An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Proverbs 17:4
What does it say about us if we are willing to listen to evil thing and to wicked statements? What kind of lesson should we learn from the shame of having listened to someone who says damaging things about others - and their motives are far from pure in saying such things. Anyone who lives in this world knows that there are plenty of people who speak with wicked lips. It is a liability of living in a fallen world that this is the case. So the fact is that we will hear plenty of wicked things said each wek we are alive. But the proverb does not speak about over hearing wicked things being said. It speaks to those who "listen" to these things. Listen is the word "qasab" and it means to listen carefully to something - to pay attention and to give heed to it. Most of all this kind of listening intends eventually to obey what it is listening to when it hears. This is why we read that an evil DOER listens to wicked lips. It is because they listen with an intent to obey and to be influenced in a bad way. When we pay attention to those with a "destructive tongue" we have another problem coming in the future. The destructive tongue is one that speaks so as to cause destruction and calamity. The word in the Hebrew has the idea of someone who has a destructive desire toward others. Here is something that unfortunately has run amok in our society. We have people seeking to destroy others with their words. They want to destroy and cause havoc with what they say. Too often this is the level of political discourse in our country. We have both sides desiring to destroy the other with their words. What everyone pretty much knows is that whatever is said is either blown out of proportion, or is a total lie altogether. Thus, when we listen to such things - we will find ourselves eventually lying just like the ones to whom we listen. Thus the proverb warns us that a liar pays attention to these things. Those who constantly listen to lies will in time speak the same way as they are hearing. These things both begin with what we listen to and pay attention to in our lives. In time what enters our ears will make its way to our hearts - and we know from the Word that what is in our hearts will eventually come out of our mouths. This progression is unavoidable. Therefore we need to heed closely the admonition of Scripture, "Be careful what you listen to!"
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For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
According to most folks - you can get wisdom from numerous sources - all of which are pretty much equal to one another. I know this is not a popular statement - but that view is contrary to what the Scriptures state. The Word of God makes it clear that the true source of wisdom is Jehovah and the Words that come from His mouth (i.e. revelation of Himself in Scripture). The world will actually lead you astray in the end - God never will. Now in order to undestand the previous statement, you have to grasp a biblical view of life. It is not enough for us to go around and make semi-wise choices in life. The purpose God gave us life is that we would live for and unto His glory. That includes coming to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ - then living the rest of our lives to the glory of God. That is wisdom. Anything that does not ultimately lead to that end is foolishness. Some assert that Confucius, Plato, Socrates, and other philosophers and sages offer us great wisdom. I do not disagree that they have sayings that are wise - but I also assert that the only reason their sayings reach the level of wisdom is because they agree with what the Scriptures teach us - either directly or in spirit. The problem with following such wisdom as a source is that none of these men ever came to faith in the God of the Bible. Thus, in spite of their temporary wisdom - they ended their lives in utter foolishness - following the same rebellious purposes of mankind. Unfortunately, none of their so-called wisdom led them to see their own sinfulness and the God of creation. None of their so-called wisdom led them to turn away from their own works and look in faith to God and His solution for the sin of mankind. I realize that such a statement seems either unbelievably bold or incredibly arrogant. But this is the standard worldview of the Bible. The LORD gives wisdom - this is the assertion of this proverb. If you really want wisdom - turn to God. If you want to grasp knowledge and understanding, you are going to have to realize such things come from God's mouth - i.e. the revelation of Scripture. Jesus said, "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." This does not mean that we have to hear God actually speaking to us every day. Jesus was speaking of how the Scriptures give us God speaking - His revelation of Himself and His will and ways. If we learn to listen to Him through the Word - we will truly be wise. What does it mean to know wisdom in the area of "knowledge?" The Hebrew word here for knowledge means a technical or specific knowledge of God, of the world, and of how to make practical decisions based upon what God says. That is a wonderful thing to have - that specific "word" from God that comes from understanding and applying Scripture to your situation. The ability to technically use God's Word and the knowledge of Him and His ways to know what to do in every situation you face. The second word, understanding, helps even more. It means the ability to discern - decide between two things and differentiate between