Proverbs 16
|
Proverbs 16:1:
The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. |
 David Mathis Files
"As young men, two decades ago, so many doors seemed open; the possibilities seemed endless. It was easy to dream, and even expect we might live out some, if not all, of those dreams.
“Rarely, if ever, do our actual lives live up to the grandeur of the great hopes we’re prone to generate in our youth.”But midlife brings a bracing reality check. Far fewer doors are now open. Many of our secret and spoken dreams and aspirations now seem unrealistic, or impossible. What might be has crashed on the rocks of what is. Somehow it got real in the last two decades, and perhaps it took us a while to realize it. Then it dawned on us almost all at once. Our youthful plans are one thing. Then, in time, comes the “answer of the tongue.” That is, what really emerges and is manifest in our lives in the years that follow, to midlife and beyond, is “from the Lord.” -David Mathis; Desiring God; Midlife Clarity |
Proverbs 16:2:
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
|
Proverbs 16:3:
3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. |
Everyone is a legend in their own mind. This means that on our own evaluation we see ourselves as pretty awesome or clean, but the Lord does not evaluate by our standard. The Lord evaluates by our spirit or where we really live. -Mathew Vroman ; Sikeston First Baptist Church.
|
Proverbs 16:4:
4 The Lord has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
6 In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
4 The Lord has made all for Himself,
Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
6 In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
|
Proverbs 16:11:
11 Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s; |
Let no debt remain outstanding. The borrower is the slave of the lender. This is an unfortunate commentary of the state of our government. It has borrowed from itself many times, but never been able to pay itself back. Several reasons for that, but one in particular is that it simply cannot. The best it can do is print money that has little to no value and try to reimburse itself that way. That, of course, is also corrupt. It has now become so enslaved to its own corrupt efforts that, save for a miracle, it is really beyond repair. “A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.” (Prov 16:11). The following verse (Rom 13:9) speaks about love being the greatest commandment in that it does no harm to its neighbor. We live in dark times where acts of true (righteous) love are the exception rather than the rule. This is true with our neighbors and, unfortunately, right up to the acts of government leaders.
|
Proverbs 16:12-15:
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
Proverbs 16:17:
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
|
Proverbs 16:18-19:
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. |
 Anne Dutton Files
"The sin of pride is the child of unbelief. Pride springs from a disbelief of God to be what He is, in His immense and essential glory, in His infinite, underived, all-comprehending, incomprehensible self-sufficiency; and from a vain conceit of the creature’s being that which indeed it is not—that the creature is something independent of God. Whereas, without His all-supporting and all-supplying hand, it would soon sink into its first nothing, and be, as in and of itself it is, a mere vacuity, less than nothing, and vanity…Nothing like the sin of pride unfits us for divine service. It renders us incapable, so far as it prevails, of any acceptable service either to God or man." -Anne Dutton
|
Steve Gallagher Files
"The other root of sexual sin is pride. Solomon said, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18). It seems the more prideful a person is, the more difficult overcoming sexual sin becomes. Pride is simply being filled with self and a sense of one's own importance. The greater the self-life, the more prominent pride will be within a person. This attitude must be seriously dealt with if a person hopes to overcome self and his consequent sexual sin."
--Steve Gallagher; At The Altar of Sexual Idolatry
--Steve Gallagher; At The Altar of Sexual Idolatry
“According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.
Does this seem exaggerated? If so, think it over. I pointed out a moment ago that the more pride one had, the more one disliked pride in others. In fact, if you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, ‘How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronize me, or show off?’ The point is that each person’s pride is in competition with every one else’s pride. It is because I wanted to be the big noise at the party that I am so annoyed at someone else being the big noise. Two of a trade never agree. Now what you want to get clear is that Pride is essentially competitive - is competitive by its very nature – while the other vices are competitive only, so to speak, by accident. Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better looking than others. If everyone became equally rich, or clever, or good looking there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that make you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest…
The Christians are right: it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began. Other vices may sometimes bring people together: you may find good fellowship and jokes and friendliness among drunken people or unchaste people. But pride always means enmity – it is enmity. And not only enmity between man and man, but enmity to God…
Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, swarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.
If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity: “The Great Sin.”
Does this seem exaggerated? If so, think it over. I pointed out a moment ago that the more pride one had, the more one disliked pride in others. In fact, if you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, ‘How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronize me, or show off?’ The point is that each person’s pride is in competition with every one else’s pride. It is because I wanted to be the big noise at the party that I am so annoyed at someone else being the big noise. Two of a trade never agree. Now what you want to get clear is that Pride is essentially competitive - is competitive by its very nature – while the other vices are competitive only, so to speak, by accident. Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better looking than others. If everyone became equally rich, or clever, or good looking there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that make you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest…
The Christians are right: it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began. Other vices may sometimes bring people together: you may find good fellowship and jokes and friendliness among drunken people or unchaste people. But pride always means enmity – it is enmity. And not only enmity between man and man, but enmity to God…
Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, swarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.
