Wisdom Leads To Confession

Wisdom Leads To Confession Of Sin

Proverbs 28-31


Confession means to acknowledge our faults, or our guiltiness, or our failures.

The Catholic Church teaches that Christ Jesus forgives sins through the priests at confession.

This is taken from John 20:23

Joh 20:23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The truth is, the power to forgive sins cannot be given by Jesus Christ to any of His ministers!

Only God can forgive sins!

God forgives out of "Grace"!

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Our sins were nailed to the cross that Jesus Christ bore for each of us!

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

This forgiveness forever solves the problem of sin in our lives, all sins past, all sins present, and all future sin.

We must remember Jesus Christ died for the sin of unbelief!

It is unbelief that leads to all other sins!

Our salvation is secure BUT, we will need a daily cleansing to maintain fellowship with God.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

This is the truth of the Scriptures and our own wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord!

It is the fear of the Lord that will lead to the confession of our sins!

*****Pro 28:4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

What is the theme of our world today?

The wicked who forsake the Word of God then exalt the wicked and their evil deeds!

The righteous who keep the Word of God and are considered the enemy!

Those who forsake the Word of God will insist on leaders who are like-minded so they can build their carnal society!

They are greedy and self-serving and insists on their evil agenda!

This is the America of today!

When ungodly leaders and ungodly citizens prevail, any nation will decline and will also suffer the reproach of the world and the condemnation of God!

This is the America of today!

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

It may be already to late to save America but we must not sit idly by while this wickedness dominates our society!

The Bible says to "contend" with those that reject the Word of God!

To "contend" is to defend and preserve!

Jud 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith" which was once delivered unto the saints.

We are to remain settled on the truth of the Scriptures, the facts of the Word of God!

We are to stand up!

We are to speak out!

What is the truth of the Scriptures?

*****Pro 28:5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

If we remember the words of Jesus on the cross we can understand this verse.

Luk 23:34  Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do". And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus Christ was always thinking of others!

Those that reject the Word of God cannot be expected to make righteous judgments nor can they administer sound justice!

This is also a fact in America where as more and more of these people are appointed to seats of judgment in our justice system.

They are void of the knowledge and the wisdom that is needed and ignorant of the truth!

Understanding can come but from one place and that is knowing the truth of God!

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Without searching for the Lord, He will never be found, yet He is always near!

It is only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God who can have the understanding of true justice!

*****Pro 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

The truth is, the wicked are not so much those that are ignorant of God's law as it is those that turn their ear away and ignore God's law!

It is all those who are ignorant of God's law that we are to witness too and not so much those that hear the Word of God and reject it!

This is why Jesus taught in parables!

To be able to go before God in prayer is an awesome privilege.

We may never have an audience with the President or even with a Governor but we can have an audience with our God at any moment in time!

God is a Father with a desire to do good and a distinct love for mankind and has great delight in hearing from His children.

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

When we reject the Word of God, we forfeit the privilege to enter into the presence of God!

God despises the prayers of those who despise the Word of God!

Joh 9:31  Now we know "that God heareth not sinners": but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

It is wisdom that leads to confession and it is confession that leads to answered prayers!

*****Pro 28:11  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

If we open our eyes to this world we will see that for the most part, the wicked are arrogant and they consider themselves to be wise.

They simply reject anything that goes against their perceived thoughts.

It is easy to see through their deceit when compared to the Word of God!

It is far better to be poor and have integrity than to be rich and have no integrity!

Most of the rich see themselves as being superior to others and they use their wealth as a sign they are simply smarter than the average person.

They deceive themselves into thinking that those who are beneath them are blind to their schemes.

The truth is money simply cannot buy character!

Money simply cannot buy true wisdom!

Their lack of wisdom can be easily seen in their selfish, permissive, and worldly lifestyle!

It is only those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, who can have a clear understanding of life and our world!

It takes a close personal relationship with the Lord to overcome the deceptions of this world!

Pro 26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

*****Pro 28:12  When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

What's the truth of our world?

When the wicked rule a nation it is divided and most all people will flee from oppression!

When the righteous rise to power more people will rejoice and most problems are solved.

But remember God says there will always be those who are poor in this world until He returns!

When our government is run by someone that fears the Lord, God's people will celebrate openly and publicly!

When the wicked rule, God's people are forced to hide because they know that oppression is coming.

This is the dread of America!

This is the truth of ISIS!

This is the truth of almost every nation other than Israel!

An unrighteous leader causes grief to all those who reject their agenda!

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Pro 11:10  When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

The Bible is very clear, it is the love of money that is the root of most all the evil in our world!

*****Pro 28:13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

The Bible is also very clear when it says that sin cannot be hidden!

Num 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: "and be sure your sin will find you out".

When we are to arrogant to see our own sin and repent of it, we can be sure that our sin will be made known to those that it affects.

We should also remember that those that reject the Lord are already condemned to a sinner's Hell!

If we spend our lives refusing to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, we can never prosper spiritually!

We can have no fellowship with the Lord.

We will forfeit God's benefits.

Our prayer life will be powerless.

We will stunt our spiritual growth.

Our service to the Lord will be fruitless.

Joy will be far from us!

We will never succeed and prosper in this life we now have.

We must deal with our sin first by confessing it to the Lord!

Confession is recognizing sin as sin, and admitting it to God!

Most people think it ends there, but to be truthful our confession must be accompanied with "repentance"!

Repentance is much more than saying "I'm Sorry", repentance is an action word that means "I'm Going To Travel The Path Of Righteousness"!

