Proverbs 28:7 (NLT)“Young people who obey the law are wise; those who seek out worthless companions bring shame to their parents.” The Trajectory of the Discerning When a young person operates with right understanding—with discernment—they do more than just “follow rules.” they bring justice, happiness, and joy to their name and to their elders. The…

Proverbs 27:8 (NLT)“A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest.” The Myth of the Lone Eagle The world teaches a “get yours and go” philosophy—an “every man for himself” mentality. We see it everywhere: children graduate, advance, and immediately walk away from the very family and community that…

Proverbs 26:4-5 (NLT)“[4] When arguing with fools, don’t answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are. [5] When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation.” The Paradox of the Pivot At first glance, these two verses seem to…

Proverbs 25:5 (NLT)“Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.” The Vulnerability of the Throne Even a great king can be marred and his legacy ruined by the presence, advice, and involvement of wicked, unjust people. What makes us so vulnerable to this? It usually stems from…

Proverbs 24:5-6 (NLT)“A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many counselors.” Beyond Brute Force What are you really seeking? If victory is your goal and success is your desire,…

Proverbs 23:9 (NLT)“Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.” The Strategy of Silence The Hebrew word for fool used here is kesil, which literally means “thickheaded.” This isn’t just someone who doesn’t know the truth; it’s someone who has no desire to do right or do better. You must…

Proverbs 22:4 (NLT)“True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.” The Package Deal Do you want riches, honor, and a long life? Then you must learn to go low. Godly success is the complete antithesis of worldly success. In the world, you climb over people to get to the…

Proverbs 21:4 (NLT)“Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.” The Lamp of the Wicked J. Cole said pride is the devil. Whether it’s the devil or not, one thing is certain: Pride is sin. This proverb calls it the “lamp” of the wicked—it is the very lifeline and guiding light for…

Proverbs 20:4 (NLT)“If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.” The Timing of the Toil It is not enough to simply “work hard”; you must work in the right season. You cannot demand a harvest in the fall if you were too comfortable to…

 Proverbs 19:11 (NLT)“People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.” The Controlled Burn Are you out of control? Anger has a purpose, but most people handle it like a wildfire instead of a controlled burn. For anger to be useful, it must be restrained, handle swiftly, and rooted in righteousness.…