Apicontent

Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil.
(Proverbs 16:6)

The Proverbs make the moral leap from the prohibition of retaliation, i.e. not getting even to a spirit of love which actually turns the tables and repays good for evil. One who forgives in this fashion looks with assurance to the Lord for a reward.

This high ideal, the duty of forgiveness, is based on the need, which we have of God’s forgiveness. Solomon also speaks of atonement, i.e. pardon and acceptance by God. The person who attempts to hide his sins will not succeed but one who confesses and turns away from his wrongdoing will obtain mercy from God. The Lord God is a loving Father full of mercy, ever willing to forgive. First, however, there has to be confession and repentance—sorrow for wrong-being and wrong-doing. There is truly no way that man can “cover” his sins from God. Secondly, turning away from sins results in a lifestyle of mercy and truth. Selfishness and falseness can be forgiven and pardoned. By God, selfishness gives place to mercy and falsehood to truth.

Do you find it hard to let go of the past? Do you identify with the bumper sticker: “Don’t get mad, get even”? Do you find it easier to forgive an enemy than a friend? Is one of your important relationships paralyzed by a lack of forgiveness? Have you ever asked God for forgiveness? Do you consider God as a loving Father? Do you desire to see God someday or do you fear His judgment?

Indeed, if you call out for discernment—shout loudly for understanding—if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
(Proverbs 2: 3–6)

Insight means a perception of things unseen or apprehending the true nature of a thing. It may be a penetrating discernment or understanding of underlying truth. Insight is an appreciation of God’s ways and is a special subtype of wisdom. Insight is contact between God and the human spirit, which results in a direct revelation of that which God has purposed or hidden. The Word of God is the source of such understanding. Those people who treasure his word can enjoy the appropriate application of knowledge. Insight comes from allowing God to guide us into the deep things of the physical and spiritual realms.

Spiritual insight allows us to see clearly what God’s purpose is for us as well as the purpose for His world. Insight allows one to discover God’s desire for his or her life and then to obey that will.

Are you one who sees “beneath the surface”? How do you regard coincidence? Is there an underlying unifying theme to seemingly diverse events and circumstances?

The wicked will be captured by his own iniquities, and he will be held by the cords of his own sin. He will die because there was no discipline; because of the greatness of his folly he will reel.
(Proverbs 5:22–23)

Solomon states that we should not try to avoid responsibilities by saying that we were not aware of them. God knows all hearts and he knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your comings and your goings; he keeps records of all of your thoughts, words, and deeds. He keeps watch over your soul and he knows what you know and what you do not know. He knows the exact day, hour, minute, and second of your death and He will judge everyone according to what they have done and have not done with the opportunities in this brief life.

Death has the final word. No one gets out of this alive; no one escapes the ultimate death sentence. In the face of death, we are utterly helpless and no amount of success, fame, courage, or strength can overcome death. Only the Ancient of Days, the God of life and death, can shepherd us through death’s valley to life eternal. Life is uncertain, and then you die; however, Solomon’s God offers the hope of eternal comfort.

How often do you consider death? Do you live as the dying person that you are?   Is it true that one can only live a happy life if he/she is prepared to die? What will your legacy be? Who will speak at your funeral and what will be said? Do you believe that you will live forever, either with God or without Him? What will happen to you after your death?

Blessed is the one who has found wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding. For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold. She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are very pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. She is like a tree of life to those who grasp onto her, and everyone who takes hold of her will be blessed.
(Proverbs 3:13–18)

To know happiness and true wisdom is to walk in this world led by the inward light, the Lord of life. Life in the hands of infinite love and unafraid of death is certainly worth more than gold and precious stones. A man who is led to wisdom, trusting completely in God stands in harmony with His universe, enjoying health, prosperity, friends, and the smile of God and man. There is more: Solomon states that life is brief. Even the longest life is but a moment. Life is a blade of grass that is green for a season and soon withers and dies. He warns against people who spend their entire lives securing material things with little thought about things eternal.

