Proverbs 17:19

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 17:19 (ESV)

Whoever loves transgression loves strife;

he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

Do you like strife?  Do you make yourself available for strife?   Do you want to pick a fight with someone?   According to the above proverb, the door in that last sentence is the opportunity for a fight, an argument, a chance to enter into strife. Every day people toss out the opportunity to fight with them, argue with them, engage in strife with them. Some people, I am convinced, live only to offer those invitations. They love to invite strife into their lives. Solomon is telling us to avoid it. When we show a love for strife we show a love for sin (transgression) for the two are the same. The second line carries an even clearer message: It states that if we open the door to strife we invite certain destruction in our lives. The phrase makes the door high has a literal meaning and Solomon uses it as a metaphor. In Biblical times if you left the door of the city or tent or home open there was no telling what might wander through. In those days, lions would roam the streets.  (Remember the proverb about the lazy person who won’t go to work because there is a lion in the street?) In those days dogs were not pets, they were animals that attacked.  You could not leave the door open.   So too when we leave our defenses open toward strife. But, there is also another metaphor here by Solomon. The term door is often used for mouth. When, in pride, we raise the talk (to offer our opinion), we invite destruction. Solomon is telling us that when pride enters the relationship we invite destruction (pride comes before the fall). So, when you see the banner in the sky to step into strife avoid it. Don't open your mouth and walk into that door. Keep your own door shut and move one. You will find peace on the other side of the invitation.

Proverbs 16:18

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 pride:

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)

Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

The Hebrew word for pride in this verse is "gaon".   The "gaon" was the most excellent leader and interpreter of the Jewish law.   The gaons were the most respected of Jewish scholars and were regarded as the authority on all things Torah.  The use it here, in this proverb and in this way, is to show that having excellence in life is not the fault, but rather taking credit for it and laying claim to it as a self-acheivement.   The second line is synonymous with the first line.  The haughty spirit correlates with our word pride in the first line.   Solomon is telling us that excellence with a haughty spirit (one of arrogance and self-promotioin) is a spirit that will put you on the stumbling road.   When we are the best at something we ought not to fear.  But, when we claim being the best based upon our own achievements and attainments and we fail to give credit to God and others we will immediately fall onto a slippery slope.   Consider Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Benhadad and Herod. All were leaders who claimed their power and achievement were their own, when in reality God puts up on and sets down another.   Even believers can fall into this trap.  Think of David, Hezekiah, Rehoboam, Jeraboam, and, even, Solomon, who all fell into sin because of their pride.   Pride comes first and then destruction.   Paul warned us that when we place confidence in the flesh we will soon fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).   Pride is the ultimate sin that offends God.  Satan told Eve if she ate the fruit it would make her wise, like God.   He appealed to her pride.   We think highly about ourselves.   Jesus taught us that the road to honor comes from humility.    If it is the highway of pride it leads us to the town of destruction.

Proverbs 15:12

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 those who take instruction:

Proverbs 15:12 (ESV)

A scoffer does not like to be reproved;

he will not go to the wise.

You can tell the wisdom of someone by the people he seeks out for counsel and/or his willingness to listen to the counsel of others. Those who refuse to listen will reap that failure.

Proverbs 15:31-33 - He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom and before honor comes humility. 

(The reception of wisdom must be proceeded by the act of humility and willingness to listen. Those who refuse to listen will reap the consequences of refusing wisdom. Humility is the first step in the acquisition of wise counsel.)

We can tell if someone is a fool or a wise person by their willingness to take correction and instruction. We sometimes think of receiving instruction and corrections as having to do with "gravity" ... it simply flows down hill. However, instruction and correction are not dependent upon rank or authority, nor is wisdom. Wisdom is dependent upon a heart of humility and cooperation with the one who gives the instruction. Pride hinders wisdom. When we think we know, we are not open to knowing, we are closed to God’s wisdom.  If you want to know if someone is wise, simply try to offer them correction or reproof.   That will tell you the depth of their wisdom.   

Proverbs 14:9

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 response about sin:

Proverbs 14:9 (ESV)

Fools mock at the guilt offering,

but the upright enjoy acceptance.

