Taking Glory

There is a trap that I have been involved in far too many times. It is the trap of building myself up to other people, making myself bigger than I really was at the time. In truth I am no bigger than I was then, no better than I was then. If I am bigger and better, it is solely because of the Lord in my life.

"Be not forward [self-assertive and boastfully ambitious] in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men; for better is it that it be said to you, Come up here, than you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whose eyes have seen you." Proverbs 25:6-7, Amplified

Jesus spoke the very same words to His disciples. "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest anyone more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you." (Luke 14:8-10, NKJV) It's simple: do not take glory for yourself, rather allow glory to overtake you.

Honorable (Proverbs 25:4-5)

In order refine, refuse must be removed.

"Take away the dross from silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]." Proverbs 25:4, Amplified

The dross is all the impurity in the silver. As those impurities are removed, the silver itself becomes more pure, therefore it becomes more valuable and the end product is that much more beautiful.

"Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness [spiritual and moral rectitude in every area and relation]." Proverbs 25:5, Amplified

The same can be said of ourselves and our hearts. If we remove the impurity of the world out of our vicinity, then we can be more focused on the Lord and become that much more beautiful in Him. "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." (Second Timothy 2:20-21, NKJV) It is written in black an white how we are to conduct ourselves: either honorably or dishonorably.

Trust II (Proverbs 25:3)

"As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart and minds of kings are unsearchable." Proverbs 25:3, Amplified

Who is our King but the Lord Himself. There are so many different things that we do not understand about Him. The ways in which He works are unknown to His children. But He truly makes all things work together for His own glory. We can never place ourselves, nor assume the responsibility, of questioning Him. He is so unsearchable. If this verse were to be translated into one word, that single word would be "trust".

Searching Out Hidden Things (Proverbs 25:2)

To be honest, the meaning of this next verse has eluded me.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search a matter out." Proverbs 25:2, Amplified

It seems as though the Lord finds glory in hiding things, but the curiosity of man is to search out those secret and hidden things. It is evident throughout the Prophets that the end of the world and how it is to come about is partially concealed. But man has written countless books and made many different movies about this very same subject. Man feels like he needs to know everything.

When secret notes are being passed in class, or a secret is whispered into an ear, the curiosity of others around seems to be stimulated. Please note that the glory of kings is revealing a matter is not looked down upon by the Lord. It is not a sinful thing. The Lord is not condemning it. The Lord made us curious creatures. That curiosity leads us to want to know more and learn more about our Lord.

When we were looking (and in some cases still are) for that perfect someone, that other half to complete our whole, how is it done? We learn all we can about that person. What he or she likes and does or what kind of music is listened to. Every hidden thing is sought out. Every ambiguous fact is brought to surety.

Our desire for the Lord should be the same.

Copying the Inspiration (Proverbs 25:1)

"These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out." Proverbs 25:1, Amplified

Hezekiah was a great king, a man who trusted the Lord. This is the man who spread a letter from the enemy before the Lord and asked for His help. This is a man who asked the Lord to extend his life so the Lord made the sun go back ten degrees. This is a man who followed the Lord.

It is unclear if the rest of the book of Proverbs is a copy from the men of Hezekiah or if only the next four chapters are from the copies made (chapters 25-29). This man of God understood and knew that Solomon was a man of God and that his words were full of wisdom. "He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five." (First Kings 4:32, NKJV) The book of Proverbs comes no where near that number and who knows if the men of Hezekiah had not copied the proverbs, would this book be even shorter?

Being an Example (Proverbs 24:30-34)

There are plenty of examples of how we should not conduct ourselves around us in the world. All we need to do is look around.

"I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man who was void of understanding; and, lo, it was all overgrown with thorns, and nettles had covered its face, and its stone wall was broken down." Proverbs 24:30-31, Amplified

Solomon is speaking of a personal experience that he had walking through his kingdom. He was traversed by a field that had become dilapidated and in disrepair. The condition of the field was obvious to the viewer. We must ask ourselves how we look to passers-by. Are we in ruin and in disrepair? Has our spiritual condition become so that it is covered in thorns? Have we become so lazy in our faith that we have forgotten our first love?

"The I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction." Proverbs 24:32, Amplified

Whether we like it or not, we are always going to be an example to someone. That example can be a positive or a negative one.

"Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man." Proverbs 24:33-34, Amplified

We can take a break from anything. Here in California a 10 minute break is earned after working four hours and a 30 minute break is earned after working six hours. We can take a break from watching television and many other things. But as we take those breaks, we move out of the loop and out of the know. Ask anyone who goes to the gym how detrimental a break from the gym can be. A break from the Lord can be just as detrimental. We become less in tune with His voice. Our devotional time needs to be redeveloped. I myself have fallen into this trap too many times.

Truth and Retribution (Proverbs 24:28-29)

"Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips." Proverbs 24:28, Amplified

Deception is such a vile thing. It violates the very nature of the human community. Why is this even in the Bible? Because we do it and need to be reminded that we are not to do it. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each of you speak the truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25, NKJV) Paul was actually quoting from the Old Testament. The prophet Zechariah was speaking of the Holy City of Jerusalem of the future. "These are the things you shall: speak each man the truth to his neighbor, give judgements in your gates for truth, justice, and peace." (Zechariah 18:16, NKJV) If this is the kind of people we are going to be in the New Jerusalem, why should we not hold ourselves to that same standard now?

"Say not, I will do to him as he has dome to me; I will pay the man back for his deed." Proverbs 24:29, Amplified

Retribution is another part of the nature of man. The Bible is riddled with verses concerning our desire to take vengeance for ourselves. "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17, 19-21, NKJV) If anyone has our backs, the Lord does. He is the unbiased party in any and every conflict and He knows how to act appropriately concerning vengeance. He sees the circumstances that we do not.

Change (Proverbs 24:27)

Change is a good thing. In fact if we want to change, our environment must change.

"[Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside, and get it ready for yourself in the field, and afterward build your house and establish your home." Proverbs 24:27, Amplified

What Solomon is trying to say here is that we must make the environment around the house suitable for habitation before it is habitable. In other words, clean it up, make it ready, make it safe, then build the home.

It is much like our Christian walk. Once we initially come to the Lord, a light is turned on within the soul. But how does one walk with the Lord if he does not change his environment? I have heard the miracle of Lazars being raised from the dead as a correlation to being born again. The linen coverings were drenched with the bodily fluids, he had little to no mobility and he couldn't even see because his head was covered in a shroud. Jesus told those around him to loose him. You see, Lazarus needed help being loosed from those death clothes.

Our Christian walk can be likened to this in that as we shed those death shrouds we become new men. But take it a step further and change the environment. What does that mean? Change your friends, change habits, change what you watch what you listen to. Change everything. Once you have made the outside ready then you will be ready to build your home, a home established in peace.

Kissing the Lips of Friends and Brothers (Proverbs 24:26)

"He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who gives a right answer." Proverbs 24:26, Amplified

This verse is all about honesty and integrity. We must not think of kissing in the sense that most of us do. The word here for "kiss" actually means to "fasten up". In other words the one who gives an honest and correct answer makes others ready. Ready for what? Anything and everything. If we wish to make others ready, then we too must be in tune with the Lord. As I study more and more, I find that Christianity is about community. Solitude brings destruction on a man, but when he immerses himself into a community of believers, then he has strength.

Judging (Proverbs 24:23-25)

To be partial with someone is unacceptable to the Lord.

"These are also sayings of the wise. To discriminate and be partial, having respect of a person in judging is not good. He who says to the wicked, you are righteous and innocent, peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him." Proverbs 24:23-24, Amplified

The judges that Solomon had in mind were sitting at the gate of the city. They were the ones to hear all the cases and were to be unbiased in their decisions, only allowing for the law to interpret judgement. Leniency is one thing, but to purposefully absolve any wrong doer just because violates the hearts of men. The heart of man can take only so much injustice before it must act.

"But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked it is well and they will find delight, and good blessing will be upon them." Proverbs 24:25, Amplified

Not much more needs to be said about this. It is important for us to constantly read our Bibles and pray everyday. This is not a prescription for life, but it is a guaranteed way for us to hear the voice of the Lord. There is no method to judging, in fact we are encouraged to judge each other, but not in the way that you might think. "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smaller matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?" (First Corinthians 6:1-3, NKJV) Judging between brothers and sisters in the Lord, that is what the church must do; but do it righteously they must without bias.

