Proverbs 15

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 VERSE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

What is desired in a man is kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.

The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil. 

Proverbs 19:21-23 NKJV

EXTRA VERSES TO MEMORIZE:

*Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) 
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.

*Proverbs 14:26-27 (NIV)
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,
    and for their children it will be a refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death.

 

 

Thank you to our sister-in-Christ, Tera, for bringing us together for fellowship and this wonderful study of Proverbs!!

 

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, we come to you today with our hearts and minds open, ready to receive your instruction, seeking knowledge and wisdom.  Father, renew our hearts and minds!!  Thank you, Lord, for your grace and never changing love for each and every one of us!!  You are an awesome God!!  We love you, Lord!!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!!

 

 

PROVERBS 15

 

Proverbs 15 teaches us the importance of self-control, a heart’s desires, our relationship and walk with God, prayer, humility, seeking God's wisdom, and following His instruction (The Word).

 

Verses 1-2 ~ A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.  Have you ever been in an argument with someone, emotions heightened, and everyone ends up saying too much?  Angry words bring angry words in return.  We are reminded here that we must answer softly; first, pray silently and then answer softly - think before we speak.  It certainly will change the tone of an argument; you are more likely to get your point across and less likely to say something you will regret.  The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.  The tongue ~ A Mighty Weapon!  The wise choose words carefully.  A fool blurts out whatever comes to mind, with no thought or respect for anyone. Reading these 2 verses, I keep thinking of the children’s rhyme, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words will never hurt me.”

Verse 3 ~ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.  GOD SEES EVERYTHING!! 

Verse 4 ~ A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.  Words can destroy or words can heal.  A wholesome tongue speaks beautiful words of hope; speaking life not death.  Amen!!  A wholesome tongue brings the good news of the gospel, and if the message is heeded, it brings eternal life.  "Perverseness" - deliberately deviating from what is good; a liar, a bully, lacks discipline!

Verse 5 ~ A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.  A fool will not accept instruction, especially from his father.  This verse reminds me of being a parent.  We try so hard to teach them to do what is right, warn them of dangers, consequences, trying to save them from pain and suffering, but some carry a "know it all" attitude and do it their way.  As a parent, you know how it is going to turn out and the consequences they may face.   Life would be so much easier for them if they would just listen and learn from yours and/or other's mistakes.  Being a child of God (our Heavenly Father) same scenario - His Word is our instruction!!

Verse 6 ~ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.  This verse tells us that there are two ways of getting treasure.  The righteous has much treasure, because he has earned it fairly and God has blessed him.  The wicked earns theirs unlawfully and it brings ruin.  Ill-gotten gain is soon lost. 

Verse 7~ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.  The heart is where the message originates.  In Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

Verses 8-11 ~ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. External acts of worship are repulsive to God when the heart of the worshiper is wicked. It is not what comes from our mouths that God hears, but what we pray filtered through the Holy Spirit who searches (in our heart) for what we really believe and are saying. See Romans 8:26-27. God loves (He finds delight) when we pray! The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But he loves him who follows righteousness. The way of life. You can either walk the broad way of wickedness which leads to destruction or walk the straight and narrow path which pleases God. There are only two paths; we must go on one or the other. I choose the straight and narrow – the path of righteousness!! Amen!! Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. First, let me say I do not want to be on the receiving end of any harsh discipline!! Jesus is the way of truth and righteousness and to forsake Him brings death. Sin has to be repented of and corrected to get in the way which leads to life. Those who reject repentance and correction (in Jesus) shall die in their sins. Hell and destruction are before the Lord, So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. This verse tells us that hell and destruction are fully known of God. God can see into the heart of every man and knows what is in each person's heart. He knows the desires of our heart before we pray. But, God wants us to pray and fellowship with Him!!

 

Verse 12~ A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A scoffer in the Bible is one who "mocks at and scorns at things to come, walking after their own lusts." A scoffer is one who has no interest seeking knowledge or advice from anyone, including the wise.

 

Verse 13~ A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.  When someone is cheerful, joy is in their heart, they carry a smile; in sorrow, a broken spirit, they carry a frown.  Choose “JOY” and carry a smile ~ we have so much to be thankful for, Blessed!!  Amen!!

