31 Days of Wisdom: Proverbs 20
Please visit the link below if you would like to read through Proverbs 20 before continuing.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2020&version=NIV
Disclaimer: This is a personal journey of discovery for me. I am not claiming any special wisdom or exposition of my own, only sharing how 31 days of wisdom affect me and stir my spirit. I highly suggest, no matter who is speaking or sharing, that you check their words against the words of Scripture.
Proverbs 20
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Alcohol complicates life and makes people make bad choices sometimes. Only the unwise allow alcohol to have that much control in their lives. (v1)
It is unwise to anger a king, or anyone who holds the power of life and death over you. Be careful how you treat those in authority over you. (v2)
“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Those who jump into an argument out of heated passion and don’t stop to think are found among fools. It’s best to stay away from fights and drama. Don’t pick fights. Don’t be easily offended. Avoid Drama. (v3)
If you’re too lazy to plan ahead then you shouldn’t expect to reap at harvest time. (v4)
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” There are things we keep very close to the vest; deep within our hearts. But, a person of wisdom and insight can see past our walls to the heart of what we intend, hope, and desire. (v5)
Just because you claim to have unfailing love doesn’t mean you can truly promise that will always be true. It is in our flesh to be unfaithful; none of us are perfect. (v6)
“The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” (v7)
Evil is perceptible to the wise. A judge who is faced with evil all of the time knows it when he sees it. (v8)
None of us are perfect; we were born that way. We battle our flesh, but we don’t always win. None of us can say we are pure, clean or without sin. (v9)
The Lord detests dishonesty. (v10)
Have you ever heard of “The Terrible Twos”? Even children show their sinful nature. None of us is perfect, pure or upright. (v11)
The Lord hears and sees all. (v12)
Don’t be lazy or waste your life in sleep. (v13)
“’It’s no good, it’s no good!’ says the buyer – then goes off and boasts about the purchase.” (v14)
We think that gold and precious jewels are hard to find, but what is really hard to find is a wise person with lips that speak knowledge. (v15)
Don’t trust someone who puts up his name for a stranger; hold his property as a pledge. (v16)
Ill gotten gains seem sweet at first, but they turn to rocks in your mouth. There is no long term pleasure in them. (v17)
“Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.” (v18)
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Anyone who will gossip to you will likely gossip about you. Choose carefully in whom you confide. (v19)
There is a harsh punishment that awaits the one who curses their father or mother. Don’t forget that one of God’s top ten rules is to honor your father and mother. (v20)
“An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.”(v21)
The Lord will avenge you; don’t worry about enacting revenge yourself. (v22)
REPETITION: The Lord detests dishonesty. (v23) (see also v 10)
Our paths are directed by God, so they won’t always make sense to us. (v24)
Don’t vow quickly; you trap yourself. If you make a vow without thinking, you are trapped by it and must uphold it. (v25)
A king who is wise will see through the schemes of the wicked and pluck them out. (v26)
“The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.” (v27)
“Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.” Interesting that it doesn’t say by “fear”. If people love a king they will serve him well. (v28)
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (v29)
“Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beating purge the inmost being.” (v30)
Dear Father of Wisdom,
Help me remember that no one is perfect, upright, or pure. We have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory. Help me to see into the hearts of people and see with Your eyes. Lord, I know you are the giver of all wisdom and discernment. I want to walk in Your path. Amen.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2020&version=NIV
Disclaimer: This is a personal journey of discovery for me. I am not claiming any special wisdom or exposition of my own, only sharing how 31 days of wisdom affect me and stir my spirit. I highly suggest, no matter who is speaking or sharing, that you check their words against the words of Scripture.
Proverbs 20
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” Alcohol complicates life and makes people make bad choices sometimes. Only the unwise allow alcohol to have that much control in their lives. (v1)
It is unwise to anger a king, or anyone who holds the power of life and death over you. Be careful how you treat those in authority over you. (v2)
“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Those who jump into an argument out of heated passion and don’t stop to think are found among fools. It’s best to stay away from fights and drama. Don’t pick fights. Don’t be easily offended. Avoid Drama. (v3)
If you’re too lazy to plan ahead then you shouldn’t expect to reap at harvest time. (v4)
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” There are things we keep very close to the vest; deep within our hearts. But, a person of wisdom and insight can see past our walls to the heart of what we intend, hope, and desire. (v5)
Just because you claim to have unfailing love doesn’t mean you can truly promise that will always be true. It is in our flesh to be unfaithful; none of us are perfect. (v6)
“The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” (v7)
Evil is perceptible to the wise. A judge who is faced with evil all of the time knows it when he sees it. (v8)
None of us are perfect; we were born that way. We battle our flesh, but we don’t always win. None of us can say we are pure, clean or without sin. (v9)
The Lord detests dishonesty. (v10)
Have you ever heard of “The Terrible Twos”? Even children show their sinful nature. None of us is perfect, pure or upright. (v11)
The Lord hears and sees all. (v12)
Don’t be lazy or waste your life in sleep. (v13)
“’It’s no good, it’s no good!’ says the buyer – then goes off and boasts about the purchase.” (v14)
We think that gold and precious jewels are hard to find, but what is really hard to find is a wise person with lips that speak knowledge. (v15)
Don’t trust someone who puts up his name for a stranger; hold his property as a pledge. (v16)
Ill gotten gains seem sweet at first, but they turn to rocks in your mouth. There is no long term pleasure in them. (v17)
“Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.” (v18)
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Anyone who will gossip to you will likely gossip about you. Choose carefully in whom you confide. (v19)
There is a harsh punishment that awaits the one who curses their father or mother. Don’t forget that one of God’s top ten rules is to honor your father and mother. (v20)
“An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.”(v21)
The Lord will avenge you; don’t worry about enacting revenge yourself. (v22)
REPETITION: The Lord detests dishonesty. (v23) (see also v 10)
Our paths are directed by God, so they won’t always make sense to us. (v24)
Don’t vow quickly; you trap yourself. If you make a vow without thinking, you are trapped by it and must uphold it. (v25)
A king who is wise will see through the schemes of the wicked and pluck them out. (v26)
“The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.” (v27)
“Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.” Interesting that it doesn’t say by “fear”. If people love a king they will serve him well. (v28)
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (v29)
“Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beating purge the inmost being.” (v30)
Dear Father of Wisdom,
Help me remember that no one is perfect, upright, or pure. We have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory. Help me to see into the hearts of people and see with Your eyes. Lord, I know you are the giver of all wisdom and discernment. I want to walk in Your path. Amen.
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