Proverbs says that revering God and living in His ways makes life valuable. Living in light of God’s eternal plan for you gives purpose and makes life valuable. Life with purpose becomes a dance, a celebratory prologue to an eternal future spent with God and those who love Him and who have lived according to His desires.

What is the purpose of your life? What is the supreme good of your life? How are you pursuing life, liberty, and happiness? What would you do if you only had six months to live? What things in your life would you change if you could? What steps could you take today to find your purpose?

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity.
(Proverbs 2:6-7)

Synonyms for “integrity” in the Proverbs are “godliness” and “righteousness.” These terms have little meaning today but integrity still has the connotation of being what we say we are. Integrity is an adherence to moral and ethical principles. Integrity is soundness of morals. Integrity is “walking the walk”—a life-defining, long-term character trait. Integrity endears us to God. The opposite of integrity is life without God or godlessness.

Honesty and integrity go hand-in-hand. The person defined by integrity lives the same publicly as privately. Although not perfect, the person of integrity has no “dark side” and no “hidden agendas.” The life of integrity is simple, straightforward, and truthful. The upright life is life everlasting.

Are you the same person in public and in private? Are you considered a truthful, credible person? Do you know a person of integrity who would be willing to serve as a mentor to you?

My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands inside yourself, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding, indeed, if you call out for discernment—shout loudly for understanding—if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand how to fear the Lord, and you will discover knowledge about God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
(Proverbs 2:1–6)

The familiar refrain throughout Proverbs is “Listen, my child….” Solomon allows us to witness a father’s loving exhortation to his children. These are tender instructions that, if obeyed, lead to good consequences. If they are not heeded, and if bad decisions are made, there are unfortunate ends. These directions work on multiple levels. That is, there is a continuum from the simple command to the nuances of choice. Full understanding, however, is not required for obedience.

Solomon’s God affirms that his children who listen to counsel and carry out his teaching will acquire wisdom. The tough words are ever motivated by the loving father. There is the sense that this advice and correction are necessary for the most success and spiritual growth. God has the words of eternal life. These words are to be accepted gratefully and applied appropriately. Obedience to this counsel allows for an ongoing relationship and open communication with the Father.

Which of your parents’ instructions still echo in your head? How important is obedience to the functioning of your family? To what life principles do you adhere? How good are you at “listening and doing?”

Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise.
(Proverbs 20:1)

When one becomes dependent upon alcohol (and by inference other drugs) he/she becomes an unproductive member of society, and declines in wealth, spirits, and health. Drinking to excess is self-indulgence and those who wish to be effective in school or work must not be seduced by the fleeting pleasures of alcohol or drugs (Proverbs 31:6-7).

Wine is a mocker and liquor is a brawler. Addictions transform personality and exert widespread influence over behavior and one must recognize the power of alcohol and other drugs to avoid their seduction, to avoid their excesses.

Of course, it is not all who drink alcohol who fall into the conditions described in Proverbs 23:29-35, but it is they who linger over drink, making the usage of alcohol a lifestyle. That is, it is not the occasional use but the ongoing abuse of alcohol [drugs] against which Solomon warns us. The benefit from the use of these things is measurable and minimal; the loss from their abuse is immeasurable and maximal.

Do you use “recreational” alcohol/drugs? Do you need alcohol or drugs to have fun? Are drugs and/or alcohol creating problems in your life? Do you know anyone who has fallen prey to drug dependence or alcoholism?

The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing, but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.
(Proverbs 13:4)

Proverbs says much about the lazy person. Those who will not work have little place in a world which is defined by and maintained by work. A person is often characterized by his or her job and even more by diligence in that job.

Solomon characterizes the lazy person as loving his bed and sleep, being even too lethargic to eat. For him, any excuse will do, even the delusion that there may be a wild beast such as a lion in the streets! He is not persuaded by the wisdom that could prove otherwise. The lazy person lacks initiative, is not attentive, is easily dissuaded, and is marked by frequent pauses and unseen obstacles which lead to poor effort and less than successful results.

