Wisdom of Solomon's Proverbs

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟖:𝟐𝟎

𝐀 𝐦𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡; 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝.

Do you want to be happy and successful? You can be! Here is wisdom to find fulfillment and peace in life: learn to talk better (Pr 18:21). This proverb has many figures of speech, but the lesson is simple. If you will improve your speaking, you will be blessed in many ways by God, by others, and even by your own soul (Pr 14:14). Grasp this wisdom!

Your belly here is your heart, soul, spirit, and conscience (Pr 13:25; 18:8; 20:27,30). They are fulfilled and satisfied, when you speak well (Pr 15:23). The fruit of your mouth is gracious and wise words, which is the good trait of speaking correctly (Pr 16:13; 22:11; 24:26; 25:11). You can give yourself pleasure by noble speech. Kind and good words help listeners for sure, but they also bring rewards to the speaker (Pr 12:14; 13:2).

You may also bring prosperity and success to all parts of your life by your words. David and Peter made proper speech one of the means for a blessed life (Ps 34:12-16; I Pet 3:10-12). Solomon also taught this fact in other proverbs (Pr 12:13-14; 13:2; 18:21; 22:11). What can possibly hinder you from using this simple rule for advancement!

The increase of your lips in this proverb is the improvement that you make to your speech by learning the rules of wisdom for the tongue and lips (Pr 15:28; 16:23). Solomon had much to say on this subject, and you can increase the sweetness and value of your speech by ruling your words for the glory of God and profit of man. This increase, like the fruit in the first clause, will bring blessing, honor, and riches into your life.

How many times have you later said to yourself, “Why did I say that?” If you have a conscience (all good men have strong consciences), then you have grieved for foolish or hurtful words you let escape from your mouth. It is this frustrating pain in life that you can eliminate by learning gracious speech. Solomon knew the chance of sin increased with much speaking, so he recommended fewer words (Pr 10:19; 17:27-28; Eccl 5:1-3). This saying is wise: If you cannot say anything kind and helpful, then say nothing at all.

How many times have others said, “Why did she say that?” Have you left others bleeding from the piercing of the sword in your mouth (Pr 12:18)? Your tongue is for the health and wealth of others, but you often leave them angered, grieving, or confused. Sometimes they tell you about it; most of the time they just suffer in silence. When you find out the pain and damage you have caused, it is a burden on your soul. It is your wisdom and honor to learn words that encourage and instruct others (Pr 10:20-21; 16:24).

God gave you a tongue for more than swallowing food. He named it your glory (Ps 30:12; 108:1). By proper use it can glorify God. You can be a tree of life to others by helpful and encouraging speech (Pr 15:4; Eph 4:29). The person who graciously teaches truth and wisdom to others is rare and precious (Neh 8:12; Luke 24:32; Acts 8:26-35). You can become this person by learning the book of Proverbs (Pr 1:1-4; 22:17-21).

Is it easy to change your speech habits? It is easier to train a cobra to sip milk from a bowl and purr on your lap (Jas 3:1-12). But God gave you Proverbs. Guard your speech. Cut your words in half. Think before you speak. Rule your spirit. Love graciousness. Make every word helpful and kind. Despise harshness. Hate talebearing. Purify your thoughts. Reject foolish indiscretions. Work harder at listening. Build others up.

Does your conscience grieve you when you speak foolishly? It should! It does, if you are a good man with an active conscience. But what will you feel in the Day of Judgment, when you must give an account for every idle word to the Lord of glory (Matt 12:34-37)? If you wait until then, it will be too late to change your speech habits. Change them now.

No wonder Isaiah cried out in grief about his unclean speech in God’s presence (Is 6:1-7), so God forgave him just as He will you, if you repent of misusing your lips (Pr 28:13). You can have rejoicing in yourself, regardless of what others think, by good speech (Gal 6:4). You can be satisfied and filled by wise and virtuous speech. God bless your efforts.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-18/proverbs-18-20/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟕:𝟏𝟕

𝐀 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲.

