Proverbial Wisdom: Sober in the Spirit

 Read Proverbs 20

Verse 1:  Those who get drunk will do rash and foolish things because of impaired judgment.  Likely, harm will result, both to them and to others.  Drunkenness is forbidden according to the Scripture (Ephesians 5:18), for we should rather be filled with the Spirit and totally under His control rather than under the control of alcohol.

 

Verse 2:  It is unwise to provoke a person in authority to anger with you.  It is a different matter altogether if the powers that be are angry over a humble but bold testimony for Christ.  That is a predicament that is actually a blessing because of the honor of suffering for Christ.  But to just do foolish things to get those in authority angry or irritated with you is dangerous and stupid.  I see a stark disrespect in today’s society for authority figures such as police officers.  We are just reaping what the Lord said would happen.

Verse 3:  Being a peacemaker is to be the goal of the believer.  We are to do all that we can to live peaceably with all people, and we are to pursue peace and sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).  Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, but those who are ruled by a different spirit, that of the devil himself, will desire fighting, war, destruction, hatred, and strife.  Fools like to quarrel, but wise men like to be at peace.

Verse 4:  Growing up in Kentucky has its privileges.  While not all of us, a great deal of us grew up on a farm or were exposed to farmwork in some way shape or form.  When you grow up on a farm, you understand there are a ton of steps to take in order to be successful and there are no shortcuts.  There is no harvest without first plowing the fields, sowing seeds, and ensuring adequate fertilization and water.  A sluggard doesn’t do the work required to reap a harvest, but the wise person will enjoy the fruit of his labor.  Spiritually, we will reap according to what we sow (Galatians 6:9), and we need to always be mindful of that reality.  Laziness is not becoming of a believer in Christ who fears God and values the eternal weight of glory.

Verse 5:  It is easy for people to become professionals at hiding their true thoughts, feelings, and desires.  A person of understanding because of his love and care for another person will seek to get to know the real them, the person that they keep hidden back from most others.  A person who loves allows others to feel accepted for who they are and to be free to share what they are passionate about.  Wisdom, though, also goes one step further, to encourage others to be sure that their plans and desires align with the Scripture.  To fail to do this is to reject truth and thus dishonor Christ, which is not loving in the least.  True love is full of grace and truth, just as Christ Himself was.

 

Verse 9:  All people have broken the commands of God, and all people have fallen short of His holy standards (Romans 3:23).  All people need a Savior in Jesus Christ, for He alone can cleanse their hearts and make them pure from their sin.  His forgiveness is the only hope man has.  Even believers need continuous and ongoing sanctification as God continues to teach them more about Himself and His ways.  As God reveals sin to believers, some that they didn’t even realize they were holding on to, they must confess it before Him and know that He is faithful and just to forgive it (1 John 1:9).  

 

Verse 12:  You are not an accident.  It is wise to remember that the instruments of our bodies such as the eyes we see with and the ears we hear with are made by God and given to us by God.  Thus, we should present our bodies as instruments for God’s use to His glory rather than for sinful pleasures.  He wants us to use the abilities and talents that He has given us for good works rather than for unjust gain.  Our very bodies ought to remind us every day that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, for even our eyes and ears testify to His glory and creative genius.  We are not accidents.  We need to remember that.  We are not just a clump of cells.  We are not a product of evolution.  We were made by an Almighty, All Powerful, Creator God.

Verse 13:  Getting a good night of sleep is a healthy thing, but those who prefer to stay in bed all day and not work can expect to suffer poverty, need, and hunger.  Work makes a person hungry, and it makes food more satisfying when eaten. 

 

Verse 15:  Possessing wisdom in Jesus Christ and being transformed by that wisdom and sharing that wisdom with others is more prized, precious, and valuable than all the world’s gold and jewels.  It has great eternal value, whereas money is not eternal.

Verse 17:  Some people make a living by tricking people into getting things that they don’t need, by lying, and by a wide range of deceptive business practices.  They might enjoy their easy money now, but they will destroy their reputation and cause great harm to come to others and possibly even to themselves.  Certainly, in eternity, they will see that their shortcuts in life were not worth it. 

Verse 19:  Gossips are not good people to associate with because they are not trustworthy.  A deep meaningful relationship cannot happen with a gossip because things said in confidence will be spread to others.  It is not an enjoyable, encouraging, or edifying experience to constantly have to filter and guard one’s words because the person we are speaking with is not safe to talk to. God does not tolerate gossip.  Gossip is one of the most destructive things in today’s churches.  It destroys relationships and can actually cause false problems to arise within the walls of the church.  Jesus spoke out against gossip when He gave us His instruction on how to treat each other in Matthew 18.

 

Verse 22:  Vengeance is to be left in the hands of the Lord because He will repay.  The justice system should be used to punish evil, of course, but sometimes the justice system gets it wrong or does not have enough evidence to convict.  Fortunately, God sees all, and He will be sure that sin is punished.  Thus, rather than becoming consumed by hate and a desire for revenge, a person can forgive and move on with his life, trusting God to deal with the sin of others.  There is great freedom in this approach, for revenge does not free the soul.  Rather, it enslaves it, even after one’s personal vendetta is carried out.  Forgiveness and turning things over to God is the only path to life, hope, and joy.

Verse 30:  Sometimes the devastation of sin can help wake a person up to start seeking out something more in Christ.  The discipline of Christ for His children teaches them how to walk in truth, and it keeps them from harming themselves.  When believers who continue in sin and harden themselves are turned over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh, they may come to see the error of their ways (1 Corinthians 5:5).  Hardship and divine discipline can help mold the heart and soul to seek out what is true and what really matters.  Wise people are teachable, and they listen to instruction and respond humbly to discipline.  They allow the Potter to mold the clay of their hearts.