Genuine repentance is a complete change of heart and of mind that results in a change of conduct!

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

When we confess our sin then we are in agreement with God that sin can only be atoned by the blood of Jesus Christ!

After confession, must come action on our part before we will ever see the mercy of God!

*****Pro 28:18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

What is the truth of the Bible?

Those that walk according to the Word of God "shall be saved"!

The upright are safe and secure while those who reject the Word of God "will fall"!

The upright are all those who are washed in the blood of Jesus, innocent and blameless.

Perverse, means to be turned aside, distorted, stubborn and contrary.

He sways right and wrong and also pretends to be pursuing one path while he is really taking another.

These are the traits of the Anti-Christ and they both will fall!

Once he falls he will never rise again!

*****Pro 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

The truth is that our character is in full display by the way we treat others!

Jesus taught that loving others is equal to loving God:

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The Apostle Paul taught that loving your neighbor is the fulfillment of all God's commandments:

Gal 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The line that separates the upright from the foolish is by the way they treat others!

All those who stubbornly persists in sin will be suddenly destroyed.

God makes this very plain!

Without remedy means that it will be done and there is nothing that can be done about it!

1) There are those who refuse to hear what the Lord has to say and avoid any sort of relationship with Him.

These will be destroyed without remedy!

We can be sure that they have been approached by God.

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

At death they will be instantly banished to eternal destruction:

Luk 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

2) Then there are those who have a relationship with God but have returned to their sinful ways.

They may suffer a premature death because of unrepented sin!

God does not ignore the sins of His children!

God will not allow us to willfully continue in sin!

We may eventually cross a line where God's patience has ended.

We will not lose our salvation but we will lose any reward we could have gotten!

This is an act of judgment but it is also an act of love.

By releasing us from our corrupt flesh, God releases us from our temptation to sin, ruining our testimony, and we will no longer cause harm to the "Body of Christ"!

1Co 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And again.

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

These things cannot be denied!

God will not allow His children to continue in unconfessed sin!

3) God may also destroy nations where sin has been allowed to run rampant!

Israel is a prime example but there are many nations that do not exist today in any form!

2Ch 36:16  But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

There are many reasons God sends His missionaries to foreign lands and sometimes God wants that nation to repent.

*****Pro 29:12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

There are many things that are going on in our nation that most all of us do not understand.

It is a fact that our leaders need to be able to discern between truthful and untruthful information!

It seems our leaders today yield to lobbyist who do not have the good of the people in mind.

The truth is that it is mercy and truth that makes a true leader!

Pro 20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

Those that are in a position of responsibility must remember to verify all information in order to know what's for the good of the people they represent!

As far as the people, we must take strong action against all those who are not honest in their duties to serve the people.

We are finding this more difficult to do because it seems our government is becoming more and more corrupt!

This has taken place because the public has been lenient in insisting on the truth!

Pro 25:5  Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Pro 16:12  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

What is the truth? It is those who are right with God who will prevail!

*****Pro 29:16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

It is a fact that immorality will cause the spread of sin.

In a world where Satan reigns, sin will continue to run rampant because that is Satan's goal.

This the nation and the world we live in today!

Psa 37:35  I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36  Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

The truth is that we who know the Lord should never despair because a God who cannot break a promise, promises a future day when all His enemies will be destroyed.

Psa 37:34  Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

When the Lord returns, He will reign in righteousness!

Knowing all these things should make us confess our own sin and repent.

*****Pro 29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Pride says we are superior to others because human logic reasons the way to success is through self-elevation.

This is a false conclusion!

The truth is that pride will only result in dishonor and humiliation!

The Bible teaches us that those who are arrogant will certainly be humbled through a painful process.

Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pro 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

We can boldly go before the throne of God but we better be humble when we get there!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we are in need of a Savior!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we must remain at the mercy of God!

The truth is that God will exalt us throughout eternity if we will humbly bow before Him in this life!

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Here again, our example is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly in heart but most people today regard Him as the greatest man that has ever lived even if they do not recognize Him as God, which He is!

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You cannot be Christian if you cannot learn from the Savior!

We are all certainly unworthy of God's Grace and God's "Grace" is shown to us all by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Humility is not weakness, humility is strength under complete control!

We must exchange our yoke for His yoke.

We must exchange our burdens for His burdens.

We must exchange our pride for His teaching.

If we are struggling in our faith, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

If we are struggling in our walk according to the Scriptures, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

If we are tempted to quit on God, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Joh 18:11  Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

As believers we are to walk humbly upon this earth just as our Savior did!

And we are never to partner with evil!

*****Pro 29:24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

A thief makes it his business to cheat, defraud, and steal the property of others.

If you become a partner to a thief, you come under double judgement.

1) You will be guilty of his crime!

2) You will be guilty of withholding information about his crime!

That's what sin does, sin multiplies. One sin  will always lead to another sin!

Psa 50:18  When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psa 50:19  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

When we  try to use that excuse, "I did not want to get involved", we are already guilty in the eyes of God!

We have shown no real concern for our own soul and if we cannot care for our own soul how can we care for the souls of others.

God says it like this:

Pro 8:36  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

The Lord our God put it this way:

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

When we hear the cursing of those who have been harmed and who are the victim and we do not report what we know, how can we plead "not guilty"!

God never changes so He warns us again and again:

1Ti 5:22  Lay hands suddenly on no man, "neither be partaker of other men's sins": keep thyself pure.

If we are wise we will have an unwavering faith in the Lord and His Word!

