Tag: Truth

Hated Instruction

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Proverbs 5:11-14 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. 

‘And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed.’ She will bring you down in remorse and physical suffering. In this remorse, you will become awakened to your foolishness (5:12-13).

‘Mourn’ [Hebrew: naham] is the most excessive kind of mourning because of physical suffering.

‘Body’ [Hebrew: she’er] its root, sha’ar refers to the remains of anything. Here it applies to what is left of the diseased body of a man brought down to death by a life of debauchery.

‘How have I hated instruction.’ Those who live with their consequences and in lives that are broken and sometimes beyond repair because of continuous iniquities are guilty of hating instruction. They don’t follow any godly advice (20:18; Ps. 1:1) and hate to ask for it, for they are almost always wise in their own eyes (3:7; Rom. 11:25). God’s Word is perfect in converting the soul and it makes the simple wise (Ps. 19:7). It is the Wisdom we should hear, walk in and obey (8:32,34; Ps. 119:2).

‘I was almost in all evil.’ Literally, I soon became an evil man. To follow in the ways of those who do not serve God always leads to apostasy (1Jn. 2:15-17).

Down to Death

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Proverbs 5:4-10 But her [strange woman] end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou should ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou can not know them. Hear me now therefore, O you children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger 

‘Death’ [Hebrew: maveth] means death to the body, or the separation of the soul from the body (Jas. 2:26).

‘Hell’ [Hebrew: She’owl] is the place of the soul, not of the body.

‘Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou can not know them.’ She keeps you from reflecting on your present conduct and its end, for she constantly changes her allurements to trap you. You cannot conceive of all her tricks and wiles.

‘Remove thy way far from her.’ Fifteen reasons to stay away from a moral-less woman: She is an apostate (5:3). She is deceptive. She is a flatterer. Her end is like wormwood (a bitter taste, 5:4). Her end is destructive. Her feet go down to death (5:5). Her steps lay hold of hell. Her ways are unpredictable (5:6). She will ruin your reputation (5:9). She will cause years of trouble. She will bring material ruin (5:10). She will ruin your health (5:11). She will bring remorse (5:12-13). She will reduce to wickedness (5:14). She will cause eternal ruin (5:23).

‘Thy years unto the cruel.’ Your years will end in suffering.

‘Labours be in the house of a stranger.’ She will own what you have laboured for.

A Strange Woman

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Proverbs 5:1-3 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou may regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil. 

‘Attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding.’ Again the repetitive warning (4:1, 20; 5:1; 7:24) to obey godly instruction and reproof, no one will have an excuse one day to say they didn’t know (Hos. 4:6) – knowledge and wisdom have always been available to those who ask and seek it truly (Matt. 7:7-8; 21:22; John 15:7; Jas. 1:5-8; 1Jn. 3:22; 5:14-16).

‘Discretion’ [Hebrew: mezimmah] used in a good sense of judgment and discretion (1:4; 2:11; 3:21; 5:2). Translated as “intents” (Jer. 30:24) “thought” (Job 42:2; Ps. 10:4; Jer. 23:20) and “devices” in a wicked sense (Job 21:27; Ps. 10:2; 21:11; 37:7; Pro. 12:2; 14:17; Jer. 51:11).

‘Strange woman’ – Two words are used of “strange” and “stranger”: zuwr meaning an apostate Israelite woman gone over to the idolatrous impurities of heathen religion (2:16-19) and nokriy, a purely foreign woman of a similar character that was apostate to a foreign religion of which prostitution was a part to make converts. Such religions were always a snare to Israel (Num. 25:1-18).

Remove Thy Foot From Evil – Part 2

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Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. 

‘Ponder the path of thy feet.’ A repetitive warning to trust in the Lord completely and not to lean on our own understanding, to acknowledge Him in all our ways and thus enable Him to direct us in our daily lives (3:5-7). Seven examples of pondering the right path: Abraham (Gen. 24:1-9); Eleazar (Gen. 24:5); Joshua (Jos. 24:15); Ruth (Rth. 1:16-18); David (Ps. 39:1); The good wife (Pro.31:27); Daniel (Dan. 1:8; 6:3-4).

‘Remove thy foot from evil.’ Six physical parts to be controlled: To keep one’s heart with all diligence (4:23). To put away the froward mouth (4:24). To put away perverse lips. To look straight with the eyes (4:25). To look straight with the eyelids. To guide one’s feet in righteousness (4:26-27).

The tongue is the smallest member that causes the most destruction in our lives and gets its encouragement from thoughts that are not godly and according to His Word (2Cor. 10:3-6; Php. 4:8; Col. 3:2: Eph. 4:22-23; 6:17; Jas. 1:14-15). Salvation alone can help a man control the tongue (2Cor. 5:17-18).

The circle of human life is continually excited by the tongue unless it is kept sanctified. Evil surmisings, misrepresentations, falsehoods, jealousies, envyings, wrath, and malice, all form part of the destroying flames of fire from the tongue of the ungodly. The whole course of life is set on fire in hell. This refers to the anger and violent passions of wrath related to the vile language of the tongue. It also pictures the confusion and misery caused by the tongue – like the misery of hell.