Constant (Proverbs 24:21-22)

Every person needs a constant in their lives, something that never changes. Humans are given to change, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

"My son, reverently fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary]; for their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon the rebellious?" Proverbs 24:21-22, Amplified

Every time we make the decision to sin, we become those revolutionaries against the Lord. Our allegiance has momentarily changed from the Spirit to the flesh. It is so important for us to have the constant of Jesus on our lives to be that anchor. I am reminded of the scene in "The Patriot" when the militia is going against the English and they are overcome and they begin to retreat. Benjamin Martin sees this and he rides to cut off the retreaters, waving the American flag. This is what they need to gather the strength to overcome their fears. Jesus Christ is that very same banner. He is our strength. He is our freedom. He is our constant.

Suffix of the Psalm (Proverbs 24:19-20)

David, in the Psalms, often wrote of the prosperity of the wicked but he always suffixed his thoughts with the goodness of the Lord. Solomon does the same thing here.

"Fret not yourself because of evil doers, neither be envious of the wicked; for there shall be no reward to the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out." Proverbs 24:19-20, Amplified

The "Suffix of the Psalm" is always focused on the goodness of the Lord. David would always write about how the wicked prospered and how great their lives seemed to be. He would speak of the frustration with living a life devoted to God and how it seemed to go nowhere. But in the "Suffix" David turned his gaze upon his God and remembered His goodness and His mercy. Our lives are no different. My house is currently in foreclosure and I have the opportunity to blame and complain about how those not living godly have huge houses. But in the "Suffix", I know that the Lord has the best for me.

Yes there are those out there whose lives are not lived accordingly to the Word, but I know that the Lord knows. He sees. He rewards.

Turning Away Wrath (Proverbs 24:17-18)

Laughing at the demise of your enemy is never a good thing. The Lord desires that all come to Him, and if we laugh at our enemy who has not turned to Him, how much better are we?

"Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown; lest the Lord see it, and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender]." Proverbs 24:17-18, Amplified

I have been in this very same place where I watched as someone I did not like get exactly what they deserved. I was so very happy to see them fall. Not soon after, though, they began to prosper again because I found such great pleasure in their demise. The Lord does not enjoy disciplining, this is not His heart, but His nature must exact justice on all evils.

Just for the record, however, this is the first time in 697 verses that I disagree with the translation of the Amplified Version. At the end of verse 18 it seems that the translators thought that the Lord would turn His wrath away from the deserving to those who found pleasure in the other's demise. There is no hint of that in the original language.

Rising Seven Times (Proverbs 24:15-16)

Falling is falling. Failing is failing. The difference between us and the world is that we will rise up again.

"Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the [uncompromisingly] righteous - the upright, in right standing with God; destroy not his fold or his resting place; for a righteous man falls seven times an rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity." Proverbs 24:15-16, Amplified

The protects those who belong to Him. We all make mistakes but He is there to help us up again. The wicked man is overthrown because his strength resides within himself. Our strength resides in the Lord. Micah wrote, "Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light on me." (Micah 7:8, NKJV) He always covers those who are His children.

In the book of Job, after everything has happened to him and he is sitting alone, three friends come to his side to try and comfort him (poorly I might add). Eliphaz, one of the three, says something profound, considering that Job has sinned and this is why God has judged him so. But we know that the Lord was bragging on Job to Satan. God allowed for Satan to affect Job's life. Though Eliphaz is wrong in that Job had not sinned, what he said is no less profound. "Behold, happy is the man whom the Lord corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds but His hands make whole. He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in seven no evil shall touch you." (Job 5:17-19, NKJV)

What is it about the number seven that is so significant? Seven is the number of completion (i.e. seven days complete one week). I think that we need not focus on the seven times in which the man falls, rather focus on the seven times that he arises. It is a complete rising. We need not hobble or hunch our bodies in condemnation. There is no condemnation in Christ. Yes, we fall. But by His blood, we rise completely.

Read Your Bible and Pray Everyday (Proverbs 24:13-14)

The Word of God is so sweet to the human soul. But we must pick it up ourselves and ingest it ourselves.

