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Proverbs 18:4 (NLT)“A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.” Spiritual Irrigation In a world parched by useless, negative talk, we are called to be a source of life-giving water. There is something transformative about the right person saying the right thing at the right…
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Proverbs 17:4 (NLT)“Wrongdoers listen to wicked talk; liars pay attention to destructive words.” The Diet of the Deceived There is a spiritual law at work here: we feed on what enhances our current character. A wicked person and a liar don’t just happen to hear gossip; they listen for it. They pay attention to destructive…
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Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)“The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.” The Grand Orchestration This verse is a challenge for many because it confronts our need for control. We must realize that everything happening—and everything that has ever happened—is working toward God’s sovereign purpose. Every person, every event, and every…
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Proverbs 15:5 (NLT)“Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.” The Hardened Heart of the Fool In the Bible, a “fool” isn’t just someone who is slow to understand; it refers to a hardened, calculated refusal to learn. This person has made up their mind to dismiss wisdom and ignore…
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Proverbs 14:5 (NLT)“A truthful witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.” The Fluency of the False There is a chilling emphasis in this verse on the ease of the lie. For the truthful witness—a person of high moral character and unshakeable integrity—a lie is a foreign object. It doesn’t fit in their mouth.…
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Proverbs 13:5 (NLT)“Those who are godly hate lies; the wicked come to shame and disgrace.” The Gravity of the Lie As children of the Most High, we are called to hate what He hates. And make no mistake: God hates lies. Why? Because lies are the primary tools of destruction. They weaken the fabric of…
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Proverbs 12:5 (NLT)“The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.” The Character of Your Calendar The intent and the outcome of your plans reveal the true contents of your character. A godly plan is built on justice, meaning it seeks what is right, fair, and beneficial for all. As…
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Proverbs 11:5 (NLT)“The godly are directed by their honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.” The Load You Weren’t Meant to Carry Everyone living will face their share of trouble. It comes with the territory of a fallen world. However, there is a massive difference between the “trials of life” and the “load…
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Proverbs 10:4 (NRSV)“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” Intensity vs. Consistency The book of Proverbs is replete with these poignant, contrasting ideas. Stated simply: The undisciplined person will never be successful. A person who is lazy or lacks a work ethic produces nothing but poverty. However, the hand…
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Proverbs 9:6 (NLT)“Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise.” The Constant Motion of Go To truly live is to be in a constant mode of listening, leaving, and learning. Our God is progressive; He is in constant motion. When we read “In the beginning, God…” we must realize…