"An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgement." (V1)
We need to separate ourselves from things that divert our focus away from God. We want the wisdom but we don't want the discipline that comes with it. Wisdom doesn't just land on our front step. We must have a desire to be more like Jesus. We try to have the world, the things God does not like, we don't make prayer a regular thing and we wonder why we feel a separation at times?!
We need to separate ourselves from the world and things of the world and revert our focus back to God.
"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." (V2) We should enjoy the word of God, enjoy learning from God. It is such an adventure. His word is bursting with LIFE and how to's. You may think you know enough and 'not need more'... you are very wrong. Get your heart right with God and seek HIM, learn how much wisdom he has to share with YOU.
When unbelievers find themselves in the company of a believer or anything surrounding him, contempt to God and his people and his works kicks in. They will mock, and disregard what the word says and what you say. Their guilt within will grow and until they deal with that they will hate more, hurt deeper and eventually run into a brick wall. Don't let them take you with them. When you are around people like this, remember to retain your virtue.
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. (V4) What beautiful imagery.
If your heart is secure in Christ and you are seeking him, wisdom will grow and it will produce words that are pleasing to God. Those words will have meaning, insight, truth and encouragement. Goodness will flow from them.
Verses 5 and 6 are trouble! How many people do you know that would rather hold a grudge against someone instead of love them? People who allow anger to build up so much they spit out words they shouldn't which can lead to physical fights?
His words are not guarded by anything and the only desire is his own selfish desires. The tongue is a mighty weapon, be careful.
Verse 10 makes me think of Acts 17:28, "For in him we live and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, we are his offspring." God is our protector, our sustainer. We are secure in his arms. We rest in him, we find a perfect peace in him that we can find in nobody and nowhere else. That peace that passes all understanding. God is enough for us and does not get tired of our weariness. Sometimes we need a reminder of that!
"He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame." (V13) I am guilty of this and I think this could also include responding harshly, in judgment and interruption. Sometimes we think we know it all, we feel like we are entitled to say everything we know. Which fruit of the spirit is that? Learn to listen fully.
Verse 24, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." So many people have too many friends to count... what is special about that? Better to take your time getting to know people, really learn about that person, learn their past and their hopes for the future, learn what their struggles are and find ways to help them through it. Put your heart and soul into your friends. Put them on your priority list. Friends and family should always come BEFORE a job, school, busy schedule. A close friend is there for you despite your mistakes... they love you for who you are. Their love does not come and go, it's unconditional. This is how God loved us. Learning how to love like Jesus is beautiful.
One of my favorite bands is NEEDTOBREATHE... their lyrics just amaze me, every song and they are a fantastic bunch of musicians too ;) Have a listen! I am posting the youtube link to the song that is one of my favorites by them. I have this in my car at all times to just play when I am feeling discouraged by others or annoyed by others... what a great reminder to be more HEART and less attack!!
Bethany Joy
We need to separate ourselves from things that divert our focus away from God. We want the wisdom but we don't want the discipline that comes with it. Wisdom doesn't just land on our front step. We must have a desire to be more like Jesus. We try to have the world, the things God does not like, we don't make prayer a regular thing and we wonder why we feel a separation at times?!
We need to separate ourselves from the world and things of the world and revert our focus back to God.
"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." (V2) We should enjoy the word of God, enjoy learning from God. It is such an adventure. His word is bursting with LIFE and how to's. You may think you know enough and 'not need more'... you are very wrong. Get your heart right with God and seek HIM, learn how much wisdom he has to share with YOU.
When unbelievers find themselves in the company of a believer or anything surrounding him, contempt to God and his people and his works kicks in. They will mock, and disregard what the word says and what you say. Their guilt within will grow and until they deal with that they will hate more, hurt deeper and eventually run into a brick wall. Don't let them take you with them. When you are around people like this, remember to retain your virtue.
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. (V4) What beautiful imagery.
If your heart is secure in Christ and you are seeking him, wisdom will grow and it will produce words that are pleasing to God. Those words will have meaning, insight, truth and encouragement. Goodness will flow from them.
Verses 5 and 6 are trouble! How many people do you know that would rather hold a grudge against someone instead of love them? People who allow anger to build up so much they spit out words they shouldn't which can lead to physical fights?
His words are not guarded by anything and the only desire is his own selfish desires. The tongue is a mighty weapon, be careful.
Verse 10 makes me think of Acts 17:28, "For in him we live and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, we are his offspring." God is our protector, our sustainer. We are secure in his arms. We rest in him, we find a perfect peace in him that we can find in nobody and nowhere else. That peace that passes all understanding. God is enough for us and does not get tired of our weariness. Sometimes we need a reminder of that!
"He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame." (V13) I am guilty of this and I think this could also include responding harshly, in judgment and interruption. Sometimes we think we know it all, we feel like we are entitled to say everything we know. Which fruit of the spirit is that? Learn to listen fully.
Verse 24, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." So many people have too many friends to count... what is special about that? Better to take your time getting to know people, really learn about that person, learn their past and their hopes for the future, learn what their struggles are and find ways to help them through it. Put your heart and soul into your friends. Put them on your priority list. Friends and family should always come BEFORE a job, school, busy schedule. A close friend is there for you despite your mistakes... they love you for who you are. Their love does not come and go, it's unconditional. This is how God loved us. Learning how to love like Jesus is beautiful.
One of my favorite bands is NEEDTOBREATHE... their lyrics just amaze me, every song and they are a fantastic bunch of musicians too ;) Have a listen! I am posting the youtube link to the song that is one of my favorites by them. I have this in my car at all times to just play when I am feeling discouraged by others or annoyed by others... what a great reminder to be more HEART and less attack!!
Bethany Joy