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!

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

One thing we need to understand about God, is that He hates sin! We need to realize that sin does not come from God but is actually rebellion against God. As the Bible says “God does not tempt anyone with evil (James 1:13) The temptation comes from our own sinful flesh, this is the war against God, the flesh vs the Spirit

We people say “I was born this way” or “God made me this way” this is just an excuse to sin. While our flesh may drive us to lust after certain sin, God never designed us this way or would never justify us to stay this way. This is why Jesus said we must become “Born Again to see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) You cant remain dead in your sins and expect to worship a Living God. You need to become Crucified with Christ and He will raise you up a New Life (Romans 6)

Every time that you sin, you wage war against God. You declare my flesh is my Master and not Jesus. This is why the Bible tells us “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22) How can you ever obtain peace when you are at war with your Creator? Until you deny yourself and carry your cross, you will never be set free from the slavery of sin

Now this may sound like an impossible war, however Christ has already won the war! When Jesus said “It Is Finished” on the cross, he paid the penalty for your sin. He justified you before your Heavenly Father, now you must become Born Again and Sanctified by the Holy Spirit! What a loving and merciful God , who would die for his own creation. Praise The Lord Amen!

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

The Bible is very clear that God does not reward laziness. One of the dangers of laziness is not being prepared for the future. This Proverb compares an Ant who stores up food during the summer, so when winter comes it wont starve. In fact if you observe nature, you don’t see animals or insects just lying around , they are continually working, gathering food, building nests, ect. This can be applied to our spiritual lives also

One of the most embarrassing things is when you continually see ministries begging for money. Now we know it takes money to keep things operating but there are better ways to support your ministry. First off I have to really question their faith in God, do they not believe God can provide for their ministry? They need to be a beggar on a street corner? What happened to preachers actually working?

The Apostle Paul might be considered the greatest evangelist of all time, yet he still worked as a tent maker not to burden the people (Acts 18:3) Paul also made statements like “Those who don’t work don’t eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and “Anyone who doesn’t provide for their own family is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8) Yes if you think God is going to bless you by sitting on the couch , think again!

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11

This can be applied to our “Spiritual Lives” also. When we look back at the great theologians like Spurgeon, Luther, Wesley, ect we say “How did these men get such great insight”? Well because these men wrestled and toiled with the scriptures their entire lives. If we really want to understand God and his Word, we need to work at it. You need to devote yourself to reading the scriptures, praying, and witnessing to others

How long will we sleep O Sluggard? Remember in Matthew 25 when Jesus taught the parable of the Talents. When he came back he rewarded people on what they did with their talent. Those who were lazy didn’t get a reward. Those who used the talents God gave them were rewarded. Jesus rewarded hard work and faith! Of course this is all in vein without Jesus being our Lord and Savior Amen!