How does a fool "mock at sin?"  Fools do not take heart that their lives are an offense to a righteous God.   They do not mourn, they do not repent at the mention that their actions are missing the mark of a holy and just God.  Fools rather laugh in the face of sin ... using a jesting manner to diminish the seriousness of their actions.   Fools, rather than look at sin in the face and deal with it appropriately, would rather jest.  They may just make a coarse joke and pass it off as part of their personality or, tritely, tells us, "That's just the way I am."  They dare not look at it seriously; for then they would be forced to repent and deal with the sin in sorrow and change their ways.  They pass sin off as part of the new norm of society ... "everyone is doing it" is their motto.  In opposition of the fool is the upright person. They are not upright due to their "perfect" life.  But, because they repent of their sin and find "favor" (good will) from God.  This is a result of their repentance.  God is a gracious God and tells us if we confess our sin (agree with God that we missed the mark of His righteousness) we will receive forgiveness for those sins (1 John 1:9).   That confession ushers in God's good will into our lives.   The implication is that the fool will miss that good will and favor of God and therefore be condemned in his mockery.   We seldom see sinners repent.  Josiah, the young King of Judah, read God's Word and repented in sackcloth and ashes (2 Kings 24).  The Ninavites, much to Jonah's frustration, heard that God's wrath about to come onto their lives and stopped the laughter and began to weep.   God will forgive, but only when we take sin seriously in our lives and recognize that it is, indeed, sin. It is not simply a mis-step in a flawed personality.  Don't mock sinful actions.  Take them serious and obtain God grace and forgiveness.  Let's avoid mocking sin like this:

1. Justify it

2. Ignore it

3. Laugh it off

4. Rationalize it

5. Excuse it

6. Accept it

7. Blame others for it

8. Count it as part of your heritage

9. Believe it is harmless

10. Use it for entertainment

Proverbs 13:14

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 fountain of wisdom:

Proverbs 13:14 (ESV)

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

that one may turn away from the snares of death. 

I once taught the truth of this proverb to a group of 250 teenagers.  To illustrate the power of the proverb I brought in a chocolate fountain and surrounded it with toothpick lanced marshmallows.   In between the teenagers and their toothpicked marshmallows was restrictive items that prevented them from reaching into the chocolate spraying out of the fountain.   The lesson was obvious, God gives us truth like a fountain and Satan is in the business of turning us away.    If we can get to the fountain, avoiding Satan's weapons of distraction and harm we can find the truth to make wise decisions in the future - avoiding more of Satan's snares of death.  Satan prohibits us from reaching the fountain - at least he tries.  He lied to Eve in the garden to keep her from seeing the truth of God's warning.   But, the teaching of God's truth is a fountain of life.    The more we can dip our lives into it the more we have life and escape Satan's snares.    God wants us to drink from His wisdom and offers it freely through His Word.  His Word, the Bible, is the most sold book in the world.  However, how many have it in the homes but no place near their hearts.   The fountain is there on the coffee table ready to spew out wisdom for life.   Yet, too many are distracted by the snares of death.  The very way to escape the snare is found in the Book that Satan hinders us from reading and obeying.

Proverbs 12:18

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 power of our tongue and words:

Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

The above proverb makes a great point for us to know and embrace.  Solomon is telling us that those who speak wisdom don't have to do it like a sword.   Having a wise heart and wise mind doesn't mean we have to have a sharp tongue.   Solomon said it this way in another book he wrote:

Ecclesiastes 9:17 (ESV)

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Speaking louder does not mean the words are wiser!   There are too many believers who don't understand this proverb.   Many people who think they carry the truth it must be wheeled like a sword.   Yet, Solomon tells us that those who speak like there tongue is a sword do so "rashly."  This word is only used three times in the Bible.   The root of the word is to babble.   Solomon is telling us that when we posses a fear of The Lord we will speak and bring healing.   Wisdom does not put a sword in our mouth - it puts healing on the lips for those who speak with God and speak for God.   Wisdom comes from knowing God and fearing God.   When we know God and fearing God, than like God, we bring healing to others.    If we know the truth, we don't have to be caustic.  Jesus was not caustic.  He was truthful and brought healing to those who would believe.   When we have wisdom from God we have healing on our mind and in our hearts and it comes out through our lips.

We have the power in our tongue to do good or do bad.  Our speech, according to Paul, should be seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).   In the above proverb we see Solomon telling us the truth about the results of the tongue.  The mouth of one person can provide healing to others when it speaks.   The other mouth can hurt so badly it feels like a sword thrusting into the side.   One member of the body: Two different results.   The tongue is the well of life.  Out of it flow the issues of the heart.   When we use our tongue to thrust and pierce others it is showing a problem in our heart.   If we want to make sure we have "healing" in our tongue we have to first "heal" our hearts with God's grace.  Christ heals our hearts so our tongues can bring healing to others.   Allow God's grace to do a good work in your heart and He will be able to use your tongue to do a good work in someone else's life.   If you refuse to allow God to do the work in your life you will eventually cause pain to others. Faith in God's grace in the heart results in the work of grace with your tongue.