Verse 14~ The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.  The heart's desires of the righteous will seek more knowledge.  A fool hangs on to every foolish thing he hears and feeds on falsehoods.

Verse 15 ~ All of the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.  “Afflicted”, depressed, cursed, stricken, suffering.  This person never sees anything good; negative attitude.  The joyous inward condition of the wise man's heart is described as a “continual feast”; a positive attitude, peaceful.  The Word, worshipping, and prayer feed us all a “continual feast”.

Verse 16 ~ Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.  Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, which brings forth a relationship with God.  There is no treasure greater than eternity with God!!  Wealth can keep one away from a really close relationship with God; one who worships money more than God.  It is much better to be poor and be rich in the Lord.

Verse 17 ~ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.  This verse tells us that good company is far more important at a meal than the type of food on the table.

Verse 18 ~ A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.  A wrathful man is always trying to stir up a battle; a man who is slow to anger (peacemaker) will go to any length to avoid one.

 

Verse 19 ~ The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.  A lazy man will not put forth any effort; an industrious man (righteous) is productive, will do the work that needs to be done, a good servant.

Verse 20 ~ A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.  A wise, obedient, son follows the instructions of his father and his father is proud of him.  A foolish man despises his mother and does not want to take instruction from her.

Verse 21 ~ Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.  “Folly”, a fool who lacks the ability to decide between truth and error.  A righteous man who heeds the word of God has the ability to think biblically; knowledge and wisdom.

Verses 22-23 ~ Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.  A fool will do what he thinks is best without consulting anyone; a wise man will seek advice of others and then make the best decision.  A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!   By way of advice and counsel to such who stand in need of it or of comfort to those that are distressed, such is a word of promise spoken and applied by the Holy Spirit to the hearts of his people in a time of need.

Verse 24 ~ The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.  The wise and good lead such a life that preserves them from death.

Verse 25 ~ The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But he will establish the boundary of the widow.  God does not like a proud heart – The proud, self-confident man, with his family and household and wealth, shall be rooted up.  But, the humbled and pure in heart, will be taken care of.

Verse 26 ~ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.  Jesus taught that sin occurs first in the heart and thought.  The thoughts of sinners are evil.  A pure person has pure thoughts and his words are pleasant.

Verse 27 ~ He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.  Some people just want more and more and are never satisfied; greed sometimes brings financial burdens on families and will often lead to divorce.  But, the unselfish person who loves to give and not get, will prosper or live.

Verse 28 ~ The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.  This verse is related to Verses 1 and 2; a person who is slow to speak says fewer things that they regret later – but an evil person doesn't care about other's feelings and just blurts out hurtful things.

Verse 29 ~ The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.  Sin separates us from God.  He hears the prayers of the righteous.  See also, 1 Peter 3:12.

Verse 30 ~ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.    If we have Jesus in our heart, we have His light shining within us.  Others see this person’s unspeakable joy that radiates out to everyone they come into contact with.  Good news lifts you up.  It makes your heart leap within you!  Spiritually healthy!

Verses 31-32~ The ear that hears the rebukes of life, Will abide among the wise.   Open your ear of understanding to God.  We are to be wise unto salvation.  The acquiring of wisdom demands a teachable spirit.  He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.  A person who refuses to be taught is hurting himself more than anyone else.  One who wants to understand, will listen carefully to someone who knows more, and will even take correction from that person to learn.

Verse 33 ~ The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.  “We must walk humbly before God. The honor must come from God and not man. If we fear God, we will follow in His ways. We will study his Word and know what His will is for our life. If we fear (respect) Him, our desire will be to please him. This fear actually means we will love Him and respect Him and do everything we can do to obey His commandments and the things He has told us to do (through Jesus) in the New Testament.”

 Sources:  Bible, New King James Version (NKJV)

                “Discover Books of The Bible”, website.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: LISA INGRAM is the wife of ten years to Chris, and working mother to 5 children.  They attend Gateway Church in Kountze, Texas.   Chris and Lisa are the founders of GIG - God Is Gracious, a children's mission group.  Lisa is also a Volunteer Advocate for CASA. (Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused or neglected children.)