Category: Bible

Shall Come to Poverty

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:19-21 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 

‘For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.’ Scripture now gives the reason for the warning. Drunkenness and gluttony often produce poverty because they consume money, time, energy, opportunities, and ambition. A person who continually lives for pleasure often neglects work, responsibility, discipline, and long-term planning.

Any uncontrolled appetite can eventually bring loss. Whether it is pleasure, entertainment, gambling, luxury, materialism, or any other obsession, a life governed by appetite instead of wisdom eventually suffers consequences.

‘And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.’ Drowsiness here refers not merely to physical sleep but to laziness, carelessness, and a lack of diligence. The person who continually seeks comfort rather than responsibility eventually experiences a lack. The imagery is striking: diligence clothes a person with provision, and laziness clothes a person with rags.

Throughout Proverbs, slothfulness is portrayed as a destroyer of potential. “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come” (6:10-11).

Be Not Among

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:19-21 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 

‘Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh.’ A winebibber drinks alcohol habitually. The warning is not merely against drinking but against becoming associated with those whose lives revolve around intoxication and pleasure. The phrase “riotous eaters of flesh” refers to gluttons and pleasure-seekers who indulge themselves without restraint (1Jn. 2:15-17).

The emphasis is on companionship and influence. The command is: do not join them, do not imitate them, do not adopt their lifestyle, and do not make them your closest associates (2Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1). Scripture repeatedly teaches that companions influence character.

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1Cor. 15:33). A person’s friends often shape attitudes, values, habits, and spiritual direction. The wise choose companions who encourage godliness rather than indulgence.

The issue is not the use of food or drinking (non-toxic) beverages themselves, both of which are gifts from God. The issue is a lack of self-control. Throughout Scripture, uncontrolled appetites are condemned because they weaken spiritual discernment, waste resources, damage health, destroy families, and lead people away from God. What begins as enjoyment can become bondage when desires are allowed to rule one’s life.

Guide Thine Heart

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:19-21 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 

‘Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.’ This verse begins with a tender appeal from a father to his son. The command is not merely to listen, but to listen with the intention of becoming wise. Many hear instruction, but few allow it to shape their lives.

The phrase “be wise” implies applying God’s truth in daily living. Wisdom is not merely knowledge; it is the ability to make godly choices and walk in obedience to God’s will.

‘Guide thine heart in the way.’ The heart in Scripture represents the mind, the will, the emotions, and the inner life of a person. The heart naturally tends to wander toward sinful desires, worldly influences, and selfish ambitions. Therefore, it must be deliberately directed toward the right path.

This verse teaches personal responsibility. No one can guide your heart for you. Parents, family, teachers, and friends can give instruction, but each person must choose to direct his or her heart toward wisdom and righteousness.

The direction of the heart ultimately determines the direction of life. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (4:23).

Envy Sinners or Fear the Lord – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:17-18 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. 

‘For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.’ This verse gives the reason for rejecting envy and holding fast to the fear of the Lord: there is a certain future outcome. The prosperity of sinners is temporary, but the future of the righteous is secure. “There is an end” points to the outcome – the conclusion of life and ultimately the judgment of God. What appears successful now will be revealed for what it truly is in the end.

In contrast, the expectation of the righteous is not cut off. Hope in God is not empty optimism; it is a secure, covenantal expectation rooted in God’s promises. While the world’s rewards fade, the hope of the godly extends beyond present life into eternity. This includes both present spiritual stability and future eternal reward.

The New Testament echoes this perspective: the true beauty and inheritance of the godly is “incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away” (1Pet. 1:4). What is rooted in God cannot be cancelled by time, circumstance, or death. Therefore, wisdom calls believers to live by long-term reality rather than short-term appearance.

Together, Proverbs 23:16-18 form a progression: Inward integrity (“reins”) produces righteous speech (“lips speak right things”), which is protected by a heart free from envy and grounded in the fear of the Lord, because the future outcome of the righteous is secure and unshakable.

Envy Sinners or Fear the Lord – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:17-18 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. 

This verse addresses one of the most subtle spiritual dangers: envy of the wicked. Sinners may appear to prosper, live without restraint, or enjoy temporary pleasures (Psalms 37 and 73). To the natural eye, their lives may seem attractive. But wisdom warns the heart not to be drawn into comparison or desire for their way of life.

Envy begins inwardly – “Let not thine heart envy.” It is not merely an outward action but a quiet internal shift in desire and admiration. Left unchecked, it can weaken conviction and draw a person toward compromise. Instead, the antidote is “the fear of the LORD all the day long.” The fear of the Lord is a continual awareness of God’s holiness, authority, and presence. It reorders priorities, corrects perspective, and anchors the soul in reverence rather than comparison.

To “fear the LORD all the day long” means consistent, ongoing orientation of life toward God – not occasional religion, but steady devotion. It protects the heart from being seduced by temporary success or sinful pleasure. Where envy pulls the heart outward toward others, the fear of the Lord pulls it upward toward God.

To be continued…

If Thine Heart Be Wise – Part 3

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:15-16 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 

‘Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.’ The word “reins” refers to the innermost being – the hidden seat of thoughts, motives, and deepest emotions. It is closely linked with the heart, not in a superficial sense, but as the core of a person’s moral and spiritual life. Proverbs frequently uses this language to show that God and godly people are concerned not only with outward behaviour, but with what is formed within (23:12, 15, 17, 19, 26, 33).