*****Pro 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

When our fears turn us away from serving the Lord then our fears will actually be greater!

We are to obey human authority in order for there to be a civil society.

If we have trusted in the Lord then we will live righteously and living righteously is doing things the right way!

We also will not be afraid of what people will do to us when we take our stand on the Word of God!

The truth is that many who say they trust in the Lord are compelled to lie, or to compromise to avoid any unpleasant repercussions.

Remember even Peter denied Christ Jesus because he was afraid of what those people would do to him and when he realized what he had done he got alone and wept bitterly.

We must remember God takes responsibility for His Words!

And it will always be impossible to live for Christ and avoid persecution!

Someplace everyday some of those that love the Lord are slain just because they trust Him for their salvation.

If we truly love the Lord then we will not have a fear of what man can do to us.

God said to take a stand and stand firm:

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

When we are threatened we simply need to call on the Lord and place it in His hands.

We are in God's hands and it is He that is in control of our lives!

We must remember, we have already been judged and justified by the Lord, we do not need the favor of any ruler of this earth or any other person!

*****Pro 29:26  Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

When we trust in the Lord we must not fret when justice is not served in human courts.

We know that the Lord is the ultimate and final Judge and no sin will go unpunished.

It is not in our hands to seek revenge!

The day is coming when the Lord will correct all the wrong that has been done in this world!

It is a fact that human government cannot bring a perfect justice.

There are those that seek a rulers favor but the truth is, what God has appointed for  them will surely come to them!

Pro 19:6  Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

Those that pay for a favorable judgement here on earth are not rich enough to sway the judgment of God!

The truth is an unjust man is an abomination to the Lord!

*****Pro 29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

The title of our lesson is that "wisdom leads to the confession of sin".

No one can be justified until they can make a confession!

When we walk in God's righteousness we will refuse to compromise with the things of this world!

We will then be despised by those who reject the Word of God!

When we take our stand for the Lord we will see opposition.

In many cases it will be bitter with much anger!

Fearing the Lord, gives us the conviction to do right and leave the results with Him!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Jesus Christ The Example Of God's Love

Wisdom Exemplifies The Love Of Christ

Proverbs 24-27


To exemplify means to show by example!

God has shown us by the life story of Lord Jesus Christ!

God has shown us by the truth of the Word of God!

God is showing us daily, if we have allowed the Holy Spirit to be our Guide!

God is showing us by His chastising of us when we do wrong.

God has shown us example after example of what He will do when certain things are done or are not done in the stories in the Bible.

The theme of the Bible is the love of God!

1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

If we are God's children and are led by Christ's example then we will also show the Love of God!

Mic 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

There is no excuse for our ignorance on these matters!

In the very first Book of the Bible it says:

Gen 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

God takes us throughout the Scriptures to show us His image.

God is love and this is the most important part of His image and the example we are to show to all those who cross our paths in this life time!

*****Pro 24:1  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Pro 24:2  For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

We are to witness to those who cross our path if at all possible but we are never to associate ourselves with those who are evil or that do evil!

1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

In this day and time it is a fact that we cannot move away from evilness.

In all walks of life there are people who prey on others.

Today the story is terrorism throughout the world.

This thing distracts us from those, our own politicians and leaders, who are trying to destroy our nation from within.

There are also the local criminals who destroy everything they touch.

And then there are also those who preach and teach a false gospel.

All these not only destroy the innocent but in the end they destroy themselves!

Because their thoughts and conversations are always on evil things and their lips always speak of mischief.

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

If we are truly wise we will not be associated with sinful evil people.

*****Pro 24:3  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

That word "house" not only means a place to live such as a structure but it also means the people that live inside that structure.

A strong home does not just automatically exist!

A strong home is the product of wise planning and hard work!

We have already established that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.

A strong home must be built on a solid foundation!

Luk 6:48  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

There is only one foundation that can be built on today in this world, that can survive the evils of it!

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

This is the foundation of salvation!

Act 4:11  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

This is a home built by obeying the Word of God!

Deu 6:6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Deu 6:7  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

A strong home is built when we follow these principles in this Book of Proverbs!

Pro 22:17  Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Pro 22:18  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Pro 22:19  That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

We can see that wisdom involves the proper treatment of not only our friends but also our enemies but wisdom also shows us how to treat ourselves.

There is no better example that Jesus Christ.

*****Pro 24:15  Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Pro 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Pro 24:17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Pro 24:18  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

This cursed world has made men to be enemies of men. This was never God's intention!

But God warns all those who would cause harm to His children!

To spoil is to rob and plunder.

Those who are wicked may cause a just man to fall but those who are justified will not stay down.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Those that are justified, need only to repent to be raised back up!

But the same is not said of the wicked, they will fall without a remedy!

For all those who are interested, this means that the wicked will never be able to totally destroy God's people!

Those that are justified are on the winning side!

2Ti 4:18  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Since we know all these things it would be easy for us to gloat over our victory.

We are never to gloat over God's judgment over our enemies!

We are to hate sin but we are never to hate the sinner!

The truth is that seeing God's judgment served should cause us all to fear the Lord even more!

We are never to forget we serve a powerful God!

Jer 10:12  He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Nothing much displeases God more than when His children rejoice over God's judgment on those who are lost!

Many of those will be some of our own family members!

Verse 18 does not mean that God's wrath may be turned from the enemy and toward that righteous person who is rejoicing but it certainly can mean that He will execute judgement on both.

It is true, that as we recover from some evil thing it is hard not to rejoice when God's justice is served.

But this is the reason Jesus said we must love our enemies as we love ourselves.