Twelve things about the tongue (Jas. 3:1-12): A little member. Boasts great things. Is a fire. A world of iniquity. It defiles the whole body. Sets on fire the course of nature. It is untameable. An unruly evil. Full of deadly poison. Used to bless God and curse men. Capable of good conversation. Capable of bitter strife.

Remove Thy Foot From Evil – Part 1

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Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. 

‘Keep thy heart with all diligence.’ Above all, guard the heart from going astray, for out of it are the issues of life. The reference is not only to the arteries which carry the blood to all parts of the body but also to the evil and good deeds that come from the heart (centre) of man. (Mark 7:19-21). When one keeps the heart from evil – what we read, listen to or look at – it is an easy matter to obey the other commands of this passage (4:23-27).

‘Froward mouth and perverse lips.’ A perverse mouth is referred to in a threefold way: Froward speaking (2:12). Froward mouth (4:24; 6:12). Perverse lips (4:24).

This covers all the speaking faculties and their sinful exercise. Every idle word will be judged (Matt. 12:36-37).

‘Eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight.’ The eyes and eyelids must be kept from sin – what we look at (1Jn. 2:15-17).

Life and Health

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Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh. 

‘Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.’ Again the repetitive warning (4:1, 20; 5:1; 7:24) to obey godly instruction and reproof.

‘For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh.’ Four secrets of health and eternal life: Attend to my words (4:20). Incline your ears to my sayings. Constantly look into God’s Word (Ps. 1:2-3; Jas. 1:21-27; 2Tim. 3:16). Keep the Word in the heart (4:21; Rom. 1:16; 10:17). These secrets are life and health to all who find and obey them (Ps. 91:1-16; 107:20; John 15:7; Rom. 1:16).

‘Health [Hebrew: marpe’] Translated as “health” (4:22; 12:18; 13:17; 16:24; Jer. 8:15); as “healing” (Jer. 14:19; Mal. 4:2); “cure” (Jer. 33:6); “remedy” (2Chr. 36:16; Pro. 6:15; 29:1); “sound” (14:30); and “wholesome” (15:4). That physical health and healing are referred to is clear in all these passages. Here, it states “health to all their flesh,” not spirit. When Christians awake to their full rights in the gospel they can have a healthy body as well as soul (3Jn. 1:2; 1Pet. 2:24; Matt. 8:16-17; Jas. 5:14-16).

Enter Not… Avoid It, Pass Not By It

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Proverbs 4:14-17 Enter not into the path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 

‘Enter not into the path of the wicked.’ Do not follow others in their wicked ways, hence the warning about having worldly friendships (1Jn. 2:15-17) and to be in friendship or partnerships with those who do not obey God’s Word in every area of their lives (Ps. 1:1; Jer. 17:5-6; 1Cor. 5:11-13; 2Cor. 6:14-18; 2Jn. 1:9-11).

Three examples of avoiding wicked paths: are the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-19); Joseph (Gen. 39:7-23); and Jesus (Heb. 4:14-16). Three examples of entering wicked paths: Lot (Gen. 13:10-13); Solomon (1Kin. 11:1-8); and Jehoshaphat (2Chr. 18:1; 21:6).

‘Avoid it’ – a warning not to walk in sin [live in sin], the Word warns us to stay away from sin, no one has an excuse for living in sin whatsoever.

‘For they sleep not, except they have done mischief.’ The wicked will not rest if they can not fulfil their wicked calling, thus should we exercise the consecration laws and stay away from them otherwise we will carry the consequences of their sins (Ps. 1:1; 6:8; 26:4-5; Rom. 16:17; 1Cor. 5:9-13; 2Cor. 6:14 – 7:1; 2Tim. 3:2-5; 2Jn. 1:9-11; etc.).

Good Doctrine – Part 2

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Proverbs 4:2-4 For I give you good doctrine, forsake you not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

There are conditions given for eternal life: Come to Christ as your Saviour and Redeemer (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65). Partake of the communion – the sacrament we were commanded to follow to remind us of the work done on the cross – no festivals which are all idol-related and are all done in His name but not with pure intent (John 6:50, 51, 53, 58; Matt. 15:8-9). Labour for eternal things (John 6:27). Hate (love less) the life in this world (John 12:25; 1Jn. 2:15-17). Know God and Christ by studying His Word (John 17:2-3; Rom. 10:17; Php. 1:9). Enter by the right gate – choose the narrow way, which is lonely but walked always in righteousness (Matt. 7:13-14). Do not be a stumbling stone for others by offending them – God alone can change others, we cannot and by trying to do it, we try to do the Holy Spirit’s work for Him and cause that others will never believe (Matt. 18:8-9). Obey the Word of God – do not add to it or take away from it to suit your preferences or manipulate others (Matt. 19:17). Forsake all – no family member, spouse, loved one or friend is worth your soul – obey God, not people (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30). Live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14; 1John 3). Continue in well-doing [expected from God, not please others] and seek eternal life (Rom. 2:7). Sow to the Spirit – do all things for His glory, not your own benefit (Gal. 6:7-8). Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on it – the fighting means to hold on to God’s truths not men’s teachings of His Word – and it is not a fight with others but one with the enemy to stay on the narrow path and believe only Biblical truths and not deceiving spirits who work through men and their own ministries (1Tim. 4:1; 6:12, 19-20; 2Tim. 4:3-4). Be sober [0% of any alcohol and/or substances] and hope to the end for it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13 with Rom. 8:24). Endure temptations and do not sin (Jas. 1:12-16). Let the promise of it remain in you and continue in God and Christ (1Jn. 2:24-25; 5:11-20). Love everybody – treat everyone the same without allowing any defilement or worldly friendships or partnerships (1Jn. 2:15-17; 3:14-15; 2Cor. 6:14 – 1Cor 7:1). Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for eternal life (Jude 1:20-24; Ps. 91:1-2). Overcome sin (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 12:14-15). Believe and obey the gospel, not other people’s versions of the truth (John 3:15-19, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40, 47, 54; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:5). Be born again, hear Christ, and follow Him (John 3:1-36; 10:27-29).

