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.…

 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…

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…

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…