Proverbs 5:15

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 temptation:

Proverbs 5:15 (ESV)

Drink water from your own cistern,

flowing water from your own well.

Like all poetry writers, Solomon uses a variety of ways to convey the truth he wants us to grasp.   In this chapter he is warning us (primarily men) about falling into the trap to allow a women of adultery to seduce us into sin.   To PREVENT that from happening he tells the reader to pay attention to his words and heed the cry of his voice (Proverbs 5:7-14).   His first solution to prevent adultery is to heed the word of God.    That might sound too simple but it is his solution and we ought to listen to him if we wish to prevent that same fall many men have experienced.    His second solution is found in the above proverb, of which he uses poetic language to make his point.   Not only are we to heed God's Word (it is the Sword of the Spirit), we are also to "drink water from our own we,,.”   Since he is talking about sexual adultery we can be assured that "water" in the above verse is also referring to sexual acts.   Solomon's second suggestion when you feel tempted to sin in adultery is to remember who you are married to and get those impulses, needs, desires or inclinations feed from your spouse.   He will talk to the reader in the next couple of verses about allowing your spouse to satisfy your needs with their body.   The one sure way to combat sexual desire is to fill that natural desire, in the way God intended it.   We ought never get bored with our own "water."   God sealed the marriage bond and He makes the marriage bed a place of satisfaction.  When we attempt to fulfill our desires some other way, we not only sin, but we fail to see how God can meet that need through our spouse.   Solomon is telling us to follow God's Word in faith and allow God to meet the need in the way He designed it to be met. 

There is much said in God's Word about adultery and about how to respond to temptation. In this chapter we see a great picture of what God is trying to tell us: If men want to avoid temptation from a women then be satisfied with the one you have. We are to "drink" from the well God gave us. Yielding to temptation from another women can be avoided by taking a "drink" from your own wife. This "water" is "fresh." It is something we need to enjoy and should enjoy. The temptation sounds fresh. But in reality God has provided us with the spouse, or love, we are to have. When we look for someething else we are, in reality, refusing to believe what God has provided His best for us. Cheating on a spouse is, in essence, failure to believe in God's best for you. Looking at another women/man and lusting after them is refusing to believe in God's providence. God has given you a "fresh" well to drink from. Don't go drinking out of a puddle.

Proverbs 4:10

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 long life based upon wise choices:

Proverbs 4:10 (ESV)

Hear, my son, and accept my words,

that the years of your life may be many.

My mother used to have a saying, "that only the good die young."   However, as dedicated to the Scripture as any mother, I know she must have missed the countless times Solomon stated something similar to the above verse.   Notice the following:

Proverbs 3:2 (ESV)

for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 3:16 (ESV)

Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

Proverbs 9:11 (ESV)

For by me your days will be multiplied,

and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 10:27 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

Psalms 91:16 (ESV)

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

Those who trust in God are given some hope of life on this earth and the one to come.   Now, we can spiritualize this and make the "years of your life will be many" to include eternity, but I think that is missing the point of the comparison between wisdom and folly.  Notice the following in regard to a comparative life style:

Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

There is plenty of evidence that shows that God is looking out for the life of the faithful and prolongs it, while at the same time He is telling the wicked their life will be shortened.   My mother was a godly women that I loved dearly.   But she got her saying wrong.  This does not mean the wicked die young.  It means wisdom makes for wise choices. Wise life choices make for less pitfalls.  Less pitfalls equals less chances of dying young.  Those who have God’s wisdom do not have a guarantee of long life.  But if they are being guided by the wisdom of God they will more wise choices and less foolish choices.  Solomon is not guaranteeing long life.  He is guaranteeing the value that wise choices, living on God’s wisdom, can bring to our lives.   

Proverbs 3:25

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 added benefits of wisdom:

Proverbs 3:25 (ESV)

Do not be afraid of sudden terror

or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

Having true wisdom has so many added benefits. If you read this chapter you can't help but see the benefits of having wisdom dwell within you through the power of Christ. One of those benefits is knowing that God is in complete control and has all things in His plan, working together for His plan.  As a result Solomon tells us that we don't have to be afraid of "sudden fear." We don't have to live as though fear will have rule for us. Solomon uses the second line to explain the type of fear he is talking about in the first line. The specific fear he uses to demonstrate what he is talking about is the "onslaught of wickedness." We don't have to fear when it looks like wickedness is going to rule the day. We don't have to fear when wickedness builds up and and looks overwhelming. God is in control and through the wisdom He provides we will overcome any wickedness in and around us.  That "wickedness" can come from the past or present.  We can often live in fear of the past and how it impacts the present or future.   God promises that if we follow true wisdom He will protect us from the "ruin of the wicked" no matter the venue where is shows its wicked face.  