If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity: “The Great Sin.”
|
The real act of pride is a contempt of either God or the will of God and its observance. William Ames, et al. A Biblical Guide to Hearing and Studying the Word of God, (Crossville, TN: Puritan Publications, 2021)
|
The great Wisdom of Solomon shared in the Book of Proverbs includes a rebuke of the proud. He writes, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov 16:18). Notice that pride always comes before the fall. It’s not a fall that comes first and then pride. That would make no sense because most who fall are somewhat humbled…or least they should be, but pride comes first…the fall is next. It’s only a matter of time before God humbles them. We can either humble ourselves today before God, or He will do it for us. One way is infinitely more painful though (Rev 20:12-15). -Jack Wellman; What Christians Want to Know
|
March 19, 2022:
Faith comes by hearing the word of God...it does not say it comes from reading the word of God. Granted, reading the word is important and it is a sure help for growing faith. But if God is really there than you need to LISTEN to Him. Through that you will have assurance of not showing up on that day and God saying "I dont know you." If youre having a problem with actually hearing God it is not because He does not want to speak. He weighs your heart. Demonizing people you label as progressive and will not help the weight of your heart.
Politics is a symptom....NOT a remedy. It never will be. Laws will stop some abortions...but will not stop abortion. And the women prolifers spent years saying they were not going to be arrested or jailed for it....will now be arrested and jailed for murder...so dont expect anything parades for the "laws". After 40 to 50 some years of the church addressing it as a political movement...they still missed the whole vision. It is possible that God could have intervened shortly after January 1973. But He wasnt invited. Instead political agendas and anti-abortion groups took to action and politicians year after promised to end abortion....and best the Church could do was ask God to bless their endeavors. Now both left and right have created a cataclysmic riff and mucked it all up. NEVER does the Bible under the new covenant authorize politicians to share His glory. He wont do it. And now here we are. Star preaching about the God who is there and not the one you can only read about in the bible.
Faith comes by hearing the word of God...it does not say it comes from reading the word of God. Granted, reading the word is important and it is a sure help for growing faith. But if God is really there than you need to LISTEN to Him. Through that you will have assurance of not showing up on that day and God saying "I dont know you." If youre having a problem with actually hearing God it is not because He does not want to speak. He weighs your heart. Demonizing people you label as progressive and will not help the weight of your heart.
Politics is a symptom....NOT a remedy. It never will be. Laws will stop some abortions...but will not stop abortion. And the women prolifers spent years saying they were not going to be arrested or jailed for it....will now be arrested and jailed for murder...so dont expect anything parades for the "laws". After 40 to 50 some years of the church addressing it as a political movement...they still missed the whole vision. It is possible that God could have intervened shortly after January 1973. But He wasnt invited. Instead political agendas and anti-abortion groups took to action and politicians year after promised to end abortion....and best the Church could do was ask God to bless their endeavors. Now both left and right have created a cataclysmic riff and mucked it all up. NEVER does the Bible under the new covenant authorize politicians to share His glory. He wont do it. And now here we are. Star preaching about the God who is there and not the one you can only read about in the bible.
Proverbs 16:20:
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
|
Proverbs 16:20:
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. |
Happiness comes in two forms. One is when our circumstances are pleasant and we are relatively free from troubles. The problem, however, is that this kind of happiness is fleeting and superficial. When circumstances change – as they inevitably do – then this kind of happiness evaporates like the early morning fog in the heat of the sun.
But when our outward circumstances are seemingly ideal, we still may be troubled inside by a nagging hunger or longing for something we cannot identify. We say we are “happy” but down inside we know it is only temporary and shallow at best. Yes, from time to time we may think we have found a degree of happiness, but sooner or later it will vanish. Our search, then, remains unfulfilled. But there is another kind of happiness – the kind for which we all long. This kind of happiness is lasting; it is an inner joy and peace, which endures in any circumstance no matter what comes our way. It may even grow stronger in adversity. This is the kind of happiness to which Jesus summons us in the Beatitudes and comes only from God. He alone has the answer to our search for lasting happiness. “He who heeds the word [of God] wisely will find good … happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20). Such happiness for which our souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one that dwells deep within us and gives us inward contentment even in despairing circumstances; it needs no outward stimulus. Happy is the person who has learned the secret of being content with whatever life brings, and then to share this secret with others who need encouragement. - -Billy Graham |
Proverbs 16:21-30:
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives him on.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He purses his lips and brings about evil.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives him on.
27 An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He purses his lips and brings about evil.
|
Proverbs 16:31: The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.
|
This calls for respecting elders. We see the man with gray hair has lived this life and getting ready for his reward in heaven. Getting old is a blessing and a reward of a clean wholesome life. To me the hoary head is saying "you have run the race well, and you are on the last
The HONOR associated with a hoary head in the Bible: Prov. 4:7-9 - Gray hair implies wisdom… i. Wisdom is valued! It is the principle – the first and most important thing! ii. Solomon is telling his YOUNG son that this is what he should be striving for over the years… iii. It comes little by little over time… iv. And it is a crown of glory! v. And by the time your hair is gray and you are old, you should have accumulated MUCH of it! vi. That hoary head ought to be a symbol of high honor and status… because associated with age is WISDOM! vii. Job 12:12 - With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. 1. Job expresses shock that his 3 aged friends did not seem to have wisdom… when it was the norm! [Salem Bible] |
Proverbs 16:32-33:
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.