Proverbs 20:3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. [Proverbs 20:3] Have you ever been on Facebook? X? Any other social media site? YouTube comment sections? Then you know the desire to quarrel is strong in mankind, and you know, in all likelihood,…
Proverbs 20:2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. [Proverbs 20:2] The rulers of men are of great power and thus, to those they rule, the source of great fear. Nobody likes it when the ire of a judge, a lord,…
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. [Proverbs 20:1] The call of entertainment is plethora and powerful. Many entertainments, indeed, are within righteousness’s border, when enjoyed in their right place. Wine, sports, fantasy fiction, board games, and many more fall into this category. Others, by sin…
Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools. [Proverbs 19:29] As humans, we despise consequences. ‘Consequences’ means me having to deal with all the imperfect parts of what I’ve done, and I’ve done a lot that’s imperfect. Whether the consequences are natural—God’s world working out reciprocation for sin—or intentional—an authority issuing discipline (parents…
A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. [Proverbs 19:28] We want to believe that everybody values justice and goodness and what-not. As a matter of fact, however, the wicked man’s desire is against justice, and he makes a mock of it all too often. Men find many, many…
Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. [Proverbs 19:27] If there’s one thing we humans love to hear, it’s ‘You ain’t gotta change nothing.’ Next best is, ‘You just change this thing you don’t mind changing or maybe even want to alter.’ But substantial, long-term instruction…
He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. [Proverbs 19:26] The integrity and vibrancy of the family are second only to one in Scripture’s conception of spiritual health. Personal moral health, by faith in God and the work of His Spirit (John 14:26),…
Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. [Proverbs 19:25] Learning from experience is not automatic. Learning is a matter of choice and decision, not merely impression; while we do develop aversions and trauma responses from experience (or addictions or good feelings), the fullness…
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. [Proverbs 19:24] Not doing something is, as a rule, the easiest thing in the world. It requires literally no effort; it takes literally no energy. But laziness is so much more than doing nothing; it’s also doing…
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. [Proverbs 19:23] Now, if we ever thought that being Christians would make us safe from all harm or fear, the story of Job would dissuade us, as would the past half hour, with…