Vain Pursuits of Life

Ecclesiastes 6:7-9 
All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied.  8 For what more has the wise man than the fool?  What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living?  9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire.  This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

People work hard all their lives to gain, but most in the end do not feel satisfied within.  The fool has little, but does the wise in his own eyes have any more?  Who truly walks right in life, eyes set on what matters in eternity before his Maker?  Grabbing wind is easier than satisfaction in self.  Ah. But the more excellent way is found in Christ Jesus - He gives sight to the blind in soul, provides wisdom to walk in the light (that is where He is), and fulfills the soul's desire forever.

On a change of heart to result in change of behavior:  That is wisdom; God always desires our heart, and our effort apart from His Spirit's slow sanctifying work to transform us does not work.  The more we love and obey, the more we take on the heart of Christ, God within us, and please Him!

Contentment

Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 
As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.  16 And this also is a severe evil — Just exactly as he came, so shall he go.  And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor — this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

Do we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, or are we so busy acquiring things and wealth, knowing we cannot take it with us when we die?  If He gives us much, we should enjoy it and use it wisely, not holding the wind of wealth tightly.  Joy in living to please God has the greatest and lasting value - into eternity.

Fear God, Watch our Words

Ecclesiastes 5:6-7  
Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

As James also pointed out, the tongue is an unruly evil, bent on going its own way.  It causes us to sin, and even lie to God that what we said was sinful.  He is then angry when we give excuses or denial.  Too many words or imaginations of daydreams are also vain self-centered sin because our eyes should be on God in Christ instead of our own thoughts and ideas that contradict what He tells us.  It is truth that matters, because He looks at and tests our hearts.

Proverbs 17:3 
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.

Job 34:21  “For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps."

James 3:8-10.   But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Prudent Worship

Ecclesiastes 5:1-5 
1 Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.  2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.  For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.  3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool's voice is known by his many words.  4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools.  Pay what you have vowed — 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Worship of God is not a flippant thing; true worship comes from a sincere heart, not religious acting or rote chanting of someone else's words.  So be careful how much as well as what you say, counting the cost of any promises (vows) promising to do such and such for Him - especially if you attach conditions to the vow.  You may find yourself dreaming up things God has not promised nor ones you cannot do either.  Be honest, sincere, and broken before the Holy One, and that contrite heart is what Jesus promised He will hear. 

God’s Choice, Not Man’s

John 13:18 
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' 

John 17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.   John 17:15  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.   John 17:20.  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;"    John 17:17.  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Judas chose rebellion and received Hell as a consequence; we who are chosen and respond with belief to the truth are never lost as Judas was, and are kept by God's word as we are transformed to ever increasing glory in the face of our savior Jesus Christ.  Just as 11 of the 12 were chosen and kept, so we who now believe are promised the same.  Christmas is how we celebrate how much God loves the world, sending His Son for this new life by taking our punishment for sin and allowing us freely to enter in to his presence for unending time. 

Christ Brought Light into Darkness

Christmas is the Gospel - Good News!   When the Light, the Truth, the Son of God came into this world, He showed Himself as God among us - Emmanuel.  The Child was God's Son given to call us to repent (turn away from sin and toward Him), then He took the just penalty of death and eternal separation from God in Himself to nail it to the cross.  Then He came back from death to prove He offers life forever to us who have turned, coming in belief and trust and receiving this Child as Lord and God.  "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1Timothy 1:15)

Isaiah 9:2   2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.   6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 4:13-17   13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:  15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.  17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John 18:37  Pilate therefore said to Him, “ Are You a king then?”  Jesus answered, “ You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

John 12:46-48   I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him —the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 

Eternal Messiah and King

Micah 5:2-4   
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”   4 And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth;

Jesus the Savior, the Messiah, the Christ - He was told to is to come, and He feeds those who come to Him, keeping them as they abide in Him.  Truly the name of Jesus Christ echoes yet to the ends of the earth, even as many know of (though may not practice and honor) Christmas. 

Left Hand Needs the Right

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12   
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The Talmud says, "A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right."  This synergy of marriage has great spiritual and relational value and reward, both now and into eternity.  There is strength, help, warmth, meaning, and bonding when Christ is the cord holding two together! 

