Proverbs 22-23
I am teaching you today -- yes, you -- so you will trust in the LORD. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. – Proverbs 22:19-20 NLT
In chapters 22-24 we are given a series of wise saying – 30 of them to be exact. These are short, memorable, and highly practical truths that are timeless and priceless. They could make great teaching material for middle school or high school age kids, but they also apply to those of us in the upper age brackets. Following the wisdom in these sayings will not make you a righteous person, but they should reflect the behavior of someone who is a child of God. They are the characteristics of Christ-likeness. In fact, the only way you can successfully follow the advice in these 30 sayings is with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit. A quick review of what they have to say may be a great indicator of just how much we are under the Spirit's control. Check out the first few of these timeless truths from chapters 22-23.
- Don't take advantage of the helpless or exploit those who can't defend themselves.
- If you hang around with angry people, you'll end up becoming just like them.
- Don't put yourself at risk by co-signing on a loan for someone else. Your guarantee could come back to bite you.
- Don't use deception to try and get an advantage.
- Follow the example of those who work hard and well. They'll be in high demand from the best employers.
- When you have dinner with a person of power and influence, don't talk too much, eat too much, or show yourself to have no restraint.
- Don't spend all your time, energy, and resources trying to get rich. Wealth doesn't last and it can't deliver.
- Learn to recognize the motives of the stingy host who shows you hospitality, but doesn't mean it.
- Don't waste your time trying to get a fool to understand, he'll only laugh at your words.
- Don't try to steal someone's inheritance or means of livelihood from someone who's lost their dad, because God is their protector.
- Learn to love godly instruction and to listen to knowledge that comes from experience.
- Don't be afraid to spank your kids. It won't kill, but in reality, may save their life in the long run.
- A wise child makes a parent happy. A child who speaks truth makes the hearts of his parents glad.
- Instead of being jealous of what sinners have, be zealous in your awe and fear of God. That's where your true hope is.
- Don't hang around with those who can't control their appetites, physically or sexually. All their wanting will leave them wanting.
- Respect your parents and listen to them. Do you want to make them proud of you? Then spend all your resources to acquire truth, wisdom, instruction and insight.
- Stay away from a promiscuous woman or an unfaithful wife. Both seem to offer a lot, but will only lead to disappointment and disaster.
- Anyone who can't control their alcohol will end up suffering emotionally, physically and psychologically. The alcohol that started out as so appealing will leave them staggering, hallucinating, numb, forgetful, and addicted.
Father, some of these are really easy for me. But others are hard. Some I have had to learn the hard way – because of my stubbornness and hardheadedness. They all make so much sense, yet we seem to struggle with obeying them. Make these more than just sayings. Allow them to become characteristics of my life. May I live out the truths they portray each day of my life. Amen