Tag: Proverbs

Wisdom and Understanding – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 

‘Through wisdom is an house builded.’ Wisdom is the ability to apply God’s truth correctly in everyday life. Many people possess knowledge, but wisdom knows how and when to use that knowledge.

A house built through wisdom is characterised by love rather than selfishness, integrity rather than deception, patience rather than anger, forgiveness rather than bitterness, generosity rather than greed, and faith rather than fear.

Every decision either strengthens or weakens a home. Wise choices gradually build a secure family, while foolish choices slowly undermine it.

Jesus taught the same principle in His parable of the two builders. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them… I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matt. 7:24).

The strength of a house depends not upon its appearance but upon its foundation. Likewise, a family built upon obedience to God’s Word can withstand life’s storms.

To be continued…

Their Heart Studies Destruction – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:1-2 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

These two verses reveal a progression that is often seen throughout Scripture: Envy – Admiring the apparent success of the wicked. Association – Desiring their companionship. Influence – Adopting their thinking and values. Participation – Joining in their sinful behaviour. Destruction – Sharing in the consequences of their choices.

Scripture stops the progression at the very beginning by warning against envy and unhealthy companionship.

Proverbs 24:1-2 teaches that believers must guard both their admiration and their associations. It is dangerous not only to imitate the wicked but even to envy them, because envy often leads to imitation.

The wicked may appear successful for a season, but their hearts are devoted to destruction, and their words reveal their true nature. Their prosperity is temporary, while the consequences of their choices are lasting.

The wise person therefore chooses different companions, different values, and a different path. Instead of envying those who prosper through evil, he delights in walking with God, trusting that righteousness, though sometimes slower to reward, leads to lasting peace, honour, and eternal blessing.

Their Heart Studies Destruction – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:1-2 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

‘For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.’ Scripture now explains why believers should avoid both envying and associating with evil men. The problem is not merely their outward behaviour but the condition of their hearts. Their hearts continually plan destruction, and their words reveal what fills their minds.

Their heart studies destruction.’ The word ‘studies’ means to meditate upon, devise, plan, or carefully consider. Their minds are occupied with schemes that harm others. Rather than seeking peace and righteousness, they devote their energy to deception, exploitation, revenge, greed, violence, or selfish gain.

Jesus taught that actions begin in the heart: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts…” (Matt. 15:19). Sin rarely occurs spontaneously. It is usually conceived in the heart before it is carried out in life.

‘Their lips talk of mischief.’ The mouth reveals what fills the heart. Because their hearts are occupied with evil, their speech naturally reflects it. Their conversation may include lies, gossip, slander, manipulation, boasting, coarse speech, or encouragement toward sinful behaviour.

Jesus declared: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). Words are windows into the heart. A person’s speech often reveals his true character long before his actions become visible.

To be continued…

Wisdom and Understanding – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 

After warning against the influence of wicked men (vv. 1-2), Scripture turns to the positive alternative. Rather than pursuing success through evil schemes, the wise person builds a life, a family, and a future upon God’s wisdom.

Although the word house may refer to a physical dwelling, its meaning is much broader. In Scripture, a house often represents a household – the family, relationships, legacy, and everything that belongs to the home. Scripture teaches that a strong home is not built primarily by wealth, education, or material possessions, but by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

Building a successful home requires more than constructing walls and a roof. It involves building godly character, loving relationships, trust, stability, and a spiritual foundation that honours God.

Just as a builder carefully lays one brick upon another, a wise person patiently builds a home through countless daily decisions that reflect God’s truth.

To be continued…

Against Evil Men – Part 3

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Proverbs 24:1-2 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

‘Neither desire to be with them.’ Scripture now moves from attitude to association. It is not enough to avoid envying evil people; we must also avoid longing for their company. Companionship shapes character. Those with whom we spend the most time influence our thinking, our speech, our priorities, our values, and eventually our conduct.

Many people fall into sin not because they intended to become wicked, but because they gradually accepted the influence of ungodly companions.

An earlier warning in Proverbs: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (13:20).

This does not mean believers should never interact with unbelievers. Jesus Himself spent time with sinners to call them to repentance. Rather, it warns against forming close relationships in which the ungodly become our primary influence, our role models, or our closest companions.

Against Evil Men – Part 2

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Proverbs 24:1-2 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 

To the natural eye, evil men’s lives may seem attractive. They may appear to enjoy financial success, popularity, influence, luxury, or freedom from accountability. Yet, Scripture repeatedly reminds us that appearances can be deceptive.

