Proverbs 20:6

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 trust and loyalty:

Proverbs 20:6 (ESV)

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,

but a faithful man who can find?

Words mean nothing without the walk behind them and supporting them! You can claim your loyalty with your mouth but you must demonstrate it with your life by being trusted. Loyalty is something that leaders desire and need. Many claim to be loyal to the leader but the follower who is indeed loyal demonstrates it through being trusted to carry about the mission and the desires of the leader. The connection between loyalty and trust can't be diminished. But the real teaching in this proverb is the relationship between "proclaiming" one thing (loyalty) and the "finding" of the other (trustworthiness). What is proclaimed must be found to make the proclamation valid. We have many who claim loyalty and then when the fire gets hot they are no where to be found. Our Savior saw this when all the disciples scattered. They proclaimed loyalty and then denied association (think Peter). A "trustworthy" follower is one who is there when the idea didn't work; or the project was a bust; or the game plan failed. Loyalty is the words, trustworthiness is the action. Which are we?

Note also:

Proverbs 20:28 (ESV)

Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,

and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

Proverbs 19:8

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 finding the good:

Proverbs 19:8 (ESV)

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;

he who keeps understanding will discover good.

At the end of Psalm 23 we read the following:

Psalms 23:6 (ESV)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Those who follow after the Shepherd will have "goodness and mercy" follow them.   In that favorite Psalm, goodness “follows” us.   In the above Proverb goodness is found by the one who gets wisdom and keeps understanding.  In that psalm we have goodness because we pursue the right One ... the good shepherd.  In this proverb you get goodness because you pursue Wisdom.   In 1 Corinthian 2 we read that Christ is Wisdom:

1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV)

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Since this is true we can see the harmony between this great psalm and this theme of Proverbs.   When we pursue wisdom and seek to keep understanding, we can be assured of goodness in our life.  The first line of the above proverb states that we actually love our own soul (which is parallel to finding “good”).  Searching and pursuing wisdom is only for those who are spiritually minded and want to build and support their soul via a relationship with wisdom, i.e. Christ.   Those who hate their soul will seek folly.   In Proverbs 18:7 we read that the fool “does” damage to his soul by his words.  

Proverbs 18:7

A fool's mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Or, Solomon writes in another place:

Proverbs 19:3

When a man's folly brings his way to ruin,

his heart rages against the Lord.

The fool hurts their soul and rages (blames) God.  But the wise do good to their soul, when they pursue Christ and the wisdom found in Christ.  In our world today we are encouraged to "find ourselves."   The problem with that philosophy is that when we find ourselves, we don't find Christ.  We are supposed to be seeking Christ and the wisdom in Christ.  When we do, we find that we "love" our own soul.   A good self-image is really in the pursuit of Christ's image IN US, not our own image FOR US.  

This does not mean all things will be good in our lives.  We can refer to Job as an example.  It does mean, however, that the things that MATTER will be good in our lives.  The things that MATTER are eternal in nature.  The eternal things that matter never were taken from Job.   The things that matter are not of this world.   God wants us to pursue His glory.   We will, however, also be making better choices.  Those choices will lead us down a better path than when we are foolish and reject Christ’s wisdom.  

Proverbs 18:19

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 brother offended:

Proverbs 18:19 (ESV)

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

In this proverb the first line is expanded by the second. The proverb addresses what will happen when a relationship, or someone we have some partnership with, becomes offended. Those we have called “brother,” when offended become much harder to win back. They become like a fortified city or (as the second line adds), the barred gates of a citadel, or castle. We should work hard to restore relationships with those who are close to us even faster than others. A brother offended is hard to win back. Once someone you love is offended it is even more difficult to win them back because when that love is turned to anger, or hate, or mistrust, it becomes like strong bars. This is something that often happens in families. It is what makes family issues so tough. Don’t wait to resolve anger and disputes. The longer you wait the harder it is to resolve. You may find yourself having to cut through the "bars of a citadel."  The good news is that God has the power to break those bars.  The word for “offended” is translated “transgressors” in this psalm:

