomon tells us how we treat our neighbor says something about our heart.   If we show "favor" to them it demonstrates our righteousness.  But, those who have a wicked heart will not show them "favor."  The word "favor" here is "grace" or “mercy” to us.   Showing grace/mercy means we recognize the need for grace/mer y and we allow God to show grace/mercy through us.   Wicked people can't show grace/mercy because they haven't humbled themselves to show grace/mercy.  This is what is so important about our lives as believers.   If we have been given grace/mercy we should show grace/mercy.  We should show others the same measure of grace/mercy God has shown us ... unlimited.   That will demonstrate we are not the wicked and desire evil for them.  Show someone grace/mercy today and show all that God has done a good work on the inside.

Proverbs 20:11

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about our deeds:

Proverbs 20:11 (NASB)

It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.

Proverbs 20:11 (ESV)

Even a child makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Bad behavior is, at times, a great form of communication.   When a child is acting out in school we often are being told something about their heart, struggle and/or mindset.   Behavior is a great form of communication ... whether that behavior is good or bad.  Today we would say the above proverb like this: "Make sure you walk matches you talk!"  Or, we might say: "Your deeds tell us your creeds."   The point Solomon is making is the same thing that James tells us in his epistle:  "Faith without works is dead."  Or, like John says in his first epistle: "By their deeds you will know them."   We all know and recognize the importance of our deeds matching our tongues.   A common agreed norm of society is that hypocrites are not well respected.   Too many two-faced people are in authority in our society, however.   Not just in places of non-belief, but in our churches and Christian organisations.   But, we all, are somewhat hypocritical, aren't we?  We say one thing and do another.   We profess one thing, but because of sin we can't find our way without being hypocrites.    Of course God knows this and in grace He forgives us.  But, in this passage, we are told that we will know more about a young man by what we see from them verses what we hear from them.   The reputation of a young man is demonstrated by his conduct.   The word "distinguishes," in the above verse, means that of recognising someone in the dark by their distinct voice.   When we hear their voice we know them and recognise them, even though we can't see them.   So, too, our deeds.  We know who others are based upon their deeds ... the type of person they are.   We know if they are pure or right.   Deeds are like the coloured lights at a traffic signal.  They let us know the differences between go and stop.   True deeds reflect the heart.  What's in the well comes up in the bucket.

Proverbs 19:11

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about what to do when someone offends us:

Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)

Good sense makes one slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 14:29

He who is slow to anger has great understanding,

But he who is quick- tempered exalts folly.

Proverbs 15:18

A hot- tempered man stirs up strife,

But the slow to anger calms a dispute.

Psalm 38:13

But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;

And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife,

but love covers all offenses.

James 1:19

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

So, what do you think the Bible has to say about being slow to anger?     God tells us that He is slow to anger:

Psalms 86:15

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

If, then, God is slow to anger, how should we respond?   The difference is of course is that God NEVER "overlooks" a transgression.  God can't because He is holy.  God won't because He has PERFECT justice.   We don't and we aren’t, however.   Since we, too, are evil (like the one offending us), we can't be holy in justice.   So, Solomon is telling us we should, at times, over look the transgression.   In the above text in Psalm 39 we see David, Solomon's father, speaking about those who were trying to kill him.  He had to be as a deaf man, or a mute man.   When you think of this Proverb of overlooking a transgression we can't help but think of David overlooking Saul's pursuit of Him.  On two occasions David could have killed Saul.  In both situations he overlooked it.   Allow yourself to be cool and be willing to remember you are not the Judge.  You might and should have to overlook a transgression.

But it seems unfair to overlook it!! In Proverbs 19:11 we see that it is a glorious thing in your life to “overlook” a transgression. It would seem the words are pointing to the fact that when someone sins against us and does us wrong it is to our glory to forgive them and overlook the matter. You can't argue about what is said, but only that it doesn't seem fair. But, when we remember that it is God who is keeping track and keeping score, we can relax. It is only when we understand that God will care for all the injustice in the world and our part is to forgive and move on that we can practice this first. It is truly glorious when we forgive others and overlook a matter. It is only then that God can do His part and take care of the injustice in perfect love and judgment. God will take the sin (offense) of others against us and either apply it to the wrath He poured out on His Son, on the cross, or complete the justice on the person in His perfect way, in His perfect timing.  Be glorious today – overlook a matter!  Think of Jesus:  When he suffered He committed Himself to His Father who “judges righteously.”  Note:

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV Strong's)

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

It is our responsibility, by faith, to overlook a matter and allow God to be the judge.  

Proverbs 18:17

 The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about an argument: 

Proverbs 18:17 (ESV)

The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

When you are working through a dispute, no one wants to go through an inquire.   Questions seem intrusive when you are pleading your case.   We don't want to be interrupted, we want to be believed.  When you are telling your side of the story you want others to know your version.   Yet, what Solomon is telling us in this proverb is that inquiry is the key to finding truth.   Those who want truth have no need to fear of questions and investigation.   When we examine both sides of the issue we find the truth.  Plodding through the evidence we need to find the truth.   If we don't examine the "stories" we will tend to believe the first thing we hear.  Most of the "first time stories" seem right.  It is only after investigation that we find truth.  So, don't be lead astray by the sound of the first story.   Take time to examine the facts.  Seek truth.  Let truth be found.   Don't resists examination.

Those who refuse to examine themselves are destined to failure.   Socrates is credited for saying, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”    But, Solomon may have said it a few hundreds before Socrates:

Lamentations 3:40 (ESV)

Let us test and examine our ways,

and return to the LORD!

