Chapter 20, Just Walk Away.

Chapter 20 of Proverbs

Wine is a mocker, strong drink to a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Look. This verse has been used for the purpose of justifying drinking alcohol and for the purpose of not drinking. Isn't it just easier to say "no"? There are two kinds of people in this world: 1) alcoholics; and 2) non-alcoholics. There is a 50/50 chance you are an alcoholic and you don't even know it. And if you have alcoholism in your family, then you chances are even more than that. Are you willing to take that chance? It is easier to say no now than to have to detox and dry out later. I promise swomise.)

The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. (If you stir up trouble, you are going to get bitten.)

It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel. (Just walk away. Just walk away.)

The lazy man will not plow because of winter; he will beg during harvest and have nothing.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. (Act in such a way that you don't embarrass your children.)

A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his eyes. (Good leaders keep a watchful eye on all their business.)

Who can say, "I have made my heart clean. I am pure from my sin?" (Ain't none of us perfect. We all fall short.)

Diverse weights and diverse measures, they are both alike, an abomination to the LORD. (Do good business. God hates crooked business.)

Even a child his known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right. (Your actions build your reputation no matter what age you are.)

The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread. (You sleep; you starve.)

"It is good for nothing," cries the buyer; but when he has gone his way, then he boasts. (Don't take advantage of someone and then brag about it later.)

There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, and hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress. (Make sure the promise is from someone who can hold to it.)

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. (Everything you do will come back to you.)

Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war. (Before you go all postal, ask other's opinions and make sure you get good advice.)

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. (Be careful who you confide in. "If you don't want it spread then it shouldn't be said."-- an old Melissa proverb.)

Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put in deep darkness.

An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. (Sometimes you have to let God deal with those who hurt you.)

Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, and dishonest scales are not good. (Do. Good. Business.)

A man's steps are of the LORD; How then can a understand his own way? (We may not always understand the "why".)

It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward consider his vows. (Don't make quick decisions because you don't want to make promises you cannot keep, or don't want to keep.)

A wise king sifts out the wicked and brings the threshing wheel over them. (A good leader gets rid of those who are not good.)

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of his heart. (Honestly consider your motives and actions. Do they reflect God?)

Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he holds his throne. (A good leader errs on the side of grace. Being merciful and truthful will keep you in your position.)

The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.

Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart. (We all need a good, deep character evaluation every once in a while in order to keep in check.)

I hope you are enjoying our look at the Book of Proverbs. I always get a "new nugget" to keep for my life each time I read it.
After we finish Proverbs, I will be addressing some questions that have been asked to me by college students. I've been working on the answers and I hope we can discover new truths together. Sharing the God's Word together is a passion of mine.
Love and later,
Melissa