A true friend never fails, no matter what. A true brother is always ready to help in time of need or trouble. King Solomon described excellent friends and brothers in very few words. You must ask if you are such a friend, and you must ask if you have such friends.

Two are better than one! The solitary life is lonely and vain. Good friends help in four ways – they share in successes, they help when you fall, they provide encouragement and synergy, and they help oppose enemies (Eccl 4:9-12). Successful men have great friends.

Such friends are not found easily; they are a blessing from God. And such friends must be carefully preserved by careful efforts (Pr 27:10) and sincere friendliness (Pr 18:24; Jn 15:15). If you deeply offend a friend, it may be very hard to recover them (Pr 18:19). Look for friends among zealous saints (Ps 101:4-8; 119:63; Titus 1:8). They are won by a pure heart and gracious speech (Pr 22:11; I Sam 18:1). Holy living brings holy friends.

Jonathan and David were friends. Jonathan loved David as his own soul (I Sam 18:1-4). David described Jonathan’s love as greater than that of women (II Sam 1:26). There was no competition or envy between them. They strengthened each other in the Lord (I Sam 23:16). Back to back with swords, no enemy could touch them! Face to face, no lovers could match their affection! Their covenant of friendship, in life and death, was glorious.

Men say, “Blood is thicker than water,” meaning family ties are stronger than friendship or marriage. But the sons of God know better. They say, “Blood is thicker than blood,” meaning the bond in Christ, by His blood, is stronger than the bond of family. The best marriages are when a man marries his sister – his friend in the Lord (I Cor 9:5). No man has forsaken family for Christ that did not find a better, larger family (Luke 18:28-30).

Christians make the best friends, for God alters souls to match. They fear the LORD, believe the truth, adore Jesus Christ, follow Bible wisdom in life, have true love in their hearts, and know they will spend eternity together. They exhort and rebuke each other to perfection, which is sweeter than kisses (Pr 27:5-6,9). The world cannot know such unity!

It did not matter Paul was on trial for his life, Luke was there (II Tim 4:11). It did not matter Jesus was crucified by rabid Jews, John was there (John 19:26-27). Fair weather friends, as they are called, are never there when you need them (Pr 14:20; 19:4). Demas evilly deserted Paul, but Timothy more than made up for it (II Tim 4:10; Phil 2:19-22).

What kind of a friend are you? The first lesson of this proverb is to examine yourself to see if you are the only kind of friend that counts. What kind of friends do you have? The second lesson is to examine your friends and make sure you have the good kind.

Jesus of Nazareth, reigning as King on David’s throne, is the greatest Friend. He gave His life for you; He lives to make intercession for you; He will never leave or forsake you.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-17/proverbs-17-17/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟔:𝟓

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃: 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝.

Do you think you are special? Then repent now before you get hurt! The LORD Jehovah cannot stand anyone thinking highly of himself in his heart. It does not matter how important you might be, or how many friends you might have, you will certainly be punished; the God of heaven will make sure of it. Humble your heart this very minute.

You are nothing (Ps 39:5,11). You are truly less than nothing (Ps 62:9; Is 40:17). You arrived ignorant and helpless, dirtying yourself, and you will leave the same way. If you are very successful, you might leave behind a small estate that will be spent in a few months. The day of your death will be forgotten in weeks, and your grave will be lost.

Your accomplishments are nothing, and they will be forgotten before your funeral, when you cannot recall your own name. You are so fragile and weak that a clothespin on your nose can end your existence (Is 2:22). Your soul lives in a house of clay; the foundation of your body is mere dust; you can be killed easier than a moth (Job 4:19). Get down!

The blessed and dreadful God of heaven and earth abhors and loathes proud people (Ps 113:5-6). He is extremely disgusted and intensely averse to their arrogance and pompous opinions. He hates them and their proud thoughts and looks (Pr 6:16-19; 15:9). And He will crush and grind them to powder in this world and the next (Job 40:9-14; Dan 4:37).

