Burunche’s Blog

Wine Is a Mocker

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise. The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life. It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man? The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him. A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”? Differing weights and unequal measures —both are detestable to the LORD. Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both. Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food. “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats. There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.

Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you. Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way? It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows. A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.

Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne. The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old. Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.”

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise. The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life. It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel. The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.”  At first we might wonder why these statements are grouped together; however, think about the consequences of alcoholism. Many people are “mean drunks;” that is, when they get drunk, they want to beat up on someone verbally, physically, or both. Remember the story of Esther: nobody was supposed to approach the king without an invitation. And Nehemiah feared for his life when he couldn’t present a smiling face as he carried out his duties as cup bearer to the king. Kings could issue death sentences on a whim, so what might happen if someone blundered into the king’s presence while drunk? And an alcoholic farmer might neglect his work, resulting in an empty harvest.

“The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?” “Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?” “Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright… Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.”  Yesterday we spoke about integrity, and today’s proverb continues that discussion. It takes a man-or woman-of understanding to discern people’s motives. There’s an old saying that “Actions speak louder than words,” and that saying still holds true. 

“Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both. Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food. “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats. There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner. Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel… Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.”  Forget technology! People have been conducting business ever since the human race began, and the writer is sharing wry and perceptive observations about business people so sharp that they might cut themselves. Bottom line: God detests cheaters!

“Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.” Seeking wise counsel is only sensible, but why mention gossips or those who hate their parents in the same context? It’s not enough to consult someone; you must ensure that your advisors are truly wise and virtuous. Solicit advice from the wrong person, and everybody in town will know your business. Solicit advice from someone so evil that he will curse his own parents in defiance of God’s commands, and you are trusting the wrong person. Someone so hateful that he will curse his own parents will not hesitate to betray you.

“An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.” Few things can cause as much acrimony in a family as wills and inheritances, particularly in dysfunctional families. When children have grown up unsure of their parents’ love, they want to grab as many of their parents’ things as possible to reassure themselves that their parents truly loved them. In one situation, a brother and sister refused to speak to each other for five years after disagreeing over the things left by their grandmother.

“The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.” Is this statement always true? Each of us has a conscience that helps tell us right from wrong; however, many of us attempt to  stifle that conscience. But it’s a funny thing about your conscience-even when you think you have it completely stifled, it still pops up to confront you. That persistence is from God.  

“Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne. The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old. Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.” Unfaithful counselors can bring down a ruler, and the virtue of a ruler can be measured by the quality of his/her supporters.

There is a saying that “Youth is wasted on the young.” Young people take their beauty and strength for granted, never realizing that both are ephemeral. One Christian humorist once penned a book entitled Will Jesus Return Before My Body Parts Go South? Live long enough, and gravity begins taking over; your body parts do begin to slide downward. Without exercise, you might wind up as a blob. As for the statement about lashes and wounds, I am reminded of the story of the little boy who misbehaved and whose mother sent him to sit on a chair in the corner facing the wall. Defiantly, the little boy announced, “I might be sitting down on the outside, BUT I AM STANDING UP ON THE INSIDE!” Discipline can improve us if we allow it; however, if we remain defiant, it will have little effect.

APPLICATION: Once more we have a chapter of Proverbs that appears to be a bit of a grab bag with statements ranging from warnings about alcohol to business advice to advice about wise counselors. But there are some recurring themes. Integrity remains a critical component of any solid relationships. God reminds us that He hates cheaters and He is fully aware of all the ways business people can defraud others. We are encouraged to seek wise counsel and to be careful not to entrust our secrets to gossips. And there is plenty of advice for those in authority.

Once more, we realize that different parts of a chapter will speak to you on different days, depending on your circumstances. When my beloved 10 ½ year-old Samsung tablet finally fell apart (sniff! sniff!) I pulled out my hard cover Bible. This book has been rebound twice because I have used it so much. Reading the comments, I remember the trials and struggles that moved me to write them. I have sections highlighted in various colors. The ink has faded from some of the comments, but my Bible remains proof that the Word of God is living and will speak to anyone who will listen and apply it to their lives.   

