PROVERBS: The Series

Proverbs 3:1-4

"My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation."

The third chapter in Proverbs almost urges us, children of God, to never forget the things He has taught us. We are to keep and store his commandments in our hearts. In storing these commandments, God promises us long and satisfying lives.

We are also encouraged to be people of loyalty and kindness always. The Bible tells us that the world will know that we are Jesus' by the way we act, so living lives of loyalty and kindness are great testaments to the world as well! When we "put on" these God-honoring attributes daily, God promises His great favor to be upon us, and we also have hope of being in good standing with man.

---

Proverbs 3:5-8

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones."

Verses 5 through 8 show us the great importance that comes with people intentionally choosing not to rely on our own strength and wisdom, but the Lord's. We are to wholeheartedly trust in Him. This means that for anything and everything we face throughout our lives, we are to trust that the Lord is in control and that He knows what He's doing and has not left us. We are not to depend and lean on our own strength and understanding because, at the end of the day, we aren't in control: God is. When we seek after the Lord in everything we do, His divine direction will show us the path to take. We are also to stay humble and not become prideful to the point that we credit this great wisdom to ourselves because it is not in our own strength that we do anything: it's all God. Fearing the Lord is important too. It means we have such a great reverence and respect for the Lord that we honor and obey whatever He says.

---

Proverbs 3:9

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce."

Our best and first fruits do not belong to us. True wisdom is not putting materialistic things above the Lord. If anything, true wisdom is choosing to give God our very best at all times and honor Him with the blessings and provisions He gave to us in the first place! We are never to place things (especially wealth and greed) above God. After all, no man can serve two masters.

---

Proverbs 3:11-17

"My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying."

When the Lord disciplines or corrects us, it is important to know that it is not out of spite, but instead, out of love. Any good and loving parent will discipline their child because they love them enough to not want them to stay on the wrong path, and the same thing goes for us as Children of God.

Listening to the corrections God shifts in our lives, then making changes is true Godly wisdom. The Bible says in verse 13 that the ones who gain this kind of wisdom and understanding from the Lord are declared joyful. The wisdom God gives to us is a precious treasure that sows and reaps great benefits only God can bring. Even though it may seem harsh or distasteful at times, it is important to know that deep down, God truly loves and cares about us, and it is because He wants the path that is best for us, He leads us down this path of treasure.

---

Proverbs 3:21-35

"My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, 'Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.'

Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.

Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.

The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.

The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.

The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!"

When we keep our gaze locked on common sense and discernment and hang on to them, we then reap many benefits. Our souls are refreshed and no longer parched, our hearts are kept safe, our feet will not stumble, our minds are at peace, and our very beings are secured and kept away from the destruction the enemy brings.

Verse 27 lists ways we are and aren't supposed to treat our neighbors. It's so easy to say, "Love your neighbor as you do yourself," but the truth is that there is so much more to it than just saying we know how to love. It means not withholding aid and help to those who need it instead of procrastinating and building up an idea of "I'm not in the mood, so I'll do it later." It means we are not to plot harmful schemes against our neighbors. It means we aren't to instigate pointless fights and arguments that have no legitimate reason for having been started in the first place. It means we are to stay pure and focused on the Lord instead of envying others, especially violent people. We are to be upright and humble towards the Lord. The way we do this is by living lives under His instructions. That, my friends, is true and Godly wisdom.