"My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of honeycomb are sweet to your taste. So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off." Proverbs 24:13-14, Amplified

Most of us seem to think that the reading of the Word, or even just developing a devotional time with the Lord is so much work. But what Solomon is saying here is that if we just take the time, we would find it to be much different than we imagined it would be. As we begin to take those little bites of the Word everyday, we might just find it is like the sweetness of the honeycomb. And as we begin to take those little bites everyday, we might just become hungry for more. And as we begin to take those little bites everyday, we might just graduate to a full blown meal.

The only way one can receive a reward is to finish something or even accomplish a task. I am not suggesting that going to is in the hand of the Christian, but how are we to hear the voice of our Father? Even from a human stand point, it takes two to have a conversation. It isn't much of a conversation if there is only one participant. Our relationship is no different with the Lord. Prayer is how we speak to Him and the Word is how He speaks to us. As we read more and more everyday, His voice becomes more distinct and familiar to us, our relationship becomes even stronger with Him. Read your Bible and pray everyday.

The Slaughter House (Proverbs 24:11-12)

It is our job, as followers and imitators or Christ, to act accordingly. As we see others floundering in this life, we must step up and guide them toward the light. These cannot be forcible actions, but this is done out of love. No one can be pushed toward the light, rather they must only be shown the way.

"Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter to the slaughter hold back [from their doom]. If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs and ponders the hearts perceive and consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?" Proverbs 24:11-12, Amplified

This is not just a good suggestion. From the language of the verse it seems to be more of a command. We are to deliver those who are going toward the slaughter. What exactly is that slaughter? Take for instance a cow. When it is time, the cow is taken to the slaughter house in order to be killed and prepared for consumption. People in that town, or place, know exactly what the slaughter house looks like as they drive by. There is no mistaking it. We, too, as Christians can come to a place where we can look at another life and see that they are headed toward that slaughter house. Those who are "tottering" toward the slaughter house are living a life that is contrary to the Lord. We all know the signs. We can never claim ignorance, only cowardice. As we fail to perform and act accordingly to our Father, He weighs the heart. He knows the true intent, or lack of, within our hearts.

Strength (Proverbs 24:10)

Strength is an important thing whenever you enter into a battle. So what if you have none? What then?

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." Proverbs 24:10, Amplified

If you really want to know how strong your faith is, judge how you do during temptation. If you constantly give into temptation, your strength is small. If you vacillate between giving in and denying temptation, then you are weak. But if you turn your back on temptation, then you are strong, but not of yourself, you are strong in the Lord.

A Matter of the Heart (Proverbs 24:8-9)

Have you ever planned out how you are going to sin? What I mean is, have you planned for a set of circumstances that would allow you to be able to fulfill your flesh. I remember as a young man, I would always plan for things to happen that would allow for me to stay up late to watch the Cinemax channel because of the risque programming they had after midnight. Did you realize that even planning to do it is just as sinful as committing the sin?

"He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker." Proverbs 24:8, Amplified

Planning to do sinful and evil things effect our earthly relationships as well as our heavenly relationship. Here on earth, the planner will eventually be identified as a mischief-maker. The New King James actually refers to this man as a "schemer". The difference between one who plans ahead and a schemer is that the schemer plans ahead to receive evil gain. I am a planner, but early on in my marriage I was also a schemer. I was not the man that I needed to be for my wife, kids or my Father. That is how my wife identified me, not because she wanted to, but because that was the only option I gave her.

"The plans of the foolish and the thought of foolishness are sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men." Proverbs 24:9, Amplified

Plans and thoughts of foolishness are sin. Most people define sin as an action, but that is not true. The transgression begins in the heart. Sin does not need to manifest itself physically for it to bring a barrier between the sinner and the Lord. "The fool has said in his heart there is no God." (Psalm 14:1a, NKJV)) "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28, NKJV) Murder begins in the heart as well (Matthew 5:21-26). Sin has never been an action issue, it has always been a heart issue. The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.

The Fool 3 (Proverbs 24:7)

Foolishness traps the mind in a child-like state that inevitably impedes the individual from growing and maturing.

"Wisdom is too high for a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate [where the city rulers sit in judgement]." Proverbs 24:7, Amplified

A fool cannot understand wisdom therefore he has nothing to say. He has nothing to say because he does not understand those wise things, or even the things of God. The fool has filled his mind with childish things.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against being silly and having a good time. But there is a time to have fun and be silly, whereas there is a time for buckling down and seeking out wisdom.

