In General... and Personal

 Proverbs 19:
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
    is a son who brings shame and reproach.
27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

As we read through wise saying after wise saying, we can feel our heads nod in agreement with what is being pictured here for us. Lazy people become increasingly lazy. Discipline is good for all. Dishonor to parents brings shame to the one who does so.  But then, we come to verses like the last one above: "I'm talking to you, son." This is not just general knowledge. It is sage advice given in love to others we care about: children, grandchildren, and spiritual children. This is practical discipleship.  Actions and words reveal character.  An arrogant boldness does not indicate strength, but self-centered overconfidence. Submission and humility reveal understanding and prudence.  May we read these words as spoken to us.

How to Discourage Others...

 Proverbs 17:
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret
    to pervert the ways of justice.
24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father
    and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
    nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

Discouragement.  It's one of the favorite tools of Satan.  It comes in different designs: harsh words, injustice, uncontrolled desires, foolish lifestyles, even abuse.  These things can leave a person beaten down, broken, heartbroken, bitter, and hopeless. But the proverbs also point to the opposite. Surrounded by these verses are sprinklings of words of discernment, love, and peace.  We have the potential for good influence instead of bad. May we choose wisely today.

Words for Evaluation of Both

 

Proverbs 16:

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.

As we look at these proverbs, we cannot help but notice that these clusters of truth help us not only to look on others and determine how to weigh their influence on us, but also to use them for self-evaluation.  Do my words, as well as those I interact with, contribute to peace and encouragement, or to strife and disunity? As I look ahead, where will this path lead? Am I looking for fulfillment by using what God has entrusted to me, or am I always looking for the easy way out? These questions help us evaluate our own speech and actions, and the validity of what others send our way.

It All Comes Out Somehow...

 Proverbs 15:

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

    but gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
    but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

In Proverbs, Wisdom(personified) makes it clear to us what God is looking for in our lives. He is looking at our words, motives, words, and actions to see how we really feel towards Him and towards others. The thoughts and motives end up coming out somehow in words and actions. Eventually we say something that shows what we really believe - be it in hasty, impure, or vicious words to or about others, or in our words to or about God.  It's not just a matter of putting a filter on your mouth, but pondering and purifying your heart and mind.

Rapid Fire Wisdom

 

Proverbs 14:23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.

When we get to the middle of the Proverbs, we find one after another wise sayings which go from one topic to another.  Such is the wisdom Solomon had asked of God as he began his rule. Wisdom helps whatever comes up during any day in life, be it finances, speech, relationships or faith.  Wisdom includes hard work, self-control, honesty, humility, and sincere faith in God. It's one big picture of life worth living as opposed to the foolishness of life lived without God and His truth. Each proverb is worth savoring and taking to heart, as well as bringing together with all the others about the same topic. They give life stability.

Diligence Does

 Proverbs 12:24-27

The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
28 In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.

We live in an anxious generation. Many live in a constant state of worry and waiting for the worst.  To be sure, there are many concerns in the world, near and far, but there always have been since the Fall.  Wisdom speaks up and says: "Be Diligent. Do what you can and trust God for the rest.  You will be blessed and bless those around you.

Whoever...

 Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

Don't hold back from giving to others.  If there is one principle threaded throughout these verses, it is that one needs to hand whatever he has wisely and generously. The one who holds back, always wants more, and puts his trust in his wealth will only bring trouble not only to himself, but to his household and others who need his help.  Such a way of living misses out on much: other blessings God has for us, watching our family flourish, and experiencing the joy of watching others have their needs met by God working through us. Don't miss out!