PROVERBS 20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. 3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. 4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. 5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. – Proverbs 20:1-5
PROVERBS 20 PEACEMAKERS VERSUS TROUBLEMAKERS A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses When a man does not engage in conflicts He must have wisdom and understanding Someone who pursues peace is a man of honor He isn’t quick to speak, instead he is a good listener. The man who keeps on talking without listening They are foolish and only care about their cravings Troublemakers seek attention and are full of pride They love to quarrel and aim to always be right.
Solomon gives us a picture of honorable man and the fools in this Proverbs. The man of honor stays away from conflicts. They seek peace and unity. 1 Peter 3:10-11 says that whoever desires to love life and see good days must keep his tongue and his lips from speaking deceit and he must turn away from evil and do good but most of all, he must seek peace and pursue it. A wicked man on the other hand isn’t interested in learning, but only in quarreling to prove that he is right. He has no desire to listen to others.
REFLECTION • Share some insights or experiences you had with quarrelsome people and also with peacemakers.
PROVERBS 19 26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. 27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools. – Proverbs 19:26-29
PROVERBS 19 WHEN YOU CEASE TO HEAR INSTRUCTIONS A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses Those who do not want instructions avoid knowledge When you try to direct the wicked, you’ll do it all again The one who walks in the way of the wicked They will stray and fall into the pit of darkness Pride and a hardened heart is at the core of all rebels They are compelled to do what is selfish and evil.
One of the characters of a true believer is obedience. The first sin of Adam and Eve has to do with their defiance to obedience. Because of their desire to know more than what they were already given, our first parents fell into sin. The original sin impacted every human being. It led every person with an inclination to hate God and to love sin. No wonder it is so easy for us to do what is evil and very hard to do what is right. The apostle Paul explains it in Romans 7:19-25 this nature of ours that we inherited from Adam and Eve. He says that “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” In verse 27, Solomon gives us the consequence of not obeying or following instructions. It leads us away from wisdom and makes us stray from what is righteous. It leads to sin.
REFLECTION • What are other consequences of not heeding God’s instructions?
PROVERBS 19 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. 22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. – Proverbs 19:21-25
PROVERBS 19 WHAT THE FEAR OF THE LORD BRINGS A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses When the fear of the Lord is in a man’s heart He will be content and prosper in life He will not be harmed because God protects him The world will not ruin his heart and mind Because he reveres his Maker and Lord He will have wisdom as he navigates this world.
What does it mean to fear the Lord? The word fear in this context is not a worldly fear but it is to honor and revere the Lord who is your Master and Maker. It means to live your life in accordance to his will and in obedience to all the laws he gave you. Why is it important to have the fear of the Lord? Proverbs 1:7 says that it is the beginning of knowledge. We can therefore clearly see that those who don’t have the fear of the Lord lack knowledge. How can they have wisdom if they do not revere God? Proverbs 8:13 also says that to fear the Lord is to hate evil. Those who love the Lord are humble and do not follow the way of the wicked. Job 28:28 spells out the benefit of fearing the Lord. It brings wisdom and gives the person the ability to turn away from evil. When he does this, he begins to have understanding.
REFLECTION • Why do you think some Christians don’t have the fear of the Lord?
PROVERBS 19 16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. 17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. 18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. 19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. – Proverbs 19:16-20
PROVERBS 19 OBEYING GOD BRINGS LIFE A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses Anyone who listens to God’s commandments and follow him They will find wisdom and life will be good if they obey it When one listens to advice and accept instruction That person will gain understanding and have a vision As soon as we take God’s covenant promise seriously We will have the benefit of his bounty, grace and mercy.
Many people suffer in their lives because they have no clue that our main purpose in life is to obey and live in the will of our Creator. When someone has not heard and accepted the gospel that Jesus was given to humanity so we can be free from the bondage of sin, it is difficult to grasp the meaning of life. Once a person does not know the character of God and the salvation history of mankind, he will continue to live a life against what God designed it to be. He cannot overcome sin. He will live hating God and his laws and do what is against it. Solomon gives us the benefit of obedience to God in verses 16 and 20. Following his law and his word bring us life and protect us from spiritual death. It saves our soul and spirit.
REFLECTION • Why would it be hard for someone to obey God’s commands?
PROVERBS 19 11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12 A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. 14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. – Proverbs 19:11-15
PROVERBS 19 OVERLOOKING AN OFFENSE BRINGS ONE GLORY A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses When you are offended by someone’s action or words Hold your tongue and control your mouth and your reactions Examine your hearts; there might be a root of bitterness in it This bitterness can make you view things very differently It is loving to forgive and not keep a record of wrongs It is ungodly to hold on to offense for it will destroy you.
In Matthew 24:10-12 it says “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” He talks about the end times in these following verses where there’ll be so much evil and offenses. In Hebrews 12:15, the author says “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” No wonder why Solomon would bring up the importance of overlooking an offense. It adds glory to the person who can overlook it. It manifests God’s mercy in our hearts when we can let go of the wrong done to us. How can we not forgive someone who said or done something to offend us when God has forgiven us time and time again?
REFLECTION • What do you think lies behind an easily offended heart?
PROVERBS 19 6 Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7 All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them. 8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. 10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. – Proverbs 19:6-10
PROVERBS 19 THE WISE GETS TO THE HEART OF THINGS A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses Those who are wise are able to seek deeper things in life They are not shallow and easily deceived by lies The righteous man is hungry for truth and seeks wisdom They pursue to understand so they can live in freedom Whoever digs deeper into the word of the Lord They will find good and be able to overcome the world.