them - thus a biblically based reason and skillfulness in chosing between what is God's will and what is sinful - or in certain cases, second best. That means we have the ability through knowing God and His Word to see a choice between two or more things - and then be able to distinguish what is God's will and way - and what is not. Some want these things through a direct - or at least that is how they represent it - communication with God. "God told me to do this or that," is their reply to just about everything. I used to do this more than I needed to and it presents a real problem for us and for those who love us. It places us in the position of infallibly knowing God's will. God said it to us - are you questioning God? I've heard from God - are you questioning Him? The problem actually is not anyone questioning God - it is that we are questioning your ability to hear Him infallibly at all times. Thus we place ourselves in a position of not being questioned about our decisions - and put our friends and family in the uncomfortable spot of not really being able to offer loving critique of our infallibility of having heard from God. Wisdom is seeing that the way we hear from God is through His Word as His Spirit teaches us - or grants us impressions and leadings. Often what I was actually saying when I spoke of God speaking to me, was that His Word said something to me - and I was seeking to obey Him. In all honesty - I could have misinterpreted the Word - or picked a verse that agreed with what I wanted to do. Remember, the LORD gives wisdom - and it is from His mouth that the specific knowledge and discerning understanding come to make godly decisions. Therefore it is wise to appeal to His Word - and also be open to correction, suggestion, and possibly even rebuke as to our impression or leading. This requires the ability to think critically about ourselves and our decisions - which I know is very hard. But it also requires us to be able to stand on the Word when we know it is God leading us through it. In the end, it requires knowing the LORD, the Word, and a growing maturity in both. God does give wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to us. He gives it freely, according to James chapter one, to those who need wisdom and understanding. Turn to Him - to where He has spoken objectively in His Word - and learn to follow His leading - not as an infallible inner subjective word - but as a work of His Holy Spirit that can be confirmed through the Scriptures and godly counsel. He will lead you and guide you this way - and you will be far more secure in that leading - than in a subjective feeling you have inside. "Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things. Proverbs 8:6
Why should we listen to the voice of wisdom when the Holy Spirit speaks to us? It is because unlike anything else in this world - when He speaks wisdom to us - it is a noble and a right thing we will hear - and hopefully receive. Our society is devolving every day. This is true because of the 2nd law of thermodynamics. But it is also true morally. Due to the fall and our propensity to sin - we gravitate to things that are not noble or right. Consider for a few moments the direction of the movie and television industries. When these mediums came out - the programming was primarily good and wholesome. But as time progressed writers and directors wanted to "push the envelope." what is interesting is that by pushing the envelope, they did not mean challenging people with godly morals and values. They meant that they were wanting to use foul language. What began as one curse word at the end of "Gone With the Wind" became movies so filled with profanity that we had to devise a rating system to protect our children from it. When started as moving a married couple into the same bed in the early sixties - has run headlong into every kind of heterosexual and homosexual immorality with a thirst for more. What started as allowing a little violence has descended into the most gruesome and disgusting ways of using special effects to depict the bloodiest butchery. We don't gravitate toward what is noble and good. Sure, we have the occasional movie where we see nobility and goodness - but they are definitely the exception and not the rule. When the Holy Spirit speaks God's wisdom to us - we will hear Him speak noble things. The word noble (nagiyd) means just what it says - nobility, a ruler, a prince or a king. It refers to the most noble of statements. We are not going to hear gutter language from the Holy Spirit - we will hear the most noble of statements. These will be things that will call us higher into the very nobility of God's character and ways. The Holy Spirit will lead us into noble action that will glorify God and do what is best for His creation. This is especially true for what we will do for each other. The other thing we will hear when God speaks His wisdom to us is "right things." It is interesting that the passage says that He will "reveal" right things to us. The "right" way is not natural to us. There are those who in their ignorance tell people to just follow their hearts. The problem with this counsel is that our hearts are deceitful and desperately sick. They are given to doing that which does not please God - or doing the supposed right thing with the wrong set of motives. We need God's wisdom - which will reveal to us the "right things" that we should do. We need revelation in order to get wisdom. We won't get it searching within our own hearts. But if we will listen to the Lord. If we will go to God's Word and read and study it with the help of God's Spirit - we will know the right thing to do. Oh, one other wonderful thing about this is that we will also be able to DO the right thing too. When God wants to give you wisdom - Listen! It is the best way to fill your mind and heart with noble thoughts - and with right actions. A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. Proverbs 18:2
