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.
Proverbs 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
A fool cannot speak excellently because he lacks the wisdom and knowledge of God. An excellent speaker tells the truth in its entirety because he has understanding and the wisdom of God. All through these Proverbs we have seen that the truth is not in a fool and he has no understanding. We should have the discernment to know that what comes out of the fools mouth should not be heeded and we cannot depend upon what he says. The prince on the other hand needs to be above reproach because he needs to be setting a good example. It is important they speak the truth because what they say will affect the lives of a lot of people. It is kind of like us today, we need well grounded in the word of God so when we speak we know we are speaking the truth and not making a fool of ourselves.
Proverbs 17;6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Children’s children are grandchildren and they are the pride of the grandparents. They are named correctly, grand. We like to spend as much if not more with our grandchildren than we did for our children. For a grandparent to be with their grandchildren helps them remember their own youth. We want our grandchildren to have the things that we never able to have.This is why they say it is our job to spoil them. Then we have children look to their fathers as an example of what they want to become. We have heard the saying “like father like son” or ‘like mother like daughter” truly good parents brings joy to the family. We always need to remember the word says raise a child up in the way he should and in his later days he will not depart form it.
Proverbs 17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
These scriptures tell us a lot about what we see today. A wicked person only runs with others of his nature and they would not know how to do an honest thing if they tried. They believe all the lies they are told , sound familiar with our news media and politics today,. They could not recognize the truth if it slapped them in the face, they have listen to lies so long they cannot tell the difference. This scripture goes to tell us that we are to take care of the poor and not look down them. If it were not for the grace of God we could be in the same shape. Even if we are not the best of friends with someone we should not be glad when we see something bad happen to them. We are told to pray for enemies. God will be the ultimate judge and we are to love everyone to try get them to come to God. This what Jesus said, “”In as much as you have done it to the least of these you have done it unto me”
"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
