Gary Gleans

God presents a very clear distinction between what is right and wrong.  He seeks to show us a contrast between what is black and what is white.  Satan seeks to paint a world that is hundreds of shades of grey.  This Proverb presents a very clear contrast between two “women” that call for our attention.  The distinctions are very clear and the destinations are very different.  We must make a choice between the two because it is impossible to have both. THE “WOMAN” CALLED WISDOM: This woman has built a beautiful home that is safe and secure.  She has prepared a wonderful feast and she calls out with a loud voice for all who desire to come in and be fed of her wisdom.  She calls to the simple to come in and leave their folly behind that they might learn to walk in truth and light.  Unfortunately there are many scoffers who hear this instruction and turn away in hatred or resort to violence because they are offended by the words of wisdom and cor...

This Proverb is written from the perspective of wisdom, as if wisdom were a person.  Wisdom presents himself and describes himself to us that we might be able to recognize him and value him as we move forward into life.  Wisdom ought to be our closest friend and constant companion.  Here are a few things that we learn about wisdom. WISDOM IS AVAILABLE: Wisdom is never hidden or unavailable.  He is out on the streets and at the gates of the city.  He presents himself with a clear voice that should be unmistakable when we hear him.  Wise men are and God Himself is anxious to reveal Himself to us.  We must take advantage of this fact and love the wisdom that is available to us.  Sin lurks in corners and dark rooms and thrives in secrecy.  Wisdom has nothing about which to be ashamed and stands out in the open for all to see. WISDOM IS VALUABLE: Wisdom is a far greater treasure than wealth, status, power or position.  Wisdom is what...

Adultery is once again the main theme of this Proverb.  Solomon wants to warn his sons of the destructiveness and the dangers as well as the seductiveness of this sin.  He gives a very vivid description of the adulteress.  As we read this description I think it is helpful for us to look at the description as it pertains to the sin of adultery in general and not only describing one particular adulteress.  The temptation of this sin can sound so tantalizing in our minds when we do not listen to the voice of wisdom that has been given to us by God.  There are many lessons to be learned here that will help us stand firm in the face of this temptation. WHO IS VULNERABLE TO THE ADULTERESS? I think that it is very important for us to realize that every single one of us, no matter what our age, is vulnerable to this temptation.  I have spoken to men of all ages who battle this temptation and we have seen men of all ages fall into this temptation.  However...

Foolishness is something that comes naturally to all of us.  It is so easy for us to do foolish things because it just kind of comes naturally to us because of our fallen nature.  It takes effort and a great deal of discipline for us to learn wisdom and put it into practice.  We must constantly be reminded of the principles of wisdom from God’s Word and the instructions of wise men that have spoken truth into our lives.  This chapter of Proverbs gives us some very valid reminders of foolish things that we must learn to avoid. DON’T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS: Money is always a source of tension, danger and conflict.  It is a very foolish thing for us to get involved in the financial affairs of others.  That does not mean that we should not be generous to the people around us.  It is fine for us to give money to others as a gift, but we should never loan money to people that we cannot afford to give them as a gift.  When we agree to co-sig...

Sexual sin is one of the most tantalizing temptations that we face.  All sins promise to provide pleasure of some kind but in the end they produce pain.  However, with sexual sin all of this is magnified a great deal.  The lure of sexual sin is one of the strongest, all-consuming and irresistible temptations that we face.  Young men are especially vulnerable to this temptation, but scores of older men and women of all ages have fallen prey to seductive powers of sexual sin.  Unfortunately, the consequences of sexual sin are proportionate to the power of its appeal.  The pain that sexual sin has inflicted upon humanity is far greater and much longer lasting than the passing pleasures that it has produced.  Families have been torn apart, countless un-born children have been slaughtered and bodies have been infected with terrible diseases because of sexual sin.  But even more tragically, numerous people have turned their backs on God because of sexu...

The path of wisdom has been passed down from generation to generation as fathers tell their children how they ought to live their lives.  Parents love their children and are anxious to see them be successful.  Many times our parents have made mistakes in their own lives that they desperately want to help their children avoid.  We ought to pay close attention to the instruction of our fathers and learn how to be free from the consequences of following wicked men that often surround us.  We should be thankful for the wise instruction that has been given to us and then be faithful to pass it on to our own children. LOVE THE PATH OF WISDOM: Hearing the instructions of our fathers and the Word of God is the first step to loving the path of wisdom.  Too often young people think that they know everything and that they do not need to pay attention to the instruction of their elders.  We must learn to listen to and love that instruction.  These instruction...

One of the greatest treasures available on this earth is to be blessed by God.  The blessing of God is worth more than any amount of gold and is worth more than any amount of praise from men.  Unfortunately we have a tendency to place a higher value on prosperity and popularity than we do upon the blessing of God.  God’s blessing is upon those who walk is wisdom.  In many ways wisdom is its own reward but beyond the blessing of wisdom we experience additional blessing from God as a result of living according to wisdom. THE WORTH OF WISDOM: Wisdom is truly a precious possession that is a huge blessing to all who attain it.  It is more precious that wealth or any other thing that we could desire.  Wisdom brings us long, fruitful, meaningful and peaceful.  Wisdom brings blessings from God. It is this way because God created it to be so.  He created the world with certain laws and principles that flow from His boundless knowledge.  It is our...