What can be said of someone who always wants everyone to hear what he thinks. We know that the Bible tells us in James that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. There is a great deal of wisdom in knowing that we should stop and think about the deficiencies of our own knowledge before telling the whole world what we think or what is in our own mind and heart. This proverb tells us that a person who does not take pleasure and delight in better understanding is a fool. The fool doesn't think he needs better insight or more information. He does not search out things that would increase his intelligence 0r expand his understanding of things - especially those that involve seeing things from God's point of view. The fool thinks that he possesses enough knowledge and understanding. He is overconfident in his own intelligence and therefore thinks the best thing is for him to show his greatness and wisdom by revealing his mind to anyone who will listen. Self-satisfaction with our own wisdom is a very dangerous malady - if we don't want to look like a fool when we speak. I've heard it said that the reason God gave us two ears and only one mouth is that we should listen twice as much as we speak. The ability to learn is a blessing - and when we do not have a teachable spirit we place ourselves in a very proud and arrogant place. God will have to humble such a man. Thus, when someone always wants to be speaking and seldom wants to be listening - he will not be a wise man. When my mouth is running - my ears are usually ineffective in helping me grasp wisdom. The know-it-all and the blustery fool both have the same problem. They spend so much of their time telling everyone what is in their own mind - that they have little time left to put anything else in there. Their ideas and beliefs are seldom challeneged and refined, so there is much room for error and mistakes. It is only as we cultivate a heart that will listen to the Lord and to others that we will truly become men and women of wisdom. So next time you really don't want to listen in a conversation, but rather are itching to tell your point of view, step back for a moment and think. Am I by speaking so often letting everyone truly partake of wisdom - or instead am I proving more and more to them my utter lack thereof? "To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. "O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. Proverbs 8:4-5
I find it fascinating to know that when God speaks of wisdom - that He represents wisdom calling out to men. But in order for us to be a candidate for wisdom, we must consider ourselves in need of it. This presents an interesting challenge for guys. Being a member of the male side of the species I think I can speak with some authority on the issue of guys and pride. My experience here is not just through book-learning - it actually comes from way too much experience with pride in my own life. Men hate to express two things in life. First, they don't like to express a need for direction in life. Most guys want to have a sense that they know where they are going. I've even heard tales of men refusing to ask for directions when they are lost - and everyone knows it. The second thing about guys is that they don't like to admit weakness. They want to at least appear strong - even if that appearance is betrayed by the facts later. So, when God lets us know that wisdom calls out to us - and only asks that we admit that we are naive, simple, and fools - who would think that men would resist? Here is the problem though - God is calling out to us every day. He is trying to get our attention so that we can hear what wisdom has to say to us. There is a lot that God would like to tell us - if we would only listen. Thus, the whole thing of listening is where we tend to short-circuit. There is a statistic that speaks of how women speak twice as many words as men. Most women would tell you that part of the reason for that is that they have to repeat themselves when they talk to their husbands. Our history as a gender betrays the truth that we don't exactly listen as well as we should. It is to our advantage that we listen - and fortunately God Himself has wisdom calling and lifting her voice to get our attention. That much is to our benefit. Whether we actually listen or not is up to us. God calls to the "naive ones" when he calls. To be naive means to be simpleminded and foolish. This condition is one where a person does not understand the complexities and challenges of life. He is inexperienced and lacking insight - which God tells us comes from His words and laws. We are simpleminded as men - needing God to give us a proper understanding of how complex decision making can be. We often don't grasp the challenges that are before us - and how often these challenges are exacerbated by bad decisons that we make when we don't consult the Lord prior to making them. Live long enough and you will come to grasp much more clearly that you don't have the insight into the current or future that you are about to choose. But if you will admit that you are not the end-all of wisdom at the moment - that you are not all-wise and all-seeing - and you will turn to the Lord in the