Proverbs 21:6

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 the tongue:

Proverbs 21:6 (ESV)

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

Solomon has much to say about the tongue in Proverbs.  It is one of his favorite subjects.   In this proverb the first line makes a statement and the second line expands upon it and further develops what the first line states.    It is like a pregnant mother in the first line that gives birth to wonderful children in the second.   But, this proverb also combines the subject of the tongue with one of Solomon's other great themes: Riches and wealth.   He says about as much about wealth as he does the tongue in this great book.   What he says here is that wealth, obtained by a lying tongue, will not only disappear, it will be the same as pursuing death.  When we lie to get wealth we not only lose it quickly we get closer to death (which we should remember in scripture is pursuing us ... Romans 3:23).   Note the following:

Proverbs 13:11 (ESV)

11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,

but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Proverbs 20:21 (ESV)

21 An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

God reveals to us here that wealth is to be obtained by honesty.   In our list of things we recently read about what "God hates" we read That He hates people who lie:

Proverbs 6:16-17 (ESV)

16 There are six things that the LORD hates,

seven that are an abomination to him:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

In Proverbs 11:1 we read that an unjust weight is an abomination to the Lord.  Since "weights" were often used to measure out what was sold for a "fair" price, an uneven or unjust weight would allow those selling to sell less of what they were offering for more money.   God hates those who lie and use falsehood to fill their pockets.   In your business have you ever lied to a customer to solicit more money?  Have you ever tried to take back something to a store to "make money" when you know it was falsehood and lies?  Be careful that you don't quickly violate this proverb for the sake of a few coins.   Judas acquired treasure by a lying tongue and soon overtook death.

Proverbs 20:7

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 the righteous gives their children: 

Proverbs 20:7 (ESV)

The righteous who walks in his integrity—

blessed are his children after him!

If you could buy a ticket that would provide all your kids would need for the rest of your life, how much would you pay for it?  Some think a lotto ticket would be the thing that would provide the security they need for the present and the future. Solomon tells us, however, in the above proverb, that the best thing we can do as adults is to live a righteous life. By doing so, it will bring blessings to our children. What if each time we do something that saddens God, He removes a blessing from our children? Would you keep doing it? Imagine walking in the rain with an umbrella. But, you hold the umbrella over just you, not your kids. Living a righteous life, through the provision "in Christ", is like having an umbrella over our heads and our kids. How are you holding yours? Are you covering just you?   Paul repeats a similar theme in 1 Corinthians 7.  Note what he says:

1 Corinthians 7:14

For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Paul is NOT saying that the righteousness of one person "covers" the righteous needs for another.   What he is saying is that as we walk in a life IN Christ, we put our children at a better place to live for Christ as well.  We can be that "umbrella" in their life.  They still have to live their own life for Christ, but when we walk in righteousness and integrity, we live for God and for our children.  

Proverbs 19:9

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 lying:

Proverbs 19:9 (ESV)
A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.

It is doubtful that our society knows how serious God is about lying.  However, they should.   One of the Ten Commandments states plainly that, "Thou shalt not bear false witness."    When Christ was on the face of the earth He insulted the Pharisees, deliberately, that they were like their father the devil, a liar from the beginning.    Satan lied in the Garden.   That lead Adam and Eve astray.   God tells us in this proverb that a false witness will not go unpunished.   He who tells a lie will perish.   This is not soft speaking terms.   This is a bold declaration by God through the words of Solomon that He will not ignore false statements.   God is the God of truth.   He does not mix half-truth, or quarter-truth, or tenth-truths.  He is all truth.  Lying and stretching the truth are not different to Him.   We have to understand the importance of truth in God's character.   We are told that the "truth will set us free" by Christ.   That means that even a small lie can have a prison affect on us.   Don't get locked up in your own version of the truth.   It will only cause punishment.

