Home » Theological Doctrine » Book by Book, Verse By Verse » The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life
| The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6154] |
Mon, 26 October 2009 20:37  |
 Sage
Messages: 176
Registered: March 2008 |
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There is so much knowledge and common sense written in the Proverbs, and yet such profound wisdom and depth, I thought it would be interesting to look at what God
has to say to us.
Proverbs 1:1-6 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2) To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4) To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6) To understnd a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark saying."
Surely we want to know what wisdom and instruction God has for us, and we want to perceive the words of understanding. We pray to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgement and equity.
We all need to pray and ask God to show us the practical, everyday application of the proverbs the Word gives us.
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6155 is a reply to message #6154 ] |
Mon, 26 October 2009 22:50  |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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I've always been amazed by the wisdom God gave one man, Solomon, and how he passed that on to others. Many places he addresses younger men by saying "my son", then instructing them in the ways of wisdom. In I Kings 3, Solomon asked God for an understanding heart to judge the children of Israel and to discern between good and bad; verse 9. And because Solomon didn't ask for riches or a long life, God blessed him with both wisdom and riches and a long life. verse 12 "Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."
The answers to almost all, if not all, ethical and practical day to day decisions we face today can be found in Proverbs. Plus instruction on how to keep our additude right before God.
Such a wealth of learning, from simple statements that draw a parallel between watching how ants prepare for winter, and the wisdom of people doing the same thing. How about the wise observation that a merry heart doeth good like a medicine? What about the joy that comes when we finally receive something that has been deferred, he describes it as 'a tree of life' in chapter 13 verse 12. How about the warning against the cunning ways of 'the strange woman' in chapters 5,6,7.
This has been my prayer for many years, to walk in the wisdom and understanding of not only Proverbs, but the entire Word of God. I don't think it came to Solomon overnight, but that The Lord revealed it to him as was needed. He says over in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 17 that he gave his heart to know wisdom and knowledge, but he also said that with much wisdom and knowledge come much grief and sorrow, verse 18.
But we're so blessed, in that what it took him a lifetime to experience and learn, we have made available to us now. But there's a huge difference between reading something, regardless of how wise it is, and learning to apply it to everyday situations. It's like learning to live by faith, there's head faith when we first read about or learn something God is teaching us about faith; then there's faith in our hearts when we KNOW by living and walking in it and seeing the manifestations. But God is faithful, if we'll be faithful to hunger and thirst and seek His wisdom with our whole hearts.
[Updated on: Tue, 24 November 2009 21:39]
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6160 is a reply to message #6155 ] |
Wed, 28 October 2009 20:55 |
Sage
Messages: 176
Registered: March 2008 |
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I agree James, the wisdom in Proverbs is amazing. For probably every situation in life there is wisdom in Proverbs to help.
Prov. 1: 7-9 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8) My son, hear the instruction of they father, and forsake not the law of the mother:
9) For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."
There is another verse that is frequently quoted:
Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."
There are many, many verses on fearing the Lord and learning to walk as He would have us. Ps. 34:11 "Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord."
Seems like today there is a tremendous lack of fearing the Lord. We hear how God is such a God of love, that we don't need to be afraid of our Father in heaven, but yet if you would do a search on the fear of the Lord you would come across many verses that command us to fear the Lord.
Prov. 1:7 goes on to say the fools despise wisdom and instruction. If that isn't what our society looks like today! Young people today despise the wisdom and instruction of older people, and have very little respect for elders or parents.
vs. 8 tells us to hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. If children today would be taught by their fathers and mothers, the world and the church would be a much better place. I always say, the older I get the more right my mother and father become. Why? Because they got smart all of a sudden? No, because now I can understand what they meant and what they were trying to do. The children of today need to have Godly instructors and examples of how to apply the proverbs to their lives, and at the same time the parents/grandparents need to be walking and living in the light they have been given.
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6162 is a reply to message #6160 ] |
Wed, 28 October 2009 21:47 |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
You're right in saying that children of today need Godly instructors, but really children of every generation has needed this, from biblical times until now. And we all have traveled different roads of life, and it does seem that the disrespect and distain for authority is rampant today in our youth; but I don't think there ever has been a generation of rebelliousness among young people like the generation I grew up in, the 60's.
I find myself being reminded quite often, when I'm thinking or saying something negative concerning kids today, God can turn them to Him just like He did me. (And this isn't in any way a correction or admonition of your observation, you're right...I just know a LOT about being a rebell and disobedient to parents, and Jesus turned my life around.)