Psalms 51:13 (ESV)

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

Psalm 51 is a plea by David for God’s forgiveness and cleansing.  David had offended God and Israel with his sin with Bathsheba.   David came to the place of repentance and he discovers God’s grace and forgiveness.   But, note that after forgiveness there is a new teaching.  The “transgressor” has to learn God’s “ways.”   Psalm 51 is about repentance and the rebuilding of David’s walk with God.  The bars of the citadel are broken through repentance and a new walk with God in His ways.  The power of God’s grace cuts through the bars.   

Proverbs 17:19

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 16:4

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 God establishing His purpose, even in times of trouble:

Proverbs 16:4 (ESV)

The LORD has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble.

God has made everything and a purpose for everything. This really stretches those who have a struggle with the sovereignty of God. What Solomon is telling us is that the Lord puts people on this earth for a specific purpose. The second line of the proverb gives us some deep insight into God's working in the world. This is illustrated by Paul in Romans 9 when he talks about loving Jacob and hating Esau. He also refers to preparing some vessels for only destruction (Romans 9:22). Paul finishes the discussion by mentioning "hardening" Pharaoh's heart to show His own glory. God has a purpose for even those whom He created to destroy. Some object to this thought process. Some believe that we all have some redeeming quailty and if God were not to give us all a "chance" to be redemmed it would be deemed "unfair" by God. However, if you hold this view, what does this Proverb and Romans 9 teach us? Peter echos the same thing in 1 Peter 2:8. 

1 Peter 2:7-8 (ESV)

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,”

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Note that it states that those who reject the “stone” and “rock” (Jesus) stumble because they were “destined” to do that.  The disciples had a good grip on what it means to know God's sovereign character. Since God never does wrong we don't have to worry about Him violating that sovereign power. Because we are fallen men and women we can only see abuse of such power. But, God is perfect in His love, mercy, justice AND sovereign power. He does not, can not, abuse it. If He made some vessels on this earth for only one reason and that reason was for destruction on Judgement Day, we can say little. God can do what He wants. Rather than insult me or cause me harm, this truth makes me rejoice in my salvation all the more.

Proverbs 15:10

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 good words healing the body:

Proverbs 15:30

Bright eyes gladden the heart;

Good news puts fat on the bones.

Proverbs 15:30 (ESV)

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

and good news refreshes the bones.

 In this proverb Solomon gives us insight on how to encourage others. Have you ever received a letter in the mail (or, today, an e-mail) that was good news. You heard it, or read it and couldn’t wait to pass it along. It just added some positive energy to your step for that moment. That is what the second line of this proverbs says. “Good news” does that to someone … it “heals the body.” But the second line here is to add to the meaning of the first line of the proverb. Just like good news gives health to the bones, so too does a cheerful look. Another version of this verse says: Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones. In our diet crazed world, fat on the bones may not be a good thing, but the idea is there. A cheerful look (bright eyes) brings a gladness to others. You may not be able to give others money or goods for their problems, but you can give them a cheerful look. Turn on the Bright Eyes!

Proverbs 14:16

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 being discerning:

Proverbs 14:16 (NASBStr)

A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,

But a fool is arrogant and careless.

Proverbs 14:16 (NIV1984)

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil,

but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

Proverbs 14:16 (ESV)

16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,

but a fool is reckless and careless.

Our ability to step away from evil is a gift from God.  Through faith we take on the armor of God.   The shield of faith enables us to quench the darts of the wicked.   That is the message of this proverb.   Again, we have to remember that Jesus is Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1).   So, a man filled with the Spirit of Christ is "cautious and turns" from evil.   On the opposite side of things the fool is filled with his sin.   He has rejected wisdom (Christ) and therefore has no bearings.  He/she has no compass.   They cannot find their way.   They run "hotheaded and reckless" right into sin.   The wise person (filled with Christ) is given by God a compass.    We are not wise by our choices.  We are wise by God's filling.   We don't get to the point to turn away from evil by our choices.  We get there by being wise.   We get wise by being filled with the Person of Wisdom: Christ.   Put your faith in Christ today for wisdom.