Proverbs 2:11

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 wisdom protecting us:

Proverbs 2:11 (ESV)

discretion will watch over you,

understanding will guard you,

In Proverbs 30:8 the writer prays that he will be protected from deception and the false tongue.  In the above proverb we have the way that protection comes: From a relationship with wisdom. Having faith in God and fearing Him in respect and awe, based upon faith, produces wisdom in our lives. In turn, that wisdom will enable us to have discretion and understanding and guard us and watch over us, thus protecting us from deception and the false tongue.   Wisdom does more than provide advice in the back of our mind as we maneuver through life.   It also provides us with protection from the dangers of life and watches over us.  Wisdom is not passive and only active when we call for it.  No, it is active and watching over us.   Wisdom is Christ.  He is, through faith, protecting us from the dangers of life.   When we commit to a life of Wisdom in Christ and submit to that end we can be assured that God will guard us and watch over us.   Rejoice in the discretion and understanding that God gives us.

Proverbs 1:29

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 hate knowledge: 

Proverbs 1:29 (ESV)

Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

Proverbs is full of descriptions about the acts of the foolish.  Solomon, and others, tell us numerous times about the fool's conduct, demeanor and lack of discipline.   In the above proverb we have one of many reasons why the fool acts the way they do.   In this section of chapter one Solomon is outlining the reasons for the fool's wrong choices.   As we can see the fool is the way he is because he doesn't regard God as important in his life.  He rejects any knowledge of God.  When asked to learn about God and to know God he turns away his ear and his heart.   When given the choice to fear The Lord, the fool chooses the fear of man instead.   He chooses the love of self over God.   He would rather learn about the ways of sin rather than the ways of God.  The fool makes many mistakes.  However, the greatest mistake he makes is that he doesn't want to know The Lord.   We can only have a relationship with God when we seek to know Him and to fear Him in reverance.   That is accomplished in faith.  We learn, by faith to know God and to fear Him.   If we don't approach God in faith we will become the fool.

Proverbs 30:9

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 contentment:

Proverbs 30:9 (ESV)

lest I be full and deny you

and say, “Who is the LORD?”

or lest I be poor and steal

and profane the name of my God.

What happens when we are hungry?  We will eat anything.  What happens when we are full?  We don’t want to eat anything ... mostly!!   Note what Solomon states about this in other proverb:

Proverbs 27:7 (ESV)

One who is full loathes honey,

but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

Solomon wants us to to realize that we need to be careful to be in a place that we might deny God and we might profane God.   One of the areas of Christian belief is that our hunger is changed.  Note:

Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

We need to be careful not to hunger and thirst for the wrong things.  We need to be in the right place to hunger for God.   When we get satisfied with the world, we find ourselves no longer hungry for righteousness.   That is Solomon’s warning.

Proverbs 29:16

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 judgement: 

Proverbs 29:16 (ESV)

When the wicked increase, transgression increases,

but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

It would be supposed that this proverb is good news for the righteous.  Being told that we will see someone "fall" for being wicked probably generates a smile across most faces.   However, when we must remember that even God is not willing that any should perish.   So, revenge is not the point of this truth.   We should also remember that revenge is from the Lord and not ours to inflict or rejoice over.   The purpose of this proverb is to remind us that judgement does come and for good reason.  When the wicked are in leadership or increase in population, we are to note that sin (offense against the mighty hand of God) will increase.   When that wickedness increases there can be plenty of suffering for the righteous.   When you become the minority, in any measure, you find difficulty dealing with life.   When the wicked increase so, too, however, does the party.   The flesh may fight God and be in complete conflict with Him (Romans 8) but the flesh also knows how to celebrate.  When that happens we can often get jealous or feel like we are serving for empty reasons (Psalm 73).   When we are feeling envious of the wicked and their life of ease we must call to mind their end.  We must remember that either here, on this earth, or later, from glory we will see their fall.  We can relax and quit desiring their relaxed fun and remember that their destruction is only moments away.

Proverbs 28:24

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 parents:

Proverbs 28:24 (ESV)

Whoever robs his father or his mother

and says, “That is no transgression,”

is a companion to a man who destroys.

