Category: proverbs
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Another Prodigal Proverb
3He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.–Proverbs 29 Jesus no doubt also had this proverb on His mind when He told the famous Prodigal Son parable in Luke 15. Jesus’ audience that day was most likely expecting the father in the parable to treat the disrespectful,…
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Prodigal Hope
7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.–Proverbs 28 It almost seems impossible that Jesus didn’t have this proverb on his mind when he gave his famous parable about the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. In that parable, a son asked for his inheritance…
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Who Sharpens You?
17Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.–Proverbs 27 Every follower of Jesus needs a team to surround themselves with. The first is a 3AM FRIEND. Nothing good usually produces a 3AM phone call. There is some catastrophe in your home or in your life and you need help. If you don’t have a 3AM…
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Boundaries and Influence
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.–Proverbs 26 Is this a side-by-side biblical contradiction? These verses are literally one right after another. Instead, think of these verses in terms of boundaries and influence. In…
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The Walls of Self-Control
28Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.–Proverbs 25 Imagine your life as a city under attack. The only hope for that city is that the walls do not break. Those walls of the city that is your life are your self-control. In a world that promotes self-love and…
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Staggering Toward Slaughter
11Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.–Proverbs 24 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work…
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Your Child’s Heart
15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; 16my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.–Proverbs 23 Parents, how do you respond to these verses? So many of us want our children to be popular, successful, or happy. But let’s pray for wisdom for our…
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Poor and Rich
2Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.–Proverbs 22 Some quick thoughts: God made both rich and poor as has them currently where they are. The rich need to focus on caring for others and not being haughty. The poor need to focus on trusting God and not being jealous.…
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Three Responses to the Sovereignty of God
33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.–Proverbs 16 Ancient people cast a lot, or a type of dice, back in the day to secure answers to questions. I grew up hearing things like, “Heads, we do this. Tails, we do that.” Same principle. But this verse is…
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The How and the What of Your Speech
1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the…