In verse 8, Solomon points out the importance of seeking wisdom and getting into the heart of things. He says that when we do this, we manifest love for our own self. When we take for granted all the gifts that God has given us, we are not able to see our full potential. When we just seek knowledge for the sake of acquiring it without knowing what we are made of and why we are here in this world, it is no good for us. But if we take to heart what the will of God is, we will benefit from it because we will be able to use all our gifts for his plan and purpose for us. Some people just do things out of habit or automated responses. They do not seek and examine their hearts and therefore live meaningless or shallow lives.
REFLECTION • Why is it important to get to the heart of things?
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. 2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. 3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. 4 Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
– Proverbs 19
PROVERBS 19 THE FOLLY OF RUSHING
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When one rushes to do anything, he misses something
It is better to plan and take your time in anything
A hasty decision will lead to bad consequences
But a well-thought of choice will bring much success
Rushing is a manifestation of foolishness and recklessness
When one is prudent and patient, he displays righteousness
Don’t ever rush anything and you will be wise
Make a habit of rushing and you will be without insight.
Can you remember if there is anyone in the bible who rushed? Did Jesus ever rushed or done something in haste? I don’t recall any because there isn’t one. In John 11, even when he was called to come quickly to his beloved friend Lazarus who was dying, he still took his time. Of course it wasn’t to torture Lazarus’ sister, but he delayed it so that the He can be glorified through it. He showed to them that he is the Resurrection and Life.
Why do we have this habit of rushing? Could it be that we rush because of recklessness and following the world’s standard? Could it be because we are impatient or because we didn’t manage our time and didn’t set boundaries with ourselves and with others?
REFLECTION
What are some results of hasty actions and decisions?
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. 23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
– Proverbs 18:19-24
PROVERBS 18 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The tongue is a very small member in our body
And yet, it controls our whole being tremendously
Like a rudder to a ship, it guides the direction of large ships
Like a bit in the horses’ mouth, it brings them to obedience
Death and life are anchored in whatever comes from the tongue
It can bless and build up someone, but it can also ridicule and destroy.
In the book of James, in chapter three, he gives us a picture of the power of the tongue. He compares it to a fire where even with such a small fire, it can put a great forest to ablaze. He says that it is set among other parts of the body, but it can set on fire the entire course of our lives. James also says that it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. He further tells us that any animal can be tamed, but no human tongue can be controlled. No wonder we have been warned to guard our mouth by the Lord himself.
REFLECTION
How do you think a man can control his tongue if the bible says that it is untameable?
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. 23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
– Proverbs 18:19-24
PROVERBS 18 THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The tongue is a very small member in our body
And yet, it controls our whole being tremendously
Like a rudder to a ship, it guides the direction of large ships
Like a bit in the horses’ mouth, it brings them to obedience
Death and life are anchored in whatever comes from the tongue
It can bless and build up someone, but it can also ridicule and destroy.
In the book of James, in chapter three, he gives us a picture of the power of the tongue. He compares it to a fire where even with such a small fire, it can put a great forest to ablaze. He says that it is set among other parts of the body, but it can set on fire the entire course of our lives. James also says that it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. He further tells us that any animal can be tamed, but no human tongue can be controlled. No wonder we have been warned to guard our mouth by the Lord himself.
REFLECTION
How do you think a man can control his tongue if the bible says that it is untameable?
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. 14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? 15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. 17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. 18 The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.
– Proverbs 18:13-18
PROVERBS 18 WHEN YOU ARE QUICK TO SPEAK
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When one is quick to speak and slow to hear
He will not see the whole picture but parts of it
This will make him have a limited perspective
He will surely presume and make unwise statements
It is wise for us to be quick to hear and slow to speak
But those quick to speak are fools bound to make mistakes.
How do you know if a person is wise or is a fool? The wise are quick to hear but fools are quick to speak. That is a sure way to detect wisdom in people. Listening is a novelty in our society where everyone wants to talk. People are not even aware why they say something, they just want to be heard or given attention. No one wants to be quiet and listen so they can learn.
In Luke 10:38-42, we watch Martha talk, and work and complain to Jesus about her sister Mary, who just sat at Jesus’ feet listening to what her master was saying. Jesus valued the choice of Mary wanting to be in his presence and hungry for his word.
REFLECTION
How can we avoid speaking fast and make a habit of being quick to listen?
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. 9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. 11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. 12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. – Proverbs 18:7-12
PROVERBS 18 THE WAY OF THE HAUGHTY
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When a man is full of pride
He listens to no one else
He thinks highly of himself
And belittles others to stroke his ego
He has no clue that he is headed for ruin
His heart is hardened by his pride.
Solomon warns us of pride in these Proverbs. He paints a picture of how fools and proud people are headed for destruction but reminds us how we can always be assured that we can run to the Lord who is our strong tower.
The sin of pride goes all the way back to Adam and Eve in the garden when they desired to know as much as God knew. The serpent deceived them both and they gave in to that temptation which ruined their walk with God.
Pride is usually the cause of all other sins. It makes one greedy for self-focus and adoration. Pride paves the way to destruction so watch out when it peeps in your life.
REFLECTION
Cite instances that pride leads to ruin and destruction.