We will never rejoice over those we love when we see God's justice!

Rom 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

There is a reason God will wipe away all our tears in Heaven and this may be one of those reasons!

*****Pro 24:19  Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
Pro 24:20  For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

Again the Lord teaches us not to worry about things we cannot control.

We are not to be jealous of the prosperity or in any way envious of those who are evil and wicked.

We must not become angry with God because of these things.

Why? Those who are wicked have no hope beyond this life, they are condemned!

There is no prospect of future happiness or fulfillment!

They will be eternally separated from God!

They will suffer the wrath of God throughout eternity!

There is no reward for those who are evil!

Instead of worry, we should trust in the Lord.

We must remain committed to the Lord.

We can rest in the Lord.

We can wait patiently for the Lord's return!

God does not want us to worry!

God certainly does not want us to strike out in anger.

God does not want us to be their judge.

Pro 23:17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Pro 23:18  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

How do we describe the world we live in today?

*****Pro 24:24  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

Our legal system has faltered in the name of politics, personal relationships, favor, bribery and even fear and the wicked are defended while the innocent are forgotten or even punished!

Even our own Supreme Court bows at the whims of politicians!

They forget that they all will answer to the Supreme Judge of this earth!

Gen 18:25  That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right"?

It is only those that judge b y being faithful to justice that will be esteemed by those who know the truth and the knowledge of God!

And there is no Scripture that approves of the Sharia Law of the Muslim!

Pro 17:15  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

America and her leaders have fallen into this trap along with most of the world!

And people wonder why God allows such evil to happen.

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Even many who claim to know God but their actions do not show that truth.

Tit 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

God is nowhere near this sort of justice!

What is the first thing we need to do in America?

*****Pro 25:5  Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

The greatest responsibility of any leader is to protect their nation.

They must also protect that nation from the influence of wicked people.

Any leader that brings to his council such evilness is no leader at all!

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

The leader that rejects the Word of God is an unfaithful man and should be regarded as such!

*****Pro 25:19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

An unfaithful leader will cause us pain as that of a toothache and be as useless as a runner with a broke foot.

Those that are wise know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior!

This wisdom will make them dependable and trustworthy!

This wisdom will make them do the right thing!

We should not put confidence in any man unless our confidence is already in the Lord, so we can discern right from wrong!

*****Pro 25:20  As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

We should never be insensitive in trying to cheer up someone with a heavy heart!

When sympathy is needed, cheerfulness can sometimes cause harm!

When our neighbor or our friend are hurting, they do not need jokes or merry songs, they need loving sympathy.

Sometimes there are no words of comfort and they just need a silent friend by their side!

Job 2:12  And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
Job 2:13  So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

When these so called friends of Job did begin to speak they ruined all the good they had done by their silence.

Nitre is like baking soda and when vinegar is poured on baking soda, it produces a terrible reaction!

Sometimes our words, even though well intended, can produce a terrible reaction to those with a heavy heart!

*****Pro 25:21  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Pro 25:22  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

It is in the Old Testament where God laid down His basic principles of building human relationships!

Doing good to an enemy is a difficult thing to do!

We cannot defeat our enemies by being good to them but we must never sink to their level of wickedness.

We are to treat our enemies no different than we would treat the poor.

If he is hungry feed him.

If he is thirsty then provide him with water.

In the days of Solomon, people used a fire to cook and to eat and even other purposes.

If for some reason you had allowed your fire to go out it was necessary to borrow some coals from your neighbor.

Giving some coals, in a coal pan to carry home on his head was a kind and a neighborly act!

"Coals of fire" are a metaphor for remorse and repentance and symbolizes overcoming evil with good!

Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is also a specific place where the Lord said a reward could be earned, here on earth and also in Heaven!

Pro 11:18  The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

There is never a place in the Scriptures where God says it is alright to do wrong even to our enemies!

*****Pro 27:2  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

We must always be aware of self-pride!

Bragging is thinking we are better than others!

Being humble prompts others to think more highly of us!

God's eyes are on us at all times and we are always to be humble before Him!

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

If we are truly wise in the ways of the Lord, then we will also know the example that our Lord set when He walked among us.

Jesus said:

Joh 8:54  Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

If we are truly wise, we will let others praise us.

It is far better for a stranger to approach us and say "you seem to be a Christian" than for us to brag about it.

It is far better to be known for actions than for what we say.

Paul said "I am what I am but only by the Grace of God".

If we are not praised by others then we should be satisfied with no praise!

If we cling to the Word of God and wise in the fear of the Lord, then God Himself will praise us.

1Co 4:5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: "and then shall every man have praise of God".

It is far better to patiently wait on the Lord and stay busy in the work that He has given us to do, for that will also bring His praise and that should be all our goal!

*****Pro 27:11  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

As wise children of God, we can bring great joy and gladness to the Lord.

It should be our goal to be a testimony to the wisdom and the character of the Lord.

Everything we say and do will reflect on our testimony of the Lord!

We can earn the trust of the Lord by being obedient to His commandments, always being truthful, and making good decisions.

We can earn the trust of the Lord by never being ashamed of the Lord nor being ashamed of the Word of God!

Proper behavior is based on keeping the commandments of King Jesus!

Jesus said:

Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

In other words "Wisdom Exemplifies The Love Of Christ"!

We are the representatives of the Lord and we need to act in His best interest.

It is the will of God that none would perish but the truth of our world is, that so many of this world will never respond to the "Gospel" but it is still our job to take the "Gospel" to all that cross our path!

