Archive for the ‘ Proverbs ’ Category
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1, ESV
Be gentle, yet truthful. Do not demean, speak out of turn, or merely complain. You are speaking with a fellow image bearer of God.
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
Proverbs 13:6, ESV
Practically speaking, living rightly generally keeps you out of trouble.
Spiritually speaking, Christ’s righteousness saves us from the punishment we deserve and guards us from falling back into sin.
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4, ESV
It is true that God may grant us prosperity in this life, but Jesus revealed that our true riches are found in eternal life in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:19-24).
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6, ESV
Right and wrong.
Respect.
Making a great sandwich.
All of these are included in training up a child, and more.
The most important: to seek and love God.
(And remember, proverbs are guidelines and summarized truths, not hard and fast laws.)
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24, ESV
Even Jesus had a small band of close friends (12) with an even smaller set of really close friends (James and John and Peter).
If you have hundreds of friends, but no confidants, you may find yourself alone when trouble hits.
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31, ESV
The ultimate life-giving reproof?
You are a sinner in need a Savior, and Jesus of Nazareth is that Savior.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV
It hurts more finding out others did not want to hurt your feelings rather than spare you difficulty and pain by correcting you.
Nip sin in the bud. Confront it in love, with gentleness, and sooner rather than later.
It hurts less than consequences.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22, ESV
God is not saying to find the first person to marry.
Favor and blessings are only promised to those who seek His righteousness, and a good spouse is godly and willing to serve the other (both spouses!)
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23, ESV
Job made a covenant with his eyes, and many limit what they eat. But God reminds us everything we look at, listen to, and think about affects the heart (and mind and soul). What we allow in and dwell on affects our thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17, ESV
It is tough living with and loving other people. We can get on our nerves, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yet, Christ calls us friends. We must love each other, but His love should flow through us.
a simple man of God 