Proverbs 18:20

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 connection between our heart, our tongue and satisfaction:

Proverbs 18:20 (ESV)

From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

This proverb is a theme that Solomon has touched on many times in Proverbs.  In Proverbs 12:14 he says basically the same thing:

Proverbs 12:14

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

In verse seven of this same chapter he speaks to the opposite side of this proverb by telling us a fool's mouth yields nothing for him:

Proverbs 18:7

A fool's mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

So, what can we learn here in 18:20?   Solomon is telling us what can happen when we use our language and our tongue productively.   But, before we speak to that thought let's also recall the connection Solomon makes between the tongue and the heart.   We have to remember that a proper tongue flows from a pure heart.   So, Solomon's thought here is that a pure heart, channeled through a proper tongue will produce food for the stomach.   Lips aren't only for consuming, according to Solomon.   They are also for communication.   Good communication allows us to get jobs, to earn a living in sales, to produce fruit by teamwork, and to convince others of our thoughts that makes us leaders.   Fruit from the mouth comes from faith in the heart.   We can be thankful that God produces fruit when we believe from the heart.  Communication carries consequences.   We can't speak words that hurt and not expect hurt in return.   Perhaps James was reading these proverbs when he wrote the following.   He shows us the power of the tongue:

James 3:3-5

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 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!

Proverbs 17:20

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 dishonest tongue:

Proverbs 17:20

He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

Proverbs 17:20 (ESV)

A man of crooked heart does not discover good,

and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. 

A crooked mind and perverted language go together! This proverb is a way for Solomon to tells us about the human experience and how we are controlled from the inside out. When we have corruption in the mind we will express it with the tongue. Another way to say that is, "What's in the well, comes up in the buket." So, what we think in our minds (well) comes up in the bucket (the tongue). If we are no good in our thought process we will be the same in our speech process. We can tell when someone is corrupt in the inside as we listen to their speech. Let's not kid ourselves, bad language is simply an expression of an evil heart. WE don't clean up our tongue without first having God control our hearts and minds. What is in the well come ups in the bucket. Which means we have to clean the heart and mind before we hear pure things on the lips.

Proverbs 16:5

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 pride of the heart:

Proverbs 16:5 (ESV)

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

be assured, he will not go unpunished.

We seldom remember or take this proverb to heart.   Pride is the one thing that will separate us from God faster than any other sin.  Eve was tempted to eat the fruit in the garden because Satan told her she would be like God.  Satan was tossed out of heaven because he desired to be like God.   David fell into sin with a women because, as King, he thought he could have anything he wanted.   King Nebuchadnezzar allowed his pride to lift him up and he was soon eating grass like a cow in the field.  Pride is so, so subtle. In our society we want our children to be proud of themselves.  We want them to have confidence in themselves.   Yet, it is that very pride and confidence we later condemn and control when they attempt to live their life separate from our moral code or framework.  But, worse, pride is an "abomination" to the Lord.   That is a very, very strong word.    Pride is "detestable" to God.  Mankind promotes it but God despises it.  When man thinks so highly of himself he takes away the glory due God.   When we think we have done something really great and really awesome it is really God giving us the ability to do this.   Let's rejoice in what God does in us and for us and let's be alert to pride as it creeps into our lives no matter who pretty it makes itself out to be.  Pride prevents us from confessing sin.  Pride hinders us from recognizing needs in our life.  Pride is the downfall for those who think too highly of themselves.  

Proverbs 15:11

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 heart of man:

Proverbs 15:11 (ESV)

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord,

How much more the hearts of men!

It is hard to hide something from your parents, a teacher and God!!  You can fool your parents and you can make sure the teacher doesn't see you when his/her back is turned.  But, God is not so easily fooled.    God sees all.  He sees the grave (Sheol) and hell (Abaddon).  And, if He can see those, He knows what is in the heart.  He knows what is in the mind.  Man thinks that his thoughts are his own and are hidden from enemy, authority and companion.  However, God even knows the thoughts.   He knows the wicked thoughts and the good thoughts.  He knows the motives and the secret desires.  He knows the lust and the lies.   He knows the wants and the wills.   God knows it all.   What we think we can hide from others we can't hide from Him.  He must laugh as we shut the door and lock it and find our way to the dark place of life.   Yet, nothing is hid from Him.  He knows the very thoughts of the heart.   Rejoice in that or fear that thought.   Either way God is viewing that rejoicing or that fear.   Here is what psalmist says about God knowing our thoughts:

Psalms 139:17-18 (ESV)

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

The most amazing thing to realize about the above passage is that God knows everything about us and yet the writer states:  I am still with you.   Even though God knows everything about us, He is still with us.   When most people find everything  about us they tend to not want to be around us.   God is the opposite of all that.   He knows everything about us and still stays with us.   

