Devotions

Proverbs 18:2&3

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. When the wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn. NASB

Two types of people who have broken off from sound wisdom are described in these verses, the fool and the wicked.

There are several words translated “fool” in the book of Proverbs. This word means to be fat with foolishness or folly and is known as a silly fool. Mind, in verse 2, means “heart” a footnote tells us in the NASB. What a fool believes will be revealed by what they say and do as we read in verses 6&7. Not only will his foolishness cause him harm but can also bring harm to those who listen to him. The fool can be naïve or ignorant but we need to be careful that we are not deceived by the fool’s foolishness.

The words and actions of the wicked can do a lot of damage if one listens to them. Intent and motive come into play here. If we are to keep from being harmed by foolishness or wickedness we would be wise to apply verses 4&5 to what we are hearing. Seek sound wisdom and discard the rest.

Proverbs 7:1-3

My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments, with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. KJV

The word “keep” means to build a hedge with thorns. The word “bind” means to weave together.

The heart is the seat of our emotions and our mind. It is like a sponge absorbing what we see and hear. These verses describe the importance of keeping our heart healthy and safe. In order to do that we must value the wisdom of God, verse 4, and filter out the so-called wisdom of the world, verse 5.

The temptation to follow the wisdom of the world is appealing but deceptive. A wise person with understanding will see the trap and not fall for it. However, a naïve person lacking wisdom and understanding will be much more vulnerable to deception. Deception is darkness, verse 9. Darkness in the Bible equates to the things and appeals of the world that promise fun, profit, pleasure, etc. but hides the destructive consequences from view. So, value wisdom, weave together a hedge, and guard the heart.

Proverbs 6:12

A worthless person, a wicked man, Is one who walks with a perverse mouth, NASB

In previous studies in this chapter, we have talked about being obligated for another person’s debt out of naivety. This was contrasted with the diligence of ants contrasted to a lazy person.

Starting with verse 12 and continuing on through verse 15 we are warned of the wicked man. Interestingly enough he seems to work as hard as the ant in verses 6-9 but they are completely different. Verse 14 tells us his heart is perverse. His core is set on wickedness. Therefore he works at continually devising evil. His works will usually be based on lies. Lies have a short “shelf life.” Eventually the truth will be found out but not before harm is done because of the strife that he causes. This is especially true if we are naive.

We see in these verses that he depends on deception not only of words but also deceptive actions and signals. We expect this in the world but Christians need to be aware that wicked people may be found hanging out in the church. Here are some passages that tell us what to watch for.

2 Thessalonians 2:2&3; 2 Timothy 3:1-7.

Proverbs 5:15

Drink water out of thine own cistern, and running water out of thine own well. KJV

What are we to do with wisdom? A cistern is a hole or tank where water is stored for later use, especially in the dry times of the year. We are to do the same with wisdom. A good cistern would be carved in rock or sealed in such a way that the water stored in it would not leak out or evaporate.

A well is like a cistern except that it is dug into an underground water source and therefore replenished by running water flowing into it. Both the well and the cistern are applicable to wisdom. In John 4:7-15 and John 7:37-40, Jesus said that He is the source of living water. James 1 tells us we can draw from wisdom when we face various kinds of trials. Verse 5 says, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. KJV

Living water will flow to us and can be stored in our cistern for present and future use. Wisdom does not come with an expiration date but we need to value God’s wisdom and not discard or replace it with some “new” wisdom which is what the balance of Proverbs 5 is illustrating.

Proverbs 4:3&4

For I was my father’s son, tender and only Beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said to me, Let thy heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. KJV

I have a real concern these days. I see a lot of young children spending a lot of time on their parents, or an older sibling’s cell phone or tablet. It seems these devices have become a babysitter and yes I realize websites can be restricted to age appropriate sites but who determines what content is age appropriate? More importantly, what are the core beliefs and values of these websites?

Solomon’s father was King David. God had a plan that Solomon would be king we read in 2 Samuel 7:4-17 and repeated in 1 Chronicles 28:3-7.

David wanted to build a house (the temple) for God. He even started to stockpile the materials and resources needed for the project but to God, it is more important to build Godly Character in the heart of the child that would become king. God entrusted the care and training of Solomon to King David. As parents and grandparents God has entrusted us with the care and training of those He has given us. God also has a plan for them.

Let Deuteronomy 6:4-9 be your guide!

Proverbs 3:13&14

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. KJV

Wisdom is a valuable investment in ourselves. The benefits are listed over and over in this chapter. To reap the benefits of wisdom we must value it and be willing to lay aside the wisdom of the world and the present culture and seek out wisdom with all diligence.

Jesus said in Matthew 13:44, Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. KJV

Jesus also said in Matthew 6:19-21, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. KJV

Proverbs 3:19 says The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. KJV. Listen to Jesus.

Proverbs 2:7

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield for those who walk in integrity, NASB

There is a story that is told of a man who died and went to heaven and was met at the gate by Saint Peter. Saint Peter took the man to a warehouse, opened the doors, and showed the man what was inside. The warehouse was full of wonderful things and the man was so amazed that he asked Saint Peter what were all these things in the warehouse. Saint Peter replied that these were all the things God wanted to give the man but couldn’t because the man never asked God for them in prayer.

I guess it’s a nice story but, as a pastor, I have some concerns. The first is that it was the illustration that was remembered and not the Pastor’s teaching which is hopefully, from the Word of God. The second concern is that it has the potential to appeal to the sin nature of man which leans toward the worship of money and greed. Matthew 6 and Colossians 3:5

What this verse makes clear, as well as this chapter, is that God has sound wisdom and abundant spiritual blessings in store for us right here and right now and available 24/7. Verse 6.

Read, listen, apply, and be blessed!

Proverbs 31:10

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above Jewels. NASB

What follows from verse 10 to verse 31 is a daunting list for any woman to live up to. Perhaps that is why Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, but we read in 1 Kings 11:3 that they turned his heart away.

I don’t know if a wife can live up to all that is contained in these 21 verses. What I do know is that the Bible tells us that when a man and a woman are married the two become one flesh. Genesis 2:24.

I also know that the Church is the bride of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 19:7-9.

God has gifted the Church with spiritual gifts for the common good we read in 1 Corinthians 12.

In Ephesians 4:15&16 we read, But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. NASB Do what you know for God.

Pastor Dave Russell