God’s Timing is Forever Predetermined

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11, 15, 17    
1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:   11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.   15 That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.   17 I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

God's times and timing are made for us.  He is eternal, El Olam, and has not allowed us to see all of time as He does - so He can test our hearts for Him (do we love and obey)?  We are accountable to Him along the time we are given, knowing He will have a final judgement; this is for both good and bad, righteous and evil.  Those who admit their sin, turn from it and to Him, believe and receive Jesus Christ as taking their place for just sentencing - these are seen only as right before God because of what He did that we could not.  This was planned before time... Eternity is in our hearts. 

Work of Folly vs. Wisdom of Grace

Ecclesiastes 2:13-14, 26 
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.  14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness.  Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all.    26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God.

Walking in the light, or at least towards it, is wisdom, because it is foolish to walk in darkness.  God does honor those who find the light of the knowledge of the glory of Him in Jesus Christ, and even uses those in darkness at times to provide for that one seeking light to shine on his deeds, no matter what the circumstances of life.

2 Corinthians 4:6.  For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

Ethereal Pursuit or Eternal Profit?

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 
Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.  I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.  11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.  There was no profit under the sun.

If we live for ourselves, getting everything we enjoy and desire, that is all we have - the stuff.  This is an empty pursuit, something you cannot hold onto any more than you can hold the wind in your grasp.  The only real profit is the eternal, so to seek first God's kingdom and living to please Him is the only lasting pleasure to hold onto. 

Crooked Straightened by God

Ecclesiastes 1:15  What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.

Read these passages and reflect on Jesus Christ, God among us, who came to take away the sins of the world by his birth, life, suffering, death, burial, and resurrection.  Every knee will bow to Him as God, for who He is and for making the crooked ways of our sin straight.  We cannot make our ways straight by doing enough good to pay for our sin, so Jesus did it in our place!

   Isaiah 40:3-5.  The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.  4 Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; 5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

   Isaiah 45:2, 6   “I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.  6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other;

   Isaiah 45:22-23 “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.  23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

   Philippians 2:10-11  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Fleeting Satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 
All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it.  The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.  9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done,  And there is nothing new under the sun.  10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us.  11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.

People strive and they want more, yet keep repeating the same mistakes - there is really no new way people think or act.  Technology changes and civilization composed of human nature does not either (but we like to think so).  This is why we have the saying that history repeats itself.  But it is our fallen sinful nature that does these things "after their own kind," as God said in Eden to man.  Since our one father, Adam, fell so are we born spiritually after that kind - and why Christmas is our God's ultimate gift of reconciliation to Himself in Jesus to make us anew after His kind! 

Christ is our Sin and Righteousness

2 Corinthians 5:21  
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Just as Christ did not become sinful as He took on our sin (He took on the punishment for our sin, but remained sinless as God), so we do not become righteous but find his righteousness in Him.  He therefore can be our substitute as sacrifice for sin, and we can by His Spirit become more righteous (holy) as we put to death by the Spirit the deeds of sinful flesh.  So we work out our salvation to be holy as He is, standing righteous in His sight by Jesus' covering blood. 

Vanity of External Beauty

Proverbs 31:30 
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing [vain, empty, unsatisfying]

Ecclesiastes 1:14  
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Seeking things other than the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt.6:33) only results in chasing the wind.  Solomon realized this as seen in Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs also shows that outward beauty is a vain pursuit.  The transitory ends, but the eternal never disappoints.  This is why Jesus tells us to seek the things above where He and the Father are...

הבל habel; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; 

Speak Up for Poor and Needy

Proverbs 31:8-9

Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.  9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

This are two things leaders (here the king) should be doing - speak up for those who do not have the wealth, power, or position to be heard themselves, and be fair to rich and poor with the same consistent standard.  Yet we see the leaders of this age rarely do these things, being without the hope of Christ. 

Trust God’s Pure Word

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.  6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

God's word, the Bible, is pure - without fault or wrong.  God himself shields and protects those who trust completely in Him (faith).  This is why we cannot add things to what He says, but take Him at His word for only what is said there, or our lies we put onto His truth will shame us before God and men.... 

Trust God’s Revealed Word

Proverbs 29:18, 25, 27   
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.   25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.  27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

If we do not see what God has revealed to us, opening our eyes through those He chose to hear and write all down in a Book, then we will do whatever we want to without restraint of good or evil.  But when we listen to Him and do all He says, then we find joy.  However, we who do the right thing find those not seeing to find us contemptible - even though it is right.  This is the root of sin - hating what God calls good, and loving what He reveals to be evil.  Sin is not happy, but empty.

