Proverbs 5:6

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 being prepared:

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 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 vigilant: 

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.

Proverbs 3:3

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 practicing kindness:

Proverbs 3:3 (ESV)

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

What a glorious proverb to memorize, mediate upon and apply to one's life. If this one proverb were practice by a simply majority in our world just think of the change we would see. Having the art of practicing "kindness" is one thing, but to do so "truthfully" is quite another. The combination of these two is dynamic to say the least. The first, "kindness" is the act of doing good deeds for the benefit of others, often overlooking one's own needs. If we just had a few people doing that, just think how that would go over for us in our relationships? What if husbands did just a week worth of "kindness?" But it is not just random kindness (although that isn't a bad thing), it is kindness based upon "truth." Christ said He was "truth" so these acts of kindess are done in a Christ-like attitdue. Doing kindness in the way Christ does is something special. Doing kindness in sincerity and truth is pure and powerful. We ought not to think of doing kindness in a hap-hazard manner. We ought to bind truth-kindness on our hearts and around our necks. Apply this proverb to your life only "half" the day and you will see a "wholesale" change in your life and that of those around you.The combination of kindness and truth yields a powerful result.  In 3:3-4 we read that if we practice kindness and truth it will result in favor with God and man.  This is a tough verse to apply to life.  To practice truth is not so hard but to do it with kindness makes the task more difficult.  Peter, Paul and John all add something about this in their own words (1 Peter 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; 1 John 3:18).  Solomon said it and the others echoed it so that we would live it.  Add to your wardrobe today the concept of kindness and truth.

Proverbs 2:1

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 obeying God’s word:

Proverbs 2:1 (ESV)

My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

To obtain wisdom and the benefits seems to be a two-fold process, accourdning to this proverb of Solomon.  Some might say it is a three-fold process. In the first line of 2:1 we read that we are to "receive" wisdom's words. Wisdom "received" is as simple as "accepting" (4:10) them. It is amazing how many people will accept Satan's flattery and bent truth that leads to destruction, but will reject the words of life offered by the King! So many are lost and staggering in darkness and refuse the light and the map to find safety. It makes no sense but is an obvious truth we see everday. In the second line of 2:1 we read that after receiving wisdom we are to "store" it or "treasure" it. Wisdom, once received, is not to be treated as an object to discard or treated carelessly. We are to treat it as a great possession. It is reusuable, not to be discarded after one use. It is long lasting, not temporary. It is valuable, not perishable. We are to hold on to wisdom as we would silver or gold ... better than we would silver or gold. Perhaps a third element of wisdom is not only does it need to be received and treasured but we need to realize where it comes from. In the above verse the speaker is the "father" of the son. I don't think this verse is claiming all fathers offer wisdom in their words. Certainly not all fathers, all the time. But, I do think we have here an indication that wisdom can and is received from those in authority over us. God can use them, as long as they walk with God, to give us His Wisdom. Let's not forget that God has choosen to use men to speak to man. He ordained preaching. He used men to write the Words of this Book. We are to receive wisdom and treasure it from those God provides it. We will be better off with it.

Proverbs 1:8-9

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 receiving instructions:

Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV)

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,

and forsake not your mother’s teaching,

for they are a graceful garland for your head

and pendants for your neck.

As Solomon moves his pen against the scroll, he is about to layout for all parents and children great truths on how to live their lives in a way that causes them to fear the Lord.   He has just stated in verses seven the main premise of the book:

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Therefore, since that is the beginning of knowledge and instruction and wisdom, what will that look like if we actually take it to heart?  I will look like a garland for the head and a pendant around your neck.  Notice that wisdom, instruction and knowledge are all internal, but the garland and pendant are external.   The point that Solomon is making is that what we think, believe and set our hearts and minds upon will show in the way we behave and interacted with the world around us.  It does not take us long to tell how someone is built based upon observing their behavior.  This is going to be the constant theme of the book of Solomon’s proverbs.  Notice how Solomon will eventually say this same truth:

Proverbs 27:19 (ESV)

As in water face reflects face,

so the heart of man reflects the man.

Proverbs 20:11 (ESV)

Even a child makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

When we fear the Lord it is reflected in our walk of life.  When we fear the Lord it is like a garland on our head and a pendant around the neck.  All will know.  

Proverbs 30:24-28

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

Proverbs 30:24-28 (ESV)

Four things on earth are small,

but they are exceedingly wise:

the ants are a people not strong,

yet they provide their food in the summer;

the rock badgers are a people not mighty,

yet they make their homes in the cliffs;

the locusts have no king,

yet all of them march in rank;

the lizard you can take in your hands,

yet it is in kings’ palaces.

In this chapter of Proverbs the author uses a collection of "eblematic" parallelisms to covey his truths. In these particular parallelisms he shows us by picture four animals that display God's wisdom in their daily lives. The ant, not a strong image of strength, but uses wisdom to prepare for the weather and stock pile food. That is wisdom! 

The "badger" (shephanim) is a small animal and makes its home in a well protected place in the rocks. That is wisdom!  It uses his size to its advantage by finding a small place to hide.