*****Pro 27:20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Hell is the place of the dead and destruction will come to all those in Hell when they face the Lord at the White Throne of Judgement.

Hell is always hungry and is always craving for another soul.

All those that reject the Word of God are never satisfied to stand alone and they will take as many others with them to Hell as they possibly can.

It is the Church that stands in the gap and it is us who know the truth of the Lord that need to take our stand on that truth.

True satisfaction can only come by the "Fear of the Lord" and a close, and a personal, and a loving relationship with Him!

If we truly love the Lord, He knows it!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Lifestyles Without God

Wisdom Avoids Ungodly Lifestyles

Proverbs 18-23


Who are the godly?

Those that obey God!

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Who are the ungodly?

Those who do not obey the Word of God!

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, "what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God"?

The wisdom that comes from a reverent fear of the Lord, will teach us to avoid an ungodly lifestyle!

*****Pro 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

We should not ever forget that words have the power of life and death; they can either kill or they can nourish life and the Word of God is life!

It is impossible to overestimate the power of the Word of God!

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

It is also just as true that all those who talk with other than God's Words will eat the fruit of their own words!

If the words of each Christian do not expose a godly character then we are not who we say we are!

*****Pro 19:3  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

It is true that we all do foolish things from time to time.

It is the foolish things we do that damage our health.

It is the foolish things that are done that can jeopardize a good marriage.

It is foolish things we do that jeopardize our employment.

In fact foolishness will most always affect every aspect of our lives!

Today in our world we see a people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

We may notice it more in our politicians but it has also spread throughout our youth!

We have a world, "do to a lack of wisdom", that blame God for most all their troubles and then in their foolish minds think they have the ability to solve the worlds problems without God.

It is our own sin nature that causes us to blame our own mistakes or sins on someone else, rather than our selves.

The proof of that can be seen in Adam:

Gen 3:12  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

It may be true that Eve picked the forbidden fruit and and gave it to Adam, but it was Adam who chose to defy the Word of God and eat of the fruit.

This same characteristic exist in all mankind!

Foolish behavior always carries a price and most of the time a heavy price!

*****Pro 19:8  He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

Self love is righteous and healthy, when it does not come from sinful selfishness!

Life's purpose, life's success, and life's eternal destiny will motivate most people to seek the wisdom to allow these things and that wisdom can come only from a reverent fear of the Lord!

Pro 16:20  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

*****Pro 19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

What is the biggest problem with our youth of today? The parents have been brainwashed about true discipline!

Parents are commanded to discipline children in order to keep them from the deadly practice of foolishness!

This does not mean to abuse any child but note, this is a command just as much as any of the commands of God!

God says it is urgent that our children be shown the right way by using the verbal and the physical discipline that is required.

This discipline is to begin while our children are young because "that is when there is hope", since there is little or no hope after they are grown!

Parents who neglect the discipline of their children will bear some responsibility for their foolish behavior!

In fact discipline while children are young is the best weapon to use to keep our children from harming themselves and others.

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

To not chasten your children is to not love them as you should!

Pro 13:24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The lifestyle of us all had it's beginning while we were still babes!

*****Pro 19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

A godly lifestyle begins with proper advice and proper instructions!

God is saying to "pay attention to what I am telling you"!

To prepare ourselves for the future we must begin in the present and the younger we begin the better!

We will never understand the value of God's instructions until we are living a godly life!

*****Pro 19:23  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

What is the truth of a reverent fear of the Lord and a godly lifestyle?

1) There is the gift of life.

To be a Christian is to be immortal.

As the Lord Jesus has an endless life, so do those that trust Him!

Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, "but after the power of an endless life".

Joh 3:35  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

2) There is contentment.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

3) There is security.

1Ti 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

The Christian life is a life of true freedom!

As we submit to the Lord we can walk in the knowledge that we are saved!

Eternal life is not just a life that has no end but also a life that is lived in perfection.

Eternal life is a life in full communion with our Father in Heaven.

*****Pro 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Foolish choices will most always bring with them pain!

When we do not learn from the wisdom of these proverbs we will inflict pain upon ourselves!

We must avoid foolish conduct!

We must not be misled by alcohol.

Alcohol leads to reckless behavior!

Wine is made from fermented grapes.

Strong drink refers to alcohol that is made from fermented grains.

A mocker scoffs at what is is good in society and wine will make you a mocker.

Raging is as a brawler who causes commotion and turmoil.

Strong drink will make you a brawler.

In other words those under the influence of alcohol are often unrecognizable from their normal self!

Those that do not become mockers and brawlers still do and say foolish things and most will behave immorally.

Those who are wise will abstain from all alcoholic beverages!

Isa 28:7  But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

We must connect with the wisdom of God so we can see properly and not stumble in our ways!

*****Pro 23:19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

The word hear or listen means to obey!

To be wise is to be guided by wisdom and wisdom comes from a reverent fear of the Lord!

We must not allow our hearts to be our guide as the world says because the heart is wicked above all things.

We must not allow our desires to lead us away from the path of righteousness!

*****Pro 23:20  Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

We must not associate with people who will influence us to follow after the lust of the flesh.

What are our greatest temptations?

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

We are commanded to avoid the company of drunkards and gluttons!

Why?

Because they have lost control of themselves!

They are ruled by the desires to their flesh!

They cannot control the activities of their flesh!

They allow their own passions to rule their lives!

What is their end, less they repent?

*****Pro 23:21  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

These two things can ruin the lives of all those who become addicted to these things!

The righteous life is a "step by step", "day by day" walk with the Lord!

