Month: May 2024

Wow! Proverbs hits hard on those who don’t control their mouths! Today’s reading boldly deals with gossipers, liars, and babblers who know it all. 

For the perception of wisdom babblers try to create through the massive number of words they spew, they are those whose lives usually fall flat on their faces in disaster (Proverbs 10:8, 14 NLT). These people can’t shut their mouths. They go on and on about everything—always right, of course. Sadly, they also can’t be instructed because they know everything. They always have a better angle on what you are trying to say.

Then there is the liar. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed (Proverbs 12:19, NLT). One of the liar’s trademarks is that they are deceived themselves. Since lies are soon exposed, the liar must lie again. Eventually, they cannot keep their lies straight in their minds, and they begin losing their mooring as a person. They eventually lose the soundness of their mind. They become that person everyone knows you can’t believe a word they say—herein is the liar’s ultimate self-deception; they think people believe them. How sad!

The gossiper. One of the trademarks of the gossiper is they love to tell secrets, and in the end, they have no friends. A gossip goes around telling secrets… (Proverbs 11:13, NLT) With their words, the godless destroy their friends… (Proverbs 11:9, NLT) Be careful about receiving secrets from the gossiper, lest you divulge your own for everyone to hear!

Perhaps this verse sums it up. It’s blunt but sound wisdom! Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (Proverbs 10:19, NLT) Ouch! But honestly, we know it’s good advice!

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Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 10-12.

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Continuing through Proverbs, we see two voices emerge—the personification of Wisdom and Folly. In Proverbs 8-9:12, Wisdom calls to those passing by, and Folly calls out in Proverbs 9:13-18. Wisdom and Folly have two very different appeals and directions.

Wisdom appeals to those passing by, highlighting a life of good judgment, understanding, discernment, truth, knowledge, instruction, common sense, righteousness, justice, and the fear of God. Her appeal is one of wholesomeness and plain words, void of deception and exaggeration. She offers more value than silver, gold, and rubies; anything you could desire can’t compare to it. She gives gifts, such as life, joy, and favor, and she loves those who love her. She urges all to sit at her table, especially the simple, that she might instruct the wise, teach righteousness, and give sound judgment. 

Folly is personified as brash, ignorant, seductive, rebellious, discontent, sly of heart, soliciting everywhere she can, brazen, and flattering. Her entire emphasis is an appeal to the flesh. Do what feels good! She preys on the simple-minded while slaying the mighty. The door to her house leads to death. Her banquet quickly turns to sorrow, regret, and deep bitterness. 

Two competing voices! Two very different ends! Notice Wisdom’s final appeal. May we choose Wisdom and ignore the voice of Folly!

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. (Proverbs 9:10–12, NLT)

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Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 7-9.

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Wow, the book of Proverbs is honest and unapologetic! It highlights the positives of right conduct and doesn’t hide sin’s regret and destruction. Much of today’s reading exposes the wicked, instructing the reader to avoid their ways.

In the middle of this honesty is a section (Proverbs 6:16–19) revealing what God hates and detests: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who sows discord in a family. Think about it: God, who created all things through the infinite power of His spoken word, hates these things! Does not this give one great caution to avoid these things?

What, then, is the opposite of the things God hates? How about humility, honesty, innocence and purity, righteousness, truth, and unity? Wow, just reading these counterparts to evil is refreshing! Who doesn’t want this in their life? Ultimately, notice the outcomes of these two paths.

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. (Proverbs 4:18–19, NLT)

So what did Solomon tell his son, and what might we learn from this? Don’t lose sight of what God hates and loves (Proverbs 4:20–22), guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23), set your eyes on the straight path of righteousness, and watch out for distractions (Proverbs 4:25–27). Finally, don’t apologize for hating what God hates and loving what God loves. With evil, there is death; with God, there is life!

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Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 4-6.

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The Book of Proverbs—what a rich book full of wisdom and common sense! One verse stood out to me in today’s reading; it speaks of common sense, as translated in the NLT.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. (Proverbs 2:7, NLT)

Notice that God grants the honest a treasure of common sense. This begs the question, what is common sense? The word that is translated as common sense means efficient wisdom. Common sense comes from the wisdom God gives and is efficient. The wisdom of God is practical!

Notice that common sense is referred to as a treasure. And it belongs to one kind of person: the honest. Common sense is not given to the dishonest, the cheat, the liar, or the one who scoffs at God’s wisdom. Notice, too, that the honest treasure common sense.

Unfortunately, we live in a world that does not value God’s wisdom. This world lies in the power of the wicked one. The more wicked the world is, the less common sense there is. Diminishing common sense is a symptom of increasing dishonesty. So, amid a war on common sense, what should one do? Notice what Solomon told his son.

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, (Proverbs 3:21, NLT)

How does one not lose a treasure? It begins by understanding its value. How do we hang on to the treasure of common sense? We do so by not losing our understanding of the value of God’s wisdom, which is protected by reverencing God. Yes, the fear of God is the beginning of true common sense, and it helps us guard it! (Proverbs 2:3–8)

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Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 1-3.

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