But I did have a Godly mother who taught me the Bible and instructed me in the ways of righteousness, and though I disregarded it for 28 years...God's Word proved to be true unto her; when I got 'older' I didn't depart from it. That seed planted came up at God's appointed time. If there's anything we can be doing for todays youth, it would be praying, as you said, for them to have Godly parents/grandparents sowing The Word into their lives. Many times when I'm sharing with young folks, I have to tell them that I'm certainly no better than them, and everything I'm telling them that's wrong and sinful, I have done myself. But if a person has to have lived a sinless perfect life in order to share and teach others, then there wouldn't be any one to help them. Really sometimes when I think about how dumb something some kid is doing, saying, or acting like; I just get a fresh appreciation for who God is and His power to transform a person.
And speaking of wisdom, when I was a young man, I was indestructible and I knew EVERYTHING; as I grew up in The Lord and got a few years on me, I became aware of just how DEPENDENT I was on Him, and that I knew practically NOTHING. But now when The Holy Spirit gives me wisdom in an area, I feel so humbled, knowing how arrogant and foolish I was without Him. What a mighty God we serve!
[Updated on: Tue, 24 November 2009 21:51]
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6168 is a reply to message #6154 ] |
Sat, 31 October 2009 09:11 |
Sage
Messages: 176
Registered: March 2008 |
Senior Member |
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Prov. 2:1-5 "My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you;
2)So that you incline your ear unto wisdom, and apply you heart to understanding;
3)Yea, if you criest after knowledge, and lift up you voice for understanding;
4)If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;
5)Then shall you understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God."
We have a tremendous promise in these verses, but there are things we must do to receive the promise: receive the words, hide the commandments, incline our ear, apply our heart, cry after knowledge, lift up our voice, seek and search.
Then shall we understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
Prov. 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."
The Lord has promised us that His words are life to us. His words will preserve and guide us in every situation in our lives. In these last days we need to seek the Lord and study His Word with much diligence, so we can understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. The Lord has promised to give us wisdom and guidance, to lead us in the paths of righteousness.
As I was reading on another christian site I was shocked and saddened to see the way so called brothers treated each other. Maybe because they weren't face to face, but just maybe because they were not speaking the wisdom of God, or had knowledge of God's ways. I guess they did not know what manner of spirit they were presenting and speaking by. Some would call it discernment and standing up for the faith, but it was nothing more than pride and arrogance, and self righteousness. The more
they "rebuked" others, the more they gave in to the flesh(at the very least, if not spirits of wickedness.) And before anyone think it is a particular site, I have visited various sites, but it seems like the same condescending, critical spirit on many of them. God help us to minister grace to the hearers and not bite and devour one another, and be consumed one of another. Pride is a hard thing to give up, but we must, if we desire to be like Jesus and walk in the fear of the Lord and have the knowledge of God. Just because someone can quote scripture does not mean he walks in the everyday application of the Word of God.
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6184 is a reply to message #6168 ] |
Sat, 07 November 2009 13:20 |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Sage wrote:
"Just because someone can quote scripture does not mean he walks in the everyday application of the Word of God."
How true that is, sister. Just turn the TV to the 'christian' stations, you'll get person after person quoting The Word and twisting it for monetary gain. I thought I'd seen it all on TBN during their 'Bi-annual Beg-athon'; but I was watching a guy on another 'inspirational' station who was telling people if they'd send in $900, that God would take all their past financial failures and turn them into a financial harvest a 100-fold. And how's this? not only is he robbing people of their money, he's advising them that God wants them to put it on a 'credit card'...talking about bondage. He had a guy over in Jerusalem going to pray for their 'harvest seed' at a set time. He was using a clock and showing the number of phone lines that we open, urging people to fill the phone lines with $900 vows unto God(just make sure to send the money to him)But he was working scripture into his tears and begging. He even went so far as to try to place a burden of guilt on those watching by saying, that if God didn't tell you to get up and go to the phone and pledge, then don't...but that would just prove that you weren't part of those God had chosen to bless.
These men are fleecing the undiscerning flock and have no shame, I fear for them on judgement day.
[Updated on: Tue, 24 November 2009 21:52]
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6186 is a reply to message #6184 ] |
Sun, 08 November 2009 12:51 |
Sage
Messages: 176
Registered: March 2008 |
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With what you shared James makes a person wonder how any of these thieves can even be saved, but maybe that is part of the problem with them, they aren't. Wolves in sheep clothing. Deceivers who are used of the devil. They are nothing but liars and cheats who will one day face a Holy, Righteous God where they will have to give an account of what they have done.
