"And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!"

Proverbs 5:12-13

Mt. Everest, the highest peak on Earth, has long been the goal of climbers around the globe. In the decades since it was first scaled, individuals and groups have come to the remote Himalayas in an effort to reach the top. During the 1990s Everest “tourism” reached a new high as guides began selling services to take larger and larger groups up the mountain. In 1996 writer Jon Krakauer was part of one such expedition—a trip that ended in tragedy. His book Into Thin Air recounts the series of decisions and poor choices that left eight climbers and guides dead on the mountain when a massive storm caught them on the trail and they were unable to return to safety.

There were plenty of warnings for those who choose to heed them. Many people abandoned their efforts to reach the summit of Everest and remained safe below. But others thought that their skill or their guides would enable them to make it despite the storm. Some of those who refused to listen to the warnings they received perished on the mountain.

When we decide that we know better than those who are sounding the alarm and giving warnings of danger, we are taking a grave risk. It may be that they are wrong and there is no danger, but that is seldom the case. Usually when we are being warned, it is for a reason. God graciously gives us teachers and spiritual leaders to provide words of caution to save us from destruction. Pride does not want to admit that it might need correction, and as a result, often ends in tragedy. Humility listens to these words and heeds them rather than despising them, offering protection and safety.

"(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows."

Proverbs 7:11-14

In addition to his long career as a political leader, including several years spent as Secretary of State and candidate for President, William Jennings Bryan often filled pulpits as a preacher. His powerful rhetoric opened the Word of God and challenged men and women to repent. In one memorable illustration, he told of a man from his hometown of Salem, Illinois, who once had been a drunkard. The man was convicted of the error of his ways, and signed a temperance pledge to stop drinking. But as Bryan told the story, each time he went into town, he continued to tie his horse up at the hitching post in front of the tavern where he used to drink. It wasn’t long before he was back inside with his old friends, drinking once again.

The devil for centuries has been convincing people that they are different—that they can get close to the edge with temptation without going over. He delights when Christians believe that they are strong enough to resist continual exposure to temptation without giving in. He knows he is close to triumph when we forget Paul’s admonition, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

The devil doesn’t play fair. He doesn’t care what he has to use to lure us to sin. Anything—even good things—can become tools in his hands. We need to walk through the world with our guard up and our eyes fixed on Jesus. Only then can we triumph over temptation and win the victory.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

Proverbs 9:10

In Roman times, a general who had won a great victory was given a triumph—a great parade through the streets of Rome to celebrate his accomplishments and give him honor and glory. In his book Apologetics, Tertullian (one of the leading pastors of the early church) said that each time a general made this trip, he was accompanied by a slave who had a single assignment. Periodically along the route as the crowds cheered the conquering hero, the slave would whisper in the general’s ear, “Respice post te! Hominem te esse memento! Memento mori!”: “Look behind you! Remember that you are but a man! Remember that you will die!”

The humanistic philosophy that surrounds us has its focus on man rather than on God. Our society glories in our achievements and accomplishments. We revel in breaking records and establishing new goals to reach for. We find the conceit that we can solve all of our problems with better education and social structures apart from God. Yet while that approach is alluring to our fallen natures, it is based on a lie. There is no truth or knowledge apart from God. He is the sources of all good things, and there is nothing meaningful or lasting that we can achieve apart from Him.

Describing the Roman society of his day, Paul wrote, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28). Truly that could be said of our age as well. When people leave God out of their thoughts, true wisdom vanishes. They may have advanced degrees and great education, but they lack true knowledge. Only when we turn to God and believe in and fear Him can we say we have understanding.

"Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered."

Proverbs 11:21

When Diana Valencia was arrested in Texas on drug charges in September of 2008, there was little doubt regarding her guilt. Anyone caught with two kilos of cocaine is going to have difficulty explaining that away as an innocent mistake. However she came up with a novel attempt at getting off—she and her sister decided to bribe the judge who would be hearing her case to make sure she got off. The plan might have worked, since the judge was willing to take the money—except the FBI got involved.

Agents had been suspicious of Judge Manuel Barraza, and they cut a deal with Valencia’s sister to record her meetings with the judge. She taped a total of five conversations with the judge in which they agreed on the price for getting her sister off. Barraza was arrested and convicted and lost his judicial position because of his attempts to circumvent justice for profit.

