Proverbs 9:8 "Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you" We are always trying to influence people to see things our way. This proverb is a lesson in who you can do that to, who you can't, and who will listen. It also will allow you to understand the kinds of people that you are dealing with. The word reprove is the word tokeha in the Hebrew which means to correct, to rebuke, to bring about a new perception to the listener. This pro
Proverbs 16:5 "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished" The proverb in the original Hebrew starts: Abominable to the Lord is the person who is proud in their heart. The emphasis is on how terrible this issue of pride is. We do not think of pride in our day as that big of a thing. In fact, in many cases we like the idea of pride and think it is good. The word pride is the Hebrew word gaboah which means high, exalted, s
Proverbs 22:4 "The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life" the reward We must never forget that there is a reward for living the way that God wants us to live. It pays to be righteous. We can often feel that the rewards and the payoff all go to the wicked, but nothing is further from the truth. They get the momentary pleasure of sin and the deep consequences of sin. We receive the continual feast of righteousness. I believe that we too often d
Proverbs 21:4 "Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked is sin" This verse has a number of interesting angles. One, it states that the internal director for those who live outside the Ten Commandments box is that they feel they are superior to others and ultimately to God's rules and God. They are first in their life. It is the light unto their path. They put themselves first and what they want. "What would satisfy me; what would make me feel even more superior
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom" pride The basic idea is pride, a sense of self-importance, which often is exaggerated to include defiance and even rebelliousness. What is interesting about this proverb is that it proclaims that the one thing the proud person wants is exactly what this person will not receive. The person who is proud wants to be noticed and to have attention focused on them for who they are or what they do.
PROVERBS 29:1 "A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy" hardens: This is something that the person does; their self-will rises up and stiffens them against counsel – both friendly and divine. There is a point in which God will just say “ENOUGH” and will severely limit a person's potential, ability, opportunities, etc. Realistically they did it to themselves, but they will be broken and unfixable. Grace will come and work its wonderf