Laziness not only results in poverty but in unrealized spiritual potential and even decay. “He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.” (Proverbs 18:9) Laziness results in death; idleness results in erosion of the soul and ultimate ruin. Work, on the other hand, occupies us, makes us useful, and helps provide an ongoing purpose. Diligence triumphs over genius in Solomon’s schema.

Our faculties are not to rust unburnished, our abilities are not to lie dormant. We must be awakened to full activity, using our gifts to the utmost. For there is a day of full accounting coming. It is diligence rather than brilliance, industry rather than ingeniousness, which leads to positions of influence and power. One’s life work is a gift; we are to use the gift faithfully and humbly. We are called variously, but each one is called to diligence. The greatest joy is when one uses his or her God-given gifts of mind and body, both consistently and conscientiously in service to the world.

Service opportunities are limited and those that are wasted are forever gone.

Finally, the principle of sowing and reaping is presented and it applies to every person. One must plow, sow seeds, water, weed, and fertilize to ultimately enjoy a harvest. One who does not work will not reap. (Proverbs 20:4)

What kind of a student are/were you? Do you characteristically give your best effort to a task? Do you cut corners when no one is looking? Are you taking the steps to make progress in your education/job or are you resting on laurels?

Fearing the LORD is the beginning of discernment, but fools have despised wisdom and moral instruction.
(Proverbs 1:7)

The Hebrew word that most frequently occurs in Proverbs to designate “fool” and “folly” signifies weakness but perhaps it could be best translated as “infatuation with things that are unwise.” Solomon also uses the word “fool” to designate moral as well as mental stupidity and “folly” is the lack of sensibility to all that is true and good. The term “fool” is also used in Proverbs to connote a senseless person or one who is nothing but trouble.

The goal of education is to rid one of infatuation and intrigue with unwise things. Some people, however, are bent toward pursuits which are denigrating and destructive and they are not willing to be educated as to the things of wisdom. Wise people are always learning and growing rich from the experience, whereas the infatuation of senseless men is infatuation still. (Proverbs 14:24)

In the second connotation of “fool,” which appears in the 26^th chapter so frequently, there is a spiritual lethargy and dullness. It is insensibility and insensitivity toward the wisdom of God. It is absolute foolishness to deny God’s existence; the true fool either ignores the ample evidence of the existence of God or, noting that evidence, refuses to live by God’s standards. It is further foolishness to believe that one can live apart from God, the creator and sustainer of all things. We are to live in God and God is to live in us as the sponge is in the water and the water is in the sponge. Fools do not even acknowledge their need for the Lord but the wise person acknowledges it and seeks reconciliation. (Proverbs 14:9)

Foolish actions are only temporarily pleasing. The associated “happiness” is short-lived. In Proverbs 9:1-18, Folly is a prostitute serving her guests stolen food. Whereas wisdom appeals first to the mind; Folly appeals only to the senses. The pleasures of Folly are transient; however, the satisfactions of Wisdom are eternal.

What do you regard as the “supreme good” of life? What are you doing to accomplish your chief goals? What are your weaknesses? Are any of your present ways foolish – morally unwise or spiritually dull?

Fearing the LORD is the beginning of discernment, but fools have despised wisdom and moral instruction.
(Proverbs 1:7)

At the beginning of his kingship, Solomon asked for a discerning heart to distinguish between right and wrong. He did not ask for long life, or wealth, or for the death of his enemies but for discernment. Not only was he given a great mind for administering justice, but he was also lavished with riches, honor, and a long life.

To Solomon, wisdom is thinking and living as God designed us to live. It is the appropriate application of knowledge everyday, everywhere. Solomon writes that wisdom comes from knowing and trusting God and living moment by moment in right relationship with him. Knowing God leads to the uncommon ability to view life from His perspective and to follow his path. This intimacy with the Almighty results in a very practical discernment and guide for making the best life choices: wisdom begins with love for God, which leads to a life of integrity.

Do people consider you wise? Do you think you have discernment and an understanding mind? Are you living the way you were designed to live? What are you doing to increase your wisdom? If God granted you one desire, what would you ask for?