Many people think that they can enjoy sin and then find some means of avoiding the consequences. As one old preacher said, they sow wild oats and then pray for crop failure. But no matter what devices we come up with, God is a sure and certain judge. We cannot bargain with or bribe Him. His hatred of sin parallels His perfect holiness. He does not turn away from sin.

The only hope that we have when we have sinned is to repent and seek forgiveness through the blood of Christ. John wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Sin that we attempt to hide or cover will always result in condemnation—sin that we confess will be forgiveen.

"Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured."

Proverbs 13:18

Much of the foundation for the modern computing world that we take for granted was laid by Thomas Watson, Sr. who founded the International Business Machine Company and made it a leader in the world of data processing. He was the one who popularized the company motto “Think” which still appears throughout buildings owned by IBM. One of the things that distinguished Watson from many of his less successful peers was his belief in the value of mistakes. He correctly felt that the difference between success and failure was not in avoiding mistakes but in learning from them.

In the 1940s, an employee reportedly made a catastrophic mistake—an error that would cost IBM one million dollars. That is a lot of money today, but those days it was an enormous sum. Certain that he was about to be fired, the erring employee typed up a letter of resignation and took it to Watson’s office. To his shock, Watson refused to accept his letter or fire him and said, “Fire you? I’ve just invested one million dollars in your education, and you think I’m going to fire you?”

Because we are only human, it is certain that we will make mistakes. One of the primary things that distinguishes between the wise man and the fool is whether he learns from those mistakes. When we fail, when we are corrected, when we are reproved, we should realize that we have been presented with a wonderful learning opportunity. One business consultant told a potential client, “When you hire us, you are getting to avoid over one hundred years of other people’s mistakes.” Rather than responding in pride and refusing to learn, we should humbly submit to correction when we make mistakes—and then not repeat them.

"The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."

Proverbs 15:14

During the War of 1812, British soldiers captured the city of Washington DC and set fire to a number of government buildings. Among those destroyed was the Library of Congress. In 1815 former President Thomas Jefferson agreed to sell his personal library to the nation to start the replacement process. Nearly 6,500 books were purchased, and they formed the foundation for the rapidly expanding national library. In 1851 an accidental fire destroyed many of the books Jefferson had donated. Recently the Library of Congress has been working on recreating Jefferson’s personal collection, trying to acquire a copy of every book in the original set.

Some criticized Jefferson’s collection as being too broad back in his day, but he wrote a letter defending the wide array of topics, pointing out: “There is in fact no subject to which a member of Congress may not have occasion to refer.” Jefferson had a great appreciation for knowledge and understood how important it is, both to individuals and to nations, to be careful students.

This is true in the spiritual realm as well. The word “disciple” comes from the Greek word for a student or pupil. Though in our society formal education ends at a fairly young age, learning should never stop.
Paul certainly knew more than most about the things of God. He had a personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and then spent years in the desert being taught the truths of God. Yet when he wrote to the Romans he declared, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). No matter how much we know, there is always more to study and learn. We should heed the instruction of 2 Peter 3:18 and “grow in…the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

Norman Cousins was a well-known author and teacher when he was diagnosed with several serious illnesses, including heart disease. Doctors gave him little hope of recovery. Rather than giving up, Cousins decided to try something unusual—he laughed. In his best-selling book Anatomy of an Illness, Cousins described the effect of finding ways to make himself laugh, including watching old comedies. He wrote, “I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep. When the pain-killing effect of the laughter wore off, we would switch on the motion picture projector again and not infrequently, it would lead to another pain-free interval.” Cousins lived 36 years after his first diagnosis.

He had discovered a powerful spiritual principle—our attitude has a major influence on our physical health and well-being. God does not intend for His children to live in misery and despair. If our spirits are broken we are not as effective in witnessing or serving God. Instead we should find our joy in the Lord regardless of what is happening around us. Circumstances may change, but He never does.

When Ezra and Nehemiah led the people of Israel in celebrating the Feast of the Tabernacles after the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt, the people mourned when they realized how they had violated the law of God. Yet Nehemiah encouraged them, reminding them that God was merciful and forgiving. “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Keep your heart happy and enjoy the presence of God in your life every day.

"Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."