midst of making decisions about where you are going and what you plan to do. He sees all things and knows the right way to choose and to go. Turning to Him is wisdom indeed. The second thing God points out about us and our need for wisdom is that we can be fools. Making choices according to our own foolishness will really hurt us in the end. We've learned already that the fool is the dullard - the stupid man and that left to ourselves we will not live out our lives in practical success that will bring us into God's favor and blessing. Some reject this idea and join with other men in proclaiming that they know how to live and what to do. Funny, they also state loudly later that the world is messed up and that people are constantly making really stupid choices. It is the classic mistake of saying everyone else is a dullard - but I've got it together. The truth is that we need to listen every day to what the Lord is saying - not just in a time we set aside each morning to seek God, but just as importantly, when we are walking through life. Gos is calling to us - wisdom is trying to get our attention. The real question is whether we will take the time to listen - admitting openly our lack of wisdom; or whether we will stumble on our way - and prove by our choices that we never had it. My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding; Proverbs 5:1
"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." This was the way Shakespeare began the speech of Mark Antony in Julius Caesar. It was a cry for people to listen and to pay close attention because something very important was going to be said. Proverbs has its own soliloquies as well - but they come from the mouths of mothers and fathers to their sons and daughters. This is how the father begins his speech to his son - by calling him to listen and to pay close attention to what he is going to say. Give attention, pay heed, pay attention, listen is what the father is saying to his son. But he is not calling him to attention to just anything - he is calling his attention to the wisdom that the father shares with him. Wisdom is the familiar word "chokmah" in the Hebrew meaning which means not just seeing or knowing things from God's perspective - but having a skill and experience in using this wisdom to make moral and practical decisions. We are not to turn the education and en-wisening of our children over to others. That is what western culture has done too often. We turn our kids over to the school - even to their Sunday school teachers and youth leaders. Let them teach our children wisdom - that's what they're for right? WRONG! They are there to only add to and embellish the core teachings that should have come from us. When we do not do our jobs as parents - believe me - no one else can make up for it. The father calls his son to bend his ear close when he speaks and when he instructs. "Incline your ear" is like Shakespeare's, "Lend me your ears," comment. It is saying to the son that he needs to stretch out his ears - bend them toward what the father is saying. He is to extend and lean his ears to what is being said - but even more to that - to understand his father's words and see how they apply to all of life! We talk about how the younger generation is leaving the church. They are leaving because they see very little relevance to their lives from what is being taught. They see the Bible as stories told when they were little - as an antiquated book that no longer applies to today's world. Why? Because they did not hear from dad - nor see in dad a daily pursuit of the truth - as well as a daily understanding of how that truth applies to making decisions in the everyday life that he leads. Of course they are going to think it is of little value. Oh, but when a father teaches his children these things - calls them to listen and bend their ear close as he instructs them. When dad reveals to them a life lived from the perspective of God and of Scripture - that - dear brothers and sisters is a life that will call a son to follow. That child will value what he has heard and SEEN in his father. He will listen because he has SEEN how important this book - the Bible - is to how his father lives. That, my brothers is how we recapture this generation. We do so by living according to God's wisdom - then calling our sons to listen as we recount time after time when that wisdom guided us through the minefields of life. For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:2
This is the continuation of verse one. It answers the two questions, "How long am I to be obedient to God's commandments," and "What will be the result?" We are to hold fast our parent's teaching - and obey the commandments for length of days and years of life. This is a Hebraism that means - forever. First we have the picture of days - for the length of each day - which is the unit of life that we experience - well - every day. But then as days add up they become years. We are to be obedient to God for the "years of life." We begin by choosing to follow the Lord daily - but then as we do this we wind up following Him and doing what pleases Him for years and years. This is how to build a godly lifestyle - first by walking through days - no matter how hard they are. We are to walk with God whether things are good or bad - whether they are happy or sad. What matters is doing that which pleases the Lord. Then we are to follow over the years. This is where we enter into seasons of life. There are the early years of youth where we are to be learning from those older and wiser. Then we move into marriage and