Proverbs 20:6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? [Proverbs 20:6] Faithfulness stands high amidst the pantheon of qualities which draw us to people, fictional and real. We admire fidelity; we long for others to be faithful to us; we aspire, right now, to be faithful. But in the…
Proverbs 20:5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. [Proverbs 20:5] Understanding other people is a skill I am still working on. You too. None of us has direct access to each other’s minds, as Scripture acknowledges (Mark 2:8), and even if we did,…
Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. [Proverbs 20:4] Long term living is sadly lacking from our world. We think ‘long term’ means next year, the year after, maybe a decade; a few extend it out to a lifetime. But as a culture, with…
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),…