Trust in Lord, Not Our Hearts

Proverbs 28:14, 25-26 
Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.   25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.   26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Those who fear and revere God find happiness, trusting in Him and doing their best to wall wisely according to the commands, examples, and principles of the Bible.  To harden your heart by not doing these things only leads to pride and foolishness. 

Boast in God’s Leading

Proverbs 27:1, 18  
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth....18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.

If and as The Lord wills, so I will do.  I will wait on my Master for what is best as I do what I am given to do, so eating of the fruit of my labors.  He honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).  

Loving Our Enemies by Serving

Proverbs 25:21-22 
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

As JFB SAYS, "(Compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20) As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness."  Loving our enemy should melt the hate of a heart that needs the love of a Christ.  As as Jesus quoted this same scripture, it is important to see why God demands our actions and heart work together for the good of others - and not just those who love us in return. 

Visible Edges of God’s Ways

Ecclesiastes 8:11-12 
Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. … 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

No matter how injustice seems to favor evil at times, we see only the edges of God's ways in what He allows and what He judges in this life.  Our task is to fear God and live according to all He says - this makes it well with our souls, no matter what the circumstances around us.  Remember that in the end at the final judgement all will be righteously and justly settled. 

Pursue Wisdom with Heart of Obedience

Proverbs 23:7, 23, 26 
My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.   23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.  7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

God sees our hearts, so must we seek His wisdom and instruction to be wise.  Then we can be what fills our heart and mind... 

Zealous for God, Envious for None

Proverbs 23:17-18
Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; 18 For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

Many get rich by seeking things dishonestly or with love only for self, not caring how.  These are not ones to want to be like or to desire to have what they possess.  What matters is the love and fear of God - this is what we must jealously desire, knowing we will face Him and live in His presence forever (those who are new creations in Christ, that is). 

Value of Humble Fear

Proverbs 22:4, 11, 29  
By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.  11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.   29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

How do we live before God and men?  Start with humility, fearing God who is your Lord and Master.  Love what He says is good and talk of those things with grace to others.  Do well in your work as doing it for God Himself.  This brings honor from God and men, with His pleasure as the greatest riches. 

God Alone Delivers

Proverbs 21:30-31
There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.  31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.

Nobody can be wiser than God, yet many act as if they think they are... Others try to use all their own power to win wars or other battles, forgetting that only He can deliver from defeat and destruction. 

Certain Judgement and Repentance

2 Peter 2:4, 9; 3:7, 9  
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; ... 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,  ... 3:7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God will judge everyone in His time, and will keep those who are His through it all.  He does not want to see anyone punished forever, but is holy, just, and must act accordingly to do what is fair.  We all deserve hell, but everyone turning from disobedient sin to Christ is what He really yearns for! 

God Sovereignly Leads Our Steps

Jeremiah 10:23  

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

God leads us; all our plans fall under His greater plans for us according to His will.  This is hard for us to agree to as self-willed fallen people, but it is still true.  Why should we then not make our plans with the understanding that God's will shall drive the circumstances to a greater good?  This should calm our anxieties while giving us purpose in all we do. 

Follow His Righteousness!

Proverbs 21:21

He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor.

If we do the right things according to what God spells out as right in the Bible, the we come to find life in Him, become righteous in Christ who changes us to be more like Him, and will be honored by God and man.  Do we follow what He says? 

God Weighs the Heart

Proverbs 21:2-4 
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.  3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.  4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

God knows our hearts; we cannot fool Him.  He wants us to do justly, love mercy, And to walk humbly with Him.  Pride and arrogance and loving to do evil or not care about it are sin, and foul the heart. 

We Cannot Save Ourselves

Proverbs 20:6, 9, 22, 24 
6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?   9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin”?   22 Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.   24 A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?

We are not good of ourselves, nor can we make ourselves good, clean, and righteous by our own effort.  God is the only one who can deliver us into goodness, and the only way He gives us is Jesus Christ.  Since He then leads each step we take, we must look to Him and in His word to find understanding, meaning, and purpose in and for all we do. 

Commands and Counsel or Carelessness?

