Proverbs 26 “The Whisperer”

“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” (v.26)

When a fire finishes burning through the material it feeds on, it goes out. Similarly, when gossip reaches the ear of someone who will not repeat it, it dies.

The Proverbs have a lot to say about gossip: Those who gossip are untrustworthy (11:13) and should be avoided (20:19). Gossip separates the closest of friends (16:28) and keeps relational strife boiling (18:8). It pours fuel on the coals of conflict, feeding the flames of hurt and misunderstanding (26:21-22).

Obviously none of these things are positive. They all foster negative outcomes and fuel conflict. Therefore, stop feeding the fire of gossip with talk, and the flame of destructiveness will cease.

The Truth: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Proverbs 25 “Inspect Your Walls”

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” (v.28)

In ancient days one of the most important daily jobs was to inspect the city walls and make repairs of any spot that showed any sign of weakness. If the walls were to fail, anyone who wanted to do harm or steal could come into the city.

Similarly it is important for us to inspect the walls of our self-control daily. If our walls are weak or broken, then the temptations that were held at bay could over-run us. For example, our self control is strengthened when our desire to not engage in something we know is bad for us, is greater than our desire to take part in it. The opposite is true when we choose to engage, our wall of defense is then broken down, leaving room for defeat in our lives.

This principle applys to many areas of our lives, anger, fear, lust, you name it. Strengthen your walls today, be a fortified city when it comes to self-control. And ask the LORD to keep both your desires and emotions under control.

Prayer: Lord help us to keep both our desires and emotions under control. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Proverbs 24 “The God of Second Chances”

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.” (v.16)

Just as a baby learning to walk falls many times, so do we believers fall as we learn to walk with God. And God, like a parent, does not scold for falling, but puts us back on our feet and says, “Let’s try that again.”

All of us have fallen and will fall again, “for no one is perfect, no not one.” But, that is not an excuse to just keep sinning. We are also commanded to resist temptation. But each and every one of us, try as we might, as long as we are still in these bodies of flesh, will fall short.

However, it is what we do with our failure that will reveal what kind of person we really are. A righteous person (who has received the righteousness of Christ) may fall 7 times and rise again. Why? Because we serve the God of forgiveness (another chance). With Him failure is not fatal, unless we refuse to repent, get up, and try again.

Therefore, onward Christian solider, never give up, never admit defeat. Repent from your ways and His grace will lift you up.

The Truth: “The law came in so that the trespass would increase (be made known); but where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20)

Proverbs 23 “Guard Your Thoughts”

“Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so he is.” (vv.6-7)

In essence, what we think is what we are, so we need to regularly ask ourselves: “What am I thinking?” Because, what is on our minds is easily reflected in our actions. As has been expressed by many people in many different ways: Watch your thoughts because they become words. Watch your words because they become actions.

In the New Testament, Paul tells us to “put on the mind of Christ.” Why? Because if our thoughts are on Him, our actions will then reflect His love and grace. Therefore, pray that God would give you the heart and mind of Christ each and every day.

The Truth: “He that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)

Proverbs 22 “The Value of A Good Name”

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” (v.1)

It takes years to build a reputation--and just a moment of indiscretion to destroy it. Often we think young people should be the most careful about their reputation, and indeed they need to protect their good name. But adults too can throw away their good name through one poor choice.

Think of David, who for many years bore the stigma of his sinful, adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. Even though he was forgiven, his reputation had been stained. While we can't be sure of the specific occasion for the writing of Psalm 38, in it David describes the agony of living with the results of his sin.

Don't let it happen to you. "If we take care of our character, our reputation will take care of itself!" --Moody

The Truth “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may asee your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Proverbs 21 “The LORD Ponders The Heart”

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD ponders the heart.” (v.2)

Is it possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason? Asolutely! It is totally possible to have our outward actions look proper, but our motivations way off.

When I was growing up our family watched a TV program called, “Leave it to Beaver.” In that program there was a character named Eddie Haskil played by Ken Osmond. Eddie always gave the appearance of doing the right thing, always very polite around adults. But it was all an act, to get them to believe he was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and to never suspect him of any wrong doing. But the real Eddie was nothing but mischievious. Always trying to get someone else to do his biding, so they would get caught and not him. While Eddie may have fooled a few of his friends, wise old Ward Cleaver (Hugh Beaumont) saw right through him.

That’s the same way it is with us. We try and hid our mischievious ways by putting up a false front, but God sees our hearts, He knows our motives. Better to stop all the chananigans and come clean, than to think we could outsmarted God.

The Truth: “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Proverbs 20 “The Ebb and Flow”

“The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.” (v.29)

There was a time when I took glory in my strength. As a young man I was very athletic, and I worked hard at toning and strengthening my body for competition. I had certain goals to achieve and disciplined my body accordingly. But now that glory in strength has long sense faded, and I work smarter not harder, when it comes to the physical.

Today when I look into the mirror, that young man is long gone. My strength is now in the LORD and I work hard at toning and strengthening my walk with Him daily, that I might share His love and grace with others. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

And so I train, that I might run my race well and finish strong.

The Truth:  ”Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Proverbs 19 “Wisdom Yields Patience”

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” (V.11)

Ignoring or overlooking an offense is not natural, but a godly virtue. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and when believers are walking in self-control, they are able to restrain their reactions, watch their words, and master their attitudes. This must continue throughout our life here on earth, if we are to remain wise people, who are slow to anger.

In Matthew’s gospel, Peter asked Jesus, “How many times should I forgive someone, as many as seven times?” Jesus replied with, “No, you should forgive seventy times seven” (Matthew  18:21). And even after that, we are to continue forgiving this side of heaven. Holding no grudges, keeping no recoerd, forgiving others even as Christ has forgiven us.

Of course, we don’t always pull this off. We fail. We blow up. We temporarily hold grudges and forget who we are and just how much we were forgiven. But, as Christians, we must always get back on course and walk by His true forgiving nature once again. Remember, this is a lifelong process, we are all under construction, so don't be so hard on yourself when you blow it. After all, God is very forgiving to us (see Philippians 1:6, Romans 5:1,12:2).

Therefore, forgive others, be patient and longsuffering with others (even yourself if necessary), as God has forgiven you.

The Truth: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)