Month: March 2014

The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips. Proverbs 17:27 HCSB

At times when I have attended meetings, I have mentally decided it best not to say anything, knowing that my words would not benefit me or change the minds of those in the meeting. I do believe a person should share his thoughts and ideas, but in certain situations it is best to remain silent.

This proverb reminds us that one who is careful with his words and is even-tempered is one who is considered to be wise and have understanding. I have heard it said that sometimes people need to engage their minds before they open their mouths. Too many times in my life I have spoken too quickly and wished I could reach out and grab my words and take them back. A wise person thinks and reflects before he speaks. Sometimes the best response is to be silent.

Challenge: Pray and ask for wisdom. Ask God to give you patience and to help you think before you speak so you will not hurt someone. Look for a way today to use your words to affirm and encourage someone. Remember that sometimes it is best to be silent and say nothing, especially if your words will do more harm than good.

“If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.” Proverbs 9:12 HCSB

When a person exceeds the speed limit he can expect the consequences of getting a citation from the police. If someone fails to stop at a red light he may face the consequence of causing an accident. When a person makes unhealthy food choices and does not exercise, he can expect to be overweight and in poor health. When someone fails to take the medicine prescribed by a doctor he can expect to have the consequences of not getting well at all or becoming sick. There are positive or negative consequences for just about every action a person takes.

This verse clearly states that there are consequences for rejecting wisdom and making poor choices. Benefits will come to those who seek and find wisdom. Mocking wisdom will bring pain, suffering, and even death. There are competing voices in today’s culture that make recognizing and selecting wisdom a true challenge.

Challenge: You have a choice. Making wise choices will bring blessings. Making poor choices will bring negative consequences. Recognizing godly wisdom is a way to a blessed life on earth and eternal life with Christ in heaven.

“For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but the one who misses me harms himself, all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:35-36 HCSB

I went to the grocery store to shop for my 90 year old mother, who lives with us in our home. She had given me a specific list of items she wanted. As I made my way up and down the aisles, I visually scanned each shelf as I looked for just the right product. There it was, the package of breakfast croissants. I grabbed it and made my way to the next aisle. After searching for several minutes, I discovered they did not have the salad dressing my mother wanted. Selecting a different product, I headed to the check out. I felt like I had been on a scavenger hunt trying to find exactly what my mother desired.

People are searching for purpose and meaning in life. These Scriptures indicate that when anyone finds wisdom, he finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. When he fails to find wisdom, he harms himself. Death will be the natural consequence for those who reject wisdom and make poor choices.

Challenge: What are you looking for? Are you searching for wisdom? You will be sorry if you miss wisdom. Pray and ask God to give you wisdom just like King Solomon did.

With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasures. Proverbs 8:18-21 HCSB

Some preachers on television preach a “Prosperity Gospel.” Their message is, “Follow God and do what He says then you can expect to receive financial wealth and prosperity.” This is a false message. Many fine Christians are devoted to God and follow His ways but live in very poor conditions. God does not promise us material wealth. He provides us with an abundance of grace and forgiveness that will eventually give us the riches of abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven.

These verses certainly sound like a “Prosperity Gospel,” but every verse must be examined in light of all of the Scriptures. God’s Word is infallible and without error, so one must look at these verses in context with other verses to discern the true meaning. Wisdom leads a person away from selfishness and greed toward thinking of others and giving. As one honors and helps others, he will discover lasting wealth that is found in serving others. As a result, he forgets himself and follows the paths of righteousness and justice. Following God and making wise choices may lead to wealth and prosperity, but more importantly it will lead to a life filled with many blessings. As Christians, our greatest wealth is our relationship with Christ and the promise of forgiveness and eternal life that we will someday receive.

Challenge: Don’t believe the lies of the “Prosperity Gospel” preachers. Be wise and do what is right. It will lead to self-control of reckless spending and pave the way for financial security based on honest earnings. Wisdom is worth far more than material wealth.

The woman Folly is rowdy, she is gullible and knows nothing. She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling to those who pass by, who go straight ahead on their paths. “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty!” Proverbs 9:13-17 HCSB

I can remember a time as a teenager a friend of mine asked me to hold his cigarette for him for a moment. While doing so he asked me, “Don’t you want to try it and see what smoking is like?” When I said, “No,” he responded, “Doesn’t it make you feel important?” to which I replied, “No.” He was tempting me and encouraging me to smoke. I can proudly say that I have never even tried to smoke. It is an activity that I have never had an interest in trying.

In contrast to wisdom, Folly is represented by a woman who is rowdy and gullible. A person who follows Folly instead of wisdom is one who knows nothing, is inexperienced, lacks sense, and enjoys stealing. A gullible soul can be described as empty-headed and lacking wisdom. There is no desire to gain wisdom. Folly calls out to those who are passing by trying to tempt them to follow her evil paths.

Challenge: The evil one consistently tries to tempt you. Folly will lead you down the path to destruction if you yield to her temptations. Pray for strength to stand strong in the face of the temptations the world throws your way.

Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. Proverbs 8:5-8 HCSB

When considering a new job, a natural question one might ask is, “ What benefits are offered to employees?” Many employers provide benefits such as health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance, vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay, and retirement. The more benefits that are offered, the more attractive the job.

These verses list the benefits of wisdom: common sense, speaking noble things, lips that say what is right, a mouth that tells the truth, lips that detest wickedness, and words that are righteous, not deceptive. These are the benefits we receive from following God’s direction and guidance that can be found in His Word. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman that guides us and helps us to succeed if we will only follow her.

Challenge: When have you failed to use good judgment and do what was wise? We often make wrong choices, but God’s Word always offers us wisdom and direction. Follow God’s will for your life and you will find and experience many of the benefits of wisdom.

Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck: write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

Dictionary.com reports that loyalty is the act of being loyal. This requires being faithful to one’s oath, commitments, or obligations. Faithfulness involves being true to one’s word, promises, or vows. Reliability, trustworthiness, and honesty each describe the very essence of loyalty. It is easy to understand why businesses seek loyal and faithful employees. A husband or wife is honored by a spouse who is loyal and faithful and everyone values a friend with these qualities. I remember my father telling me many times, “You are only as good as your word.” It has been my lifelong goal to live by this principle and to conduct myself as a person of integrity.

Solomon reminds us that we must hold tight to loyalty and faithfulness. We must not let them go because they can be among our best assets. Loyalty and faithfulness are so important that he encourages us to put them around our necks as treasures so we will never lose them and can hold them dear to our hearts. If we are consistently loyal and faithful we will be held in high regard by men and by God.

Challenge: Be a loyal and faithful employee, friend, and spouse. May people always find you to be a person of your word; someone who is reliable, trusted, and believed. Pray that God will show you how you can be a person who finds favor in the sight of God and man by the way you live.

My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. Proverbs 3:1-2

It seems that today everyone is searching for purpose and meaning in life through the pursuit of a fulfilled life or the perfect job that will bring happiness. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that people born between 1957 and 1964 held an average of 11 jobs from ages 18 to 44. On average, men held 11.4 jobs and women held 10.7 jobs. Twenty-five percent held 15 jobs or more, while 12% held four jobs or less. People always seem to be searching for the perfect, though elusive job that will provide success, money, and happiness.

This Proverb reveals that true happiness and fulfillment in life comes from following God’s commands. The promise of a long life, a full life, and prosperity comes when one desires to do what is pleasing to God. This is a reflection of one of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:12. It is again repeated in the New Testament, “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 HCSB)

Challenge: Are you looking for happiness and fulfillment in your life? You will not find it in the things of this world. True happiness can only be found in doing the will of our Heavenly Father. Pray that you will know and do the will of God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB

This verse is my mother’s favorite Bible verse and is written on a wall hanging in our home. She has shared it with our children and many others in their hour of need. It is also one of my favorites. I have memorized it and have quoted it many times through the years. This is a comforting verse when we struggle to understand why bad things happen that do not seem to be fair or just. We question and wonder why God would allow tragedies to come into our lives.

This verse reminds us to trust the Lord. The word trust appears in Psalm 22:9 and seems to evoke the image of a small child resting peacefully in the arms of his mother. Even when we do not understand the “why” of what has happened, we can always trust God because He is our Heavenly Father and only wants the best for each of us. Trying to figure out the “why” is often futile. Our focus should be on following God’s ways instead of pursuing our own understanding. As we seek God’s ways He will give us guidance and keep us on the path of the righteous.

Challenge: What has happened in your life that causes you to ask God, “Why”? It is hard to understand why small children die in an accident or a young mother dies of cancer, or someone has to suffer because of the evil of others. Do not rely on your own understanding. Instead, trust God and rely upon Him to cause good to come even out of the pain in life.

So follow the way of good people, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those of integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land and the treacherous uprooted from it. Proverbs 2:20-22 HCSB

In my lifetime the way to find travel directions has greatly changed. I can remember when I had a large atlas filled with maps that I would consult to discover the best way to travel to my destination. In due time, I could use a computer to get directions. Next came the GPS that I put on my dashboard that gave me specific directions and instructed me where to turn. Now I have several navigation applications on my phone that provide me with exact directions to my destination. Even though technology has improved, there have been times when the GPS or application has delivered me to the wrong place or taken me to a location that is in the middle of nowhere.

This Proverb reminds us to stay on the path of the righteous. To do so we must seek wisdom and direction from God’s Word. The upright are those who choose God’s ways and live with moral excellence. The wicked are selfish and choose evil over good. The treacherous are those who are unfaithful and corrupt; they will be removed from God’s kingdom because they have ignored and abandoned the Lord and His ways.

Challenge: Which path are you on? The path of the righteous and happiness or the path of the wicked and destruction? Stay on the right path and do not get lost. Read God’s Word, the perfect map or GPS, for living and gaining wisdom.