Tag: religion

Buy the Truth – Part 3

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Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 

Examples of men who refused to sell the truth: [1] Daniel would not compromise God’s truth even when threatened with death in the lions’ den. [2] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – they refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s image even when facing the fiery furnace. [3] Paul the Apostle endured imprisonment, persecution, beatings, and hardship because he would not abandon the gospel.

Four things to buy and never sell: [1] Truth is God’s revealed reality. It protects from deception, false doctrine, spiritual confusion, and eternal ruin. Without truth, there can be no genuine wisdom. [2] Wisdom is the practical application of truth. Truth tells us what is right; wisdom enables us to apply it correctly. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (4:7). [3] Instruction refers to correction, discipline, and teaching. Many desire knowledge but resist correction. Yet instruction is one of God’s primary tools for developing maturity. A teachable person continues growing throughout life. [4] Understanding is the ability to discern meaning, perceive relationships, and grasp the deeper significance of truth. It enables a person to make sound judgments, avoid deception, and navigate life’s complexities. Understanding transforms knowledge into discernment.

Scripture repeatedly emphasises the supreme value of wisdom and truth: “Get wisdom, get understanding” (4:5). “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (16:16). Gold and silver may enrich a person temporarily, but wisdom enriches both time and eternity.

To be continued…

Buy the Truth – Part 2

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Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 

Although salvation is God’s gift, spiritual growth often comes at a cost. Truth may require [1] Time – One must devote time to reading Scripture, prayer, study, meditation, and learning. Wisdom is rarely acquired instantly. [2] Humility – Truth often confronts cherished opinions and personal pride. A teachable spirit is willing to say: “I was wrong.” Pride resists truth; humility embraces it. [3] Sacrifice – Many believers throughout history have paid dearly for the truth. Some have sacrificed reputation, friendships, careers, possessions, freedom, and even their lives. Yet they considered truth worth more than temporary comfort. [4] Obedience – Truth is not fully possessed until it is practised. Knowledge without obedience produces spiritual stagnation. God reveals more truth to those who walk in the truth they already know.

‘Sell it not.’ Once truth has been obtained, it must never be exchanged for anything else. Many people “sell” truth for popularity, acceptance, wealth, convenience, pleasure, compromise, fear of opposition, or worldly success. The believer must refuse every offer that requires abandoning God’s truth. Truth is too valuable to trade away. A person may lose many earthly things and still recover, but once truth is abandoned, the consequences can be devastating.

To be continued…

Buy the Truth – Part 1

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Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 

This verse contains one of the strongest exhortations in the book of Proverbs concerning the value of spiritual treasures. Solomon compares truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding to precious commodities that must be acquired at any cost and never surrendered.

The language of buying and selling is figurative. The truth cannot be purchased with money, but it often requires a significant investment of time, effort, humility, sacrifice, prayer, study, and obedience.

The message is clear: whatever it costs to obtain God’s truth is worth paying, and whatever the world offers in exchange for it is not worth accepting.

‘Buy the truth, and sell it not.’ This means to acquire the truth by every rightful and godly means available and then hold firmly to it throughout life. The believer is to seek truth, learn truth, embrace truth, obey truth, defend truth, and preserve truth. Truth is not something to admire from a distance; it is something to possess and live by.

Many people are willing to pay great prices for education, property, careers, status, investments, and pleasure, yet neglect the pursuit of divine truth, which is infinitely more valuable.

To be continued…

Parents – Part 3

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Proverbs 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 

Four more commands to children: [1] Hearken unto your father. To hearken means to listen attentively, to receive instruction, to obey wise counsel, and to remain teachable. The father is not presented merely as a biological parent but as a God-appointed source of guidance and instruction. Throughout Proverbs, the repeated call to hear emphasises that wisdom begins with a teachable spirit. Many troubles in life can be avoided when children learn from the experience and godly counsel of their parents rather than insisting on learning every lesson through painful experience. [2] Do not despise your parents. To despise means to treat with contempt, to disregard, dishonour, neglect, or to view as unimportant. This command is especially significant because ageing often brings physical weakness, memory decline, dependence upon others, and limitations that were not present in younger years. The temptation is to dismiss the counsel of elderly parents or to view them as burdens rather than blessings. Scripture commands the opposite and expects children to honour ageing parents, care for them, respect them, and value the wisdom gained through years of experience. A person’s character is often revealed by how they treat elderly parents who can no longer repay their kindness.

Parents – Part 2

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Proverbs 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 

Twelve things scripture commands us not to despise: [1] An old mother (23:22). Age is not a reason for contempt but for honour and respect. [2] The chastening of the Lord (3:11; Job 5:17; Heb. 12:5). God’s correction is evidence of His love and should be received humbly. [3] A hungry thief (Pro. 6:30; Deut. 23:24-25). While theft remains wrong, Scripture recognises human need and calls for compassion. [4] The Word of God (13:13). Those who reject God’s Word ultimately reject the source of life and wisdom. [5] Neighbours (14:21). No person should be treated with contempt, especially those in need. [6] Parental instruction (15:32; 30:17). Those who reject godly correction often bring unnecessary hardship upon themselves. [7] Children and believers. Christ warned against despising the little ones whom God values greatly (Matt. 18:10). [8] Weak Christians (Rom. 14:3). Spiritual maturity should produce patience and love, not pride and criticism. [9] Prophecies (1Thess. 5:20). God’s messages should be tested by Scripture, but never treated with contempt. [10] Youth (1Tim. 4:12). Young people should not be dismissed simply because of age. God often uses them powerfully. [11] Masters (1Tim. 6:2). Believers are called to show respect toward those in authority over them. [12] Ministers (Tit. 2:15). Those who faithfully teach God’s Word deserve respect for their calling and service.

This verse teaches that wisdom is inseparably connected to humility. The wise person remains teachable, honours parents, values truth, and respects those whom God has placed in his life. The fool rejects instruction, neglects ageing parents, and treats truth lightly. The wise son understands that honouring his father, caring for his mother, and holding firmly to God’s truth are not merely social duties; they are acts of obedience to God Himself.

To be continued…

Parents – Part 1

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Proverbs 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 

This verse continues the appeal for children to honour, respect, and learn from their parents. The command reaches beyond childhood and applies throughout life. Even when a son or daughter reaches adulthood, the obligation to honour parents remains.

The father is to be heard because of the wisdom, experience, and instruction he has provided. The mother is not to be despised when she grows old, weak, dependent, or less able to contribute as she once did. God places great value on gratitude, honour, and respect toward parents throughout every stage of life.

In a culture that often values people according to their usefulness, this verse reminds us that parents deserve honour because of who they are and what they have invested, not merely because of what they can still do.

An elderly mother may move more slowly, repeat herself, become dependent, require care and patience, or no longer possess the strength she once had. Yet Scripture teaches that age should increase honour rather than diminish it. Parents spend years sacrificing, teaching, providing, protecting, and nurturing their children.

When their strength fades, children have the opportunity to demonstrate gratitude through love, patience, and respect. This reflects God’s own heart toward the weak and vulnerable.

To be continued…

Shall Come to Poverty

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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

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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

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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

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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.