Here, the verse deepens the thought of parental and spiritual joy: it is not only the visible success of a child that brings gladness, but the inward alignment of their life with truth. When “thy lips speak right things,” it reflects more than correct speech – it reveals a heart that has been shaped by wisdom. Speech becomes the overflow of inward integrity (Mat. 12:34). Truthful, just, and righteous words are evidence that the inner life has been governed by wisdom rather than folly. This brings deep, settled joy – not emotional excitement, but a profound satisfaction in seeing character formed rightly.

There is also a spiritual principle here: right speech is one of the clearest indicators of inward transformation. What a person consistently speaks reveals what rules their “reins.” Wisdom, therefore, rejoices not merely in external obedience but in internal consistency between heart and mouth.

If Thine Heart Be Wise – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:15-16 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 

There is also a spiritual dimension. Those who teach, mentor, or disciple others experience similar joy when those under their care grow in wisdom and faithfulness. The apostle John expresses this in similar language: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3Jn. 1:4). True spiritual leadership is not measured by numbers or recognition, but by transformed lives that reflect wisdom and truth.

Proverbs 23:15 therefore emphasises that wisdom is not a private virtue alone – it is relational and communal. It affects families, communities, and spiritual generations. A wise heart produces joy because it aligns a person with God’s order, brings stability to relationships, and creates a legacy of righteousness. In contrast, folly wounds those who love us most and disrupts the peace God intends for families.

Ultimately, this verse calls both children and parents toward the same goal: a life shaped by wisdom that brings honour to God and joy to those who walk closely with us.

To be continued…

If Thine Heart Be Wise – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:15-16 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 

This verse reveals the deep emotional bond between a parent (or spiritual guide) and a child who walks in wisdom. It is not merely intellectual success or outward achievement that brings joy, but inward wisdom – a heart shaped by truth, humility, and reverence for God. The emphasis is on the “heart be wise,” meaning character, moral direction, and spiritual discernment rather than mere knowledge or talent.

A wise child becomes a source of profound joy because wisdom leads to life-giving choices. When a young person embraces instruction, avoids folly, and walks in righteousness, it brings peace and gladness not only to themselves but also to those who have invested in them. This reflects a principle seen throughout Proverbs: wisdom multiplies joy across generations, while folly multiplies sorrow. Proverbs 10:1 contrasts this directly: “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.” Wisdom strengthens family bonds; folly fractures them.

The verse also highlights emotional identification – “my heart shall rejoice, even mine.” A parent’s joy is not distant or detached; it is deeply personal. A child’s success in wisdom becomes the inner delight of the one who has nurtured, taught, and prayed for them. Conversely, when a child walks in folly, it brings grief not only through external consequences but through inward sorrow. Proverbs repeatedly shows this tension: “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him” (17:25). The pain is relational, not just situational.

To be continued…

Withhold Not Correction – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. 

Discipline also reflects God’s own fatherly dealings with His children. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” God corrects His people not to destroy them, but because He loves them and desires holiness in them. In the same way, faithful parents discipline because they care deeply about the future character and well-being of their children. Refusing necessary correction may feel easier in the moment, but it often produces greater pain later. Proverbs 29:15 warns that “a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”

At its heart, biblical discipline aims at restoration, wisdom, and moral guidance. The goal is not merely outward obedience, but inward character formation – teaching children truthfulness, humility, responsibility, self-control, and the fear of the Lord. Wise correction helps children learn that actions have consequences, that authority matters, and that righteousness brings peace and stability. When discipline is combined with instruction, affection, patience, and godly example, it becomes a powerful instrument for shaping lives according to wisdom rather than folly.

Withhold Not Correction – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. 

These verses teach that loving discipline is an essential part of wise parenting. Children are not born with wisdom and self-control already formed; they must be taught, guided, corrected, and trained. Left entirely to themselves, children naturally follow foolishness, impulsiveness, and selfish desires (22:15). God, therefore, entrusts parents with the responsibility of shaping character through instruction, example, correction, and loving authority. Discipline is not meant to harm a child, but to protect him from destructive paths that lead to sorrow, rebellion, and spiritual ruin.

Biblical correction is never presented as cruelty, uncontrolled anger, humiliation, or abuse. Scripture condemns wrathful and provoking behaviour that discourages children (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21). True discipline is purposeful, measured, and governed by love. It seeks the good of the child rather than the emotional release of the parent. A wise parent corrects calmly and consistently, helping the child understand both wrongdoing and the importance of righteousness. Discipline without love becomes harshness, while love without discipline becomes neglect. Godly parenting holds both truth and compassion together.

The “rod” mentioned in Proverbs symbolises authority, correction, and accountability. Its purpose is moral formation, not violence. The emphasis is on teaching a child consequences, respect for authority, self-control, and reverence for what is right. Loving correction helps rescue a child from destructive habits before they become deeply rooted patterns in adulthood. Proverbs says that correction can “deliver his soul from hell” (23:14), meaning it may preserve a child from a path leading toward ruin, destruction, and spiritual danger. Early correction can spare much future suffering.

To be continued…