early adulthood. Then we have children and begin the arduous, yet wonderful task of rearing them for Christ. Then as the children move out of the nest we refocus our lives on God's will in raising up disciples outside our home while still being a source of wisdom for our children as they move into adulthood. Finally, we move into the autumn of our lives when our strength wanes and we learn to be a wise sage toward those who need counsel and wisdom. Through the "years of life" we walk with God and live our lives according to wisdom. That is how life should be lived - may God bless us so that we will not get off course. Why should we live this way? Because not only will wisdom help in the present - but it will add peace to you. I know that every time I choose to depart from God's will peace is not the result. The devil may offer something we think is good - but trust me - it is not in the end. What he offers will not add peace to your life. It will add trouble and turmoil. Look anywhere in Scripture where men or women stepped outside of God's Word and will and you will find there is no peace there. Look at life today and you will see the same things. It is wonderful to know that God will forgive and restore - but often the consequences of our actions will linger and will not leave peace. That is why it is best for us to never leave the ways of God. Do what verse one in this chapter says. Don't forget the teaching - let your heart hold fast the commandments - and the result will be that peace will be added to your life and the grace of God will prevail in all that you do. Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:11
There are certain people who know just what to say at the perfect moment. Something needs desperately to be said and they are the ones who usually say it. Whether you know it or not, it is wisdom that gives them the ability to say these kinds of things. Like apples of gold in settings of silver. Now there is something that is worth a little. You can imagine this artwork as not only being beautiful to the eye - but also of amazing wealth as well. It is the kind of thing one would hang on a wall as a decoration, but would also have listed as a very valuable asset too. This is equated to how very valuable a word spoken just at the right time is. This statement speaks of how appropriate words used just at the right moment in time can be invaluable to someone. We see Jesus doing this again and again in His life. When attacked by the Pharisees and Saducees with a question they think is unanswerable without incrimination, Jesus speaks the perfect word at the perfect time. This kind of ability and skill is a wonderful thing to have when counselling or when offering comfort to those who are hurting or have just lost a loved one. In order to be able to say these kinds of things we need to have an ear open in two directions. First, we need to have our ears open to God. He is the One who can give us the perfect thing to say - because He is the One who can see into every heart and know just what to say. Knowing and being able to communicate God's Word in one-on-one situations is such a blessing to those who receive it. But to know these kinds of statements, we must walk close to God. Second, we need to have our ears open to those around us. Far too many people are never able to speak these kinds of words, because they don't even know that others around them need to hear them. So preoccupied are they with their own trials and troubles - or honestly with their own desires - that they don't hear the hearts of those who are struggling and in desperate need of a word of encouragement and edification. James encourages us to be quick to hear and slow to speak. That kind of wisdom will allow us to hear others - to hear their hurts and their problems - so that we can apply the Word of God in a way that brings healing and grace to them. It will be then that we can offer these apples of gold in settings of silver to those around us who desperately need to hear more than just words - they need to hear the right words - the perfect words for their circumstances. He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. Proverbs 18:1
This proverb speaks of one who separates himself. Here is an interesting issue - because the Bible does speak of separation for God's people. God calls for this on the basis of holiness. 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us to "come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord, "and do not touch what is unclean, and I will welcome you." God speaks of separation from the spirit of this present world. We are in the world, but we are not to be "of" it. That is the separation that God wants for us to know. Human reasons for separation (outside of medical ones for infection and disease - which by the way the Law encouraged) are foolish. Our society separates for the sake of race - seeking categories of blacks, whites, hispanics, orientals, etc. God does not see this way. He sees men as either saved or unsaved. They are either of the world or of His church. But outside of these distinctions - which by the way are not for discrimination, except that we might know to whom we should minister - God does not see as man does. This man is separating himself out of a desire to ignore wisdom. He wants to walk in his own rebellion and godlessness. He is separating himself from those who would offer biblical advice and counsel concerning his lifestyle and choices. Rather than receive that advice and counsel - he utterly rejects it - even going to the point of separating himself from the