Attend to Know Understanding Part 2

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Proverbs 4:1 Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 

‘The instruction of a father.’ The specific father referred to here was David – a godly man. He was the author of many psalms as well as co-author of 1 & 2 Samuel and a harpist and singer of Israel (2Sam. 23:1). The Lord saw in him a man after His own heart in his love for God and in repenting when corrected (1Sam. 13:14; 16:7). He became a mighty man of valour (1Sam. 16:18). David was a type of Christ who was to be a priest-king (Zech. 6:12-13). He had the true qualities of a king (1Chr. 11:1-3; 2Sam. 5:1-5) and was always the standard by which other kings were judged (1Kin. 3:14; 11:6, 33, 38; 14:8; 15:3, 6; 2Kin. 16:2; 18:3; 22:2; 2Chr. 7:17; 28:1; 29:2; 34:2). When he sinned, he was dealt with accordingly, he was faultless where idolatry was concerned. He was practically blameless, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite and numbering Israel (2Samuel 11-12; 24:1-25).

‘Attend to know understanding.’ Pay attention to understand what you are instructed in. People can pay attention to all kinds of social media, literature or conversations, but when their lives depend on it, they cannot seem to want to make the same effort. We can understand God’s Word when we read it frequently, every day (Jos. 1:8), not for controversy, but for profit (Pro. 3:1-35; 2Tim. 3:16-17) and meditatively (Ps. 1:3) and through, and over and over again (Matt. 5:18). We must learn to love it (Ps. 119:97-104), and read it with the consciousness of need (Matt. 5:6; John 7:37-39; 2Pet. 1:1-10; 3:18), in faith (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6), in obedience (Rom. 1:5; 16:26), searchingly (John 5:39) and have an openness to all of it (2Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12; Jude 1:3). To understand it we must compare scripture with scripture (2Cor. 2:13) and read in the Spirit (John 14:16-17; 15:26; Gal. 5:16, 26). The Holy Spirit is the one who will remind us of every Word of Christ (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-11) and as we read and study it, He can make us understand and interpret it (2Pet. 1:21).

Attend to Know Understanding Part 1

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Proverbs 4:1 Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. 

‘Hear’ – the command to listen and obey the words given in Proverbs – the same command is given in Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23: 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35 and Revelation 2:2, 11, 17; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9.

‘You children’ – To be a child of God and have the authority to call Him Father, one must be born again of the Holy Spirit and be adopted into His family (John 3:3-5; Rom. 8:14-16). Sinners are not children of God. Ephesians 5:1 declares that we should be followers of God, as dear children; thus were followers called children. The Greek word mimetes means imitators; to mimic the gait, speech, accent, and manner of life of another. It means here to imitate God as children do their parents – imitate His acts, words, nature, ways, graces, and Spirit. We are called to be followers of that which is good (1Pet. 3:13), followers of God (Eph. 5:1) and to follow Christ’s example (1Pet. 2:21), but those who do not choose or stand in rebellion against God become followers of satan (1Tim. 5:15).

In Scripture, we have plenty of examples where children refer to followers: children of the Highest (Luk. 6:35); children of God (Luk. 20:36; Rom. 8:21; 1Jn. 3:10, 5:2); children of light and the day (Eph. 5:8-9; Col. 1:12; 1Thess. 5:4-5); and children of the resurrection (Luk 20:36).

In contrast to good, we have the rebels who are the followers of evil called the children of wrath (John 8:44; Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 2:3; 5:6; Ps. 51:5); children of disobedience (John 8:44; Eph. 2:2; 4:22-24; 5:6; Col. 3:6, 9; 1Jn. 3:8; 5:18); children of the wicked one and the devil (Matt. 13:38; Acts 13:10; 1Jn. 3:10); and children of pride (Job 41:34).

Hebrews and Greeks called anyone who had a particular destiny, quality, or trait, the child of that thing, as “children of the kingdom” (Matt. 8:12; 13:38); “of the bridechamber” (Matt. 9:15); “of hell” (Matt. 23:15); “of wrath” (Eph. 2:3); “of wisdom” (Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:35); etc.