Proverbs 19:16, 21
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.   21 There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel —that will stand.

When we follow what God has told us, then we have life as we heed what we do, think, and say.  Along with this we must allow God's words to counsel us to make our plans and have purpose and care in our ways - our choices and how we live.  These verses in Proverbs are worth thinking through. 

God’s Sovereign Rule

Ecclesiastes 8:4-7 
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”  5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment, 6 Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, Though the misery of man increases greatly.  7 For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur?

God is sovereign over all, including us.  His power, will, and command rule in love, so we must lovingly obey while seeing there is a time and place for what He allows and decrees.  No matter how we feel or what we go through, He knows and works all together for our good! 

What Angels Want to See

Do you want to see what angels see?  Read this:

1 Peter 1:10-12 
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things which angels desire to look into.

Angels wanted to see what the gospel message has shown us - that God was in Christ reconciling sinful people to Himself in Jesus Christ.  These things of God were sought out during the times before Christ in the Old Testament by the prophets, and now are explained in the New Testament to show the things angels want to see, but have been shown to us made in God's image! 

Stumbling Block to the Disobedient, Mercy to the Chosen

1 Peter 2:7-10 
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.  9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Those who reject Christ, who refuse to believe He is God's Son who died in their place, these stumble at the offense of needing God as their Lord and master.  But those who hear His call and take Him at His word, these become His own precious people.  We then praise God for who He is and all He has done, knowing we have been brought out of sin's dungeon by great mercy into His light of righteousness and peace. 

Discretion and Grace

Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

By knowledge, understanding, and wisdom we can forgive, not getting angry when others sin against us.  As the verse below says, we rush into sin (anger or other) when we lack these things.  To know and understand leads to living that, and is wisdom to keep us.

Proverbs 19:2  Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. 

Honor of Humility or Consumed by Haughtiness

Proverbs 18:12  
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

Destruction here means fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering breaking, and describes the heart of one who is consumed with being arrogant and proud.  The contrast is the one who is humble - that one is honored by God and man.

1 Peter 5:6-7.  6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 

Righteous in Tower of God

Proverbs 18:10 
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

Righteous people, those who know God through Christ and who aim their lives in His direction, find safety from attack and ill intent of those opposed to God.  His very name is as a castle for defense against evil. 

Choose Your Words Well

Proverbs 17:27-28 
He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.  28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Making the most, least, and best of our words is knowledge and wisdom.  How untamable the tongue seems at times, as James says, yet in Christ we put this in control by the Spirit. 

Refining of the Heart

Proverbs 17:3, 5, 9, 13 
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.  4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.  5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.  9  He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.  13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

God tests our hearts.  This means He allows circumstances and people to come before us in order to see if we respond as He tells us to in the Bible.  Examples here include listening to the lies of gossip or talking bad about others, making fun of or putting down poor people, even rejoicing when they "get what is coming to them," and getting back at those who do you evil.  Jesus gave us the difficult answer: love others and treat them as you want to be treated.  So He tests us as we become more like Him each day. 

Deceptive Directions of Disobedience

Proverbs 16:20, 25  
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.    20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

There is our way, and then there is God's... One leads to good and to life, the other to death.  Why do people choose their own way, not counting the cost of the way that only seems right as they want to see it?  How far better to trust God and take His way, finding life and peace? 

Deceptive Hearts or Directed Steps?

Proverbs 16:4, 6, 9 
4 The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.  6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.  9 A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

God has chosen us and called us out who are His, but also has chosen those who are not in order to show His greatness and sovereignty.  We must then choose to do right and not evil to please Him, knowing Jesus atoned for our sin by taking our due death penalty - this is fear of God and loving thankfulness.  Above all, we are responsible for our choices which we must make, yet also knowing He guides and sets the path for us.  Walking by faith! 

Our Thoughts and Speech

Proverbs 16:1-3  
1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.  2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.  3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

Looking at these three verses, there is a need to plan what to do and say, but we who are His need to trust Him for the right words to speak.  Then our answer is from God and not of ourselves.  We think that we do good enough as we see it, but He tests our hearts and words.  Therefore we need to put all we do in God's hands, and our thoughts and so our words will follow. 