Go back and read today’s chapter, asking God to show you what He has for you today. I don’t know what you will find, but I am confident that God has something specially for you that will speak to whatever situation in which you find yourself.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, open our eyes that we might see wonderful things in Your Law. Thank You that Your Word will always be a lamp for our feet and a light for our paths. Thank You that Your Word will always cut through confusion if we allow it to do so and that You will always guide us if we will allow You. We thank You and bless You in the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Man of Integrity

“Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver. All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.

He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die. Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again. Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail. The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.

The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm. The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.”

““Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse. Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.” The theme of today’s study is integrity. The dictionary defines integrity as: 1. The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles “a gentleman of complete integrity” 2. The state of being whole and undivided, “upholding territorial integrity and national sovereignty.” The two definitions are closely related because a double-minded person cannot possibly possess integrity.

Integrity is not one of the virtues that gains very much praise these days; yet, we all hope that those with whom we are dealing will demonstrate it. Here the writer warns of those  who have zeal without knowledge, impetuosity, and refusal to regard the Lord.

But even though the writer is praising a poor man with integrity, he warns that many “friends” will desert the poor. Even if a poor man has integrity, his friends will desert him, despite his pleas for help.

“He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success. A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.” Even though someone might be poor, they can still acquire wisdom, safeguard understanding, and bear true witness. Inevitably, liars get caught up in their own lies and wind up in trouble.

Now let’s look at some of the harmful behavior described here. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.” “A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.”  “A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.” “He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.” “A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.”

All these practices are typical for someone with no integrity. Bearing false witness, failing to control one’s temper, mocking others-all these are actions God hates. The Ninth Commandment clearly states “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16) For a man to assault his father or evict his mother is a clear violation of the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

APPLICATION: In Bible times, punishments could involve being beaten, something that doesn’t happen in most countries these days. But in the Kingdom of God, integrity has never gone out of style. God hates liars, mockers, cheaters, and those who oppress the poor.

Do God’s purposes always prevail? Sadly, we can frustrate God’s purposes if we insist on pursuing foolishness. But we must remember that God knows the end from the beginning and God is not sitting in heaven, slapping His forehead, and saying, “Why did I ever create those people?” God is infinitely resourceful and He can save terrible situations, delivering us from our foolishness if we will allow Him. I can’t count the number of times God has had to extricate me from stupid situations into which I have gotten myself. 

Not only is God infinitely resourceful, but He also forgives our shortcomings if we will only confess them to Him. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” Putting it another way, all of us have messed up, are messing up, and undoubtedly will mess up in the future. When we ask God for help and guidance, He can give us wisdom so that we avoid stupid mistakes. Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we confess that we have frequently made foolish mistakes. Thank You for delivering us. Give us wisdom so that we will make good choices and live lives that honor You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Selfishness of the Unfriendly

He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. A gossip’s words are like choice morsels; they sink into the inmost being. Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.”

  “He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.”  This chapter of Proverbs has a lot of great advice about being careful with your thoughts and your words. There’s a popular saying, “My mind’s made up; don’t confuse me with the facts.” Some people don’t simply jump to conclusions but they leap to them at the speed of light. The problem is that this way leads to disaster.

“Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. A gossip’s words are like choice morsels; they sink into the inmost being. Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.” Why are fools and gossips lumped together here? Gossips don’t care if their information is correct; they only care if their rumors are full of juicy tidbits, true or otherwise. Nothing is quite so humiliating as starting a vivid rumor, only to be confronted with truth that bears no resemblance to your statements.  

“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.” Talking about jumping to conclusions, failing to get the facts before speaking out is the ultimate in foolishness. And yet political opponents engage in such statements constantly. “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.”  There’s another popular saying, “First liar never has a chance.” Rushing to be heard first might seem wise; however, by speaking first, you allow your opponent to learn the arguments you plan to use so that he can create a compelling defense. Most of us are our own worst enemies.

“From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Spread vicious rumors about others and they will reciprocate. The spiteful things you say today might lead to disaster for you tomorrow.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.” This chapter has a lot more to it than merely warning of foolishness with words. Many of us believe that if we have enough money, it will protect us. But those who trusted in Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi schemes can testify that money can evaporate overnight. That’s why the proverb mentions that wealth only reassures a rich man “in his imagination.” God is our only safe refuge.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” In Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, the boy’s drinking companions disappeared along with his money. In that story, it was the father with his great heart of love who took the boy back and celebrated his return. No matter how close our human friends are, God is the only One who can stay closer than any of our siblings. Jesus told that story to illustrate the fact that if we will repent of our sins, God the Father will always receive us. But none of us knows how much time we have left on earth, so today is the day we should turn to God.

