Wise Up: Proverbs 13
Proverbs 13 (NIV)
1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,
but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm. I pray my grandchildren will understand this difficult truth and be spared the heartache of ignoring it!
Nancy,
Your grandkids are so blessed to have your prayers. Have a wonderful day friend.
Amber
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
This verse tells us what my parents told me over and over when I was young. The people we associate with have great influence on how we develope. I didn’t alway heed their advice but today I see value and truth in it. If we want to become wise and closer to God, we must chose our friends and associates wisely. Wisdom and knowledge come from being mentored by Godly men and being a mentor to Godly men. There is a third person that is needed in our lives as well. The Christian life is a journey and we need Christian people in our lives that are at a similar place in the journey. When we have these three people in our lives we have the best chance to gain the Godly wisdom He wants us to have.
Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
A theme from Proverbs that is standing out to me is the power of our words. I have often been someone who says what they are thinking before thinking. God is showing me the importance of listening and praying before I speak. I know the power of words and I want my words to be uplifting and encouraging always pointing back to my savior. I want to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Have a wonderful Wednesday Church!!
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
I’m thinking about this verse in a way I hadn’t considered before. Rather than how hope and longing affect me, how do my words and actions affect the hope and longing of others? In particular, my children and grandchildren. As a Christian, I have a responsibility to represent Christ well. As a father and grandfather, my words and actions can either encourage or discourage the spiritual life of my family. I think one way these two ideas intersect can be seen by the promises I make and the hopes I build. Do I follow through or put off my promises and ignore the hopes I’ve built? You see, time and again I have heard talk of how someone’s image of God the Father was formed by their earthly fathers. The example of credibility and reliability I display directly reflects how my children and grandchildren view their Heavenly Father. Am I trustworthy, credible, faithful, and reliable; nurturing the tree of life, honoring Christ, and displaying His character? Or am I rash, forgetful, irresponsible, and thoughtless; making the heart of a child sick with distrust, skepticism, and faithlessness towards me and more importantly towards the One I am called to represent?
Bill,
Your perspective on Prov. 13:12 hits home with me as well. I have always wanted to be a light to my husband, kids and grandkids. To put it into the perspective of how our words and actions can encourage or discourage their spiritual life makes me think more of what have I been saying and what have I been doing all these years that may have an affect on them. My prayer is that God would use me for his glory daily and give me the words when necessary and take them away from me when necessary in order to encourage and inspire others in a way that glorifies Him.
Bill, I always enjoy your perspective. I hope you keep provide you insight into Proverbs. You sure have made me reflect on my actions and how they have influenced my kids and grandkids. The good thing is that it’s not to late to change.