Proverbs 13:9

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 the rich and the poor:

Proverbs 13:8 (ESV)

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

but a poor man hears no threat.

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

Proverbs 12:9

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 how your promote yourself:

Proverbs 12:9 (ESV)

Better to be lowly and have a servant

than to play the great man and lack bread.

The subject discussed in this proverb is the genuineness of our lives. Solomon is telling us, in two contrasting lines, that it is always better to have something and be in the background, than to have nothing and to be out front pretending you do. We live in a world were this proverb can be very practical and meaningful for us. In our days, your social status may focus primarily on whether you have a house, two kids and white picket fence. We even describe this nationally as “the American dream.”  We have gone through several versions of this, but it is always locked on the material side. What kind of car you drive, what your cell phone can or can’t do, or what your career is like, have all become status indicators. We switch between the “status symbols” but we never leave the symbols.   But having things doesn’t make you important. The way you present them does. Character is always more important than the possession. Be genuine, no matter what you possess.  The above proverb has an element of “having” something.  The one in the proverb who is “low” HAS A SERVANT.   The one who “pretends” to be somebody HAS NOTHING.  So, there is an element of materialism in Solomon’s observations.   This is really, however, about how you use the material goods to promote yourself.  There are those who really have “nothing” but they pretend that they do so others will view them in a more significant manner.   There are some, however, that don’t derive their significance from how others view them.   They derive but demonstrating their life with more clarity and character.  

Proverbs 11:5

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 the righteousness and the wicked:

Proverbs 11:5 (NASV)

The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,

But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

Proverbs 11:5 (ESV)

The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,

but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. 

This is an incredible tough proverb to believe by faith. It demands faith, since we don't necessarily, or even seldom, see it with the eyes of the flesh. It is also tough to believe as we have been told by Christ, Paul, Peter and other New Testament writers that we are to suffer like Christ suffered. To then read Solomon's Words that, "the righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way" causes some confusion. When we look at the second line and realize we don't always see the wicked "fall by his own wickedness" it makes the two lines, together, tough to believe.  That is why we must accept God's Word by faith. We don't always see the truth play out with our human eyes. We should note that Solomon isn't telling us the righteousness of the blameless "will be smooth." He says that righteousness will "make our ways smooth." The implication is we won't have a smooth way but will need help in making it smooth. The ESV helps us with its interpretation.  In the ESV we see that “righteousness” is not something to simply “attain” but the “rudder” for our way.  When we commit and follow after righteous living, we have a safe way in front of us.  That is where faith in Christ comes into play.  God will make our way smooth as we trust in Him for our righteousness and obey Him in His Word.   However, those who reject Him will fall by their very own wickedness.   God doesn't really have to do much for the unbeliever since his/her own unbelief will eventually destroy them.   Wickedness will eventually catch up with all who reject truth.  When they reject truth they will eventually follow the lies they use to replace that truth.  Trust this proverb by faith and live by it via faith.   There will be no surprises at the end.

Proverbs 10:32

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 lips of the righteous: 

Proverbs 10:32 (NASBStr)

The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,

But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.