It is only examining ourselves for the purpose of returning to the Lord that makes life worth living.   Paul would go on to say it again to the first century church:

1 Corinthians 11:28 (ESV)

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

We are examine ourselves before we come to God in worship.    Failure to examine can be meet with disqualification.  Paul would go on to say to this same church:

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Proverbs 17:12

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about what happens when we a person full of folly: 

Proverbs 17:12 (ESV)

Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs

rather than a fool in his folly.

I have never meet a wild bear.   Much less one who has been robbed of her cubs.   I have read much about it.  I have heard that a mother bear will do anything to protect her cubs.  So, the picture Solomon is giving us is quite graphic.   Solomon wants us to know that we are on dangerous ground when we are engaged with a fool in their folly.   We sometimes think hanging with a fool is simply innocent fun.  But, Solomon gives us a great warning here.   What would you do if were to meet a bear who was robbed of her cubs?  I would run and run fast ... at least faster than the person next to me.   What do we do, however, when we run into a fool?  What do we do when we are meet with the folly only a fool can bring?   We tend to rub up against it.  We watch it on TV and laugh.  We pay to see it at clubs.   We buy it in paper back books.   We want to embrace it whenever we can.   But, Solomon tells us to run and run fast.   We need to recognize it as soon as possible.   And, when we do, we need to run.  And run fast.

Proverbs 16:7

 The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them relationships with others:

Proverbs 16:7 (ESV)

When a man's ways please the LORD,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

This proverb tells us that there is a direct relationship between our walk with God and our walk with others. This is the “Triangle of Peace.” Draw a triangle on a paper and put God at the point on top, you on one of the points and anyone else at the other. As you move up the side of the triangle toward God (drawing closer to Him) and the other person does the same, you in-turn get closer to each other as you draw closer to God. However, this proverb tells us that as we draw close to God, He will make even our enemies to draw close to us in peace. He did this for Esau and Jacob; for Abimelech and Isaac; for David and his enemies. God did this for Israel.  When they lived in a way that pleased God, God gave them peace with their enemies.   Think about Hezekiah and his war with Assyria. God caused peace and safety in his final years:

2 Kings 20:19 (ESV)

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

We don’t have to worry about agreeing with our enemies or appeasing them. We only have to worry about treating them with love and drawing close to God … God will cause even unbelievers to live at peace with us. This proverb is not a warning but a principle to be lived in faith. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you ... and He alone will give you peace with your most feared enemy.

Proverbs 15:6

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about financial aspects of our lives:

Proverbs 15:6 (ESV)

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

The accumulation of wealth is something from God.  God enables man to gather into his storehouses value and possession.   God gives man the ability to work and think and to know how to gather wealth.   And, God knows who can handle it and who can't.  He also knows who should be "blessed" with it and who should not only be able to save a buck but get kicked in the pants by his own money.   When we attempt to get rich and gain possessions on our own and without the purpose of God than we are wicked and we not only get the wealth we get the worry.   But, when we allow God to bless us and when He bestows on us some great wealth, then, and then alone, do we get the wealth with no worry.   Most men who accumulate wealth also get the trouble and the difficulty that go with it. We need not try to accumulate wealth.  But, if God blesses our endeavors we ought to realize it doesn't come with trouble.   Those who pursue wealth in the proper manner ... "in the house of the righteous" ... can expect no trouble to follow  with it.   Those who have wealth in its proper perspective are in the prospective of God and keeps them, and their wealth, safe.

Proverbs 14:3

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about the mouth of a fool:

Proverbs 14:3 (ESV)

By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,

but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Most people, if you let them talk enough, will bury themselves.   Foolish people will eventually let you know they are foolish if you listen long enough.  They reveal it with their mouth and  you can usually use it to correct them, or to point out their need for correction.   The words they use become a "rod for their back."  That is not a good picture.   Their words are cruel ... to them.   However, the lips of the wise will not be able to be used against them.   The wise person knows how to hold their tongue.  The wise knows what to say, when to say it and how to say it.  His/her words protect them.   The opposite of the fool.  If you are in the presence of a fool you only  have to wait for them to give you what you will need to correct them, or, better, as in this verse, discipline them.   Wise people are not caught in their words and later rebuked by them.  You can usually see this proverb worked out each day in our media.   Someone says something that gets them into trouble.   They speak out and their evil heart is revealed in their lazy tongue.   They can't control who they are and it comes spitting out in unpleasantries that are turned agains them.  Just wait for the fool to talk ... he will give you a rod to use.

Proverbs 13:8

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them on leverage:

Proverbs 13:8

The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,

but the poor hears no rebuke.

Proverbs 13:8 (ESV)

The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,

but a poor man hears no threat.

In this proverb we obviously have a comparison between the rich and the poor.  It might be vague to us at first, but when we see the comparison Solomon is making, it gives us some instruction in our day.   Those who are of wealth (and it doesn't have to be financial wealth) are often held at ransom for it.  If you have "power" as your wealth, you are held captive by others to use that power for someone else.  If you have "leadership" as your wealth, someone may hold you ransom until you use that leadership for their good.   So, the wealthy, all kinds of wealthy, are often held for ransom.   But, the poor doesn't hear that type of "rebuke" or "threat" because he/she has nothing of which to bargain.   The poor appears to lack anything anyone would want and therefore are left in solace to their own selves.   The rich must always worry about being held captive for the resources they own.  The poor have no such worries.   Then again the poor typically doesn’t have any such resources.  They may desire the wealth but at what cost?   It seems that Solomon almost admires the poor for not having the "rebuke" or "threat" or "troubles" of the rich.   In our day, what Solomon calls ransom we might call “leverage.” We might see a rich man’s wealth as being leveraged by others. When we are poor, it is seldom used as a leverage against us. The point Solomon is trying to make is that wealth comes with a burden. Poverty comes with a burden but they are quite different burdens.  Don’t seek to be rich, in anything ... someone may want to use it for their own leverage.