Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

Greedy of Gain

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Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live. 

‘He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.’ The greedy man brings trouble upon his own household and becomes a curse to those he deals with. In contrast, the contented and righteous man, one who rejects bribery, will enjoy life and peace.

The wicked often rely on two primary tools: plunder and bribery (26:10).

Those who gather around hypocrites, forming assemblies of deceit, will be swept away, and the hypocrite himself will be left in ruins. Consequences will descend upon the homes of those who engage in bribery, consuming their false security.

An Abomination

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Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 

‘Thoughts’ [Hebrew: machshebowth] is translated as devices or plans (12:5; 15:26; 16:3; 21:5; Gen. 6:5; Ps. 33:11; 40:5; 56:5; 94:11; Isa. 55:7-8). The thoughts of the wicked God hates, but He loves the plans and words of the pure.

‘Abomination to the LORD’ – Scripture lists many attitudes and actions that are detestable to the Lord. Among them are: The perverse or crooked person – one who turns aside from righteousness (3:32; 11:20). A proud look – arrogance in countenance and spirit (6:16-17). A lying tongue – speaking falsehood (6:17; 12:22). Hands that shed innocent blood – committing unjust violence (6:17). A heart that devises wicked plans – scheming evil in one’s thoughts (6:18). Feet that run swiftly to do evil – eagerness to sin. A false witness who lies – bearing false testimony (6:19). One who sows discord among others – stirring up strife and division. Wickedness in general – evil deeds and character (8:7). A false balance or scale – dishonesty in business and dealings (11:1). The sacrifices of the wicked – religious acts performed without righteousness (15:8; 21:27). The way of the wicked – their lifestyle and choices (15:9). The thoughts of the wicked – corrupt and ungodly thinking (15:26). A proud heart – inward arrogance (16:5). Justifying the wicked and condemning the just – moral corruption and injustice (17:15). Diverse weights and measures – dishonest standards in trade (20:10, 23). Refusing to hear God’s law – rejecting divine instruction (28:9). The prayers of the rebellious – religious acts from a disobedient heart.

The Proud

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Proverbs 15:25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. 

‘The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.’ The Lord will judge the proud but preserve the humble.

Humility is the key that unlocks many spiritual treasures. It is the secret to: The glory of creation – recognising our role before the Creator (Rev. 4:11; Luke 17:10). Redemption – modelled perfectly in Christ’s self-emptying (Php. 2:5-8). True riches and honour – promised to the humble (-15:33; 22:4; Matt. 5:3). Fellowship with God – for He dwells with the lowly in heart (Isa. 57:15; 66:2). Rest for the soul – found in Christ’s gentle and humble heart (Matt. 11:29). Personal salvation – entering the Kingdom requires childlike humility (Matt. 18:3; Luke 18:1-43). True greatness – defined by servanthood (Matt. 20:26–27; Luke 22:26). Exaltation – for those who humble themselves will be lifted up (Matt. 23:12; Luke 14:11). Spiritual revelation – truth revealed to the humble, not the proud (Matt. 11:25; Luke 10:21). Unity in the Body – maintained through mutual humility (Eph. 4:1-3; 5:21; 1Pet. 5:5). Victorious Christian living – humility shapes love, service, and perseverance (Rom. 12:10, 16; 1Cor. 13; Gal. 5:26; Php. 2:1-4; Col. 3:5-14; 1Jn. 4:20; 1Tim. 1:15; Tit. 2:11-14). Genuine faith – faith grows from a heart that knows its need (Matt. 8:8; 15:28; John 4:50)

Two things God will cut off (Ps. 12:3): All flattering lips and tongues that speak proud things.

To be proud is to indulge in pride or self-congratulation. It means being lifted up in one’s own eyes—exalting oneself, becoming elated, or taking glory in oneself. Pride can manifest as displaying oneself before others, strutting for attention, or having an inflated sense of superiority. Pride often shows itself in unnatural self-esteem, arrogance, and the desire for others to treat one’s words as if they were unquestionable truths.

The Way of Life

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Proverbs 15:24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 

‘The way of life is above to the wise.’ Four contrasted ways: The way of the wise – the way of fools. The way of life – the way of death. The way above – the way beneath. The way to heaven – the way to hell.

The way of the wise leads to life and ascends to heaven, where Christ is. Christ Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), and Scripture reveals Him as the sevenfold Way: The only way to God (Matt. 7:14; John 10:1, 7, 9; 14:6). The way of escape from temptation and sin (1Cor. 10:13). The way into the Most Holy Place, granting access to God (Heb. 9:8-15; 10:19-23). The new and living way, opened through His sacrifice (Heb. 10:20; 5:9). The way of truth, which is given to us by Christ through the gospel and His life (2Pet. 2:2). The right way, contrasted with false paths (2Pet. 2:15). The way of righteousness (2Pet. 2:21; 1Cor. 1:30). In Him, the journey of the wise finds its ultimate destination and purpose.

Whosoever WILL can be saved if he chooses the way of life (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17). The way of life IS the way to eternal life (John 6:63, 68).

A Word Spoken

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Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 

‘A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it.’ A wise man has joy in his answers of wisdom, and a word spoken in season is healthful and refreshing.

