Consider two sponges

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (KJV) The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. (ESV) C. H. Spurgeon, in a sermon, “How … More Consider two sponges

The importance of guarding the mouth

From the ESV Study Bible: Prov. 13:1–6 Headed by the call to be a wise son (10:1), these proverbs also utilize a play on words (cf. 10:6–32) relating to both speech (hears/listen, 13:1; mouth, vv. 2–3; lips, v. 3; falsehood,v. 5) and eating/desire (eats, v. 2; desire, v. 2; craves and richly supplied, v. 4) in order to assure those who seek to guard their mouth (v. 3) through righteousness … More The importance of guarding the mouth

Don’t be stupid

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 No one really loves getting disciplined, at the time, but when we look back, we can see the benefits.  We learn much through the loving correction of others, whether our parents or faithful friends.  Proverbs says we are stupid if we … More Don’t be stupid

Piper: God’s Interest in All Our Non-Religious Life

 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. Proverbs 11:1 John Piper, in a 1987  sermon, “The Pleasure of God in Public Justice” The implications here are very far-reaching. But let’s get the specific picture clear in our minds. Suppose you were a merchant in the Old … More Piper: God’s Interest in All Our Non-Religious Life

So many words …

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. —Proverbs 10:19 The NKJV translates this verse: “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking” Due to our fallen natures, if we speak a lot, we are going to sin.  Therefore the second half of this verse makes … More So many words …

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain not a factory

A longer-than-usual post today, but may it bless you, dear reader… John Piper on Proverbs 10:11 (entire sermon text included here) Several things are clear and lie right on the surface of today’s text. The first obvious thing is that God is a lover of life; he likes to promote life, not violence and death. … More The mouth of the righteous is a fountain not a factory

We all must fear. But if you fear God, you need fear no one and nothing else.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9: 10  Randy Alcorn, of Eternal Perspective Ministries: In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, volume I of The Chronicles of Narnia, one of the children asks Mr. and Mrs. Beaver about Aslan the … More We all must fear. But if you fear God, you need fear no one and nothing else.