The words, “proud in heart,” are the specific sin God hates. It is a high opinion of yourself, leading to an attitude of superiority over and contempt for others; it is inordinate self-esteem. Boasting is not the point here. You may keep your pride to yourself. But God sees it, and He will judge it. You must think lowly and soberly about yourself, lest you lie to yourself about your value (Pr 16:18-19; Rom 12:3; Gal 6:3; Phil 2:3-4; II Tim 3:1-5).

Consider this horrible sin! You can avoid things that cause lust of the eyes (Ps 101:3). You can reject opportunities for the lust of the flesh (Rom 13:14). But what about pride? It whispers to your heart every minute of every day and every night. Even in bed your thoughts can be arrogant and critical – comparing yourself to others. In every act and event of life, there is a constant temptation for pride to creep in. God sees every bit of it.

The words, “though hand join in hand,” describe agreement and association with others for safety. It does not matter if others flatter you, or are just as proud. It does not matter what steps you take for protection. It does not matter that you try to be righteous in other areas. You cannot cover for this sin. God will bring you down – fast and hard – for sure.

The first sin in the universe was pride – Satan’s pride (I Tim 3:6). His arrogant ambition was to be like the most high God (Is 14:12-14). And he was punished for it. How severely? He and his angels are reserved for eternal torment in hell forever (Is 14:15; Matt 25:41; II Pet 2:4; Rev 20:10). The devil’s great abilities cannot save him at all.

Are you proud in heart? Find out! Do you wish others treated you better? Why? It must be because you think you are important. Do you worry about others admiring you? Do you resist correction and instruction? Do you envy and resent blessings to others? Can you list any ways you are better than another? Do you gloat a little at their failures?

Does selfishness make serving hard? Are you defensive to reproof and warnings? Do you deserve more public recognition? Can you apologize easily, fully, and quickly? Do you whine about unfair circumstances? Does your spouse have to apologize first? Can you remember others’ past failures? Do you like to argue about “principle”? You may think adultery, drunkenness, and smoking are horrible, but God hates your self-righteous pride.

If you persist, you are done. The Bible is sure: pride brings a penalty. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Pr 16:18). “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty” (Pr 18:12). “Surely he scorneth the scorners” (Pr 3:34). “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased” (Luke 14:11). “God resisteth the proud” (Jas 4:6).

If you have a problem with pride, and God will certainly punish you, what can be done? Repent! Fear the Lord, and hate pride and arrogancy (Pr 8:13). “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (Jas 4:10). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (I Pet 5:6).

Manasseh was likely the wickedest king in the history of Israel, but God freely forgave him, when he humbled himself greatly (II Chron 33:1-13). And if he was the wickedest king, then Ahab was second; but God honored his humility as well (I Kings 21:25-29). What does God require? That you walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). Do it now.

Want to kill pride? Confess your sins fully (Jas 4:5-10). Get a vision of God and crush your heart before Him (Ps 4:4; Is 57:15). Pray like a fool (I Kgs 3:7; Ps 131:2). Never commend yourself, not even indirectly (Pr 27:2). Always admit what you are and have is a gift (I Cor 4:7). Tell your faults, so others will know the real you (Rom 7:8; Jas 5:16).

Apologize quickly and admit unqualified guilt (Mat 5:23-24). Thank those who admonish and correct you (Ps 141:5). Make others and their things most important (Phil 2:3-4). Get down and enjoy the uncomely (Rom 12:16). Do not compare yourself with others (II Cor 10:12). Learn true charity (I Cor 13:4-7). Be a great servant (Luke 22:24-27).

Still want to kill pride? Avoid the spotlight as much as possible (Luke 14:7-12). Enjoy serving those who cannot repay (Luke 14:12-14). Do your charity in secret (Matt 6:1-4). Rejoice at forgiving those who wrong you (Matt 18:21-22). Get down, and enjoy it. The LORD will be pleased, and He will bless you, just as surely as He will punish the proud.

Stop thinking you or your family are special. You are not. They are not. Others see many faults and failures that your pride chooses to overlook. Stop choosing your own criteria for measuring success – others are much better at measuring you and your family. How many crave your friendship and time with your family? If they do not, there are reasons.

