Tag Archives: foolishness

Proverbs Reading – Chapter 12

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The Purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom for godly living.

Solomon’s fathering advice to young people and all who seek wisdom will greatly benefit from these wise words.   Discover the source of wisdom, the value of wisdom and the benefits of wisdom.   Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living.   They should call a person to action.  The verses tell how you can live in close relationship to Him and offers positive advice that helps you to make good and righteous decisions. –  notes of the Life Application Study Bible

PROVERBS 12  

This chapter doesn’t have a titles but has some really great nuggets of wisdom for you.

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.  Loving instruction is loving to learn and be taught.  Part of wanting to be taught is being willing to accept correction and to learn from the wisdom of others.  If you can’t take constructive criticism then you are dealing with pride.  Pride is NOT a character trait of Christ or God.

A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.  Sometimes you will see wickedness bring success to some people and wonder how is God allowing that to happen.  Remember, we are given free will to choose good or bad.  The decision is ours.  But the successes we see are temporary. Dishonest people grow more and more dishonest. Evil behavior just turns to ore evil.  The Study Bible says, if you are not a success by God’s standards, you have not achieved true success.  A success that God will be pleased with.

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.  There is  stability with God and with a righteous person.  The wicked will eventually have nothing.  That’s why we continue to hear that the righteous will last and the wicked work is temporary.

The world tells us that we should retaliate when someone talks about you, insults you, or embarrasses you; but that retaliation doesn’t solve anything.  It just encourages trouble.  Instead answer slowly and quietly.  Your positive response will bring about positive results.  We’ll read in the 15th chapter more about that.

Verse 19 says, the truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.  You can’t go wrong with the truth.  The truth is God and He is not man, He doesn’t lie.  You can count on everything God says.  He will do what He says.  Truth will last forever.  Lying is a temporary fix.  It is but for a moment.

May sound crazy, but a modest person is noticed more than a person who shows off.  Again another scenario where the modest person is more lasting than a show off person.

Waste has become a way of life for those who have plenty. But waste is a sign of laziness and it is poor stewardship.  Make good use of everything God has given you.

Death is the end of life and for those who do not know God, they may be afraid of death.  Maybe because that is an unknown place and fear of leaving people behind or the pain we are expecting.  When you know the Lord, death is just another step, it is not final; it is the first step into eternity.

Proverbs Reading – Chapter 9

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The Purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom for godly living.

Solomon’s fathering advice to young people and all who seek wisdom will greatly benefit from these wise words.   Discover the source of wisdom, the value of wisdom and the benefits of wisdom.   Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living.   They should call a person to action.  The verses tell how you can live in close relationship to Him and offers positive advice that helps you to make good and righteous decisions. –  notes of the Life Application Study Bible

PROVERBS 9  The title is The Way of Wisdom

The 1st verse says, Wisdom has built her house.  Then goes on to describe the different preparations of the house with food, drink, furnishings, etc.  Wisdom is responsible and takes care of those who are simple.

Wisdom and foolishness are compared in this chapter.  Wisdom appeals to the mind while foolishness appeals to the senses, but the pleasures of foolishness are temporary.  Wisdom brings a satisfaction that lasts forever.

Wisdom lacks nothing, is complete and perfect.

How you respond to criticism speaks volumes of who you are.  Learn from your critics

Wisdom begins with knowing God, having a relationship with Him.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The opposite of wisdom is foolishness…folly.  She lures in the simple, those who lack understanding.  She tells them that stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.  Making all the wrong things sound like they are good.  She will tell you that your wrong is right and deceive you.   And you will follow her not knowing that she is leading you straight to destruction, to death, to hell.

But when you look for wisdom you then have the understanding and knowledge of where foolishness can lead you.  You would choose that path if you choose wisdom.

Proverbs Reading – Chapter 6

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The Purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom for godly living.

Solomon’s fathering advice to young people and all who seek wisdom will greatly benefit from these wise words.   Discover the source of wisdom, the value of wisdom and the benefits of wisdom.   Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living.   They should call a person to action.  The verses tell how you can live in close relationship to Him and offers positive advice that helps you to make good and righteous decisions. –  notes of the Life Application Study Bible

Read along with me…

PROVERBS 6

The titles of this chapter is Dangerous Promises, The Folly of Indolence and Beware of Adultery

Verse 1 says, My son (my daughter), if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger; you are snared by the words of your mouth, you are taken by the words of your mouth.

Surety is payment of debt or making yourself responsible for another.  And snare means to trap or entangle.  This is starting to make me think about gambling or being conned by someone.  The bible is giving you guidance and warning you about people who may try to take advantage of your kind heart, of your naivete, of your ignorance.  Be mindful.  Be smart.  Although we’d like to believe that everyone is good, everyone is not.  As People of God…we are to love everyone, but we are learning here that we are also to use wisdom.

Overextending your resources is irresponsible.  Most times, we see our resources as money.  Yes it is, but there is more.  Your resources are the things you need, your basic needs as well… your job, clothes, your car, your ideas, your time, your intellectual property, your family, your home.  The study notes state, it is important to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship.   Stewardship is the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

The foolishness of laziness.  That is what is being talked about next.  And it bible uses an ant as the example.  The busiest and hardest working insect on the planet!  Research how ants work, and what they do.  Proverbs warns against laziness, of sleeping instead of working.  I know I’ve been guilty of doing this.  It doesn’t mean you can’t get your rest, but I know for me; there were times when I knew I should have been up taking care of things, but I stayed in bed, over slept or even slept the day away.  Laziness should not cause you to not be able to take care of your responsibilities.

A wicked man is described in Proverbs as someone who walks in these six things that the Lord hates, Yes seven are an abomination to Him.  If something is abominable it is vile, detestable, greatly disliked.

  • a proud look
  • a lying tongue
  • hands that shed innocent blood
  • a heart that devises wicked plans
  • feet that are swift in running to evil
  • a false witness who speaks lies
  • and one who sows discord among brethren

In this chapter, ‘keeping your father’s commands’ means to listen to wisdom.  It will help you to make good decisions and good choices.  We also see God bring up the subject of adultery AGAIN.  I’ve learned in my spiritual walk, that when God is repeating Himself to you….PAY ATTENTION!  He really wants you to hear and listen.  Its a warning in some instances.  Take heed.  Read verses 20 to 35 again and keep it all in mind.  The Lord is very serious about the sin of adultery.