APPLICATION: Foolish talk or faithfulness-this is the main theme of today’s chapter of Proverbs. Watch your words because they can help or hurt you. No matter how faithful human friends might be, they can fail us. Human friends can believe wrong rumors about us or become sick and incapacitated or even die.  

In the end, it is only the wisdom that comes from God that will stand the test of time. Only God can really be a strong tower of protection for us. Forget the number of followers you have on Facebook or other social media. When you need deliverance, those people won’t be available. Only God can save you.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, teach us to number our days that we might get hearts of wisdom. Help us to trust You for strength, for guidance, and for protection. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

“Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue. He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father. Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends. A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house. To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD. Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction. The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty. A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.”

“Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.” Forget “Lives of the Rich and Famous!” If you want true peace, you need a quiet spirit. The concept of a virtuous servant inheriting instead of a ne’er-do-well son was a shocking one, but it could happen. We must remember that God is the final tester of all hearts.

“A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue. He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.” One key law of the Kingdom of God is that the measure you give out is the measure you will receive, or “What goes around comes around.”
 

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.” One of the joys of parenthood is watching your children grow into productive adults who raise wonderful children. But as grandparents, we must pray for our children and grandchildren and for their future offspring as well.

“Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.”  The Bible says a lot about acts of love, but what is meant by this verse? Are we supposed to harbor criminals? No. The offenses referred to here are the sand in your shoes, nitty-gritty irritations we all suffer from people who speak without thinking or offensive situations that we encounter. Really, what good does bringing up these hurts accomplish? When we complain about  those things that offend us, we are demonstrating how petty and immature we can be. And who wants to listen to a Debbie Downer? Few things are more revolting than someone who is a chronic griper. There’s also another aspect: How do we sound to others? How certain are we that we are not offending others, particularly if we are given to complaining? As my late mother used to say, “Put a sock in it!”

“It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.” It’s amazing but true that sometimes the more deluded people are, the more they cling to their delusions in the hopes that their persistence will somehow magically transform their misbeliefs.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.” Loyalty is a rare and priceless commodity, but it’s important to make certain you are being loyal to the right people. Standing surety for a loan can leave you in debt if the debtor reneges on the loan.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” See our earlier discussion. Joy is contagious. The late Christian author and speaker Barbara Johnson devoted one room of her home to things that gave her joy. Not only did Barbara collect joyful items but those enjoying her ministry also sent her all kinds of things. Although you might not want to have such a large collection, it’s always good to keep a mental list of those things that give you joy and to thank God for those things rather than obsessing about your problems.

APPLICATION: Once more, we have a chapter of Proverbs containing lots of great pithy sayings. As you read through this chapter, you will find that a few of the verses leap out at you while others just sit there. No problem. The verses that are speaking to you today are God’s Word for you today. Read this same chapter some other time, and it’s quite likely that the verses that were so significant today will fade into the background while other verses will claim your attention. This is the magnificent thing about the Bible; there’s always more to learn and God will continue to speak to your daily condition. 

Proverbs is a handy book because there is a chapter for each day of the month. I read a chapter of Proverbs as part of my daily Bible reading, and I invariably learn something new with each reading. I highly recommend this practice because reading Proverbs always strengthens and encourages me. I hope and pray you will enjoy a similar experience.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help those who read these words to be strengthened and encouraged daily. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster. Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. By loving devotion and faithfulness is iniquity atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man turns aside from evil.

When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

How much better to acquire wisdom than gold; to gain understanding is more desirable than silver. The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.” Want to succeed? Do things God’s way. Want to mess up? Go your own way without any reference to God. While the song “My Way” might have helped enhance Frank Sinatra’s fame; in fact, following the advice given by that song is a recipe for disaster.  

“The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster. Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. By loving devotion and faithfulness is iniquity atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man turns aside from evil.”  Don’t be deceived; some day you will be used of God somehow. There’s a saying in the American South that “Everyone is good for something; some people merely serve as bad examples!”  Follow God if you don’t want to wind up as a bad example.