Proverbs 14:18

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 quick temper: 

Proverbs 14:17 (ESV)

A man of quick temper acts foolishly,

and a man of evil devices is hated.

Solomon, in the above proverb, is describing two different, but the same, type of people.  In Hebrew poetry the second line of the poem is written to compliment, illustrate, contrast, or illuminate the first line.  This is called Hebrew Parallelism.  In the above proverb the first line states the theme and the second line explains another aspect, or nuance, of the theme.   The theme is a man who is not fearing the Lord.   The line states that it is a foolish man who is quick-tempered.   He is acting foolishly, at least.   The second line widens the narrative of this man and says not only is he quick-tempered and therefore acting foolish, he is actually evil in his approach to life and hated.   In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 we have Paul's instruction telling us that the man of God, the Elder, is not to be quick to anger.   He is to be blameless in this area.   Solomon is telling us that the man who lives contrary to God's Word; contrary to the Fear of The Lord, is a man who is foolish, evil and hated.   As you watch someone who is quick-tempered you will soon see the evil in their response.    Note what Solomon says in another proverb about controlling these aspects of our spirits:  

Proverbs 16:32 - "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city."  

Since "self-control" is the Spirit's work, we need to remember that we have to rely on God, by faith, to control our anger and to keep us from evil.  The reason Solomon is telling us that a quick-tempered man is evil is because evilness flows from the heart.   Anger flows from the heart.   Righteous men allow the Spirit to control their anger because they are Spirit filled.

Proverbs 13:10

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 taking advice:

Proverbs 13:10 (ESV)

By insolence comes nothing but strife,

but with those who take advice is wisdom.

This is a contrasting proverb. The second line is the contrast to the first. When someone gives you advice, especially when your mind is already made up and you know what you are talking about, how do you respond? This proverb tells us that people who show Godly wisdom can “take advice” verses those who are guided by pride. You can tell the spiritual growth of someone based upon their ability to hear, listen and take the advice of those around them. Leadership that doesn’t take advice is grounded in pride, not in Godly wisdom. Follower-ship that can’t listen to the advice of their leaders is wrapped in pride. Wisdom allows you to take advice, while pride breeds quarrels. Those who take advice will be able to stop quarrels before they start. That is spiritual maturity. Those who stomp off and don't listen show their pride.  This proverb tells us that wisdom can be found in the counsel we get from others.  Just a couple of chapters ago, Solomon told us about counselors in our lives:

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no guidance the people fall,

But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

God speaks to us through the voices of others.  We must always compare what they say to us with Scripture, but that is how God has often talked to those in His family.   Some times we don't listen to them, however.   In 2 Samuel 24 Joab tries to talk King David out of taking a census of the people.  Joab knew it was out of pride (insolence) in David's heart.   David didn't listen and God disciplined the nation for his arrogance.   Sometimes we shouldn't listen.   In Acts 21:10-13 we read about the prophet Agabus giving Paul and others a warning that if Paul were to go to Jerusalem it could be dangerous and cost him his life.   Since Paul was already told by God through the Spirit to go to Jerusalem and dying for Christ was already part of his commission, Paul ignored the "counsel" of Agabus.    Counsel that gives us wisdom that points us to the character of God ought to be followed.  Counsel that directs us away from God ought to be ignored.   But, wisdom is available in Godly counsel.