Listen to Godly Counsel

Proverbs 15:22, 32 
Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.  32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

We all learn from God, but He chooses to teach through others.  This is why we need to be teachable, finding Godly counsel (more than just one person) to find His way.  We need God to show us His word and what it means, and how to live by it; but counsel keeps us in check with the truth as we sharpen each other. 

Understanding by God’s Word

Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Acts 17:11  These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

To avoid error and know what God truly says, we need to seek out what the Bible says, not just blindly believe what others teach us.  Trust Him and verify all others by His word and with the help of His Spirit, who is God within you.  This is wisdom.

2 Timothy 2:14-16  14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

2 Peter 3:16-18  as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.  17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 

God’s Ways of Repentance and Pardon

Isaiah 55:6-9  
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God calls us and asks us to seek Him and call on Him who is nearby.  Turn from your ways and thoughts to His - and find compassion to forgive you.  He gave His Son in your place, something we would not think of nor fully grasp, and this action to redeem us who are at odds with Him does not make sense to us.  But it does to the One who loves us that much. 

Hearts, Hell, and Destruction

Proverbs 15:11
Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

God sees Hell and the destruction of the rebellious (sinful) angels and people who are rightfully heading there...yet He also sees their hearts, for we are made in His image (unlike angels).  God loves us and offers us a way to be with Him and not to continue to destruction - that one and only way to be righteous enough to stand before Him is not found in religion or church organizations, but in Jesus Christ and in no other. 

True Witnesses Confident in Fear

Proverbs 14:25-27 
A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.  26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.  27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

Do we who know God in Christ really fear Him?  If we do, then we can have confidence and life in Jesus Christ as we let others see how they too can be reconciled to God in Him, finding life in place of death that we all deserve by His standards of perfection.  This is why Jesus died as if He were each of us - to make a way to the Father of perfection in our sinless imperfection by taking our death penalty punishment for eternity.

Ways that Seem Right

Proverbs 14:2, 12, 15 
He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.   12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.  15 The simple believes every word,But the prudent considers well his steps.

Our goal must be to live right in God's eyes.  Not doing so shows we hate Him.  Our way and the way of society around us ("the world") says evil is good, but this only leads to death and separation forever from our Creator.  So we need to read the Bible, knowing these are God's own words that must be examined for truth to live by, and not blindly take others' word for what we should do or how to live. 

Cut to the Heart of Repentance

Acts 2:36-39 
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”  37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “ Men and brethren, what shall we do?”  38 Then Peter said to them, “ Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

This is what we must do with Jesus Christ when we hear that He died in our place for what we deserved and could never earn before God ourselves - turn from sin to Him (repent), believing, and be identified with His death and resurrection in baptism.  Then He makes us new, lives in us as His Spirit, all because He called us to Himself. 

Seek Wisdom in Godly Company

Proverbs 13:10, 14, 16, 20 
Pride only breeds quarrels, But with ones who take advice is wisdom.  14 The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, To turn from the snares of death.  16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge, But a fool exposes folly.  20 One who walks with wise men grows wise, But a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs has many related truths here:  Pride versus being willing to listen and learn (teachability).  Learning from wise teaching by seeking God's way of life.  Learning truth and then acting on it, not always pointing out errors, but knowing which battles to engage in.  Finding others seeking God and His wisdom (who aim to live by His word (Heb.13:7), not hanging out with foolish people who drag you down.  Selah. 

Confident Endurance in Obedience

Hebrews 10:35-36   
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

Reminder from God to not give up, to trust Him and take at His word based on His proven character.  There is great reward in holding firm and confidently walking on with Him in the midst of everything!

   Confidence or boldness:  παρρησια, an attitude of openness that stems from freedom and lack of fear; (1) in speech boldness, plainness, outspokenness (AC 2. 29); (2) in public work openness; παρρησια publicly (JN 7. 13); (3) in the presence of high- ranking persons courage, confidence, boldness (AC 4. 13); (4) in relation to God confidence, boldness, joyful sense of freedom (HE 10. 35) 

Anxiety’s Cure is God’s Word

Proverbs 12:25 
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

Why worry or be anxious?  Instead look at God's word, and tell it to others.  This makes hearts glad, hearing from God. 

Stupid or Wise?

Proverbs 12:1, 15, 17, 23  
1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid... 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.  17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.   23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

How we must learn from God all He teaches us!  His way is right, and Godly counsel shows this.  So we must speak truth, but know when to speak and when it is prudent in God's eyes to keep quiet.  Speaking the truth in love, doing no harm to our neighbor is the second greatest commandment. 