Few children would say they have "robbed" their parents when they borrow money and never pay it back.  Few children would classify themselves as a "destroyer" when they talk their parents into buying them something they don't need.  The parent probably really didn't want to give them the money or gift, either.   What a child says, "my parents can’t afford it" or "the old man won't miss it" they exemplify this verse.  A child who swindles his parents out of their property, borrows with no intent to repay, guilts them into giving something they can't give or shouldn't give, are all described in the above proverb.   When they make an excuse for their behavior and claim it is not a sin to do this type of behavior, they fulfill the above proverb.    Solomon takes seriously how we treat our parents.  Note:

Proverbs 19:26 (ESV)

He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother

is a son who brings shame and reproach. 

Proverbs 20:20 (ESV)

If one curses his father or his mother,

his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. 

Proverbs 30:11 (ESV)

There are those who curse their fathers

and do not bless their mothers. 

Proverbs 30:17 (ESV)

The eye that mocks a father

and scorns to obey a mother

will be picked out by the ravens of the valley

and eaten by the vultures. 

This is because God takes seriously how we treat our parents ... see the commandment on honoring our father and mother.   How parents are treated determines how your life goes.   You might as well be the friend of someone who goes about destroying, if you are going to go about "stealing" from your parents under false pretenses.   God knows what is going on and determines the end results.     Most people who take from their parents will deny the sin of it.   Yet, Solomon tells us that dishonoring your parent is indeed sin.

Proverbs 27:5

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 rebuke and love: 

Proverbs 27:5 (ESV)

Better is open rebuke

than hidden love.

This is not a proverb that flows readily off our tongues, much less our lives.    Most people would believe that "open rebuke" is not "better than love."  What Solomon is telling us is that true love, if true and observant to all, will need to practice open rebuke.  God gives us the truth in our lives.  He loves us but He allows truth to be played out for us.   If we love others but we know they are walking down a path that they should not go, we would expect love to speak up and warn them to avoid the path.   Being open about rebuke is not based upon lack of love.  In fact, failure to warn others ... openly rebuke them ... is a sure sign of NO love.    If we care we will eventually have to rebuke.    Parents who care about their kids openly rebuke them.  They do so to warn them about the dangers of life.   Spouses who love their spouse often openly rebukes the other to correct behavior.   Open rebuke does not have to be harsh or hurting or harmful.   It should be spoken in love and carry the expression of love.   But, rebuke is still rebuke.   Love concealed is worthless.   Love that is not expressed is powerless.   You can't go through life and tell others that you love them if you never work in the correction process.  Those who hate conflict need to understand the power of this proverb.   God is saying to us that conflict is okay if it flows from love and is done in love.   Refusing to have conflict is not a way toward harmony.  That is false harmony.  True harmony allows our open rebuke because it is willing to express love in a meaningful way.  Paul did this to Peter:

Galatians 2:11-14

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Paul, later in the same letter, gives us an outline on how to do this work:

Galatians 6:1-2

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We are to "rebuke" by carrying our brother's burden (the wrong you see in them that needs correcting) to fulfill the "law of Christ" (which is to love).  Rebuke is to be done in complete love and for the purpose of restoration.   

Proverbs 26:15

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 sluggard: 

Proverbs 26:15 (ESV)

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.

How sad!!  This proverb may be one of the saddest as to the character of mankind.   It would be a sight to see this in real action (or, in-action as the writer states).   A lazy person, who has food right in front of him, will not even lift what he has to his mouth to get sustenance.   When a person has the character of the sluggard we see them refuse to simply take what is right in front of them.   You can give them work but they won't do the work because they are lazy and fail to demonstrate the energy to do the work.   In our society today we have created a system that rewards those who have no energy.  Yes, there are poor people who need assistance.  However, there are people who are more like people who are simply sluggards who like the hand-out system ... since they can't raise the hand up.   This is a good verse to base our catch-phrase about a hand-up.   The sluggard can't do that.  Even though God gives good things to all mankind they refuse to lift their hand from the bowl to the mouth to get what they need.  In the Old Testament the nation of Israel was commanded to never glean all their crops.   They were told to leave the edges of the crops for the poor to glean, for food.  The story of Ruth is a perfect example of this command being worked out in real life.  However, according to this verse, some will never even take the food left for them.  God does not tell us to “give” food to the poor.  God provided a way for the poor to “work” for their food.   This proverb tells us that some people would not glean food left in a crop field.  They are too lazy.   Even if the food is right in front of them.  

