Proverbs 20-22

How important is the reputation of your name?

A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold. [Pr. 20:1 AMP]

With a good name and a favorable credit rating, you can borrow money … for a home, a car etc. A bad reputation for repaying debts will leave you high and dry when an emergency need arises. Whether you realize it or not, the financial community pays close attention to your trustworthiness.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. [Pr. 20:11 KJV]

Proverb 19

I must mention the wonderful woman I have been married to for over 50 years, because she IS the prudent wife. (Just ask anyone who knows her)

Wise, sensible, understanding, insightful, congenial … these are the many descriptive words other Bible translations use for the word prudent.

Also noteworthy; she is FROM THE LORD. God grooms these amazing women to perform some of the most critical functions known to mankind. Childbearing, home organization and decor, food preparation, and just plain “lookin’ good” are among the many tools they possess … er, tools is not the best word here.

Because of Patty, I am “known in the gates.” She is also mentioned in Proverbs 31.

OK, I’m gonna eat well today!

Proverb 18

As many cautions as the Word of God gives about the damage the tongue can cause, you’d think we would all focus on our ears. Sorry. It doesn’t shake out that way. We are so bent on “expressing ourselves.”

It’s PRIDE.

If we respected true wisdom and preferred to hear those who possess it, our world would be MUCH QUIETER … and our TVs would be out of business.

Listen before you speak, for to speak before you’ve heard the facts will bring humiliation. [Pr. 18:13 TPT]

Clever people go after knowledge to obtain it, and wise people attune their ears to hear it. [Pr 18:15 VOICE]

Let’s all go treasure hunting with our ears.

Proverb 17

Bitter conflict, discord, antagonism; who wants any of THAT?

Less is better when strife is absent. Strife kills relationships, breeds wars, makes life miserable. We are wise to avoid it.

Where there is strife, there is pride (and arrogance), but wisdom is found in those who take advice. [Pr. 13:10 NIV]

Expel the arrogant and discord goes too; strife and insult cease. [Pr. 22:10 NABRE]

This is a big reason why pride and arrogance need to be driven OUT of children. If they continue in it, their life will be a constant struggle (for themselves and others).

Proverbs 16, 17

We all know dirt on people. It’s discreet and loving to overlook faults and offenses on the part of others.

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends. [Pr. 17:9 AMP]

It gets more difficult to hold on to this principle when the offender takes advantage of you or belittles you … or doesn’t deserve the gesture. Nevertheless, one of you must be more honorable and take the hit. After all, ISN’T THAT WHAT JESUS DID FOR US?!?

Proverb 15

The Bible addresses no other member of the human body nearly as much as the tongue. Also , our speech is probably the activity of the Christian probably most cautioned.

Our mind is positioned very close to the tongue and is critical in verbal health. Failure to properly engage the mind before you speak is like veering off a cliff’s footpath. A disastrous end awaits you.

A daily diet of God’s Word is the very best material with which to fill your mind. Your words will likewise utter health and healing to hearers all around.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. [Pr. 18:21]

Proverbs 13, 14

The book of Proverbs has much to say about fools and wise men. Here we find clear instruction on identifying the behavior of fools and how to deal with them. One has to look no further than one’s TV to behold loads of folly.

The rub can come when we try to dialogue with a fool. For instance, we read, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” That probably means, “Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly.” [Pr. 26:4]

Also, “Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly, Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].” [Pr. 26:5]

It appears that we have those critical moments of dialogue to draw attention to true wisdom rather than besetting foolishness.

Proverb 12

After reading this on Facebook this morning, I think this will be an encouragement to us all.

In 1939 Smith Wigglesworth prophesied to Lester Sumrall about the final wave of Gods glory: “After that, after the third wave,” he started sobbing. “I see the last day revival that’s going to usher in the precious fruit of the earth. It will be the greatest revival this world has ever seen! It’s going to be a wave of the gifts of the Spirit. The ministry gifts will be flowing on this planet earth. I see hospitals being emptied out, and they will bring the sick to churches where they allow the Holy Ghost to move.”

Let’s pray and BELIEVE!

Proverb 11

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight.WHO is our righteousness? Christ Jesus, of course.

It is SO REFRESHING to walk through life on the straight path Jesus leads us on. He knows where we need to go and how to get there.

The straight path is one of obedience. It’s an efficient path, not wasting time on stupid distractions. It’s like looking for treasure with Christ as our heavenly guide Who has the treasure map.

When young children cross the street, a loving and protective parent takes their hand, looks both ways and leads them quickly to the other side. Christ takes our hand and leads us to our destination.

Proverbs 9, 10

One of God’s reassuring promises is that you’ll never go hungry. [Pr 10:3]

Jesus instructed us not to worry about what we would eat or drink in His conclusive Sermon on the Mount. [Matt. 5-7] He assured us that they would be provided when we sought first His Kingdom and His Righteousness.

The greater blessing is found when we hunger and thirst for His Righteousness. WE SHALL BE FILLED.