Tag: Proverbs

Rejoices

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Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat. 

‘The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.’ Righteousness rejoices the heart, and the good news is healthful.

‘Light of the eyes.’ Matthew 6:22 and Luke 11:34 state that the light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

The Greek word luchnos, meaning, lamp fed by oil, burning for a time and then going out, translates as light 6 times (Mat. 6:22; Luke 11:34; 12:35; John 5:35; 2Pet. 1:19; Rev. 21:23) and candle 8 times (Mat. 5:15; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33, 36; 15:8; Rev. 18:23; 22:5). The Greek word haplous translates as single, simple, whole, good, and sound. If the eye is single and sound morally and free from any lusts, the whole body will be free from sin and morally sound and perfect. Light and darkness are used to contrast spiritual knowledge and spiritual blindness, and righteousness and sin (Mat. 4:16; Luke 1:79; John 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:35, 46; 1Jn. 1:5-7; 2:8-11). If the eyes are full of adultery and lusts, the body will be dark and the life blind (2Pet. 1:9; 2:14; 1Jn. 2:15-17; Rev. 3:17-18).

Prayer – Part 2

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Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

While believers are encouraged to pray persistently until they receive an answer (Luke 18:1-8), it is not the quantity of prayers that causes God to hear, but the quality of the life behind them (Matt. 6:5-8). A godly, sincere heart is what moves the heart of God.

Twelve Things God Promises to Do for Those Who Pray: Be gracious to them (Ps. 145:8). Show them compassion. Be slow to anger toward them. Extend great mercy. Be good to them (Ps. 145:9). Uphold them when they fall or are discouraged (Ps. 145:14). Provide for their needs (Ps. 145:15-16). Satisfy their desires (Ps. 145:16, 19). Remain near to them (Ps. 145:18; Jas. 4:8). Hear and respond to their prayers (Ps. 145:19). Save them. Preserve them (Ps. 145:20).

Four prayer duties of every Christian: Supplications – earnest requests (Eph. 6:18). Prayers – general communication with God (1Tim. 2:1; 5:5). Intercessions – praying for others (1Tim. 2:1; Rom. 8:26-27, 34; Heb. 7:25; Isa. 53:12). Giving of thanks – gratitude in all things (1Tim. 2:1).

Prayer – Part 1

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Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 

‘The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.’ The Lord has no fellowship with the wicked, but He draws near to the righteous and hears their prayers (Jas. 4:8). When sin remains in the heart, it becomes a barrier to answered prayer (Ps. 66:18). God refuses to listen to those who persist in rebellion and disobedience (Ps. 80:4).

God has always answered prayer, and He always will when offered in faith and full dependence on Him, especially when aligned with His promises.

Our confidence in prayer is grounded in the Word of God, which gives us the assurance to believe and ask boldly (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:4-8; 1 John 1:1-10; 5:21-22).

Prayers that rise from the heart often come from a place of gratitude or deep need, and Scripture invites us to approach God’s throne with boldness (Heb. 4:14-16; 10:19-23).

While New Testament believers still speak directly to God, as in the Old Testament, they now do so in the name of Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant (John 14:13-15; 15:16; 16:23-26).

To be continued…

The Heart

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Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 

‘The heart of the righteous studies to answer: but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.’ The righteous man weighs his words carefully, considering both his thoughts and his response. In contrast, the wicked carelessly spew out the corrupt and thoughtless abominations of their hearts (21:5).

The diligent, through wise planning and steady effort, see their wealth and success increase. But those who are hasty, impatient, and impulsive in their pursuit of gain will ultimately come to lack and failure.

‘Thoughts’ [Hebrew: machshebowth] devices, 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).

God’s thoughts and ways are not like ours (Isa. 55:8-9). From the beginning, He saw that every imagination of man’s heart is vanity (Ps. 94:11) and continually evil (Gen. 6:5). Therefore, we are commanded to hate vain thoughts (Ps. 119:113).

To the wicked, three commands are given (Isa. 55:7): Forsake wicked ways; Abandon unrighteous thoughts and return to the Lord.

These steps define true repentance – the kind that leads to salvation and does not need to be regretted (2Cor. 7:9-10). Anyone who clings to wicked behaviour and corrupt thinking remains in rebellion, separated from God. Such a person continues to commit sins deserving of death and lives under the penalty of the broken law (Mark 6:19-21; Rom. 1:18-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21).

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.