Start thinking you are nothing without worship of God and service to others. You are no better than others. Your choices have not produced great results, which is why no one asks or copies you. Flush every pompous thought that enters your mind. Exalt God, His thoughts in the Bible, and His people in His churches, one soul at a time. The more you humble yourself, He will exalt you His own way for Himself and for others (I Pet 5:5-7).

While God despises and punishes the proud in heart, He delights in those with humble and meek hearts and favors them with His approval and presence (Is 57:15; 66:2). Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3). They shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5). What a difference in every way! Humble yourself in your heart and thoughts, and walk with God. He will honor you with blessings in this world and with eternal life in the world to come.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-16/proverbs-16-5/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟐𝟖

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.

This excellent proverb has specific advice to be a better communicator and better person. Which is better? A quick answer to a question? Or the right answer? Do you feel pressure to answer quickly? Kill the need for speed to make sure you are right. A wise and righteous man always wants to consider the question or issue carefully before answering.

A righteous man may take a while to answer a question, but he will give the right answer in the end, while a wicked man will blurt out whatever first comes to mind. To the untrained eye, the righteous man may appear bewildered, while the wicked man may seem confident and a great source of knowledge for his response’s speed and quantity.

Wise men know this: haste makes waste, and quantity often covers for lack of quality. The speed and length of an answer do not prove a right answer. Learn this rule to think critically of others’ responses and to slow down your own. When someone needs advice, you should never speak unless and until you have certain truth and wisdom for them.

Wise men hear and consider questions before giving an answer, for answering a matter before fully hearing it is folly and shame (Pr 18:13; 25:8). Nicodemus appealed to this wisdom to protect Jesus (John 7:51; Deut 13:12-18). If you answer by first impressions, you will often judge by appearance, rather than give righteous judgment (John 7:24).

To avoid getting only one side of a story, God requires at least two witnesses to any event; one witness is worthless in controversy (Matt 18:16; I Tim 5:19; Heb 10:28). This helps with marital conflicts, business deals, and other two-party controversies. Remember this rule well, for most will want you to take sides from the testimony of only one side.

Searching out a matter is the honour of kings (Pr 25:2), which means to study all the details of a situation before judging, for hearsay is insufficient evidence for noble men (Deut 13:12-17). Wisdom requires circumspection, which is looking carefully in all directions (Eph 5:15). Perfect Job searched out matters well before judging (Job 29:16).

Ministers only avoid shame and are approved by God through diligent study (II Tim 2:15; I Tim 4:13-15). If they teach or answer hastily, they will certainly blunder without the direct inspiration apostles had. True preaching is by reading the words of God distinctly to hearers and giving the correct sense or meaning, which takes much work (Neh 8:8; Ezra 7:6). Woe to those pastors today that tell entertaining stories with only lip service to the Bible. There are many of them pouring out fables, just as prophesied (II Tim 4:3-4).

Even kings with the destinies of nations riding on their decisions can make errors. Solomon warned his son by this proverb to avoid the danger and risk of hasty legislation. If Ahasuerus had studied out the legislation put before him, he would not have condemned Esther’s people to genocide (Est 3:7-11). If Darius had studied a proposed fiat to honor himself, he would not have condemned Daniel to the lions’ den (Da 6:1-14).

There is no shame to say to those asking you a question, “Please give me a little time to consider your question and prepare a proper answer.” Such a response is wisdom. Those asking your advice that impatiently criticize you for such caution are fools, and a man who answers hastily is a fool, so discount his answers greatly, and do not be like him. Social media may allow and expect fast responses, but they are contrary to this proverb.

Jesus Christ, Whom God made quick in understanding, judged righteously, not by seeing or hearing superficial facts (Is 11:1-5). When He answered, enemies were confounded and afraid to ask more (Luke 2:46; Matt 22:46). When confronted with a woman taken in adultery, He ignored the wicked accusers for a while by writing on the ground, and then He ended the whole matter with one sentence (Jn 8:1-11). Follow His holy example.

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-15/proverbs-15-28/

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟒:𝟏𝟖

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞.