people who offer it. He even quarrels against all the godly wisdom that is offered to him. The word quarrel is the Hebrew "gala" and means to burst forth against - which has the idea of arguing and being stubborn and obstinate. This man wants nothing to do with God's wisdom - and rejects it so he can "seek his own desire. There are men who just don't want God's ways. They separate themselves against God - and subsequently against anyone who speaks the things of God. They do so in order to walk in whatever way they want. Some do so for the sake of immorality and sensual conduct that they want to maintain. When faced with godly counsel concerning the immorality, they rage against it and turn away from the messenger and the message. God calls this arguing against sound wisdom - and continues His commentary in the next verse. He says there that the fool doesn't even want to understand - he only wants to babble his ideas and speak his own mind. Here the fool is the one who doesn't want to listen - he only wants to live out the desires of his flesh. Separating yourself from others to seek out wickedness is one of the most harmful foolish ways of all. May God deliver us from such foolishness! The wise of heart will receive commands, But a babbling fool will be ruined. Proverbs 10:8
There is great wisdom in learning to listen. The art of listening is for the most part a lost art. I remember ministering to a young man at the University of Memphis. Even though he did not know Christ, he did know how to listen. As we ministered to him again and again he sought to take in every single word that was spoken to him. He did not want to defend himself or put in his two cents worth unless the one speaking to him had finished what they were saying. No interruptions happened when you spoke to him - and he was the picture of good manners and politeness. I also remember asking him after a couple of visits if he had always been this way. His answer was that he had not - but at a point in his life he knew he would learn much more if he would learn to listen well. Thus he made it his ambition to listen as well as he possibly could. There were struggles - he said the worst was having his own mind run after what he wanted to say next rather than actually hearing what the other person was saying. This was one situation where a lost person was used by God to bring amazing conviction to me - because I am what is called a verbal processor - therefore I have a bad tendency to talk to much - or to chomp at the bit to put my two cents into every conversation. Solomon spoke very wisely when he said that the wise of heart will receive commands. The wise man is the one who desires to listen - and to listen well. He is definitely this way when he hears those giving him commands. A businessman will tell you that too much time is spent in business dealing with those who don't listen well to commands. They don't listen to the actual words being spoken to them and as a result get things wrong. In business - and believe it or not in all of life - this is costly. If the person would take the time to receive the command and do so with great precision - much good would come of it. This is a matter of spiritual life and death when it comes to listening to the commandments of God. Oh, how we need to tune our ears to what God is saying and has said in His Word. That one skill and practice will save us much grief - and much pain. Why don't we listen well? The proverb instructs us in this by saying that we don't listen well because we are too eager to talk. "A babbling fool will be ruined." The fool spoken of here is one who hates wisdom and morality - and who walks instead in his own folly. This man babbles when he speaks. He does not want to listen to commands - he wants to give them - or at least mock them. This is the one who immediately interrupts when someone speaks of the Lord and begins babbling about his hatred of the Lord. He may take the direction of science or philosophy - but behind it is a disdain for the things of the Lord. The problem with this babbling fool is that he never does hear God's commandments - at least not hearing with the intent to obey. Because of this the Word says that the direction of this person's life is toward "ruin." He will experience "labat" - which is to be thrust down or torn down and ruined. This word is used three times in the Old Testament and all three times it speaks of those without wisdom and understanding. All three times is speaks of the ruin that comes to them because of the disregard for the Word of the Lord. This one wants to thrown down the commandments of God - but in the end, he himself will be the one who is thrown down. Wisdom is learning how to listen - how to receive commands. This will help us spiritually forever - but it will also help us daily. The fact is that all throughout life we will be receiving commands and requests to do things. If we learn to listen to them well and carry them out diligently - there will be great blessing! |
Proverb a DayEach day, we'll take a look at a verse from the chapter of Proverbs for the day. Our hope is to gain wisdom each day - and from that wisdom - to have understanding to make godly decisions in the throes of everyday life. Thank you for visiting our website! Everything on this site is offered for free. If, however, you would like to make a donation to help pay for its continued presence on the internet, you can do that by clicking here. The only thing we ask is that you give first to the local church you attend. Thank you!
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