Proverbs 11:16

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 a gracious woman vs a ruthless man: 

Proverbs 11:16 (NASBStr)

A gracious woman attains honor,

And ruthless men attain riches.

Proverbs 11:16 (NIV1984)

A kindhearted woman gains respect,

but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Proverbs 11:16 (ESV)

A gracious woman gets honor,

and violent men get riches.

In our society rich people often get noticed, get power and get what they want.   However, if those people earned their money in a ruthless way, in deception, or in violent ways, Solomon says the one thing they won't be getting is respect.  On the other hand, a women, who is simply kind and gracious, will have respect and honor.   Note the comparisons we have here.    Wealth compared to respect.   Men compared to women.   In Solomon's day a women had little respect.    That is why the story of Nabal's wife and David stands out in such a strong way.  It is a fulfillment of the above proverb (1 Samuel 25).  Abigail was a kindhearted women and Nabal was a ruthless and rich narcissist.  He was selfish and a self serving, powerful man.  Abigail saved his life by being kind and gracious to David.  However, God eventually took Nabal’s life.   David eventually took Abigail as a wife, because of his great respect for her.   Make no mistake, a Godly women will always leave her mark before a rich and selfish man will or can.  Read Proverbs 31.    Note the story of Mary as she poured the oil on Jesus head as compared to Judas who only wanted to keep the oil for the riches it provided. God is delighted by those who are kind and gracious, and so should we.  Nabal was full of greed.  Abigail was kind and gracious.   She might have been used by Nabal, but in the end (which is the only thing that matters), she was rewarded.

Proverbs 10:14

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 storing knowledge:

Proverbs 10:14 (ESV)

The wise lay up knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

We have bank accounts to hold what we store up in regard to money.   We have a garage for what we store up in vehicles and play toys.   We have closest for what we store up by way clothes.   We even have jewelry boxes to care for our shinny things.   But, were do we store the importance stuff ... like knowledge?   God takes care of that according to this proverb.   The wise man will "store" up knowledge making God the provider of it and the keeper of it for us.  He gives knowledge.   In Genesis 3 we read that Adam and Eve were supposed to stay away from the Tree of the Knowledge and good and evil.   Wise men are able to store up this knowledge.   They learn God's Word and Fear The Lord.  That gives them wisdom.   Wise men get more wisdom and store it up with God and in His Word.   On the opposite side we have the foolish.   The mouth of the fool ruins him.   He runs his mouth.  He loses all that he has.   His ruin is at hand.    If we are believers in Christ we store up knowledge and have it at our disposal.  Fools are running on empty and will have nothing when they need it.  Storing up knowledge is taking God’s Word and preaching to our minds.  Storing up knowledge is taking a passage of God’s Word and praying it into our hearts.  Storing up knowledge is fearing the Lord in all circumstances.  Storing up knowledge IS NOT running your mouth to show everyone what you know.   That is what the fool does.   He/she loves to impress others with what they know.   Yet, compared to those who fear the Lord, they know nothing.  That lack of knowledge will be their ruin.  

Proverbs 9:12

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 how we use wisdom:

Proverbs 9:12 (ESV)

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;

if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

I know I have read this verse hundreds of times but I have either been too dull or too distracted or too old to remember it and to grasp it. What the verse tells us is that wisdom is a solitary function that we can use. It doesn't help God any. It is for us to use. Man thinks the more wisdom he attains the more valuable that makes him to God. This verse implies that it does not add to my value in relationship with God. It also implies that my wisdom can't necessarily help and add benefit to others. The only way it benefits them is if they are willing to apply the wisdom someone may offer. Otherwise the wisdom of one only benefits the one. The key is to learn wisdom and use it to follow God. But, the wisdom itself is solely for my benefit. My wisdom can't help others or be transferred to them unless they are willing to apply the wisdom themselves and follow the steps of wisdom in Scripture.  Chapter nine is a warning to listen to wisdom and to not scoff at it.  We bear the results of our attitude toward listening to wisdom, or scoffing it away.   Those who make poor choices are scoffing at wisdom.  They, therefore, alone, must bear it.   Rejection of truth produces harm in our lives.    It is interesting that when we choose wisdom, we, ALONE, can enjoy it. When we reject wisdom, we ALONE, suffer for it.  However, we also have a corporate aspect of our choices.  Mothers, fathers, leaders, etc. all have to make choices and those decisions impact others.  We can’t make others hear our wisdom or make decisions based upon our wisdom.  But, OUR choices can put others in a better place to hear the wisdom God gives us.  A parent who makes wise choices can impact their entire family.   