Wisdom and Counsel (Proverbs 24:5-6)

Wisdom and counsel, hand in hand, can be a truly unstoppable force.

"A wise man is strong and better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power; for by wise counsel you can wage war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety." Proverbs 24:5-6, Amplified

True wisdom is knowing that you may not know everything. In other words, wisdom is not always having the answer for whatever situation may be, rather it is knowing when others may have that answer. Presidents of corporations have a "board" to help make those tough decisions and even our President has the "joint chiefs" for other important decisions.

No one can ever have all the answer, if they did, faith would not be a necessity. A wise man once told me, "I may not know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future." When in doubt, reach out.

Home Building 101 (Proverbs 24:3-4)

Decorating is an art and there are some people out there who will pay a pretty penny to someone else who has that decorative eye. I have seen so many different houses in my life that were custom built and they were magnificent in design and decor. And there were others, more humble in stature, but just as majestic because that house was actually a home. Solomon uses this idea to stress an important spiritual fact.

"Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house [a life, a home, a family] built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation]. And by knowledge shall the chambers [of its every area] be filled with precious and pleasant riches." Proverbs 24:3-4, Amplified

A house is not a home until a person or a group of people are living inside of it. As that house is inhabited, it begins a metamorphosis of sorts, changing into a home, not necessarily because of the inhabitants, but the character the decor brings to the structure. What wife, or mother, do you know who would allow her house to be visited without it first being clean and decorated? I know my wife would keel over and die if that were to happen.

So how does one build a home? Just like you would build a house, start with a foundation. There is no other foundation than the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 3:11, NKJV) As long as the foundation of Jesus Christ is laid, a home can be established. Now it is up to you, men, as husbands and fathers on how to fill the chambers of your home. What you view or listen to can have a tremendous impact on the dynamic of the family. Remember that through skillful and godly wisdom a house is built and filled. We can only get skillful and godly wisdom by listening to the Lord. Just as communication is a necessity in a family, it is just as necessary in our relationship with the Lord. Talk to Him, allow Him to be the Architect of your home.

Envy (Proverbs 24:1-2)

I know that one of the hardest things to reconcile within myself is being envious of those who are not walking the same way that I am. This is only because they seem to be happier at times than I am. They seem to be more prosperous, than I. But the end, my friends, that is the true goal for us as Christians. Prosperity now does not necessarily mean Heaven later.

"Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them. For their minds plot oppression and devise violence, and their lips talk of causing trouble and vexation." Proverbs 24:1-2, Amplified

The problem with evil men is that their minds are constantly focused on evil things. Their is no room for anyone else in their lives, only themselves and their evil thoughts. I said earlier that men who are not waling the same walk that I am seem to be happier than I. This is one of the truest statements I think I have ever made. But we must realize that happiness is based upon circumstance. Joy, true joy, comes from the Lord Himself and is based totally in Him.

Be Filled Not With Wine (Proverbs 23:29-35)

Drunkenness is not a trait or a characteristic befitting a Christian.

"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness and dimness of eyes?" Proverbs 23:29, Amplified

In truth, the first three questions can be applied to us all. But as we read further we see where Solomon is going because the drunkard does have wounds without cause and redness of the eyes. There is a time I remember where I was bowling drunk. I know, stupid, right? The next day I had a biggest bruise on my right thigh from where the ball would hit me every time I was up. The drunker one gets, the less control they have over their own bodies.

"Those who tarry long at the wine, they go to seek and try mixed wine." Proverbs 23:30, Amplified

The answer to Solomon's inquest is found in this very next verse. It is those who tarry long at the wine, or drink a lot. Some cults have taken a verse in the New Testament out of context when it comes to drunkenness. It is called being "drunk in the Spirit". I have been drunk in the Spirit before and I will tell you what, it is a horrible feeling. It feels like I just drank myself into a stupor. What they call being drunk in the Spirit I call being "drunk in a spirit". However, the Bible encourages the believer not to seek the drink, rather seek out the Spirit. What Paul wrote was this: "And do not be drunk with wine in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18, NKJV) Those with woes and sorrows seek out alcohol to fill a void. But what Paul says is that the Spirit has the answers we are seeking, He can truly fill that void. The drunkenness wears off, but the Spirit remains.