Proverbs 19:18

Parents have many things they need to teach their children. There are physical, social, emotional, moral, and most of all spiritual lessons they need to learn in order to be prepared for life. The earlier those lessons are taught, the better off children are. If we fail to instruct them, they will pay the consequences. Yet sometimes parents fall into the trap of thinking that it is mean or unkind to discipline children, and so they let them get away with things that deserve loving, firm correction. This inevitably leads to tragedy.

Children are born with a sin nature that leaves them prone to doing wrong. God’s grace combined with loving discipline and teaching from parents leads children to make wise choices. Neglecting to train children is unkind in the long run.

There is a powerful illustration of this truth in the life of Eli. Though he was a godly priest, his sons were wicked, and Eli did not stop them or correct their behavior. God spoke to Samuel when he was just a boy and delivered this condemnation of Eli: “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13).

Unrestrained behavior soon becomes the habit of a lifetime. There is a time when wise chastening has the hope of changing behavior, but that time will pass. If the investment of effort and diligence in training and disciplining is not made when children are young, it becomes very difficult to change later on. There is a unique window of opportunity to shape morals and character in youth that is never repeated. We need to be careful to take advantage of it. In the end, the temporary relief of avoiding discipline will produce a bitter harvest.

"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."

Proverbs 21:20

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States has one of the lowest savings rates in the developed world. Over the past ten years, our savings rate—the amount the average household keeps rather than spending from what they earn—has declined. In fact, OECD figures for 2012 show the rate overall at just 4 percent. By contrast, many other developed countries have a rate of over 10 percent. The fact that most people in America save almost nothing is a testimony to the spirit of foolishness that has gripped our nation.

The person who spends everything he makes (and often more) is not living according to wisdom. While hoarding all of our money is not God’s plan for us, neither is using it all up as soon as we get it. In addition to tithing and giving offerings and providing for the needs of our family, we should be saving some money to provide for needs in the future. It is presumptuous for us to assume that the car will never break down, the washing machine will never need to be replaced, and the roof will never leak. Knowing that such unexpected events will occur, we should do what we can to make provision for the future by saving in the present.

At the same time as we make our plans and preparations for the future, we should remember that our preparation is not our true source of security. James reminds us, “Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Rather than trusting in our strength and resources, we should be relying on God as our provider. Only then are we ready to face the future.

"Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge."

Proverbs 23:12

In May 2013, thirteen-year-old Arvind Mahankali correctly spelled the word “knaidel” (a German-Yiddish word for a dumpling) to win the 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee. Mahankali had finished third each of the two previous years. In both of those years he was eliminated when he failed to correctly spell a German-derived word. In preparation for his third attempt at the prize, Mahankali diligently worked to strengthen his area of weakness. “This year I prepared German words and I studied them, so when I got German words this year, I wasn't worried," he said after his victory.

No one has yet invented a way to magically acquire knowledge—or anything else worthwhile—without effort. If we are going to learn what we need to know to succeed in life, whether in our ministry, our career, our family, or even our hobbies, we are going to have to devote the time and effort required to gain the skills and knowledge we need…and then continue to devote the time and effort required to maintain what we have learned. Renowned concert pianist Vladimir Horowitz said in an interview that if he skipped one day of practice he could tell a difference in his performance. If he skipped two or three days, other top-notch pianists could tell. And if he skipped a week, members of the audience would notice.

We need to take learning seriously. A person who is dedicated to acquiring skills and information on the job will quickly stand out from his peers. A parent who is serious about gathering the tools to more effectively meet his children’s needs will reap great benefits in his children. And a Christian dedicated to studying and applying God’s Word will gain wisdom. We must obey the admonition of 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

"By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone."

Proverbs 25:15

The value of kindness over harshness is clearly illustrated in Aesop’s fable of “The Wind and the Sun.” The two were arguing over which was stronger. They saw a man walking down the road toward them, and the Sun proposed a contest to resolve the dispute. He said, “Whichever of us can cause that traveler to take off his cloak shall be regarded as the stronger.” They agreed on the terms of the challenge, and the Wind took the first turn while the Sun went behind a cloud.

The Wind blew hard upon the traveler. Harder and harder he blew to make the man cold, but that only succeeded in making the traveler clutch his cloak more tightly around him. At last the Wind gave up in despair. Then the Sun came back out from behind the cloud and began to shine upon the man. The brighter his face became, the hotter the man grew. Soon he found it too hot to continue and took off his cloak. By kindness the Sun accomplished what the Wind could not by force, and he won the contest.