Proverbs 8:14

 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 power and strength:

Proverbs 8:14 (ESV)

I have counsel and sound wisdom;

I have insight; I have strength.

Our society is in love with "power." We wield it like a sword at our enemies and use it as incense for our friends and social status. We booast that we have it and abuse it for selfish gain. We think power comes from money, presitge, position and/or social status. We think if we "belong" to a group we have more power than if we don't. We falsely believe the clothes we wear or stuff we own somehow produces power over others. The most powerful exert their make believe status over those who are weaker and those who are weaker over the weaker still. But, in this Proverb we learn that power doesn't come from status, stuff or societial perceptions. Power is a product of wisdom. Power is produced by wisdom and wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord. Those in real power are those who fear the Lord and have wisdom. In Ecclesiates 7:19, a parallel passage to this proverb, we read that one wise man is more powerful than ten rulers in a city. Instead of seeking power, as defined by the world, we would do wise to seek power that is found in our relationship with God through His Son. God gives out power and He does that in the form of wisdom. Solomon had all leaders flocking to him in his day. He was the one they sought; not for his money, his status or army - but for his wisdom. Wise people are sought out and have, therefore, power. You want power? Fear the Lord and get wisdom. That will produce power!

Proverbs 7:21

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 seductive nature of Folly:

Proverbs 7:21 (NASBStr)

With her many persuasions she entices him;

With her flattering lips she seduces him.

Proverbs 7:21 (AMP)

With much justifying and enticing argument she persuades him, with the allurements of her lips she leads him [to overcome his conscience and his fears] and forces him along.

Proverbs 7:21 (ESV)

With much seductive speech she persuades him;

with her smooth talk she compels him.

The women in Proverbs 7 is a picture of folly, as has been stated in these observations many times.   Her arguments for following hard after her are quite enticing and persuasive.   According to the above proverb she has a special sway on the simply one:  The naive one.   Those who have spiritual understanding have a way to fight off these persuasive messages.   Folly wishes to entice us to fall into her trap.  She uses her smell; her beauty (false as it might be); her comfort (brief as it may be), to seduce us and entice us.  Remember that God gives us warnings about how to avoid this enticement.   God speaks truth and allows us to know truth by following His Word.   If we are void of God's Word or not thinking of God's Word, we will fall into folly's enticement.  Notice how Solomon starts this chapter:

Proverbs 7:1-3

My son, keep my words

and treasure up my commandments with you;

keep my commandments and live;

keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

bind them on your fingers;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

The one who is naive has no guideposts in their lives to protect them from seeing these enticement and seduction.   Seduction is not meant to be seen or observed.  That is what makes it seducing.   The only way to avoid her sweet whispers and tasty words is to be understanding God's Word and trust it and follow it.

Proverbs 6:20

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 listening to the wise counsel of our parents:

Proverbs 6:20 (ESV)

My son, keep your father’s commandment,

and forsake not your mother’s teaching.

How many times has your dad told you something that went in one ear and out the other? Probably many. Dads tend to say things that children don’t always listen and attend to. The above proverb is an instruction to us to listen to our fathers. If we want to follow scripture there are actually some promises that are tied to this type of instruction. We tend to dismiss the things our father tells us until we actually become fathers ourselves. The older children become the smarter their dads are remembered. But by that time, it may be too late. This proverb by Solomon is very clear. It doesn’t say, keep your father’s commands when you think they are okay. Or, keep them when you get older and you see that they were pretty wise. No, to be correct, we are to keep them now.  Solomon uses the phrase, "My son," throughout Proverbs.   He is speaking to his actual sons; the sons of Israel; the sons of Abraham; the sons of God.   Following the leadership and teaching of our "proverbial" fathers is important to the transmission and furtherance of God's Word.   When we ignore the teaching of the "father" in God's Word (no matter who that is), we reject God's Word.  He adds, in the second line, not to forsake the teaching of our “mothers,” as well.  The clear message here is that parents are sent by God to provide clear and wise teaching for children.   Of course, not all parents give their children wise teaching.   Some are too busy to do that.  Some are to unwise to do that.  Some are too evil to do that.   Some have no capacity to do that.   Some parents also teach things children should not regard.  This situation creates a challenging dilemma for children.    When parents give counsel contrary to God’s Word, that can cause a confusion in the hearts and minds of children.   The above proverb is presupposing that the parents are giving Biblically wise counsel to the children.    When that happens, God’s plan is successful.  

