The Life of Wisdom-2

Proverbs 20:25, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider ones vows.” America has a big rash problem… a rash behavior problem that is.  From the White House to your house and from Wall Street to Main Street people too often commit to things they don’t follow through with.  Whether…

Proverbs 21:2, “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.” The above proverb reminds me of what life used to be like for countless drivers before a “GPS” (Global Position System) was in cars.  So often a person would drive with directions on a piece of paper and…

Proverbs 21:17, “Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.” Pain good, pleasure bad.  Is that what King Solomon means here?  Ofcourse not.  The idea he is trying to convey is that if you are “obsessed” with pleasure you will become poor.  And if you’re consumed with…

Proverbs 22:10, “Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.” All throughout the book of Proverbs the fool is contrasted with the wise person.  And a certain kind of fool that is often highlighted is the “mocker.”  The definition for a mocker is, “someone who ridicules others or purposely misrepresents…

Proverbs 22:24-25, “24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” We all at times struggle to keep our emotions in check.  For some all it takes is a bad day in traffic, others can be easily…

Proverbs 23:4, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.” According to recent studies the American worker is the most overworked employee of all the developed nations.  Americans on average worker longer hours, have less vacations and days off, and retire at an older age compared to workers in…

Proverbs 23:17, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” One of the key elements advertisers use to get people to buy their products is “envy.”  The definition of envy is, “a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the…

Proverbs 25:19, “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.” Have you ever had a broken tooth or an injured foot?  Or in general have you ever suffered injury in your physical body to the point where you couldn’t do what you would normally be…

Proverbs 25:19, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” Some people have the impression that God was “mean” in the Old Testament and “nice” in the New Testament.  However, Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Therefore,…

Proverbs 25:28, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” I’ll never forget the first time I really understood this proverb.  I was talking to an older friend who was giving me counsel after I had been in an argument with another pastor.  In my hurt and frustration I…