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” “But!” you splutter, “I thought we have free will.” You do. You can follow God or try and run your life by yourself. But if you choose a wrong course, by definition, you will wind up messing up your life. “But, “ you might argue, “I see evil people doing whatever they want without any consequences.” Oh really? Just because you don’t hear about something does not mean that it is not happening.

“Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.” Face it, no ruler wants to be embarrassed by supporters. “

“How much better to acquire wisdom than gold; to gain understanding is more desirable than silver. The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.” There  are several laws of the Kingdom of God that repeat themselves throughout the Bible. “He who humbles himself will be exalted and he who exalts himself will be humbled.” (Matthew 23:12)   

“Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.”  Ever try teaching someone who  want to listen? That situation has been compared to attempting to teach a pig to sing: It only frustrates you and annoys the pig. If you are trying to instruct someone and all you get back is sass and nonsense, after awhile, you will simply quit. Why waste time and energy on someone who clearly is not interested?

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.” We all know them-the gossip mongers, the purveyors of vicious rumors, and those who create unhappiness wherever they go. If you are a leader, you must try to neutralize them if at all possible; otherwise, they might completely derail your best efforts. Years ago, we lost support from one group because a few staff members chose to go on strike during a visit from that group. That ridiculous action has cost our hospital thousands of dollars in hard-to-get medical supplies group members were bringing annually.  

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” The implication here is that the righteous will live longer than the unrighteous. Now we all can point to sterling examples of vicious people who have lived a long time; perhaps God has been giving them every opportunity to repent. On the other hand, Oswald Chambers, one of my favorite Christian authors, died at the age of 43 from complications of a ruptured appendix. Bottom line: we are not God and only God knows the human heart.

Self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but why? For any of us in positions of authority, we know how dreadfully easy it is to lose our tempers and say things we bitterly regret later. Capturing a city depends on a number of people, not just on one individual. But exercising self-control is an individual matter; nobody else can help us apart from God. We must control our thoughts, our words, and our actions ourselves.

What’s this about casting lots? Is the Bible condoning gambling? We must remember that at the time this was written, casting lots was considered wise and acceptable; people were trusting that God would control the outcome.   

APPLICATION: Again, this chapter of Proverbs appears to be a grab bag of wisdom; however, two themes run through it consistently. One theme is humility: those who humble themselves will be promoted. The second theme is self-control. Without self-control we are likely to gossip or to do something embarrassing or tragic. Self-control actually leads to humility. When we realize our shortcomings, we are more than willing to be humble and to be careful about our words and actions. Care with words and actions is a demonstration of self-control.

The bottom line is that when we allow God to guide us, our lives will work. When we insist on following our own plans, we can find ourselves in a mess.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You for guidance and promotion. Thank You for giving us all the fruits of the Holy Spirit. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the pure are pleasant to Him. He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes cheers the heart, and good news nourishes the bones. He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

When I was growing up, my mother used to say, “Be careful about speaking bitter words; one day you might have to eat them!” That pithy saying could sum up this entire chapter of Proverbs. Look at what God is saying about evil words:

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.” ” A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.” “A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.” OUCH!

If you are the sort of person who delights in cutting people down verbally, you’d better listen to the warnings in this chapter of Proverbs. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.” “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” “A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise. A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.”

Contrast those warnings with the list of things God approves: “All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”  “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.” “Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.” SHEOL? That’s the Hebrew equivalent of Hell. YIPES!

Many times, correct speech is a matter of exercising self-discipline. No matter how much we are tempted to blast someone verbally, we need to resist that temptation. “He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

APPLICATION: Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God has no laws against these virtues. Some of us, on the other hand, aren’t very good demonstrations of God’s grace or His mercy.

I am acting as Administrator for our mission hospital for a few days while our able General Manager attends to business in the capital city of Accra. I just learned that our facility is supposed to do a 20-minute presentation on our work from 2023 for the District Health Directorate Performance Review. The message regarding this meeting got misplaced in the office, leaving me scrambling to generate a Power Point presentation the night before  the meeting.