The locust, without a leader, is a unison band of workers. That is wisdom! In a band of locust there is no general or king or queen.  They just form a collaborative approach to attack their target. 

And, the lizard, a small pest to most, because of its stealth and quiet demeanor hangs out with kings (much to the king's anger). That is wisdom! 

Using this animal imagery wisdom is demonstrated as the ability to plan for oneself, to protect oneself, to produce for others, and to use a palace as your play land. Wisdom is something given to us by God to do and accomplish practical things. Each one of these animals God has given wisdom to accomplish their functions in life. They don't argue with God about their role in life. They just fulfill it. Man has a role, as well. Our job is to fulfill it. That is what wisdom does for us. It allows us to honor Him and fear Him in all that we do.

Proverbs 29:27

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 an unjust man:

Proverbs 29:27 (ESV)

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

When you read the above proverb think Cain.   Cain, and his brother Abel, came to God to worship.  They each brought a gift.   Abel, who was a Godly man, brought a gift of the heart.   Cain, who had evil in his heart, brought a gift; but not with a pure heart.    Since Cain had evil in his heart, out of jealously, he killed his brother.    Perhaps Solomon was thinking of that story when he penned the above words.   The wicked hate the righteous.  They despise them. They will do anything they can to shut off the righteous.  Look what they did with Christ.   There was such envy and jealousy in their heart that they killed Jesus.   The hatred of the wicked for the righteous is renown.  However, we seldom think about the fact that the upright, the true upright, are to also hate the wicked.   This fact is not as renown.   In fact, the righteous often try to be liked the wicked.   The righteous try to mimic and reflect the wicked.  We look like them and act like them.  We dress like them and even create a worship service that mimics them.  Yet, the true righteous, according to Solomon, are to hate wickedness.   We don't think of ourselves (believers) hating anything. Yet, Solomon uses the word abomination to describe what the true righteous are to feel about wicked.   The next time you feel like warming up to the wicked, remember this proverb.

Proverbs 28:9

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 what happens when you turn away from God’s word. 

Proverbs 28:9 (ESV)

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Some people openly reject God's Word.  Others just ignore it.  Still some question if you can believe it.  Many simply say it is a collection of old sayings by normal men written a thousand years ago without much pertinence.   They deny the inspiration of God’s Word and certainly are oppose to the authoritative nature it claims.   They have truly "turned their ears" from hearing the Word.   There are others who aren't as bold or brazen, but they ignore God's Word.  It is a book on the shelf or an heirloom handed down from a faithful grandmother ... to be cherished, but not chastening.    They simply believe the Word is a good collection of sayings that, in their day, were inspirational. The authority of God's Word is never question and, perhaps, even acknowledged in debate.  However, the Word has as much practical authority in their day-to-day lives as the owners manual is to their car ... in a glove box and only used when a bulb burns out.   The above proverb gives us an amazing insight into how these types of attitudes affect our prayer life.  It destroys our prayer life.   When we fail to honor God's Word in us, we should not expect Him to honor our words to Him.   But, it goes farther than just to tell us our prayers are not heard.  Solomon tell us our prayers are an abomination to Him when we reject God's Word.   An Abomination!!!   The next time you have a "bulb" go out in your life and you turn to the "Owner" and ask Him for help, you may want to remember you've rejected the "Manual" and He isn't listening. Read and honor HIs Word and He will ear and respond to yours.

Proverbs 27:17

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 reshaped:

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another.

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 on how our relationships with others are used to perfect us. The first line gives us a practical illustration of the truth of the second line. If you have ever seen a chef sharpen two knives you can get this illustration. The two bladed instruments are scraped together in a vigorous manner and both will never be the same as a result. The sounds of metal on metal may sound harsh, but the results are practical. Both are now ready for the job they were intended to perform. So too it is with us and our friends. God uses them to sharpen us and us to sharpen them. The contact is noisy at times. It may seem harsh, but the result (if we allow it to happen) is that we are better equipped for what God needs us to do for Him. The next time you are in conflict with someone ask yourself this question: Is God using this person to “sharpen” me so He can use me more fully? Iron sharpens iron!