Proverbs 12:10

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 mercy:

Proverbs 12:10 (ESV)

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

Solomon, no doubt, had many animals and had the opportunity to observe how many people within his kingdom cared for their animals.   Animals in Solomon's day were not "pets".   Animals were machines, food sources, or revenue streams.   In his observations, Solomon also had a chance to observe the many people and how they cared for others.    Blending these two observations together Solomon's produces the above proverb.   Solomon observes that righteous people show mercy.   They are kind and that kindness extends even to their beasts.     But he also observed that wicked people are not full of mercy and, in fact, are cruel.    Even when the wicked tries to be compassionate it is cruel when compared to God's compassion.    In Matthew 12:7-21 we read Jesus adding the importance of this very thought.   God wants mercy and kindness.  He wants it over sacrifice.   When God produces righteousness in us because of the work His Son has done on the cross we need to know that He also produced kindness in our lives.  The fruit of the spirit is the outcome of God's compassion in us.  We can see it even in how we treat something as minor as our animals.  Today’s leadership needs to understand that Solomon is not simply talking about animals.  He is talking about those who bring production to your life and how to treat them.   Treat them with mercy and you receive mercy.   Treat them with cruelty and reap the same.

Proverbs 11:6

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 the trap of lust:

Proverbs 11:6 (NASV)

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.

Proverbs 11:6 (ESV)

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

If you have ever been accused of falsehood or bad motives or had someone question your credibility, this proverb is a refreshing and comforting thought. If you approach something with falsehood, bad motives and poor credibility, you are acting with treacherous thoughts. You will be caught in your own greed ... the desire for something you should not have ... power, position, honor. However, if you are seeking God's truth and desiring God's Ways for whatever the situation you face, than that "righteousness" will deliver you from false acquisitions and the traps others set for you. A person who desires righteous outcomes will let God worry about their reputation. Think of Daniel here! Daniel was a righteous man and loved by the kings he served. However, those who had greed in their hearts and wanted to have Daniel's power and position sought evil for Daniel. They were eventually thrown in the lion's den while Daniel lived, even though the lions had their chance with Daniel first. His three friends had the same possible fate with the hot fire. However, their righteousness delivered them and fried their treacherous accusers. If you are in a struggle make sure you are seeking and have greed for righteousness and not greed for something for yourself.

Proverbs 10:1

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about being wise or foolish:

Proverbs 10:1 (ESV)

A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

We all love our kids. We love them when they are cute; we love them when they are funny; we love them when they are not lovable; when they make mistakes; when they mess up; when they disobey. The best measure for us in regard to how we are to respond to our children is in regard to their association and attitude with wisdom. When they have a great relationship with wisdom we are glad but when they have a poor relationship with wisdom we are grieved. We tend, as parents, to rejoice when they do things "athletically" or "academically" or something of that nature. We tend to be grieved when they do something that disobeys us. In this proverb we are told to rejoice in wisdom and to grieve at foolishness. We ought to have God so centered in our lives that our rejoicing over our children is also so centered. Rejoice over your kids but do so because they obey God and have found Wisdom. Grieve over your kids but do so because they have rejected God and Wisdom. A wise son for Christ should bring praise much more than one who measures up to some outward, societal code.  It is quite something to watch parents get excited about their child’s accomplishments.    They are great in school; sports; work; and/or relationships.    But, the ultimate relationship that we want to get excited about, as parents, is a child’s relationship with wisdom.  This relationship will determine how they make decisions.  This relationship will be the most qualifying requirement for their “success” in the future.    When our children have a positive relationship with wisdom should be the thing that gives us the most excitement.  

