Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12

Hatred, we see a lot of it today. In the streets, on social media, maybe even in your own home. What does hatred accomplish? Why cant we allow people to have their own opinions and thoughts? Its human nature we want everyone to think like us, to act like us, to look like us, but this is not reality. The reason we have a hatred problem is because we have a sin problem. If we would follow the words of Christ to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and to even “Love your enemy” (Matthew 5:44) Then we wouldn’t have all these hatred problems, however the root of hatred comes within ourselves

Its our human fallen nature to want to hate, if you don’t believe try loving your enemy. Its difficult! Love is not always easy but its always right. You might say “How can we love these people”? Well Jesus could have said the same thing for us! How can we die for us wicked sinners, because He loved us. And if Christ can love us, why cant we love others?

Love covers all sins, this was demonstrated at the cross. The reason Jesus layed down his life for you , was simply because of love. Christ wasn’t obligated to die for you, he could have sent us all to Hell , and it would have been justified. But because of Love, Christ died for your sins and gave us eternal life.

So now knowing this, knowing that God had mercy on you because he loved you, you are now expected to love others also. Even the ones who don’t agree with you, even the ones who hate God. Yes this is difficult, but its not impossible because of what Christ has done for us! Amen!

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. Proverbs 9:6

People can be very influential, this is why its important who we associate with. As the Apostle Paul said “Bad company corrupts good character or morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33) When the Proverb talks about “Forsaking Foolishness” what does it mean? Its basically meaning the same thing as Repent. Turn away from the destructive things in your life. As the old saying goes “Fool me once, shame on You, fool me twice shame on me”

Many people have a simple, temporary perspective. They think your born, you have some fun, work a little, and then you die. This is a life of a fool. We were born for a purpose, we were made to be eternal. When you have an eternal perspective on life, it carries much more weight. Why? Because all of your actions have consequences for the future. Everything you do today is in preparation for eternity

Jesus promised us eternal life by the works he completed on the cross and having faith in him. Jesus is The Way (John 14:6) If you want the way of understanding , follow Christ! There are two paths in life, the one that leads to death and the one that leads to life, choose Jesus and choose Life

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Proverbs 9:7-8

Its very simple, those who want to seek truth, those who want to obtain understand and are teachable, love to be rebuked or corrected. Are you willing to be corrected? Many of us it bruises our egos when somebody disagrees with you, how are you being open minded or teachable with this mentality?

We see this a lot on social media, most people don’t want to have an open conversation or learn from others points of view. They just want to argue and be an echo chamber. This is foolishness and isn’t a way to learn.

God has sent the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher and Guide, will you listen to him. Are you willing to rebuke yourself to obtain truth? As Jesus said “Unless we become like children , we will not see the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 18:3) Amen!

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 8:11

How valuable is wisdom? Are we starting to see a pattern throughout the book of Proverbs? Wisdom is far more valuable than any amount of money. But do people really seek wisdom? Are people really searching for truth? Many say they are but when confronted with truth, many develop their own set of beliefs to accommodate their worldview or lifestyle. This is why wisdom is so precious , to know the right way!

Jesus said Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open (Matthew 7) How many people are doing this? How many people are actually seeking God and truth? Eventually we are all confronted with the reality of life, death, morality,  and purpose…these are all questions we eventually ponder during our existence

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:12-13

With wisdom comes good judgment and knowledge. You cant judge correctly if you don’t have a standard to judge from, right? This is why God gave us his Law, how can we judge righteously if there is no standard for morality? Its obvious Wisdom ultimately comes from God

Notice another theme throughout the Proverbs is “Fear of God”, as we talked about before, this is a healthy fear. But notice it all centers around our Creator, if we cut him out there is no wisdom or understanding. If you deny the One who is the source of all things, how can you really learn anything?

Seek wisdom and truth, Jesus said He is The Truth , the Life, and The Way to God, Seek Jesus Amen!

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Proverbs 7:22-23

The book of Proverbs speaks a lot against following sin and following Gods commandments. In this Chapter and other chapters, it speaks heavily against committing adultery. I like the phrase it uses here, and this could be applied to all sins. “Like an Ox going to the slaughter” When we give into the temptations of sin, we are like animals heading to the slaughter. Why? Because the Wages of Sin is death (Romans 6:23)

As the previous scripture says “She entices and lures him”(Proverbs 7:21) This can be said about any sin. Sin can be enticing and luring however the consequences are catastrophic. And if were not led by the Holy Spirit and we are led by our flesh, we are like human animals being led to the slaughter

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Proverbs 7:24-26

Best way to avoid sin is to stay away from sin. Don’t go down that path of destruction. If you go to a bar , what do you expect to happen? Anything good? As the Bible says “Flee from Sin “(Ecclesiastes 21:2) Many people have been wounded and slain by sin.

The good news is there is someone who paid the ultimate price for your sin, Jesus Christ. By His Wounds We Are Healed (Isaiah 53:5) Repent of your sins , turn away from evil, have faith in Jesus Christ, be led by the Holy Spirit, Amen!