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The cross is an instrument of death!

We must put our own will, our own desires, our own wants, our own ambitions to death and then follow Jesus!

Wisdom can only be seen through the life and the person of Jesus Christ!

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As long as we are alive on this earth we will never be able to become the complete master of our flesh!

We must face the fact that we are capable of backsliding at any moment.

If we think we have reached such a plateau in our lives, then that is when we are at our weakest moment!

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Our churches are full of carnal, undisciplined Christians and even they can tempt us to stray from the path of righteousness as we try to help make them more mature.

There are also those who abuse Christian liberty and they are just as dangerous an influence as those who are lost.

Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Anytime we give in to our flesh and stray from God's pathway, we have strayed from the wisdom of God!

The Lord Jesus teaches us to be very careful to avoid all these things.

Luk 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

*****Pro 23:26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

We already know the God is love and it is love that makes this request of each of us!

We can see that God actually begs and pleads with us to listen to what He says!

God has absolutely nothing to gain in this request!

God is already to great for any of us to make Him greater!

God is already to rich for any of us to make Him richer!

The wisest thing we could ever do is to take our hearts and give them to the Lord!

It is our eyes that get us in the most trouble so God says keep your eyes on the ways of the Lord.

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

*****Pro 23:27  For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
Pro 23:28  She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

This whore represents immorality and everyone knows if you fall into a deep ditch it's just very hard to get out.

Immorality is like a trap that will hold you captive and many never escape the clutches of immorality!

An immoral woman will use all her weapons to steal everything you have!

She will steal your family, your home, your career and your money.

She will take away your dignity and your honor, your health and even your life.

Those that fall into the traps of immorality can lose everything that has any real meaning in this life!

We live in a world of extreme immorality today!

We live in a world where the first thing provided to the teenager is birth control.

All manner of sexual sin runs rampant in our own nation!

A wedding ring, the circle of commitment, means nothing.

Modesty is a word that no longer exists!

The only way to avoid these traps is to wear the armor of God and prayer!

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And we must remember that we are the "Body Of Christ" and we are never to take the "members" of Christ and join them to a harlot!

Immorality can only lead to sorrow and woe!

*****Pro 23:29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

There should be no doubt that the Word of God forbids the use of alcohol for consumption. God warns us over and over again against drunkenness.

God then ask for us to answer the question of, who has all these problems in their life?

"Woe" is crying out in despair and grief.

"Sorrow" is crying because of a want or a need, sorrow is pain of the mind.

"Contentions" or strife is brawling and fighting, quarreling and disputing.

"Babblings" or complaints is speech that is vain and meaningless.

"Unnecessary wounds and bruises" and the diseases of addiction.

"Red or bloodshot eyes"

Who then is God speaking of?

*****Pro 23:30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

Most would say that these verse speak to the alcoholic and that is true.

But in actuality these Scriptures speak to all who partake of alcohol and any other thing that is mind altering such as drugs.

Isa 5:11  Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

These Scriptures speak of anyone who takes a drink of alcohol and then tarries for another.

These Scriptures speak of anyone who is craving and seeking these things which speaks of addiction.

There is only one remedy for these things!

To abstain!

*****Pro 23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

There is only one answer given to us by the Lord.

Do Not Even Look At It!

If we are not to look at it then we certainly are not to drink of it.

Many will say that the Bible speaks of moderation in the drinking of alcohol but that cannot be true because in the context of this passage it is a father speaking to his son and not some one speaking to a group.

He does not say "drink not too much", he says "do not even look at it"!

The Bible does not speak of moderation when referring to alcoholic beverages.

God says NO!

And our God never changes!

We are not to be tempted by it because the danger to become addicted is just to great!

Alcohol is like that enticing harlot that we are also to avoid!

God says to flee all temptation!

1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

All those that have the wisdom of God, who are the wise, will not even consider drinking anything that contains alcohol!

What are the consequences?

*****Pro 23:32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

Alcoholic drinks are deadly!

A drink of any kind may quench the thirst and may even be pleasurable for a moment but in the end it can and will bring destruction.

It strikes with the fury of the serpent which can wound or even kill.

Alcohol is poison!

We know the serpent as the agent of temptation, which if followed will bring death.

We know the adder as a serpent that lies in wait to destroy!

Job 20:16  He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

Alcohol also alters the way the mind works!

*****Pro 23:33  Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

People under the influence of alcohol will hallucinate and say all kinds of crazy things.

They will stagger and stumble about like they were on a ship in the midst of the raging ocean.

Most all will get dizzy.

*****Pro 23:34  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.

Many of them will spend most of their night like they are on the mast of a ship where the tossing of the ship is much worse.

Many of them will become sick at their stomachs.

*****Pro 23:35  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.

Many of them will not even remember what they have done.

They will have little or no pain!

During that hangover they will say, this will never happen again.

But even while they are recovering, they are already thinking about that next drink!

They have become slaves to their sin, because this is what sin does!

The truth is there is nothing more responsible for destroyed lives than alcohol and drugs.

Those who are wise will not partake of these things!

Every alcoholic began with a first drink!

Every drug addiction began with that first time!

All those that teach moderation must deal honestly with the Word of God.

Rom 14:21  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Many will say that total abstinence is not insisted on in the New Testament.

But God says that abstinence is the goal for the Christian because the sinner should be under our supreme care!

The truth is that we are our brothers keeper!

Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves!

