Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to
anger appeaseth strife."
In
this scripture we see hotheads as contrasted to peacemakers.
We see
again, here the wrathful man is always trying to start a battle over just any
little old thing, but the man slow to anger is a peacemaker and will go to
almost any length to avoid an argument.
Proverbs 15:19 "The way of the slothful [man is] as an hedge of thorns: but the
way of the righteous [is] made plain."
Slothful means lazy, in fact, very lazy. A man who is this lazy will lie up in
bed and let the thorn bushes grow up all around him. He is too lazy to remove
them.
The
righteous man speaks also of an industrious man who keeps his path clean and
ready to go.
Proverbs 15:20 "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his
mother."
A wise
son follows the instructions of his father and learns his lesson well. His
father is proud of him, because he was an obedient son who was quick to learn
and learned his lesson well.
The
foolish man despises his mother, because he does not want to learn anything from
anyone else and especially from his mother. She wants to help him, and he is too
arrogant to let her help.
Proverbs 15:21 "Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of wisdom: but a man
of understanding walketh uprightly."
Proverbs 16:25 says, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end
thereof [are] the ways of death."
Proverbs 15:22 "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude
of counsellors they are established."
This
is a very good saying about listening to advise from others and weighing to make
the best decision possible. The old saying goes, "Two heads are better than
one".
A good
decision is made with multiple wise advisers. The more crucial the decision, the
more appropriate is corporate wisdom.
It
would be foolish indeed to not discuss something to be done and then take the
best advice.
Proverbs 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken]
in due season, how good [is it]!"
This
verse 23 is actually connected to 22. We see here one of the counselors who has
given good advice and he rejoices in that his advise was taken. His message was
given at just the right time.
Proverbs 15:24: "The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he may depart from
hell beneath."
We see
that the wise choose the way that leads to heaven above. They are aware that
hell exists beneath. They are on a higher plane. They seek the way of the Godly.
Their home is in heaven; and they refuse the way of sin that leads to hell.
Proverbs 15:25 "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will
establish the border of the widow."
The
proud don't think they need any help from anyone. God loves and helps the
humble. We must reach out for his help before He will give it.
When
evil men try to take the property of widows, God will intervene. The most
desolate (widows) who have God’s help possess a more permanent dwelling place
than the prosperous and self reliant sinners.
God
helps those who cannot help themselves. We really need Him, but some are too
proud to admit they need Him.
Proverbs 15:26 "The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD: but
[the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words."
Jesus
taught that sin occurs first in the heart and thought.
In the
following scriptures, we see the sin actually occurs in the heart and mind.
Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"
Luke
6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which
is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth
that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
Matthew 12:34 "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good
things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
Matthew 5:27-28 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt
not commit adultery:" "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to
lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
The
thoughts of the sinner are evil and are an abomination to God. A pure person has
pure thoughts and his words are pleasant.
Proverbs 15:27 "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that
hateth gifts shall live."
Some
people just want more and more. To many, having a lot of “stuff” is something
which makes them look good to others. In many cases, this gain is brought about
by deceptive practices. This type person can cause a terrible financial or legal
problem for their family as they can never be satisfied.
A
greedy person is not just greedy with outsiders, but with the members of his
family as well. The number one cause of divorce in
In
some families, there is an unselfish person who enjoys giving to the rest more
than receiving their selves. The person who loves to give and not get, will
prosper or live.
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of
the wicked poureth out evil things."
The
person who is slow to speak says fewer things that they regret later. A
righteous person will carefully choose the words they say so as not to hurt the
feelings of the one they are speaking to.
Wicked
people don’t guard their words. An evil person doesn't care about anyone else's
feelings and just blurts out evil things.
Proverbs 15:29 "The LORD [is] far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of
the righteous."
Sin
separates us from God. Some have taken this Scripture to mean that God will not
hear the prayer of the sinful man. Judge for yourselves from the following
scriptures.
John
1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil."
I
believe God does hear his prayers but will not answer until the sinful man
repents.
God is
far from the wicked because the wicked has rejected or walked away from God, not
the other way around. God does answer the righteous quicker as we see in the
following Scripture.
James
5:16 "Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Proverbs 15:30 "The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report
maketh the bones fat."
If we
have Jesus in our heart, we have His Light shining within us. Others see in this
person a joy unspeakable that radiates out to everyone they come in contact
with. A good report maketh the bones fat is very similar to the statement: Good
news lifts you up. It makes your
heart leap within you.
Whatever is good, sound truth and wisdom stirs the heart by relieving anxiety
and producing a cheerful face.
Proverbs 15:31 "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the
wise."
Over,
and over again, in the book of Revelation, it is said, "He that hath an ear let
him hear". This is talking about opening your ear of understanding to God. We
are to be wise unto salvation.
The
acquiring of wisdom demands a teachable spirit.
Proverbs 15:32 "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that
heareth reproof getteth understanding."
A
person who refuses to be taught is hurting himself more than anyone else. An
unlearned person makes many mistakes. He has no facts to work with.
The
person who wants to understand will listen carefully to someone who knows more,
and will even take correction from that person to learn.
Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before
honour [is] humility."
We
have said before that humility is very important. We must walk humbly before
God. The honor must come from God and not man. If we fear God, we will follow in
His ways. We will study his Word and know what His will is for our life.
If we
fear (respect) Him, our desire will be to please him. This fear actually means
we will love Him and respect Him and do everything we can do to obey His
commandments and the things He has told us to do (through Jesus) in the New
Testament.
1.
In verse 18, who stirreth up strife?
2.
A man slow to anger could be called a ________?
3.
Who is a slothful man?
4.
What kind of hedge is around a slothful man?
5.
Who maketh a glad father?
6.
Why does the foolish despise his mother?
7.
How does a man of understanding walk?
8.
A man destitute of wisdom walks in _______
_______ _____.
9.
Without _______ purposes are disappointed.
10.
Why is it good to listen to others' advise?
11.
What is meant by, the way of life is above to the wise?
12.
Where is the godlys' home?
13.
The Lord destroys the house of the proud but establishes whose borders?
14.
Where does sin first occur?
15.
The thoughts of the wicked are an ______ to the Lord.
16.
Describe a pure person.
17.
Who is a greedy person greedy with?
18.
What is the number one cause of divorce in
19.
Who can bring peace to a family (besides God)?
20.
What is the difference in the way the righteous answer and the evil?
21. In
verse 29, the Lord hears whose prayers?
22.
Why is the Lord far from the wicked?
23. In
James 5:16, what kind of prayer availeth much?
24.
The ear, in verse 31, is talking about what?
25.
Who despises his own soul?
26.
Why should we fear God?
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