I regret to confess that I took out some of my frustrations on one of the people who might have notified me, only to have to apologize afterwards. Mistakes happen in a busy office and nobody deliberately hid this message. Blessedly, we learned about the in time; however, I definitely failed the Galatians 5:22-23 test. I was now in a “Malchus’ ear” situation.

One of the Gospels describes how when Jesus was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter grabbed a sword and sliced off the ear of Malchus, a servant accompanying the soldiers. Jesus immediately touched Malchus, healing his ear. One famous writer on missionary stress has pointed out that many of us need to pray for God to “do a Malchus’ ear” on uncomfortable situations when we have reacted wrongly. Such a prayer demands that we first acknowledge our sin, apologize to God, and then beg Him to heal the situation. I can’t count the number of times I have had to pray such prayers!  

As we pray for ourselves today, let us pray for God to help us to speak wisely, positively, and gently. We need all the gentle treatment we can get and so do all those around us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to speak life and not death and to let the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, our deeds, and our words. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

THE WISE WOMAN

“Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them. Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow. The backslider in heart will have the fill of his own ways, but a good man will be rewarded for his. The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.

There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful. He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin. A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly. A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge when he dies. Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.”

“Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him. The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.” Foolishness versus wisdom-the foolish will tear down their own houses with their own hands while the wise build things up. When you walk in uprightness, you fear the Lord and wisdom will protect you.

“An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies. A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.” Information is only as reliable as the person giving it, and sometimes those who seem most sympathetic are merely currying favor so that they can run out and gossip.  

“Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.” Throughout the Bible, God makes it clear that He protects the poor. Those who oppress the poor are asking for trouble.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” The question is how much sin will a nation tolerate? At present, political candidates in the U.S. are fying for preeminence in the primary elections. But many of the candidates have personal lives that don’t bear any kind of scrutiny, let alone close scrutiny. Those of us watching can only pray that God will bring someone to the fore worthy of leading the country.

APPLICATION: Reading the first verse of this chapter, we might well ask, “Why pick on women? Men can destroy a family just as quickly!” While that statement is true, women are the ones who have traditionally been home makers. This is not to ignore those men who as single parents have successfully created safe homes for their children. Those men deserve extra crowns in glory! Being a home maker involves far more than doing the cooking and sweeping, washing dishes and clothes, and tending children.

I might belong to the last generation in which most of our mothers were stay at home moms and home makers. Most of us left for school knowing that Mom was back at the house and that if anything happened during the day, the school could call her for help. We returned home to home-baked cookies and nourishing food. For many of us, our homes were a refuge from whatever was happening at school or in the community. Now did this mean our mothers were HAPPY being stay at home moms? Not necessarily! Once my mother completed her B.A. and began teaching high school English, she was much happier and more fulfilled. After Mom led the way, many other women in our small community also went to school and became nurses and teachers and secretaries in businesses. But Mom guided us kids so that we helped maintain our home as a sanctuary from outside problems.

Robert Frost described home in his poem “The Death of the Hired Man:” “Home is the place where when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” One of the essential qualities of an effective home is peace borne out of mutual respect by family members for one another. There are women who have struggled under the burden of their husband’s alcoholism or drug abuse but who have maintained vibrant homes nonetheless. Looking back, I realize my mother struggled with the spin-offs from my father’s chronic depression. But generally, our home was a safe place and we were taught to respect one another. I never heard my mother criticize my father for his depression.

It’s very easy to destroy a home; infidelity can tear apart the fabric of a family. One set of friends incurred prolonged sexual abuse from their stepfather for years before their mother reluctantly divorced him. Obsessions such as gambling, alcoholism, drug abuse, or even workaholism can shred a family. These days, social media of all kinds presents a clear and present danger to families and must be dealt with promptly and effectively.

Years ago, Gary Smalley and John Trent wrote an incisive book entitled The Gift of Honor. Smalley and Trent pointed out that when family members honor one another, they will love one another and the family will be preserved. But in situations in which the family members fail to honor one another, the family is in terrible trouble. Children who fail to receive honor from their parents will not only fail to honor their parents but will also carry these failings into their own marriages with their own children. It was my great grandfather’s failure to honor my grandfather that helped lead to my grandfather’s chronic depression and in turn to my father’s chronic depression as well. (Even though the Smalley/Trent book is an old one, it is pure gold and well worth reading. It is still available on Amazon.)