If the Lord Jesus could come to this earth and give His life for every individual who has ever lived, surely if we are to follow in His footsteps we can sacrifice our own opinions and our own taste for the sake of not only our brothers and sisters in Christ but also for those who are lost and without Christ just as He did!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Word Power

Wisdom Learns The Power Of Words

Proverbs 15-17


A word is a sound that comes out of our mouth that expresses an idea and is therefore a component of speech.

We can have a conversation with someone when we string words together.

Today here in America today it is our freedom of speech that has come under fire.

The word freedom means a person or a group to be and to do what they want instead of being controlled by others.

There are many today that say people do not have the right to say things that may hurt others feelings or say things that others do not agree with.

The Freedom of Speech Clause of the First Amendment is one of the most valuable and precious rights guaranteed to Americans in the United States Constitution. At the same time, it is one of the most abused rights by Americans.

The Freedom of Speech Clause of the 1st Amendment reads like this:

"Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech."

The reason for all the controversy today over the freedom of speech is that words have power!

The truth is, no worldly conversation between two people have as much power as the Word of God!

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

This is the truth of the Word of God!

What is the truth of our own words?

Mat 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

This is true because our words can cause injury to others!

God expects us to think before we speak and to only speak the truth!

Pro 12:18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
Pro 12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Remember those that are wise are those that know and love the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let's begin chapter 15 at verse 1:

*****Pro 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The very first thing we notice is that an answer should always be given, if that speech has injured us we should not wrap ourselves up in silence but we also see that the answer should be gentle.

That word soft means tender, gentle or mild.

We all how hard this is to do at times but this is still the Word of God and Jesus said "those that love Me will keep my commandments".

That word "grievous" means just the opposite, afflictive, painful, and hard to bear!

Those that are wise in the Lord will use their knowledge the way it was intended, for the glory of the Lord.

*****Pro 15:2  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

That word "aright" means that there is a right time and a right place for everything we do and if a soft answer will turn a tense moment into something more pleasant, then that should be our goal!

The truth is, it is very hard to argue in a whisper and very hard to argue with someone who continues to speak softly.

Why did crowds gather around the Lord Jesus?

Luk 4:22  And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

That word "gracious" means that Jesus spoke in favorable words whenever He was around people and we know that His enemies were always present.

Why did Jesus speak this way, because that's just what God does.

The Lord is always ready to pardon.

The Lord is always ready to be merciful.

The Lord will always show great kindness.

The Lord is always slow to anger.

Neh 9:17  And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: "but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not".

The Lord expects us to be like Him as best we can!

If we cannot be like the Lord then we are more like the fool!

And the mouth of the fool pours out foolishness!

Foolishness is a lack of understanding the truth!

Those that are foolish are all those that do not realize that God is aware of everything that goes on in His created world!

*****Pro 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

The omnipresence of the Lord means that He is in every place at the same time. God has a universal presence!

The omniscience of the Lord means that He knows all things at once. God has universal knowledge, unbounded and infinite!

Jer 23:23  Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer 23:24  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

God hears everything that comes out of our mouths and this should encourage us all to speak pleasant and gracious words just as Jesus did.

*****Pro 15:4  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

That word "wholesome" means something that promotes good health.

Wholesome advice contributes to good health.

Wholesome answers are kind and pleasing to those that ask.

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, because the words that come from such a person bring healing and is soothing, and comforting to that one who hears it.

Jesus said:

Mar 2:17  When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The truth is, that a sick soul can be cured by the healing Word of God!

Perverseness comes from those that pervert the truth and is only falsehood and lies.

Falsehood and lies will only break a man's spirit in the end because no healing can come from lies!

Falsehood is anything that goes against the Word of God!

Those who bring falsehood are corrupt in their doctrine and defiled in their own soul!

*****Pro 15:11  Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

The English word "Hell" comes from the Hebrew word "Sheol" and is the world of the dead.

The English word "destruction" is translated from the Hebrew word "abaddon".

In the Book of Revelation we find this verse:

Rev 9:11  And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

To some this Abaddon is located in the lowest depth of Hell, the "abyss".

Rev 9:2  And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

This the same place that all those will go who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as there Savior!

Luk 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Why would anyone one to go there?

Why would anyone even take the chance that they might end up in that awful place?

Hell is a real place!

Even in Hell one cannot escape the watchful eyes of the Lord who will make sure that the punishment will suit the crime.

Job said:

Job 26:6  Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

Even the deepest depth of the bottomless pit, is no secret to the God who created this place for Satan, The Devil!

Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Hell is a real place!

The Devil, Satan is a real person!

There were a third of the angels of Heaven that departed with Satan.

These are all real things and if you end up in Hell you will be a stranger or an alien, who was very foolish when God gave you the opportunity to miss out on this awful place!

*****Pro 15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

The truth is, that sin is a strangely deceiving influence over those caught in the Satan's snares!

It seems that most of us are always involved in things where we need advice.

There are also those caught up in special circumstances and in need of someone to rescue them.

A purpose is something that we set before us as an object to be reached.

In fact, the Bible teaches us that we all have a specific purpose given to us from our Creator.

Even Jesus Christ came to this earth for a purpose!

1Jn 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Even Jesus Christ did not come without counsel!

Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

This same counsellor of the Lord Jesus Christ must then be our counsellor and it is He who gave us our own purpose!

Pro 19:21  There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

If we try to make it through this life without the Lord we are doomed to failure!

And if we can be around others that were also counselled by the Lord then we all can be established.

2Co 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

To be established is to be founded on the Word of God, and then comes unspeakable joy!

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

*****Pro 15:23  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Our joy comes when we realize that we can now be useful in the work of the Lord.

