Category: Proverbs

The importance of guarding the mouth

August 16, 2023

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

August 14, 2023

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 is much more secular than we often think.

August 12, 2023

 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 is much more secular than we often think.

Much talk tends to result in a negative outcome

August 11, 2023

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. —Proverbs 10:19 Jim Bordwine comments: This is such an interesting verse. It is a verse that serves as one of the foundational principles when it comes to understanding the Biblical doctrine of language, in general, and the use of … More Much talk tends to result in a negative outcome

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain not a factory

August 10, 2023

A longer-than-usual post today, but worth reading the whole thing… 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. “The … 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.

August 9, 2023

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.

Words of warning

August 7, 2023

Proverbs 7 contains some strong words of warning for those who think they somehow are the exception to the rules of wisdom- verse 7: I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, verse 23: as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. … More Words of warning