26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
We know that it is never right when the just are punished for doing nothing wrong. we know many saints were martyred for the word of God and God will deal with the people who treat His followers wrongly. Next we see that a man with wisdom knows when to speak and when to hold his peace. A man of understanding is also a man of wisdom who says what needs to said at the appropriate time. We have seen where a fool is almost without hope but if he learns how to control his speech it shows he is gaining wisdom. Then if a wise man does not know when to hold his tongue he can be considered a fool. How often is that we let our tongue get us trouble? Again we need to ask God to help us gain all the wisdom and knowledge we need to make it through each day.
Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
This starts off showing us that people will wait till we are looking the other way and take a bribe to persuade us to be on their side even when it is the wrong thing to do. As we see in the next verse wisdom is available to anyone who desires it and seeks God for it but for the fool he never sees the need to ask for it because he thinks it is too far from his reach. This last verse shows us that a father is pleased to have a son but wants him to listen to his instructions but when he does not it brings grief. The mother is sadden because the child has made bad decisions and as parents both want their children to be better people than they are.We see so many instances in God’s word where it should encourage us to ask everyday for the wisdom and knowledge to say and do the right things and we gain that by reading His word.
Proverbs17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Again a short verse but filled with wisdom. It is almost a proven fact if we keep an upbeat happy attitude we will live a better and more stress free life. When God breathed life into man I believe it was life with a merry heart, now today for us to get that breath of life into us we have accept Jesus as savior and let Him file us with that breath of His spirit. Those that have a broken spirit and are dejected open themselves up to all kinds of illnesses.Heath is ruined by such things as grief, continual worry, anxiety, fretfulness, bad tempers, hatred , and malice. If these things persist in someones life it will end in nothing but death, like the dry bones. If you are struggling with some of these I urge you to find a God believing, truth teaching church and let God breath that life saving spirit into you. Everyone is welcome at Luverne First Assembly of God,services start at 9:30 AM with Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service, Sunday night Service at 5:00 Pm.
Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Her in these verses we see several things that cause sorrow in peoples lives. First if you sign on note with someone you might as well be saying you are going to pay for the item bought. It is not wise to sign on note with someone it only cause bad feelings. Next we someone who likes to cause strife in other peoples lives and these people like to hide behind high walls which open them up to destruction by thieves and robbers. Then there are those that just have a sinful heart which leads to speaking with a perverse tongue. Not only saying words that are not nice but telling lies to hurt other people. Last we have a situation that hits home with many families where a child goes off and gets into some terrible trouble. We do our best to raise our children right but when then mess up it hurts us and sometimes people look down on the parents for the faults of the children. In all these situations we as a christian need to try to reach these people get them see the error of their ways and turn their life over to Christ.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
This is a short verse but a a message. We learn her that a true friend is always there for you and most of the time closer than a family member. Brothers usually fight with each other growing up but if something happens to one the other will be there to take up for him. A true friend is a constant source of love and are usually available all the time. A brother is a family member and may be as close and is usually drawn near to help in a time of trouble. A lot times we will confide in a friend before we will a family member. There should always be great love in the family because it is family.We should always be ready to stand up for family and friends in any situation.
Proverbs 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
This starts off telling us that judgement should be righteous. We should love the sinner but not overlook the sin neither should we condemn someone because they are a sinner. Anyone who judges the wicked or the wicked who condemns the just are both sinning in God’s eyes and are an abomination to Him. Verse 16 goes on to ask us a question as to how much would it cost for a fool to get wisdom? There is no amount that can buy wisdom, you have to have the desire to want it and ask God for it when you turn your life over to Him.To many people today think if they spend enough money on education they will have all the wisdom they need but we know thy will still be lacking if they do not have the wisdom of God.
Proverbs 17:12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
This scripture starts off by telling us it would be better for us to meet a mother bear who has lost her cubs than to come into contact with a fool in his folly. A fool in his folly is not going to stop from trying to get people to turn to his way life.
As we continue, being thankful to someone doing evil is a certain way to make sure they will be more likely to do good. Also this tells us that we reap what we sew which means evil will not be a part of your household. Finally we see that water is used as an example to show how things can manifest. If a dam has a small link if it is not stop early it will eventually cause the dam to break. When anger or strife starts we should be quick to get it under control so it does not destroy you or a friend. Just like it hard to stop a dam from from breaking it is impossible to take bake a cross word said. Let us try to always be positive in what say even if we know someone is doing wrong. Let us be close enough to God that He gives us just what to say.
Proverbs 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
As this scripture begins we see that when a wise man is corrected it is harder on him but he knows how to accept it. This shows he has a teachable spirit. Where a fool can be beat and it does not change his mind cause he is so used ti it and you cannot teach him anything. As the scripture goes on we know a fool is rebellious which also makes him evil. A person who rebels against God will miss heaven,against society will wind up in jail, against his family will find himself alone, against his teacher will find himself unlearned. Rebellion is very destructive. We see the messengers in each situation that come this evil person, all are against him.
These people are still people who need the saving grace of Jesus Christ and we are the ones who need to find them and share what God has for them.
Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
This verse here could hit home with a lot of people. It is basically talking about gossip. When we here something bad about someone we should not talk about it to other people but try to put a stop to it. This could help to save a friendship. While on the other hand for those who like to take a story and run with it are interested in nothing but how much trouble they can cause. They would like to see the best of friends separated and turn around and say they knew nothing about it. I know we all know people like this but we must strive to eliminate gossip and do what we can to build people up. Do this by sharing the love that Christ shared with us.
Proverbs 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
When a gift is given it is usually always welcomed and enjoyed by whoever receives it. If that gift is shared it makes more people happy which helps us to see that we should sometimes share the things God has blessed us with. The greatest gift ever given was the gift given by God Himself and that being His Son Jesus Christ. This is a gift that anyone who has accepted it is asked to share it with everybody they meet. If you would like to find out more about this gift we welcome to come visit us at Luverne First Assembly of God Church located at 788 Glenwood Rd.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