"Do not look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the wineglass, when it goes down smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder." Proverbs 23:31-32, Amplified

It is interesting that Solomon uses the analogy of snake venom to define how alcohol effects the body. Yeah, it may look good and smell great and feel so good going down, but in the end it will bite you just like a slithering snake. It is also interesting how Solomon uses the adder specifically, because the word actually refers to a variety of snakes (just as there are a variety of drinks).

"[Under the influence of wine] your eyes will behold strange things [and loose women], and your mind will utter things turned the wrong way, untrue, incorrect and petulant." Proverbs 23:33, Amplified

If you have been inebriated before, you can seriously agree with this statement. But I enjoy the fact that the Amplified Version decided to place "and loose women" into the verse.

"Yes, you will be [as unsteady] as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, and [as open to disaster] as he he who lies upon the top of the mast. You will say, They struck me, but I was not hurt! They beat me [as with a hammer], but I did not feel it! When shall I awake? I will crave and seek more wine again [and escape reality]." Proverbs 23:34-35, Amplified

So true. As a person drinks, they become more open to harm. It is a self destructive cycle. It is an escape from reality. There is no breaking this cycle except with the help of the Lord. Fill yourself then with the Spirit. Let Him cure your woes and sorrows.

The Two Step Process (Proverbs 23:26-28)

Solomon now encourages his son to stay away from the immoral woman. Now realize that the Bible is never sexist, this can be applied to the daughters and young ladies in reference to immoral men.

"My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe and delight in my ways." Proverbs 23:26, Amplified

Even though a man wrote this to his son, we can easily apply this as the Lord speaking to us. If our heart is given totally to the Lord, then we are less likely to fall into sin that so easily ensnares. We cannot observe the life of the Lord physically, but we can read about how He lived and what He did on a daily basis through the Word. So it is a two step process, give our hearts to the Lord and read His Word daily.

"For a harlot is a deep ditch, and a loose woman is a narrow pit." Proverbs 23:27, Amplified

What the harlot and the loose woman have in common is easy to ascertain. So we might just as easily find the relationship between the ditch and the pit. Both can be means of entrapment. A ditch may even be referred to as a rut whereas a pit one has little hope of escape without help.

Now I mentioned earlier that the Bible is not sexist and all verses can be applied to both sexes, however I want to point out that the reason why the Bible is so gender specific concerning sexual sin is that men are more likely to fall into this particular sin. It is just how we are built, we are very physical beasts.

"She also lies in wait as a robber or as for prey, and she increases the unfaithful among men." Proverbs 23:28, Amplified

Who are the unfaithful? Married men? Not necessarily. Those of us who have given our hearts to the Lord and who fall into sexual sin have become unfaithful to the Lord. This goes for every sexual sin. Pornography as well as physical adultery. Remember what the Lord said about adultery. "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28, NKJV) It has always been a heart issue whether she be a coworker or a girl with a spread in Playboy.

How do we combat this? With the two step process. Our relationship with the Lord is about giving and receiving. We must give our hearts to the Lord and then receive what He has to say to us through His Word.

Parents and Children (Proverbs 23:24-25)

To bring delight to his (or her) parents should be the ultimate goal for a child.

"The father of the [uncompromisingly] righteous - the upright, in right standing with God - shall greatly rejoice, and he who becomes the father of a wise child shall have joy in him." Proverbs 23:24, Amplified

I like the language in this verse. "He who becomes the father of a wise child..." Isn't a man already a father upon the birth of his child? Or even at conception? The "becoming" is not referring to the father, rather it is referring to the wisdom of the child. There comes an age where the child will know right from wrong. What age is it? Is it a specific age? I believe it changes for different children. With the age issue aside, that man becomes the father of a wise child when that child makes wise decisions.

I remember how much pain I brought upon my parents as a teenager. I made so many bad choices. My mother would lose sleep waiting up for me to come back drunk from a party or even high. But how much joy I brought to my parents as I turned my life around is unmeasurable. The day I went into U-Turn 4 Christ, my life changed. I subsequently went to Bible College and met my wife, which ultimately resulted in the birth of my two beautiful children.

"Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice." Proverbs 23:25, Amplified

This verse is not a request to allow your parents to rejoice because of your actions, rather it is a result of your action that they will rejoice. Read the verse in its original text, "Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bore thee shall rejoice." (KJV)

The Truth (Proverbs 23:23)

We are encouraged throughout the Scriptures to always seek out the truth, no matter the cost.