A good man shall be satisfied with the fruit of his lips, and he will reap the good that he sows (12:14; Gal. 6:7-8).

The mouth of a righteous man produces blessing and life (13:2-3; 1Pet. 3:10-11; Jas. 3:1-18). The control of the tongue is commanded by God (Jas. 1:26; 3:1-18). We have two eyes and two ears, suggesting we should see and hear more than speak with the one tongue fenced with teeth.

A man is inwardly satisfied by his wise answers, and his fortune is largely determined by them (18:20). The sayings of a wise man are like deep waters, and his wellspring of wisdom is like a gushing torrent that never runs dry (18:4).

Counsel

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Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 

‘Counsel’ [Hebrew: tachbulah] helmsman; guide; counsel. Translated counsel (1:5; 11:14; 12:5; 24:6; Job 37:12); and advice (20:18).

‘Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.’ A fool will not listen to wise counsel, as will the wise (12:15). Plans fail when there is no counsel, but succeed where many wise men counsel (15:22).

‘But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ Safety, providing they are really counsellors and serve God (cp. 15:22; 24:6; Ps. 1:1).

Two ways of getting wisdom (19:20): Hear counsel and profit by it. Receive instruction (discipline) and live by it.

Folly

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Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly. 

‘Folly’ [Hebrew: cikluwth], silliness. Translated folly (Eccl. 1:17; 2:3, 12-13; 10:1) and foolishness (Eccl. 7:25; 10:13).

‘Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.’ Folly is a joy to fools, but wise men walk sensibly.

The simple are born with a disposition to folly, but the wise embrace knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to direct his way rightly, but the folly of fools is to live deceitful lives (14:8,18). The crown of the wise is their riches, but the fool produces folly by his acts of foolishness (14:24).

Three discoveries of Solomon (Eccl. 2:13-17): There is no supreme good or lasting happiness in all the pursuits of science, no genuine satisfaction in unbridled lusts, and no true joy in folly; wisdom excels folly as much as light excels darkness. The wise man sees clearly and weighs carefully the consequences of all he does; whereas the fool has no guide to his reason and no check on his passions as he blindly walks, groping in unbridled lusts. Both the wise man and the fool die, but the wise man isn’t remembered any more than a fool.

A Wise Son

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Proverbs 15:20 A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother. 

‘A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish man despises his mother.’ A wise son honours his parents, but a foolish one despises them. A wise son is a pleasure to parents (3:12; 10:1; 15:20; 23:15-16; 24-25; 29:3). See Proverbs 17:21, 25; 19:13, 26; 20:20; 28:7, 24; 30:11, 17, referring to fools making parents unhappy.

Four commands to sons: Hear – 13 such commands in Proverbs (1:8; 4:1, 10; 5:7; 7:24; 8:6, 32-33; 19:20, 27; 22:17; 23:19, 22). Be wise – commanded 4 times (6:6; 8:33; 23:19; 27:11). Guide the heart in the right way (23:19; cp. 2:17; 11:3). Don’t be a companion of drunkards and gluttons (23:20-21. Cp. 26:9; Deut. 21:20).

Four death-penalty sins for sons (includes everyone): Stubbornness in accepting correction. Rebellion against parents. Gluttony – excess in eating and to get drunk.

The Slothful Man

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Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. 

‘The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.’ A lazy man imagines many obstructions in the way, but the righteous see none.

Romans 12:11 warns us not to be slothful (Heb. 6:12) in business but fervent in spirit.

Eighteen facts about the slothful: They are unteachable, careless, and indifferent (6:6-9). They love excessive sleep (9:9; 19:15; 24:33). They are irritating to others (10:26). They are servants to others (12:24). They are too lazy to cook food (12:27). They are wishful thinkers (13:4; 24:34). They have a life full of troubles (15:19). They are great wasters (18:9). They are lazy (19:24; 24:30-34; 26:14-15). They refuse to work (20:4; 21:25). They make the most senseless excuses for their laziness (22:13; 26:13). They are void of understanding (24:30). They permit property to ruin (24:31-34; Eccl. 10:18). They are too lazy to move themselves (26:14). They are conceited (26:16). They are unfaithful to trust (Matt. 25:26). They are unbelievers (Heb. 6:12). They lack business ability (Rom. 12:11).

Strife

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Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.

‘A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.’ A fiery-tempered man causes trouble, but a man slow to anger promotes peace.

Wrath [Greek: thumos, Turbulent passions; domestic and civil turmoils; rage; determined and lasting anger.] Wrath (Gal. 5:20; Luk. 4:28; Acts 19:28; 2Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; Heb. 11:27; Rev. 12:12; 14:8, 10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1; 18:3); indignation (Rom. 2:8); and fierceness (Rev. 16:19; 19:15).

Strife [Greek: eritheia] Disputations; jangling; strife about words; angry contentions; contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavour to equal or pay back in kind the wrongs done to one. “Strife” (Gal. 5:20; 2Cor. 12:20; Php. 2:3; Jas. 3:14, 16); “contention” (Php. 1:16; Rom. 2:8).

Three sources of sin (1Cor. 3:3): Thoughts: envying, state of the soul. Words: strife, contention in words. Deeds: divisions, sin in conduct.