We can fulfill our purpose in life.

We can know the facts of everlasting life.

We can avoid the errors of sin.

We can know how to answer every man!

Col 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

We will have words of comfort for those that are in distress.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

We will know the way of life!

*****Pro 15:24  The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

We have seen the the message of the Book of Proverbs is about two paths.

1) The path of life.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

These are the wise who lead such a life as to preserve them from death!

Pro 14:32  The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

The wise man's path leads Heavenward.

Php 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

God promises an eternally happy life to those that fear the Lord!

2) The path of death.

The path to death leads to Hell and a life eternally separated from the Lord!

*****Pro 15:28  The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

The wise child of God will think before they speak, taking time to consider their answer.

This is why they can rejoice in their answers as stated in verse 23.

The child of God does not want to say things that are false and the Word of God is always of the truth!

The very opposite is true of those who do not know the Lord.

We see people today who pride themselves for being outspoken who in reality have only followed others whose wisdom is in wickedness and lead to mischief and sorrow.

Those who pour out evil things without thinking have already rejected the truth!

Verse 2 said "the mouth of fools pour out foolishness"

We do not have to call people fools. Their own answers will show these things to be true.

Even in my own family there are those that think everyone that dies go to Heaven and that God will respond to all prayers.

The Bible says this is not true!

*****Pro 15:29  The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

God will only respond to the prayers of the righteous and the righteous are only those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior!

The Word of God is clear. God loved all people enough to send His Son Christ Jesus to die for their sins but until that fact is accepted, God is far from all who are wicked.

Prayer is a great privilege that is only given to those that know that prayer was purchased by Christ Jesus on Mount Calvary.

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

God has not obligated Himself to answer the prayers of those that reject His Son because they cannot have a relationship with Him until they accept the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and the only salvation plan offered by the Lord!

Their is only one way into the throne room of God and that is by the blood of Jesus Christ!

God longs to hear one prayer from every human being before He will recognize them:

Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner".
Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Until you realize that you are a sinner, you cannot be saved!

*****Pro 15:30  The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

We as Christians can be an encouragement to others and our eyes can say this as much as our mouth at times.

If we can express the joy of salvation. It can be uplifting when a scowl or a frown can crush any spirit.

If we are the bearer of the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and the "Gospel" then we certainly need to appear as we know we have and know the truth.

People want to hear something that will lead to happiness and good health.

Commercial television is designed around this one thought!

As believers if we do not appear as we have been "Born Again" into a new life then how can we ever lead others to the Lord?

To do this we must recognize our own weaknesses and have complete victory over them.

We must get a daily filling of the Holy Spirit who will lead us in a Christ-like manner.

We must pick up our cross daily, which means we must say no to the flesh. We must take off the old man and put on the new man.

We must walk the "Gospel" walk and talk the "Gospel" talk, even when we do not feel like it!

I'm sure Jesus did not feel like getting nailed to that cross but love was nailed to the cross that day!

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

*****Pro 15:31  The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

When the Lord shares His wisdom with us we certainly also want to know all things that are displeasing to
Him.

When we are doing anything wrong we certainly want to know it before it's too late!

We understand the benefits of correction!

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Those who are wise in the Lord need instruction to grow in understanding but those who are foolish ignore instruction and harm themselves.

*****Pro 15:32  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

It is important that we care enough about our souls that we graciously accept the discipline of God!

A fool will fail to see how discipline can help them in any way!

Look how are world is going.

You can be locked up for child abuse, for disciplining your children, because the world sees no benefit in it.

Corporal punishment is being abolished because the world sees no benefit in it.

Criminals are being set free because the world thinks there is little benefit to incarceration.

Terrorist are set free because it is believed they are only defending a religion and are not really evil.

In reality those that hate discipline actually hate themselves and despise their own soul!

Pro 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Those that reject the wisdom of God will be destroyed!

God cannot make things much plainer than this.

*****Pro 15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

When we humble ourselves before the Lord, changes just take place our lives!

It is not always an easy thing for the human being to volunteer to be humble before anyone because it is not in our sin nature to do so!

Our wisdom begins when we accept and appreciate the trials that God brings into our lives!

This make no sense to our flesh but we realize that God only does things that will be a benefit to us!

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Just as silver is refined by fire, the Christian is made purer by the chastening of the Lord!

Once we realize we are filthy sinners, we will gladly request the wisdom of a Holy God who loves us much more than we deserve.

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

*****Pro 17:27  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

God expects us to have self-control!

He has born all our sin at the cross.

He has filled us with His Spirit.

He will share with us most all His wisdom.

To pick up our cross daily is to deny our flesh!

God says we must control our speech and our temper!

To be wise, is to hold our tongues and keep our emotions in check.

To many of us this is very hard to do especially in these last days.

But there are some things about us that only God needs to know!

And if we cannot be trusted by our brothers and sisters in Christ then how are we to fulfill the purpose that God has for us.

When we are engaged in conversations with others it is not necessary for us to be heard on every matter.

Jas 3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

We must know when to speak and when to keep silent!

When we can do these things, then we will be able to keep calm and refrain from becoming upset.

Jas 3:2  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

If we can manage our own tongues, then we can mange our whole body!

*****Pro 17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

The truth is, even a fool can deceive those around him by keeping his mouth shut!

This image of him soon disappears once he begins to speak!

Ecc 5:3  For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

The truth is, that even a fool if he shuts his mouth and truly listens to those who are wise can be saved from his foolishness.

If this is not true then I would have never been saved!

1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Questions?

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