Proverbs 22:1-29

Words are a gift from God that allow us to communicate with one another and reveal things to one another.  Words can also be used to bring harm and great pain to other people through deception or discouragement.   There are words that are easy to hear and words that are hard for us to hear.  That does not mean that the easy words are always good or that the hard words are always bad.  Sometimes the hardest word for us to hear is the best word for us at that time; or the easy word can be very harmful to us.  We must exercise great discernment in the way that we hear the words spoken to us and even greater discernment in the words that come out of us.  Today’s Proverb has some great examples of so easy and hard words or us to hear.

WORDS OF WISDOM: Our character and reputation is far more valuable that any amount of wealth.  Our financial status is of very little importance God needs both in order to accomplish His will.  We must learn to observe our surroundings and adjust our paths accordingly instead of arrogantly pressing on with errors.  We must learn to walk in humility and the fear of the Lord as they will bring wisdom and eternal rewards from God.  The way of sin is dangerous and we must keep away from it.  Children are naturally sinful and foolish so we must train them to abandon the way of their natural inclination or they will remain sinful and foolish until the day that they die.  We must learn to live within our means and not find ourselves dependent upon others rather we will be able to share with others.  Our words must be gracious and kind not full of deceit for God watches over all that we say.  Lazy people make excuses in order not to work pretending that something bad could happen when in reality their laziness is the real danger that follows them wherever they go.  Sin always looks very enticing but it is heartache to fall into it.  Discipline is God’s tool to keep us out of that pit.  God is pleased when we help those in need and avoid trying to buy friends.


WORDS OF WARNING: There are certain things that we absolutely must not do because they all lead to destruction and pain.  We must hear these warnings and act accordingly.  These warnings come from God so we would do well to heed them.  Never take money from the poor because God will repay that wrong.  Never keep company with an angry person because it will rub off on you.  Never co-sign a loan that you can’t afford to give the money to the person.  Never move the boundaries of another’s land or abandon the teachings of our forefathers.  We must do our best to serve others with all the skill that we have for there is great reward in doing so.

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