Proverbs 4

June 17, 2011

Proverbs 4:7 - "Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom. If it costs everything you have, get understanding." Wisdom is God-given and not man-acquired. 

Proverbs 1:7 - "Knowledge begins with respect for the LORD..." Respect for the LORD. Respect is attitude with action. It's not enough to say he is LORD. It's not enough to have head knowledge of who the Lord is. There has to be action—submission and total surrender to His Lordship. Words are easy and cheap. Our actions will either confirm or deny the words we say.    

The Bible clearly distinguishes the differences between good and evil. The contrasting results are very descriptively described in Proverbs. On one hand it says, "The way of the good person is like the light of dawn, growing brighter and brighter until full day light." On the other hand, "The wicked walk around in the dark; they can't even see what makes them stumble."

Solomon gives strong admonitions:

• Don't follow the ways of the wicked
• Don't do what evil people do (Psalm 1)
• Avoid their ways
• Don't follow them
• Stay away from them and keep on going
• Don't use your mouth to tell lies
• Keep your eyes focused on what is right
• Be careful what you do
• Do what is right
• Don't turn off the road of goodness
• Keep away from evil paths

Then Solomon makes a profound statement. "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life." There it is in a nutshell—the core of where problems begin. Jealousy. Greed. Revenge. Self-Centeredness. Control. Anger. Fear. Thoughts and actions all fueled by the desire to please SELF and the desire to be in control. Proverbs 4:16–17 - "... they cannot sleep until they do evil. They cannot rest until they harm someone. They feast on wickedness and cruelty as if they were eating bread and drinking wine."

The desire to be in control, controls you! But, it doesn't have to be that way. There is another way to live. Peace. Joy. Contentment. Freedom. All available to the person who gives up their "desires" and surrenders all to the authority of God. THEN you can have true freedom and your life is filled with peace, joy and contentment.

"Our goals as believers cannot simply be not to sin. Rather it must be to walk wisely because walking wisely is the means by which moral living is carried out." ~ From How to Keep Your Kids on Your Team  by Charles Stanley

Addendum:  4/20/15 ~ Proverbs 4:11-12 - "I am guiding you in the way of wisdom, and I am leading you on the right path. Nothing will hold you back; you will not be overwhelmed." There is such security and peace in knowing that when you are surrendered to the living God you are not left alone to try and figure out how to navigate difficult waters and "the storm" times in your life. We are guided and led on the right path where nothing can interfere with His will and we will not be overwhelmed. Thank you, Jesus, for your promises!!


Next Entry: Proverbs 5 & 6