If you have ever gone to an art museum or an art exhibit, you no-doubt have been captivated by a great sculpture.   You may have walked around the piece to take in every angle as you admire the curves, cuts and crevices.   If it is in a museum there may be soft music playing in the background.   Perhaps the artist name plate is attached and lighting is used to bring out some of the more important aspects of the piece.   But what you see is not what was.   If you were to be transported back to the studio where the artist crafted the piece you would see a different scene.   Suppose you were in the studio when the artist made the last touch with his/her hammer and chisel.   If you were to pan back at that point, what would you see?   You would not only see the same statue you would eventually see in the art museum, you will also see the material that won't be taken to the museum.  You would see in the studio all the pieces that were cut off to shape the master piece now on display.  That "chiseling" is what we are told happens between friends in the above proverb.   Just as hard steal meets hard marble to sculpture a masterpiece, so, too, does one man "chisel" his friend.   And, like the artist in the studio, there can be a mess as that process is carried out.   It is doubtful that many men/women love the chiseling process.  It is typically loud, annoying and dusty.   Yet, you don't get a masterpiece without the hammer and chisel.   God is in the process of chiseling us to look like the image of His Son.   His hammer and His chisel is often our spouse, our friends, and, yes, even our enemies.   As one man sharpens another, God is using that chiseling process to shape us into the image of His Son.   God could just leave us alone.   But, that would not be His grace.   Without the chiseling process what would we look like?   If the artist never takes a hammer and chisel to the marble, what do you have?   A rock.   It is only under the sharpening of one to another that God shows us His grace and reveals to us and in us His love for us.   No one likes the chiseled.  But we should invite others to allow God to show us His grace through the chiseling process.   Few of us like the chiseling process to look and feel like a jack-hammer, however.   So, if we are asked to chisel another, we ought to be careful with the privilege they are given us in their lives, or, be sensitive to the fact that God is using us in their lives.    When iron sharpens iron, sparks fly.   But remember: When an axe is sharpened on a wheel both the axe and the wheel are reshaped.   If we have the honor to chisel another, they should be chiseling us back, as well.

Proverbs 26:2

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 false acquisitions:

Proverbs 26:2 (ESV)

Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

a curse that is causeless does not alight.

Everyone, at one time or another, has been accused of something. We tend to react differently to those accusations. Most defend or attack, others go into a shell and still others self-destruct. In this proverb we are given some vital truth that we would do good to hold onto in the shadow of an accusations. Just like a "sparrow" flits from place to place, or a "swallow" flys eractically, so too a curse "without cause" does not land and stick. What Solomon is telling us is that a false accusations leaves no mark on us. When I lived on a boat, I had little birds every morning land on the rails of the boat. They don't stay long. But they end up leaving  their droppings and then fly away. So, too, a false acquisation. They leave a mess but there is no real damage and a powerful hose eventually cleans things up.

 

Many people will accuse us of many things. But under God's watch and God's care, their accusations are just flittering birds and dartying sparrows. Don't get too caught up in their droppings. Once they are gone, take a shower and move on.  However, if you dwell on it, and you allow it to sit and dry, the accusations will become old and crusty.  That’s what happened on the boat.  If I washed the bird droppings away right away, they left little, if no mark. But, if I didn’t attend to it and brush it off quickly, it crusted and stained the boat. So, too, an accusation.  Brush it off and move on. Or, dwell on it and allow it to leave an everlasting stain.

Proverbs 25:11

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 tongue:

Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)

A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 25:15 (ESV)

With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Proverbs 25:23 (ESV)

The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

What does your tongue look like?  In the above three proverbs we are given some guidelines on what we are supposed to do with our tongue, our speech.   In 25:11 we are told that a word “fitly” spoken carries the value and beauty of golden apples in a silver bowl.    The Hebrew word for “fitly” is actually the same word for “wheel” in this proverb:

Proverbs 25:12 (ESV)

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

So, a tongue that carries a “fit” word can reprove others and carry them to the right place.  

In verse 15 we read that a soft tongue can be powerful enough to “break a bone.”  This means that using our words carefully we can persuade and influence even the highest in the land, the ruler or king.  

In verse 23, however, we see the opposite of the the first two.  A “fitly” spoken word and a “soft tongue” can move hearts and minds.  But, a “backbiting tongue” brings anger just like a north wind can bring rain.   The use of the tongue in the wrong way also moves minds.  But, it moves them to a place of anger and destruction.   

How we use our tongue on a given day can bring sweet or bitter results.   Our tongue is a powerful tool in our arsenal for the day:

Proverbs 20:26 (ESV)

A wise king winnows the wicked

and drives the wheel over them.

That seems odd!  A word that “wheels” from the tongue is like golden apples?   Perhaps in our modern day vernacular we might say, “A word that rolls off the tongue right is a tasty thing.”   The point Solomon is making is that when we use our words in the right way we can move and carry powerful movement in the minds of others.  In fact the next verse that follows this proverb states:

 James 3:5-10 (ESV)

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 

Proverbs 24:9

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 dealing with a scoffer:

Proverbs 24:9 (ESV)

The devising of folly is sin,

and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

We tend to think of sin as an act or behavior that is contrary to the character of God. However, in this proverb, Solomon tells us that just the "devising" of folly is sin. So, the mere thought or planning of sin is sin, not simply the act. The second line shows us even more depth in regard to sin and its character. "Scoffing" is also seen, even by men, as an "abomination." It is import to realize that our heart and attitude of mind is sin; something falling short of the glory and the character of God. We have to realize that the thought of sinning is sinning. We don't need an act to become a sinner. Our sin nature is just that; a nature. We need to be weary of allowing our minds to believe that only acts count as sin. It is our very nature that offends God. Our acts are simply outcomes of our nature. When you think your offense toward God is only outward acts you think more about yourself than you should. It is not our acts but who we are that is offensive to God.