How can we keep from destroying our own homes? Pray! Pray! Pray! God loves families; after all, He created them. And God wants your home to be a place of pleasantness and peace and encouragement. Ask God to guide you and He will gladly do it!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, our homes are in jeopardy! Help all of us to pray for ourselves, for our children, and for our spouses, that our homes will become sanctuaries of your Holy Spirit with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in abundance-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

A FATHER’S DISCIPLINE

The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied. The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner. One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat. The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished. Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised. Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. He who walks with the wise will become wise,
but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently. A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.”

“ A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence. He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.” Whatever happened to fatherhood? Not touchy/feely “Oh, you poor thing!” kind of fatherhood, but the real kind, the kind of fatherhood that enforces discipline but that also teaches. One of our African friends was raised by a father who was also a village chief, and the guidance he received from his father is still bearing fruit today.

While this chapter of Proverbs contains a great deal of general advice, it has some pointed things to say about fatherhood and raising children. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” Good men who are righteous and diligent will leave an inheritance, not only to their children but also to their grandchildren. Part of this inheritance might not be possessions or real estate but teaching and wisdom. But this statement presumes that the person in question has received good teaching from his/her own father and/or grandfather, (or mother or grandmother.)

“The sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.” You might ask “How?” God is a God of infinite variety, and He has all kinds of ways for this to happen.
“Abundant food is in the allow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.” This statement is unfortunately true. Throughout God’s Word, He warns the rich against stealing the land of the poor. In Israel, land was to remain in families and one’s traditional land was a sacred possession. King Ahab ran into deadly trouble when he insisted on stealing Naboth’s ancestral vineyard because he wanted a vegetable garden close to the palace. (1 Kings 21)

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” Why is physical discipline necessary? There are lots of kids who really won’t pay attention to anything else. This statement does not mean that children should be beaten or that physical discipline is the only form of discipline to be used; however, there are times when physical discipline may be necessary. An undisciplined child is a danger to himself and to others, and that situation will only become worse as the child gets older. One British TV reality series documented the deadly danger into which several children strayed when they were given unexpected time off after school. These teens took a bus to a public park several miles from home and then attempted to hike back along the coast, failing to realize that the tide was coming in and that the shoreline contained pockets of unstable muck. Before things were through, the British coast guard had to send two teams of specially trained rescuers plus a helicopter with night vision goggles, all because these kids took off without informing their parents of their plans.

My parents raised three kids on a farm with lots of animals and farm implements. We all began driving at an early age, but none of us had an accident. My parents taught us all kinds of safety precautions from the time we were old enough to walk around the farm. In addition, my parents TRUSTED that we would follow their teachings and do the right thing. When I was eighteen, we were at a friend’s home fifteen miles from our house when Mom called to remind us that we had promised to be back early. As my brothers and I looked in horror at one another, our friend asked, “Are they going to beat you?” “No,” we replied. “It’s worse than that; they have trusted and respected us and we have failed to fulfill that trust.” My parents trusted us so much that later that same summer, they took off on an impromptu vacation, leaving us to run the farm for a week with only my grandparents as backup.

There is one other part of discipline that is critically important: Your kids will copy whatever you do, so discipline yourself first. My mother went back to college at the age of 35 to earn her B.A. so that she could teach high school English. My brothers and I grew up watching Mom commute to college and then return to do hours of homework in the evening. We accepted this practice as the norm, so we didn’t balk at completing our own homework on time.

Truly, the writer of Proverbs 13 is correct when he says, “He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.” Want your kids to be wise and to make good decisions? Begin training them when they are toddlers. And give them respect when they do the right thing. A parent’s respect is heady stuff, and a strong incentive to perform well. You will save your kids and yourself untold amounts of misery.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to discipline ourselves as well as our children, knowing that our kids are watching our behavior and will copy it. Thank You for the guidance You give in Your Word. In the matchless Name of King Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Loving Discipline and Knowledge

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil. A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones. The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.

A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised. Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food. A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.

An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly. The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up. A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession. There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.”

