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.