Wise Witness of Grace and Mercy

Proverbs 11:30-31 
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.  31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

God demands righteousness and witness.  We need to live as Jesus to please the Father, and we have been called out in order to tell others what God has done for them in Christ.  If they do not hear, their end is Hell.  But God offers love and grace 

Wisdom of Restraint

Proverbs 10:19, 31-32  
19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.    31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out.   32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

Wisdom means choosing words that matter, not speaking many that do not have understanding based on knowledge - God's wisdom from His word.  These verses in Proverbs show God looks at our unnameable tongue and tells us to guide it with wisdom.  This is our challenge and victory is found in walking with Christ, being transformed into ever increasing glory by His mercy and grace. 

Love in Understanding Conquers Hate

Proverbs 10:12-14 
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.  13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.   14 Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Love and understanding cover sin and lead to real wisdom.  Wise people also learn and speak of those things learned from God; foolish ones do not learn and want nothing to do with His love or wisdom.  This is seen throughout the Bible, especially explained in the New Testament. 

Integrity is Wisdom

Proverbs 10:8-9 
The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.   9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

According to these verses, if we are wise, it is because we listen and do what God says; those who just talk will not stand before God.   Also, those who have no integrity to do what is right even when nobody is looking will be revealed.  So we need to listen to God and live out what He says at all times to be wise and pleasing to God. 

Collect Wicked Things or Pursue Righteousness?

Proverbs 10:2-5 
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.   3 The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked.   5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

People can keep collecting wicked things, those opposed to the goodness of God, but the end of that is death and starvation of body and soul - unlike life and provision promised to those who choose His ways.  Doing right also means realizing the harvest is here as Jesus said, and being about our Father's business in telling others the hope He offers freely. 

Wisdom Before God’s Face

Proverbs 9:12

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

Wisdom begins between each of us with God.  So is foolishness.  If we reject His wisdom and scoff at what He says, we will bear the consequences; likewise, no one can be wise for us - no "priest" or other person can assume our responsibility, so we must individually and wisely follow Christ. 

Fearful Wisdom in Knowing God

Proverbs 9:10-11   
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.   11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

The number one thing is to fear God - this is where real wisdom begins.  Add knowledge of God who is holy and commands us to be holy because He is, and understanding begins.  God honors wisdom and understanding with a life that is full, no matter how long it is. 

Find God’s Eternal Wisdom!

Proverbs 8:22-23, 30, 35-36   
“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.  23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.   30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,  35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”

Where does wisdom come from, and why is it important?  God is wise before creation, as wisdom is in His nature.  By wisdom He created all things, and was His master craftsman in all He made and did.  So when we find His wisdom, we find true life - in His only solution, Jesus Christ.  But when we reject that wisdom and understanding, we hurt ourselves and only find death. 

Wisdom and Understanding

Proverbs 8:1, 6-8, 13, 20 
1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?    6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.   8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.   13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.   20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

Wisdom and understanding must include the best things, right and true, just and fair, righteous truth, not wicked or evil or prideful or arrogant.  This is how we need to be to please God who made each of us in His image.  How we all fail in this broken world with each of us sinfully apart from Christ!  So my goal is to be wise in speaking the excellent things, not those of the flesh, but of wisdom and understanding from God-Who-Lives-In-me.

Philippians 1:9-11  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 

Value God’s Word by Heartfelt Obedience

Proverbs 7:1-3  
1 My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.   2 Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.   3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Do I keep His words and really value each of them, seeing them as the best an most valuable thing?  He sees me as the apple of His eye, and so must I for all He says.  These must continue to be written on my heart of flesh given me when I was reborn...

Ezekiel 36:26-27  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

2 Corinthians 3:3  clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 

Learn and Live God’s Commands Given

Proverbs 6:20-23 
20 My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.   21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.   22 When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.   23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

Though parents may or may not teach us God's word, we are still bound to put them in our heart and follow the commands, principles, and examples given us there.  Then we can sleep, knowing we are pleasing to God, and wake to face the day with Him.  He gives light so we can see where we are going, and corrects us in love when we fail Him in life.  As the Apostle said, "You have the words of life; where else can we go?"