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil. A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.” It’s been said repeatedly but remains true: God knows the human heart better than anyone else and He knows those who are disciplined and who are not. What’s so important about discipline? When we are disciplined, we are willing to submit ourselves to authority; however, when we refuse discipline, we are refusing to subject ourselves to anyone else, even though they may know far more than we do. “But,” you might say, “I am willing to listen to others if they speak to me nicely. But I deserve to be considered when someone is correcting me.” At this point, alarm bells should be ringing. If you need correction, you can’t be picky about the means by which someone issues it. Some people furnish correction diplomatically while others do not; your job is to listen, no matter how the correction is offered. Some of the most knowledgeable people may be the least diplomatic.  

“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.”Now there is a horrible reality television program entitled “Cheaters,” detailing various kinds of infidelity. The individuals documented suffer all kinds of embarrassing situations, certainly something that would be tantamount to decaying bones.

“A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised. Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food. A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty. He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.” Once more, wisdom and righteousness promote success. Lacking discipline, a man may have a twisted mind, being self-important, and even mistreating his animals. And anyone who will abuse animals will also abuse people.

“An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” Speak prudently and wisely and save yourself. Shoot your mouth off rashly, and everybody around you will know just how foolish you really are.  

“Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.” Want to have joy? Watch what you say and become a counselor of peace. We have a friend who is one of the most diplomatic people we know. This man can criticize people in such a loving fashion that they will find themselves agreeing with him. Repeatedly, our friend has defused potentially explosive situations, leaving all involved feeling good about themselves, even though they have been corrected.

APPLICATION: “There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.” If there is one lesson to draw from this chapter of Proverbs, this verse is a good summary. Discipline and subjecting oneself to others leads to righteousness and that in turn promotes life. Refuse discipline, refuse to listen to others, and you are playing dice with your future.

Verse 25 gives us a second lesson: Kind words cheer people up. If you are a counselor of peace, if you can correct people kindly and encourage them, you will help yourself as well as those whom you are advising. May God help each of us so that we can receive correction and give it in the right spirit!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to submit ourselves to discipline and to learn from it so that we can become counselors of peace and encouragers for all those around us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Dishonest Scales (Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Ezekiel 45:10-12)

“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires. When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes. The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.

With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued. When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance. He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure. A gracious woman attains honor, but violent men gain only wealth. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape. Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath. One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.

He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!”

 “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.” Repeatedly, God warns people throughout the Old Testament of the need for honest business practices. When we cheat people, we are actually stealing from the Lord, and God has all kinds of ways of collecting.

“The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires. When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes. The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.”  Wickedness carries its own punishment along with it. The results can be death and destruction.

“With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued. When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.” There are some people whose tongues should be registered as deadly weapons. The neighbors remain silent because they don’t want to become the next targets.

“The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward. Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.”  No matter how much a wicked man earns, eventually things will all fall apart.

“A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.”  The Bible cautions us many times to consult lots of counselors. The key here is to choose your counselors very wisely.

“He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.” What does it mean to inherit the wind? Wind never stays in one place but is always moving somewhere else and has no substance. Anyone bringing trouble to his family will achieve nothing, no matter how successful he appears to be in the beginning.   

APPLICATION: What does it mean to inherit the wind? Anyone who inherits the wind is expending enormous effort on something that has no staying power. Try to grasp wind; it’s impossible. No matter how hard you try, the wind will slip through your fingers. How can we find ourselves inheriting the wind? When we bring trouble on our own houses, we are setting ourselves up for failure. At the moment, we are witnesses to a double tragedy. A man who had been misconducting himself became engaged in a public confrontation with someone else. When the second man defended himself by stating the first man’s misconduct accurately, the first man followed him home and beat him so severely that he died a few hours later. Now the first man has brought trouble to his family and will inherit nothing but wind.

Looking back, we can trace the downward spiral this man has followed. At any point, this man could have turned and repented and reversed the process. But unfortunately, this man continued to choose wrongly.

How can we avoid inheriting the wind? Again, Proverbs 11 provides plenty of answers. Search out good. Find faithful and righteous counselors and follow their leading. Continually and persistently make righteous choices, avoiding foolish and wicked dealings. “The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.” And as Scripture teaches us, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and to delight in Your righteousness. Then we will have a blessed and godly heritage and will never worry about inheriting the wind. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.