Why do people follow and give to such people? I think a few reasons are fear, greediness, hope and desperation.
There will always be some who will see this as a way to get money from a god who is like Santa. Greed motivaties them to give to such people where the return on their money is better than investing in stock market(especially today.) They put their request in, throw in some seeds and watch the return. Or maybe they see it as the lottery, where they can buy a ticket and get rich quick, but I think these kind are in the minority.
Fear also motivates them. They are afraid of the future, or afraid they are disappointing God by not supporting and obeying his ministers. There is no faith on their side to trust God to supply all their needs, and know that their heavenly Father is well able to take care of them: now and in the future.
Some also have hope that it will work. Their situation seems so hopeless that these deceivers promise them money and a return on their investment to help them in their present situation. Theses liars promise them something they are not able to fulfill, therefore when what they have invested in does not happen it dashes their little bit of hope they had, while the deceivers go live a lavish lifestyle in mansions, multiple expensive cars, servants, jets, vacations anywhere in the world.
And one other reason is desperation. Seems like nothing else has worked and they are grabbing at anything that could possible work, even giving up their lifes savings or going in more debt using a credit card. Desperation is a horrible place to be, but if we allow it, it can be used to drive us to Jesus Christ and His Word, as that is the only answer.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6187 is a reply to message #6186 ] |
Sun, 08 November 2009 13:59 |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Those are probably the main reasons that people follow and obey these charlatans. Guilt and greed will capture most who aren't grounded in the Word or have wrong motives for giving. The 'inspirational' station was calling their fund raising SHOW, 'Camp Meeting' and the 'star' of the show is Mike Murdock.(one of the major players in 'seed' and 'give to get' false teachings, he's written many books on this subject) He is charismatic enough and sprinkles in scripture often enough, to draw people in; people like you said who were desperate or greedy, but also God fearing people who get sucked into Murdocks(and on TBN they're doing the same thing and calling it a 'Praise-A-Thon' and Benny Hinn is the 'star' on that network.)
I just stare in amazement at the brazen way they'll get right up in the camera with tears flowing down their faces and voices breaking, and beg for people to give their retirement funds, social security checks, and hardearned paychecks, to them,(and encouraging those who didn't have $900 to give, to put it on their credit card, is not only WRONG, it's terrible advice being given by a man, Murdock, who is know in christian circles as a financial guru) promising that God told them to tell the people that He was going to take that 'seed' and multiply it into riches for them. That, to not give them money, was tantamount to disobeying God, and thus brings a curse of poverty upon themselves and their families.
I don't know these guys hearts, maybe they really believe they're doing God's work, that's giving them the benefit of the doubt, but either way, it's all works of man.(that's not to say that a person can't be saved by hearing The Word when spoken by these men and women, The Word has power to save even if spoken by an infidel, if the hearer will receive it as The Word of God) There's a lot of focus being placed on the immorality in our nation, abortion, and homosexuality(and it's certainly true, America has become a nation without morals) BUT, what has crept into Christianity and the 'church' and is readily accepted, is even worse(imo) They are bringing reproach upon the Name of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, God help them...
[Updated on: Tue, 24 November 2009 21:42]
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6238 is a reply to message #6187 ] |
Sun, 15 November 2009 14:14 |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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"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.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:20-23
God says that His Words are life unto us, to keep them in the midst of our hearts. He goes on to instruct us that we must keep our hearts with ALL DILIGENCE for the very issues of life come out of our hearts. Why is it so important to guard our hearts and minds? Because that's where the battlefield is, Satan attacks our minds and hearts with temptations to think impure thoughts, become angry, become discouraged, bitter, prideful, to speak evil of others; it all starts in the mind. The devil know that if he can defeat a Christian mentally, then he has a stronghold that will allow him to control that person in all areas of their lives. How do we OVERCOME him? By The Blood of The Lamb and by the word of our testimony; also by taking heed to guard our thoughts, to allow God's Word to transform our minds by meditating on it both day and night.
How diligent should we be, how important is it to obey? Our health depends upon it; our very life depends on it; our defense against the attacks of Satan is the sword of The Spirit, which is The Word of God. We can't very well fight if we aren't equipted with that sword, The Word... it has to be in us to come out of us. Remember how Jesus dealt with Satan? He quoted The Word, saying 'It is written'...He must flee when we resist, but we can't resist if we aren't grounded in The Word and know our place of authority in that Word.
