A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (January 29, 2016)
Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. (Deuteronomy 5:33)
Proverbs 10 is a detailed comparison of the wise versus the wicked. It describes several attributes of each along with the results of their actions. We are going to list these attributes and their results in a slightly different order to hopefully help you see the stark comparisons that are made by Solomon of the two different lifestyles.
The Wise Man Makes his father glad; is delivered from death; will never be hungry; is diligent and prosperous; knows when the harvest is ready; receives blessings from God; has a legacy in his community; receives instruction; walks uprightly; speaks words of life; covers sin with love; has understanding; is constantly learning; his wealth is used to help the poor; his labor points toward life; he is open to correction; is quick to listen and slow to speak; is careful about what he says; he feeds many with his words; he is made rich; his desires are granted; he lives longer; he has hope that endures; he is steadfast and immoveable; he is strong; his mouth speaks wisdom and his lips speak the things that are right.
The Wicked Man is a heaviness to his mother; what he considers treasure profits nothing; his substance is continually being blown away; he is lazy; sleeps during harvest; is prone to violence; has no legacy in his community; walks in perverted ways; talks foolishly and constantly; stirs up strife; is full of hate; runs quickly to sin; refuses reproof; is a liar; is a slanderer; is mischievous; his days are shortened; he is disappointing; destruction is in his future; he is willing to say anything.
As we go through the Book of Proverbs I want you to understand that we are not preaching legalism here. You may look at some of these attributes and think I can never measure up to all that. You are right!! You can’t on your own. But you can with Jesus. That is why Jesus came in the first place. We all fall short! That is why we suggested you order our book “For The Love of God”. You will learn in that book that loving God is the key to living as a wise man. The more you love God, the more you don’t have to struggle to meet all these attributes. You will just automatically not want to go to places you once loved to go to; the words out of your mouth will automatically change; your hopes and dreams will automatically shift to things that produce life and not death.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)
The emphasis should be on loving God, not keeping His words! The more you love God, the more you will see the things of this world fall away from you and the easier keeping His words will become.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).
