Push or Pull
“Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.” Proverbs 26:17 NLT Interfering in an argument, yanking a dog’s ears. They both will produce undesirable results. One is pushing your way in where you don’t belong, the other pulling on something that is only going to bring you pain. But there you are getting […]
Don’t be Lazy
“Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.” Proverbs 26:16 NLT It’s puzzling how most people could consider themselves above average, and even more puzzling why lazy people could consider themselves smarter than wise counselors. What is the message in this for us? When you think that you know all that you need to know about […]
A Reason, and Excuse, or an Escape?
“The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”” Proverbs 26:13 NLT A reason, an excuse, or an escape? Only you know for sure. There is a park near our house where I walk the dog every morning. And in almost 1,000 days, one time, there was a […]
Speaking of Fools Part 3
“Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.” Proverbs 26:10 ESV The careless archer fires without regard for the consequences of where the arrow will land. Good or bad, they leave the results to chance. So too those that engage someone in a task that they know to be […]
Speaking of Fools – Part 2
“Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison! A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a […]
Speaking of Fools Part 1
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” [Pro 26:4-5 ESV] Proverbs 26 has several lessons on fools. This is part one of a 3-part series. Should you answer a fool? Verses 4 and 5 seem […]
Walls of Protection
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 NLT In ancient times cities were surrounded by a wall. The walls provided protection from wild animals, enemies, and strangers that might be a threat to the well-being of the residents of the city. The walls also offered boundaries for the residents to […]
Don’t Give Up
“If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.” Proverbs 25:26 NLT “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” a quote that John F. Kennedy attributed to Irish philosopher Edmund Burke in 1961. While the origin may be debated, […]
Wind and Rain – Gossip and Anger
“As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!”Proverbs 25:23 NLT Have you ever heard the expression: “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one is doing anything about it.” Weather is something we might be able to manage, but we certainly can’t control. “A north wind brings rain.” We experience […]
Do Good for All – Even Enemies
“If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.”Proverbs 25:21-22 NLT There seems to be debate among scholars as to the meaning of this verse, even different versions read slightly […]