Proverbs 25:24

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 contentious spouse:

Proverbs 25:24 (ESV)

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

This is, in essence, the same proverb found here:

Proverbs 21:9 (ESV)

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19 (ESV)

19 It is better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

 All three proverbs tell us about the difficulty of living in the same residence with a women who is contentious, vexing or a difficult spouse.  I say spouse because even though the context is speaking of a women, the point and principle of the proverb is that a person who is contentious is hard to live with, despite the gender. (We ought to remember, as well, in Proverbs a “woman” is often a personification of Lady Folly.  So, Solomon is telling us that this “woman” is like living with someone obsessed with “folly.”)   Although there are many things spoken in proverbs about conflict and how to resolve it, "avoidance" is certainly one response.   We tend to think "avoiding" conflict is not acceptable.  We are told to face our fears and our problems and not run from them.  However, Solomon disagrees (and, remember, he did have 700 wives and concubines!).  Solomon tells us that when dealing with difficult people (a person locked into Folly), going to the roof (or, desert in 21:19) is an acceptable option.    It won't change the contentious person but it will make sure we don't further exasperate the situation.  Solomon tells us in Proverbs 15:1 that a soft answer turns away wrath.   But, in this proverb it is not a soft answer he promotes, it is no answer.  Walking away and finding a place another person can't confront you is an acceptable, wise and Godly response to conflict.    It shouldn't be the sole response.   But, it is an optional, acceptable and wise response.

Proverbs 24:25

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 rebuking others:

Proverbs 24:25 (ESV)

but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,

and a good blessing will come upon them.

In today's society this above proverb would be ill-advised.   We have plenty of examples in this day of people who have even blurted out an objectionable words toward someone or some group and been excoriated by the public and the press.   They are “shamed” for their behavior and outspoken thoughts.   This proverb is tied with the previous proverbs in this chapter about admonishing the righteous and warning the wicked.   In this particular verse Solomon is warning us about not simply saying something about someone living in sin, but "rebuking" that person.   The best example of this proverb is in the story of John the Baptist who told Herod he was wrong and sinful and stood in judgment because Herod had taken the life of his brother in order to take his brother's wife.   This act costs John the Baptist his head.   One might argue against Solomon's statement that there is blessing on the person who rebukes the wicked and they will be in "delight".  Yet, John the Baptist was praised by Christ ... Praised BY Christ!!!   That would be considered quite a blessing.   In this world today, we will be persecuted for standing up for our beliefs and for rebuking the world for their ungodly conduct in this world.   We might think the blessing spoken of above is for this world.   And, at times, it may.   But, if not this world, definitely the next.   God takes care of those who speak for Him.   We have nothing to fear and everything good to the glory of God when we speak for Him.

Proverbs 23:31

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 about temptation:

Proverbs 23:31 (ESV)

31 Do not look at wine when it is red,

when it sparkles in the cup

and goes down smoothly.

When we are ruled by our senses, not by our convictions the story of Proverbs 23:29-35 is bore out in a life.  Wine, like all alcohol, has an appeal that can move us, even by its sight.   Our world loves to display image after image of the "virtues" of drink.   The party scene; the gregarious nature; the sexual appeal, all lay a part in the marketing of the "wine."  In Solomon's day wine was a staple of the diet.  In his world the "red wine" would have been the best wine.   Red wine was so good it was said to "speak to you."    The flashy appeal is described.  The smoothness of it when consumed is laid out before us.   Solomon is not forbidding wine, as much as he is drunkenness.  However, he is telling us that the best way to avoid being deceived by her titillation is to abstain.  DO NOT LOOK!   This has a familiar ring to it when we remember our Savior's words that if our right eye or right hand offend us:  PLUCK IT OUT, CUT IF OFF, was His admonishment (Matthew 18:19).   If we are lead into the temptation over indulgence the only relief is complete avoidance.   We can try to manage it, but in the end, wine will win.   We are not to be controlled by our senses but by our conviction and our sense of purpose.   Much of this world can draw us into sin by the appeal of the senses.   The only way to avoid that type of temptation and indulgence is complete eradication of opportunity.   Take away the look and the wine loses its power. Paul tells us in the book of Romans to make no provision for the flesh which would allow the lust of our bodies to be fulfilled. (Romans 13:14). That should be our guidepost throughout our days. It will keep us from the ways of red wine.  The great Puritan preacher, John Owen, in his book on temptation contains a section where he writes about “guard the entrances.”  He is speaking primarily of the eye-gate and the ear-gate, and, perhaps, the smell-gate.   Wince can entice us by appealing to all three.   We can smell it and taste it and we can hear the laughter of those who consume it.  Our senses are taken in.   We typically follow their lead in our actions.