Proverbs 5:6

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 failing to ponder the parh:

Proverbs 5:6 (ESV)

she does not ponder the path of life;

her ways wander, and she does not know it.

The key thought in this proverbs is: Fail to know, fail to grow! Fail to ponder, prepare to wander.   In the book of proverbs a women is often used to personify both wisdom and folly (Wisdom in chapter eight and Lady Folly in chapter seven). Wisdom is personified as a women on the street who has laid out God's way for us. Folly is a women who is seen as an adulterous. She is in the night calling out to all the naive to attract him/her into mischief. In his verse we see that folly, an adulterous, is failing to "ponder" her path. As a result she is both "unstable" and "ignorant." In our lives when we fail to ponder our path we will eventually be in the dark and in unstable ways. The Psalmist taught us to "number our days" (90:12). We are to measure what we have left in our life and to act accordingly. Folly puts us in the place to pay no attention to the path we are walking. And, when we don't pay attention we have a habit of walking right off a cliff.  If we fail to ponder, we will wander.   God wants us to consider our path.  He says:

Proverbs 5:21

For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord,

and he ponders all his paths.

Solomon told us the same thing in the last chapter:

Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of your feet;

then all your ways will be sure.

We can fail to ponder our path, but if we do, we will also fail to have positive spiritual growth.

Proverbs 4:23-27

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 we put into our hearts and minds:

Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV)

Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

Put away from you crooked speech,

and put devious talk far from you.

Let your eyes look directly forward,

and your gaze be straight before you.

Ponder the path of your feet;

then all your ways will be sure.

Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

turn your foot away from evil.

Solomon knows about this big idea from practical experience. Isn't it interesting that Solomon himself failed to heed this advice? He states to guard your heart is to save yourself from many problems.  Yet, he allowed his many wives to turn his heart away from God.  If you want to protect yourself from evil you have to first protect your own heart and what you bring into it. If you walk off the path you will put some things into your heart that don't belong there. Protect your heart and save your life.

The word "watch" in the above proverb is a very popular word for Solomon in Proverbs.  He uses it almost 20 times to remind us to "watch," "tend," "guard," "keep," or "preserve."  Solomon knows the evilness that is in the heart.   Our hearts are corrupt and, later stated by Jeremiah, deceitfully wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).   We are bent on sin.   As a result we have to keep watch over hour hearts so as to not allow that bent nature to bend our journey.   All the issues we have in life flow from that same old heart.  Paul knew its evil ways and tells us to not allow our instruments (our eyes, ears, mouth, feet, etc) to be controlled by the heart.  We are to yield them to the Spirit rather than the flesh (the heart).   The person who Fears The Lord and finds wisdom will find that through faith this is possible.   We cannot "watch" our heart in the flesh.   That is like having the bank robber watch the vault.   We must allow the Spirit of God to have control in our lives.  The Spirit can watch the flesh and control the flesh.   The Spirit of God and cause the instruments of the body to be used for the glory of God.   So, the command above is to "watch" the heart, but the method to do so is not our supreme diligence but rather our submitting to God via faith and allowing the Spirit of God to protect us.  The Armor of God is described for us in Ephesians.   That armor allows us to fight the flesh and through faith secure the victory.   So, our watching is done via the Spirit, not the eyes that are actually connected to the heart.

A proverb is a way to teach wisdom in a simple way with a word picture, or with contrasting or complimentary statements. This proverb is the original “garbage in—garbage out” insight. Solomon tells us in the first line to guard, or set a watch over the things that go into our heart and then in the second line, why we should do so. It is because our heart is the wellspring of the life. Another way to say this is to say, "what’s in the well, comes up in the bucket." One of the reasons we should be careful to guard our ear gates and our eye gates, is because that is the entry point for what gets into our inner soul. What we watch, listen to, observe, enters those “doors” and takes up residence in our hearts. Then, like a spring of water, it comes gushing out at a later time. We can’t expect good gushes if we have bad water in our heart. We are to take the initiative to guard our hearts. Don’t pollute the heart and the life will be fresh. A polluted heart will only produce a polluted life. Keep it fresh by what you allow to come into your heart.