The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer, when it comes to wisdom. If you choose a foolish or stubborn approach to life, God will make sure you get what you deserve – folly. If instead you are wise and prudent, God will give you even more knowledge.

Prudent men know what to do in most situations. They are careful, cautious, and discreet. They take advantage of life’s opportunities, and they steer clear of traps. They are successful and honored in life. They avoid the failure, pain, and trouble that foolish men must endure, who either miss or destroy opportunities and fall into many hurtful snares.

The lesson is simple. Lady Wisdom will honor such a man with greater knowledge. By choosing to fear God and keep His commandments, a man can obtain a crown of knowledge – he will be blessed to know what actions and things are better than others. But if a man refuses to be prudent and wise – by rejecting God and His Word, then he will receive folly and its attendant pain and trouble as his portion throughout life.

What is a simple man? He refuses to fear God and humble himself to obey the Bible. He relies on intelligence, feelings, habits, popular opinion, tradition, or worldly education to guide him. The great God would say he knows nothing at all (Pr 9:13; Is 8:20; I Cor 1:19-20; 3:19-20; I Tim 6:3-5,20-21; II Tim 3:6-7). Simplicity is a choice, and many men make it every day – they love folly and choose to reject God’s wisdom (Pr 1:22,32).

How does a simple man inherit folly? By making choices outside the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of Scripture, he misses truth and ends up with the dysfunctional pain of a fool. Due to a humanistic and naturalistic worldview, he is helplessly ignorant of eternity, reality, truth, and wisdom. He ruins his life on earth by stupidity and stubbornness.

What is a prudent man? He fears God and esteems every precept of Scripture to be right, and he hates every false way (Pr 1:7; 9:10; Ps 119:128). He rejects any other criterion for truth but the Bible. He is far superior to a simple man. When faced with new information, a simple man believes it; but the prudent man is cautious and pessimistic, for he looks for all the contingencies and consequences missed by the simple man (Pr 14:15; 22:3; 27:12).

How is the prudent man crowned with knowledge? By being cautious, critical, and pessimistic about any information outside the Bible, he subjects all information to a rigid criterion – Does God approve it? This mechanism keeps him from delusions, fraud, lies, scams, and traps; it promotes righteousness, truth, and wisdom. He knows what to do in any situation. He has great knowledge that the simple man cannot find (II Tim 3:6-7).

Can a simple man become a prudent man? Yes! That is why Solomon wrote Proverbs (Pr 1:4). Yes! That is why God inspired Scripture (Ps 19:7; 119:130). Wisdom is offered throughout Proverbs and the Bible, but most men do not want it (Pr 8:5; 9:4). They would rather listen to their base lusts and the offers of foolish amusements (Pr 9:13-18). They follow lying seducers, whether wh**es, friends, educators, or ministers (Pr 7:6-27).

The simple man inherits religious folly, for he cannot detect the lies of false teachers, for he has rejected the only infallible standard by which to test them (Rom 16:17-18; I John 4:1-6). But the prudent man proves all things (Acts 17:11; I Thess 5:21). And he prays often for God to reveal more knowledge to him (Ps 119:18; Phil 1:9-11; Jas 1:5). He is fully convinced that Scripture is sufficient for all he needs to know (II Tim 3:16-17).

You will make many choices today – either based on your simple heart and mind, or based on the infinite heart and mind of God revealed in the Bible. You will either inherit folly as the result of your choice, or you will be blessed and honored with knowledge. It is your choice; the consequences will surely follow; and you will feel them for eternity.

Jesus taught there are four ways to respond to preaching or the Bible – you can respond lackadaisically, and the devil will steal away anything of profit. You can get discouraged with a few difficulties, and you will never amount to anything. You can be distracted with this world’s attractions, and you will never amount to anything. Or you can prepare, focus, review, and apply what you learn from scripture and bear much fruit in your life.

He summarized these four responses and the consequences to His apostles this way, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have” (Luke 8:18). The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer, when it comes to wisdom. What will you do with God’s written word and its grandest subject of Jesus Christ this very day?

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-14/proverbs-14-18/