"Buy the truth and sell it not; not only that, but also discernment and judgement, instruction and understanding." Proverbs 23:23, Amplified

When purchasing something, we are essentially committing ourselves to use that item in some fashion. We buy food to eat, toys and video games are to be played with and DVDs are to be watched. Everything that is purchased has a certain intent for the buyer. This is what this verse is speaking to the believer abut truth: seeking it out with the purpose of using it, committing ourselves to the truth that we find.

Committing myself to the truth essentially lost me one of the most lucrative jobs I have ever possessed. However, without that truth, other persons would have been fired for mistakes that management had made. Without that truth I would have never started going back to church again. Without that truth I would have never started this blog. And without that truth I would never be going to school full time.

But the truth is not to be used just willy nilly. With the we must also possess discernment, judgement, instruction and understanding. The truth has the ability to destroy or to build up. Truth is that without Jesus one has no hope but Hell. The other side to that truth is that with Jesus one has the hope of eternal life.

Truth is that outing someone for their misdoings can have a detrimental effect on their lives. But the truth with discernment and understand can bring someone closer to God. The truth is a powerful tool and even becomes more powerful when coupled with instruction and understanding.

Parents (Proverbs 23:22)

Parents are there to teach us and guide us as we grow in this world.

"Harken to your father who begot you, and despise not your mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22, Amplified

There is not much more to say, because this verse speaks for itself. Ephesians 6:1-2 are the go to verses in the New Testament concerning a child's relationship with his parents, but I have already referenced those before. What needs to be said here is my relationship with my parents need not change, ever. From the time of childhood to adulthood, that relationship should not turn for the worse. Parents are people too and able to make mistakes just as children do. I know that I have already made mistakes as a parent.

The Company We Keep (Proverbs 23:19-21)

Here is another exhortation from Solomon to his son.

"Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord]." Proverbs 23:19, Amplified

We are to constantly direct ours minds to the way of the Lord. In our society we are over sexed and over stimulated. The world around us tends to drown the still small voice.

"Do not associate with winebibbers; be not among them nor among gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." Proverbs 23:20-21, Amplified

A lot of the problems that we encounter in our lives comes from the company that we keep. Did you realize that if you are standing on a chair in the middle of a crowded room it would be easier for one person to pull you down than for you to pull that person up? It is all about the physics; the one on the ground has gravity on his side. The same can be said for those who walk a spiritual walk. This is not to say that those people are standing on pedestals or are higher than the average person, but we lend ourselves to a higher standard and a higher calling. The ailments of gluttony and drunkeness will eventually seep into your lifestyle (or whatever other vices your friends give themselves to) and destroy you.

Continue with the Lord (Proverbs 23:17-18)

Out of all the things that we should be envious of, the life of the sinner should not be one of them. David, in his Psalms, often commented on how they would always seem to prosper but he would always end the psalm with acknowledgement of how the Lord looks after His children.

"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long." Proverbs 23:17, Amplified

To envy the sinner is to take a detour from our worship of the Lord. We are instructed to continue in the fear of the Lord, in other words that mindset should never cease in our lives. It is like having a GPS in the car. There is no need for the driver to turn of the path, he only needs to continue on the path set by the device. The Lord is our GPS and there is no need to turn from the path the He has set for us.

"For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward]; and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18, Amplified

There is a finish line, a goal, for the Christian. As we continue in our reverence and worship of the Lord, we get closer to that goal. The funny thing about that finish line, though, is that even if we discontinue with the Lord we still come closer to the finish line. It's position in our lives does not change. What does and can change in the trophy received at the end of our journey.

Communication (Proverbs 23:15-16)

It has been a little over two weeks since my last entry. I have noticed that my thoughts processes and verbal communications are becoming more and more muddled with worldly influences. Then I came to a revelation last night: I have not been doing my devotions. What a concept!

"My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine. Yes my heart will rejoice when your lips speak right things." Proverbs 23:15-16, Amplified

How appropriate that after two weeks of little to no communication with the Lord that He would have these be my verses for the day. I love Him so much and desperately want to approach the perfection that He has planned for me with fear and trembling. Everyday is work. Everyday is a struggle. But everyday is made a little easier with encouragement from my Father.