How Do So Many Utterly Disregard the Book of Proverbs?
Book of Proverbs relevant today? True repentance is turning from sin in order to do what is right and pleasing in God’s sight. Every point about righteous living in the Bible then is a lesson on true repentance. Along the same lines, every contrast in the Bible between the righteous and the wicked is a practical lesson about what true repentance is. A book in the Bible which especially deals with plainly stating these things is Proverbs. Here, we will look at some examples of such lessons in the book of Proverbs.
No lying.
Proverbs 13:5: “A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.”
Lying doesn’t necessarily involve speaking what one knows is false. It can involve choices to embrace falsehood and to live accordingly.
Proverbs 12:5: “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”
Revelation 21:8 states that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. Revelation 22:15 shows that this includes those who choose to embrace lies as well as those who make them.
Turn from covetousness related to mammon in the fear of the Lord and be content with less as a result.
Proverbs 15:16: “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
Proverbs 16:8: “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
Do not trust in riches in order to trust in the Lord.
One way that people commonly embrace lies in their hearts is through an improper
estimation of riches. Jesus made it clear that service to mammon and service to God are inherently rival pursuits. He also made it clear that those who trust in riches cannot enter God’s kingdom (Mark 10:24). In that very context, He said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 18:10-11 (note the contrast): “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit (imagination).”
Proverbs 11:28: “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
Consider the cause of the poor and attend to their needs.
Proverbs 14:21: “He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”
Proverbs 29:7: “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.”
Honor of parents (and this extends to all God-ordained authority in one’s life).
Proverbs 20:20: “Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.”
Proverbs 30:17: “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.”
These truths do not eliminate the possibility that one’s parents or other authority figures in one’s life could be opponents to living righteously in God’s eyes. They should only be contended with as much as is necessary in order to not yield to sin.
No one has the right to steal from their parents.
Proverbs 28:24: “Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.”
Parents can also be dishonored through wasting what they have provided on sinful things.
Proverbs 29:3: “Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.”
Be sober.
Proverbs 20:1: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
Proverbs 23:29-35: “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”
Is it okay to be high on things besides alcohol because these passages only directly talk about alcohol? Of course not. One cannot even receive God’s grace without sobriety (Titus 2:11-12).
In regard to one’s companions.
Proverbs 13:20: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Proverbs 14:7: “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”
Proverbs 22:24-25: “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”
We also read in Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Hebrews 1:8-9: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity (i.e. lawlessness); therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
Don’t envy sinners.
Proverbs 23:17: “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.”
Don’t exalt sinners.
Proverbs 28:4: “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.”
The following verse is spoken of the wicked within an especially wicked society. It is surely fitting today.
Malachi 3:15: “And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.”
Don’t be governed by passion.
Proverbs 14:17: “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.”
Proverbs 16:32: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
Proverbs 29:22: “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”
Be disciplined in words. Those who would be righteous must choose to suffer in order to discipline their words and their temper.
Proverbs 10:19: “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 17:27-28: “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
Proverbs 18:6-7: “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”
Performance of one’s duties towards others without partiality and not taking vengeance on others of one’s own accord.
Proverbs 3:27-30: “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.”
Proverbs 25:21-22: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.”
The preceding things do not in any way negate the need to rebuke sin. They also do not negate the need to use force to help the oppressed against the oppressors nor negate the need for authorities to punish the wicked appropriately in accordance with their jurisdiction.
Proverbs 24:11-12: “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?”
Proverbs 19:29: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.”
Don’t be slothful.
Proverbs 26:13-16: “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.”
This also applies to doing our spiritual duties before God. Doing one’s duties faithfully in the natural realm is also an essential aspect of doing one’s spiritual duties before God.
Proverbs 24:30-34: “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (i.e. as an intruder); and thy want as an armed man.”
Flee fornication.
This also applies to not being seduced by lustful advertising and entertainment. It also applies to lascivious influencers (including those which say they are Christians and/or conservatives- those are among the very worst).
Proverbs 6:23-25: “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.”
Exercise diligence and courage in order to make righteous judgments.
Proverbs 14:18: “The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”
Proverbs 18:13: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Proverbs 18:17: “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.”
Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man bringeth a snare (i.e. a trap): but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
Don’t have partiality/respect of persons in judgment.
Proverbs 18:15: “It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.”
Proverbs 24:23-25: “These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.”
Along the same lines, Leviticus 19:15 says: “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.”
Use God’s law as your reference point and guide for morality.
This is essential to living by faith in the true God, the God of the Bible.
Proverbs 3:5-7: “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. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
Proverbs 13:13: “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”
We also read in Psalm 1:1-2: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
And Psalm 119:142 says: “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.”
Don’t trust your own heart for guidance.
I have heard a false pastor say that certain people had been led by God’s Spirit because they had spoken from their hearts. He was only proving what a fool he is.
Proverbs 28:26: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”
Turn from all sin/break from all sin/have no regard for any sin.
Proverbs 14:9: “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor.”
Proverbs 16:6: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord depart from evil.”
Proverbs 28:9: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
Proverbs 28:13: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
And we are told in 1 John 3:4-5: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he (Jesus Christ) was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
Walk in the fear of the Lord, receive instruction from His Word, and cooperate with His reproof.
Proverbs 13:18-19: “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.”
Proverbs 15:31-33: “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.”
Proverbs 16:17: “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.”
Proverbs 28:14: “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”
The wicked and the righteous are known by their deeds.
Proverbs 13:6: “Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.”
Proverbs 14:32: “The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.”
Warnings and exhortations in light of these things.
Proverbs 27:12: “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
Proverbs 29:1: “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
Proverbs 19:12: “The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew upon the grass.”
Proverbs 19:12 is especially so regarding the King of Kings.
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Aaron’s email is: gospeltruth768@yahoo.com