Their prosperity is temporary because it is built upon a foundation that cannot endure. Wealth, power, and pleasure gained apart from God cannot provide lasting peace or eternal security.

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass” (Ps. 37:1-2).

Envy disappears when we remember that God’s evaluation is based on eternity rather than the present moment.

The wicked may possess money, success, influence, popularity, or temporary pleasure. But they lack the blessings that truly satisfy: peace with God, a clear conscience, genuine joy, lasting hope, and eternal life.

The believer already possesses treasures that the world cannot give or take away.

To be continued…

Against Evil Men – Part 1

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Proverbs 24:1-2 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 

This proverb continues one of the major themes found throughout the book of Proverbs: do not envy the apparent success of the wicked, nor be drawn into their company. Evil people may seem to prosper, enjoy wealth, influence, or pleasure, but their success is temporary, and their end is destruction. The wise person evaluates life from God’s perspective rather than by outward appearances.

Scripture gives two commands: Do not envy evil men. Do not desire their companionship. Both commands deal with the condition of the heart. Envy often begins by admiring what the wicked possess, and admiration can soon lead to imitation. What starts as coveting their lifestyle may eventually result in adopting their values and joining in their sinful practices.

‘Be not thou envious against evil men.’ Envy is more than simply wanting what someone else has. It is a resentful desire for another person’s position, possessions, success, influence, or apparent happiness.

The wicked often appear to prosper because they gain wealth dishonestly, ignore moral boundaries, exploit others, or pursue pleasure without restraint. To be continued…

Thine Eyes… and Thine Heart – Part 4

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Proverbs 23:33-35 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. 

Proverbs 23:29-35 is far more than a warning against drinking. It is a vivid illustration of how temptation works. Sin first appears attractive, then becomes destructive, and finally seeks to enslave.

The chapter began with the appeal, “My son, give me thine heart” (v. 26). That is the true safeguard against every destructive appetite. A heart surrendered to God, guided by His wisdom, and filled with His Word is far less likely to be mastered by intoxicating influences.

The New Testament echoes this principle: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)

Rather than seeking escape, confidence, or comfort through alcohol or any other controlling influence, believers are called to find their satisfaction, strength, and joy in the Lord. Wisdom looks beyond the fleeting pleasure of sin to its ultimate end and chooses the path that leads to life, freedom, and fellowship with God.

Thine Eyes… and Thine Heart – Part 3

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Proverbs 23:33-35 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. 

Addiction is not determined solely by how often a person uses a substance or engages in a behaviour, but by how much control that substance or behaviour has over them. A person can be addicted even if they drink, gamble, view pornography, or use drugs only once or twice a week if they feel compelled to do it, struggle to stop, continually make excuses for it, or repeatedly return to it despite harmful consequences.

An addiction develops when a person becomes dependent on something for pleasure, comfort, escape, stress relief, or emotional coping instead of relying on healthy solutions or, spiritually, on God. It gradually gains control over a person’s thoughts, desires, and choices.

From a biblical perspective, addiction is a form of bondage. Scripture teaches that believers are not to be mastered by anything other than God (1Corinthians 6:12). Anything that begins to control our behaviour, dominate our thinking, or replace our dependence on the Lord can become an idol and a form of slavery.

To be continued…

Thine Eyes… and Thine Heart – Part 2

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Proverbs 23:33-35 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. 

‘Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.’ Scripture now describes the physical instability caused by drunkenness. The drunkard feels like a man lying in the middle of a stormy sea, or attempting to sleep on the top of a ship’s mast. Both pictures portray dizziness, instability, danger, helplessness, and loss of control.

The drunkard becomes physically, mentally, and spiritually unstable. Life itself begins to resemble a ship tossed by violent waves.

‘They have stricken me… they have beaten me… I will seek it yet again.’ The passage ends with one of Scripture’s most tragic descriptions of addiction. The drunkard admits, “They beat me,” and “I felt it not.” Alcohol has dulled his senses so completely that he no longer recognises the seriousness of his condition. Yet the final words reveal the deepest tragedy: “I will seek it yet again.”

Despite pain, shame, injury, broken relationships, and repeated consequences, he returns to the very thing that destroyed him. This is the nature of addiction. The substance that promises freedom eventually becomes a master. The person who once chose to drink now feels compelled to drink.

To be continued…