Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13

1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. 3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. 5 The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked. 7 One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. 8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. 9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. 11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. 15 Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. 18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. 19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous. 23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. 24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. 25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Devotional

Introduction

If you've ever lived in an environment with anti-God or anti-Christian tendencies, you might have found yourself picking up similar tendencies as well. Swearing might be the most common, particularly if someone has come from a non-Christian family, or from a public school. Coming from a Christian school, I know I found it hard to relate to some of my Christian peers who were at a public school, because they had picked up tendencies or norms that came from being in that environment. Certain topics even came up that may be comfortable to address or joke about there, but not so much in my own.

Sometimes, you can tell when some Christians have a bit of an "edge" to them. And usually it is due to whatever environment they live in.

The same kinda goes with foolish and wise practices. Solomon recognises this in many verses in Proverbs 13. He explains that certain environments will reap wisdom, so cultivate those environments in your own lives. I think it goes without saying that some environments cannot be controlled (eg.you cannot control what family you were born into). Nevertheless, he shows that these environments are cultivated internally, amongst our friends, and within our families.

Study

1) Reaping wisdom from...within ourselves (vs.1&13)

 "A wise son hears his father's instruction,  but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." (vs.1)

"Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,  but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded." (vs.13)

In order to attain wisdom, we must create an environment within ourselves, that is able to listen to teachings, to instruction and even to rebuke. If your heart is hardened, if you are stubborn, you will not grow in wisdom. Within yourself, you must create the right environment in order to grow.

However, I know that in many cases we are powerless. You are weakened by your own sinful nature. Sometimes, we are blind to our own sin and stubborness. Which is why we must ask the Holy Spirit each and every day to transform our hearts and minds to the image of Christ.

But notice this, if you have not willingess, if you despise reproof, if you hate God's teaching, you only "bring...destruction on [yourself]" (vs.13). 2 Timothy says this:

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16)

God's word is what ultimately brings us to completion. It is what equips us "for every good work" (3:17). To deny such growth by the Holy Spirit is called the unforgivable sin, because it is his work which sanctifies us (Mark 3:28-29). In this case, it is his work in us that can make us ready to reap wisdom.

2) Reaping wisdom from...our friends (vs.20)

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,  but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (vs.20)

Be around wise people and you will become wise. Hang around fools and you will likely act foolish. Seems pretty straightforward.

I believe I should clarify that hanging around non-Christians in order that you might share the gospel is totally biblical. Jesus hung around tax-collectors and sinners all the time, as shown in the four gospels. But two things to note:

1. Jesus was a perfect man, so he would not be led astray

2. You must also spend much time with Christians

In terms of point two, I think it is wise to ask yourself who you are spending the majority of your time with. If you are not willing to spend time with your church family and cultivate real relationships there, but you are willing to hang around the cool crowd at school, or out at a bar with some workmates, you have a bit of a problem.

Even Christians might lead you astray. But you all do have a commonality - Jesus - and I think you all can ensure that everyone continues to follow him with their whole heart.

3) Reaping wisdom from...our family (vs.24)

Whoever spares the rod hates his son,  but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. (vs.24)

Believe it or not, you cannot change your family. But for parents, there is something they can do in order to lead their children down the right path. Discipline them.

Perhaps you know of the grating show "Caillou". I have done my research, and so many mothers extremely dislike the show. Mainly because it reinforces bad behaviour in kids, as the fictional parents of the child allow his behaviour to continue. Suppose such behaviour was continued? Parents would be allowing their child to not only act foolishly as a child, but giving them rights to continue as an adult. I don't think anyone would hire the adult version of Caillou.

It is out of love that a parent would discipline their child. Not only will they be likeable in the future, but they will know to make wise choices. If you are not willing to instruct and correct your child to behave properly, you may think you appeasing them, but you are not respecting them. It is two different things. And as a older person, I am extremely grateful for discipline of my parents which did not scar me but guided me.

To see your child grow up into a wise, child of God, you have to be willing to go the hard yard to discipline them.

Conclusion

Solomon writes these things for the good of his son, but they are wise words to everyone: we must create environments in which we can properly grow in wisdom. Anyone who places themselves in a situation where it is easy to deny the transforming work of the spirit is truly being unwise.

It might be the same with temptations you face. What situations have you placed yourself in, where you have been tempted to act like a fool than like a wise man? Have you come close to temptation. Have you tested the temperature of the water with your foot, tempting you to jump right in?

How can we ever be wise, how can we live for God, if we do not allow for a wise environment internally, amongst our friends, or within our own families? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you seek to grow in wisdom.

Thanks for joining me today and I pray you might seek out wisdom in how best to handle these matters. Love y'all so much and God bless!