All diligence!
[Updated on: Tue, 24 November 2009 21:44]
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6440 is a reply to message #6238 ] |
Fri, 11 December 2009 13:49 |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12
We understand this scripture when applying it to the unregenerate world, but what about Christians who have set aside God's Word as the standard by which they live and have decided that they can obey God based on what 'seemeth right to them'? Will their end results in death or loss of salvation? Is there a place a person can come to in their christian walk where they can just say, 'well, this is NOT the unpardonable sin', and go ahead and do it or advise others to? Why would someone do this, is it a 'catholic mentality', where people willfully sin(after all, it's not the unpardonable sin, so therefore God surely will forgive me) then ask forgiveness over and over. Or is it just selfrighteousness, where people believe they have 'grown' beyond what they were taught and now in re-examining those teaching, determine(through the reasoning of their own minds) that that which they had embraced with joy, they now find as legalistic and narrow.
There is a WAY, that seemeth right, I mean everybody else is doing it, surely we are 'free' to walk as we see fit(after all we ARE christians and Jesus set us free). After all, it 'seems' right to celebrate the birth of Jesus; it 'seems' right to celebrate His resurrection; it 'seems' right to defend your family; it 'seems' right to try to make social changes through political activism; it 'seems' right to go to the doctor for healing(after all, didn't God give them all that wisdom and knowledge to bring glory to Him?); it 'seems' right for a woman to be able to...pastor and control churches, do as she wills with her own body(birth control,abortion), dress as she pleases; it 'seems' right to borrow money, after all, the whole world does it; it 'seems' right to rant and rail against those in authority, I mean, we are American citizens and it is our RIGHT!; it 'seems' right to allow two people who love each other to marry, even if they are of the same sex; it 'seems' right to believe that we aren't the only ones with the truth, and that there are many ways to heaven and it's too exclusive and divisive to think that God would only allow it to be through Jesus;...
YET, God's Word says and teaches that all these issues/traditions/choices, are NOT what God says is RIGHT. They only seemeth 'right' unto MAN.
And the end thereof is death.
It comes down to BELIEVING God's Word..."For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven." Ps.119:89
And that It's not not up for personal interpretation, only obedience.
[Updated on: Sat, 12 December 2009 07:45]
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #6534 is a reply to message #6440 ] |
Sun, 27 December 2009 14:03 |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Proverbs 8...
Proverbs 8 is a revelation of God and the Wisdom of God.(which are one) Just to begin understanding that His Word,(logos) was from the beginning and was with God, and The Word was God(V23) (John 1:1) is a revelation. Throughout the chapter wisdom is speaking, which is the voice of God Himself. V7 "For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. v8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. v9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge."
When we start receiving Godly wisdom, it is priceless. V11 "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." How deep is that? NOTHING is comparable to the value of gaining The Wisdom of God.
Verses 22 through 31 shows how wisdom was present as the earth was formed, when the heavens were prepared, 'Wisdom', was there,(verse 27).
In verses 32 through 35 we see wisdom speaking, yet it is God Himself speaking.
"Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord."
May The Lord help us see the value and importance of getting His Word in our hearts, and give us an insatiable hunger for Wisdom.
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #7052 is a reply to message #6534 ] |
Wed, 21 April 2010 11:30 |
james
Messages: 753
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Warning: Things God hates...
"A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
~Proverbs 6:12-19
May God deliver and forgive anyone from allowing bitterness and vindicativeness
to bring them to a place where they're doing something that God says He hates...
sowing discord among brethren, or having feet that are swift to run to mischief.
" Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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| Re: The Proverbs: Practicality in Everyday Life [message #7054 is a reply to message #7052 ] |
Thu, 22 April 2010 18:13 |
jisamazed
Messages: 170
Registered: January 2008
Location: Grand Rapids, MI |
Senior Member |
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James posted,
"May God deliver and forgive anyone from allowing bitterness and vindicativeness
to bring them to a place where they're doing something that God says He hates...
sowing discord among brethren, or having feet that are swift to run to mischief."
Good word, James.
Amazed smitten astonished stunned floored blown away astounded shocked flabbergasted surprised wonderfully devastated awed shattered overwhelmed incredulous speechless sense of wonder at the love of God.
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