Proverbs 9:4

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the simple and naive: 

Proverbs 9:4 (ESV)

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

To him who lacks sense she says,

(This is the same proverb as 9:16)

If you were going to have a party who would you invite?  If you were going to put out the fine linen and most expensive tableware, who would be the invited guests.   If you wanted to brag about a party you had just put on, would not you top the description of the layout with the names of all those who attended.  Imagine a high school senior who threw a party and invited the simple and the naive, those lacking sense.   Would they go back to school on Monday and report back to others who attended?   Imagine a mom or a business man in the same situation.  Do they not measure the success of the party based upon the number and the names of those who attend?   Fortunately Wisdom is not like a high school senior, a social-lite mom, or a businessman.  Wisdom is not looking for the person who majored in philosophy, psychology or even theology.   Wisdom is offering herself to those who need her and know they need her: The Naive.   It is those who can say, "I can't do it and don't know how, " who are best suited to attend the party Wisdom is throwing in Proverbs chapter nine.   In 1 Corinthians 1-2 we see that the wise are confounded by Wisdom of God.   They think the gospel is foolishness.  Yet, it is the very Wisdom of God because it is Jesus Christ, Wisdom personified.   In Luke 14 we read the story told by Jesus of the wealthy man who gave a banquet.  But, the rich and the popular had too much to do to attend his meal.  So, he sent out his servants into the highway and the byways to invite those who had no food; the poor and the destitute.   That is who Wisdom is calling.  Until we realize we have no understanding, we can't appreciate God's Wisdom.    She is calling those who need it and know they need it.

God is calling out and will not stop calling out. God is not willing that any should perish, but wants all to come to repentance. Some will still perish, of course, but God calls, through Wisdom. Wisdom is Christ personified. In 1 Corinthians 1 we read that Christ is the Wisdom of God. So, Wisdom, Christ, is calling out to the navie and to the one who lacks understanding. Christ is calling and wants the navie to "turn in" and those who lack understanding to listen to what wisdom has to "say." The "whoever" is navie is an important aspect of this proverb. We all have a bit of "naivity" in our blood and demonstrated in our life. When we are in a naive state and in a lack of understanding mind we need to find God's wisdom ... Jesus Christ ... and respond appropriately. If you are naive, listen.

Proverbs 8:35-36

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 value of wisdom:

Proverbs 8:35-36 (ESV Strong's)

35 For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the LORD,

36 but he who fails to find me injures himself;

all who hate me love death.”

Find Wisdom

If you have ever been urgently looking for something and finally found it, you get a glimpse into the insight Solomon is trying to provide us in these two proverbs.    Yet, finding your car keys when you are late for work doesn’t even come close to this message.  Finding your wallet after it was lost for a week does not.  Finding you child who wandered off into a dangerous place, might get close.  Yet, Solomon in the above passages is talking about finding something even more precious than a child: Wisdom.   In chapter eight of Proverbs we are reading Wisdom’s word to us.  She is speaking to us.  She is telling us all the benefits of having her in your worldview of life.   Failing to find wisdom is the same as finding death.   When we fail to search for and find wisdom we do self-inflicted harm to ourselves.   Thankfully, wisdom is available by simply fearing the Lord.  That is the message of chapter nine:

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV Strong's)

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Wisdom makes herself available so she is an easy find.  Note where she is:

Proverbs 8:1-3 (ESV Strong's)

1 Does not wisdom call?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 On the heights beside the way,

at the crossroads she takes her stand;

3 beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

She is loud and standing on every corner.  We have but to Fear the Lord (stand in awe of Him and revere Him) and we will find wisdom.   

But when reading Proverbs we need to decide if a proverb is a promise or a percept or a principle.   Personally I believe they are all three.  When God is telling us something we need to remember that God's Word is telling us that He is going to do something.   We might not realize He is doing something but He is.  This proverb tells us that those who find wisdom through faith in Christ will be blessed by God.   It should be noted, however, that we don't always see that God is blessing us, even though He is.   The second line of this proverb tells us that those who follow God in faith and not in feelings will receive "favor" from The Lord.   That doesn't mean that all aspects of our life will feel good.   In fact, it often doesn't.   But, God knows that we love Him and follow Him.   We live by faith, not by feelings.   We might not feel like God is there, but if we are obeying Him we can know, based upon this proverb, that God's favor is upon us.   We might have to wait until we reach eternity to see it, but we do have God's favor ... grace.   And, that is enough to help us make it past the feelings into a world of faith and experience favor by faith.