Proverbs 10:32 (NIV1984)

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting,

but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Proverbs 10:32 (ESV)

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,

but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Today I sat in front of a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and head administrator of a school system.  They asked my opinion on several employees and about their culture.   As I sat there I asked God for wisdom (as in James 2), since the questions being asked carried great gravity as to ramifications for several people.   As I offered my response it was evident that God gave me some insight only He could give.  My answer(s) was not only plausible but also acceptable to them.  They saw the ideas I presented as good and right for them.  This is exactly what Solomon is talking about in the above proverb.  Both the NASV and the NIV indicate to us that when we walk by faith and live in the righteousness that God clothes us with wisdom.  Through Christ's work on the cross we will be blessed with wise and fitting answers to life's toughest problems.   When we attempt to answer the questions asked with the wisdom of this world, or of our own flesh and mind, we fulfill the second line of the above proverb.   The wicked (those who walk according to the flesh) are perverted in their responses.   They only offer perverse answers.  When we walk by faith and have the righteousness of Christ we can ask for wisdom and be assured that what God gives us is not only favorable to Him, but also favorable to man.   We just need to make sure we are getting our answers from above and not from within.   Note the other proverbs in this chapter:

Proverbs 10:20-21 (ESV)

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;

the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

The lips of the righteous feed many,

but fools die for lack of sense.

Proverbs 10:31 (ESV)

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Solomon has let us know that when there is righteousness in the heart (put there by God) there will be aptness on the tongue (enabled by God).

Proverbs 9:3

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 wisdom and folly’s ambassadors. 

Proverbs 9:3 (ESV)

She has sent out her young women to call

from the highest places in the town,

Wisdom, in chapter nine, is calling out to those who are passing by to entice them to turn into her and drink of her benefits.   Solomon has spent the last eight chapters drawing a graphic and memorable difference between wisdom and folly.   In the above proverb we see that Wisdom has employed her own networking systems to make sure those walking by her, hear her.  Her "maidens" are those who she has commissioned with her message.   They call out from the highest and most prestiges places of the city.   Make no mistake that God has sent out many ambassadors to call out His Wisdom (Christ) to others.  In the days of the flood it was Noah.  In Pharaoh's day it was first Joseph; and then Moses.   In Nebuchadnezzar's day it was Daniel.   In Herod's day it was John the Baptist.  In Caesar's day it was Paul.   In the Pharisee's day it was Christ, Himself.   God sends fourth His messengers.   The question is whether we listen to them or not.  Nebuchadnezzar listened to Daniel.  Herod killed John the Baptist.    People ignored Noah and died in the flood - who was a picture of Jesus, who they ignored and crucified on the tree.   Even though God has sent out "maidens" to carry the message, many simply ignore them.  The refuse to listen despite the fact the maidens are at the heights of the city.   It doesn't matter how high, how loud, how right, or how compelling the messenger, if people don't want to believe by faith in Wisdom, they will reject her message.  Yet, even today God continues to send people into our lives to warn us and call to us on His behalf.

Proverbs 8:34

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 advantages of following wisdom vs folly. 

Proverbs 8:34 (NASBStr)

Blessed is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at my doorposts.

Proverbs 8:34 (ESV)

Blessed is the one who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

waiting beside my doors.

Sitting at Wisdom's door is better than sitting at Folly's table. Wisdom wants to bless us and will do so if we but call and stay close to her house. But when we cross over the street to the house of Folly we have negative consequences. Although Wisdom is available to all, all don't take advantage of her. Some want the loud and enticing house of Folly. But it is better to simply be at Wisdom's door (Proverbs 8:34) than to dwell in the house of Folly (Proverbs 9:13-18).  How easy the choice is to pen ... or type out.  How hard is it to live out.   Notice in Romans 7:15-25 that Paul, the great Apostle, struggled to get his flesh to follow hard after righteousness.   King David sat one late night on the roof of the very house these proverbs would eventually be penned by his own son.   Even though God would describe David as a "man after My own heart," David would seek folly that night and sleep with a women married to one of  his soldiers.   Abraham would listen to his wife and instead of believing in the promise of God would sleep with the handmaid, hoping to fulfill God's promise via the flesh way.   It takes great faith to "watch" and "wait" at Wisdom's door.    The flesh will be drawn away to something enticing and exciting.   But, when we sit quietly and listen to wisdom, she promises we will be blessed.