While it may be satisfying to give someone a “piece of our mind” or tell them exactly what we think, that approach is unlikely to produce a positive result. If we want to have influence with others, our words need to be kind and soft rather than harsh and grating. Paul put it this way: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6). By patiently continuing to use kind words and a soft tone in our interactions with others, we improve the prospects for a positive response. Remember, the goal is not to win an argument or a fight. It is to influence behavior for the better.

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished."

Proverbs 27:12

In April 2013, the southbound side of I-77 near the North Carolina-Virginia border was closed for hours following a massive chain of accidents. Police later reported that eighteen different collisions involved ninety-six cars and trucks. The wrecks left three people dead and more than two dozen injured, many of them seriously. The cause of the accidents was people driving into a thick fog that descended over the Interstate that Sunday afternoon. A police spokesman said, “Visibility at the time this accident occurred was down to about one hundred feet or less.”

As people continued to drive blindly forward, they could not see the danger that was just ahead until it was too late. Prudence reminds us to be on guard for danger—not just in the present but in the future as well. Because of the way our minds work, we often tend to discount what may happen in the future simply because it hasn’t happened yet. It’s a little like the old joke about the optimist who fell from the top of a large building. As he passed the 10th floor on his way down he said, “I’m okay so far!” That approach places us in a dangerous position because if we fail to foresee the danger, we are almost certain to find it.

When the Bible talks about someone who is “simple” it means someone who has not received instruction. One of the purposes of Proverbs (and indeed all of Scripture) is to give us an education that equips us to live wisely. Paul told Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible offers us a guidebook that warns of dangers in the road ahead and tells us how to avoid them. We should carefully heed these warnings.

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."

Proverbs 29:23

Hank Gathers of Loyola Marymount University was one of the best college basketball players in the nation. During the 1988-1989 season he became the second player in NCAA history to lead all players in both scoring and rebounding in the same year. Gathers’ next season, his senior year, the Lions basketball team was even better and won the regular season conference championship. Before a conference tournament game at the end of the season Gathers told a reporter who was interviewing him, “God couldn’t guard me tonight.”

Just minutes into the game, Gathers scored on a fast break dunk and then collapsed on the floor. Paramedics were unable to revive him, and the twenty-three year old was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Gathers had been suffering from an irregular heartbeat, but because he felt like the medication that was prescribed interfered with his ability to play basketball, he had apparently stopped taking it which led to his early death.

When we have success in any area—career, family, or ministry—the temptation is for us to take the credit and allow pride to fill our hearts. That is a dangerous place. Through the prophet Isaiah, God declared, “I will not give my glory unto another” (Isaiah 48:11). The reason pride is such a danger is because it seems so reasonable to us in the moment. Like the great king Nebuchadnezzar walking the walls of Babylon, we are tempted to look at the work and accomplishments of our lives and proclaim, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). If we give in to that temptation we are dishonoring God and heading for destruction.

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."

Proverbs 31:11

In William Shakespeare’s famous play The Merchant of Venice, a character named Bassanio is hoping to win the hand of a wise and beautiful woman named Portia. Her father’s death left her a wealthy woman, and many men want to marry her to get rich. Portia’s father left a will that her hand will be given in marriage to the suitor who chooses correctly when presented with three caskets—one of gold, one of silver, and one of lead. The rich princes who came to court Portia chose gold or silver and failed the test. Finally Bassanio arrives and wisely chooses the lead casket with the inscription “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.” He passed the test and married Portia.

Generosity and sacrifice are, of course, noble expressions of love—but they should be indicators of a love that already exists. True love cannot be bought or bribed. The husband of the wise woman in Proverbs 31 does not need “spoil”—the gain of battle or business—with which to secure his wife's affection. He knows where her heart is, and as a result he has confidence. Love that is based on anything outward—whether wealth, possessions, or beauty—never produces security because it is based on something that can be lost.

Only when love springs from within can it be a lasting foundation on which to build. God does not intend for us to buy our way into each other’s hearts. Instead, He commands us to love for the sake of the other, and not for ourselves. Without love present, all of the possessions in the world will not create it. With love, lack of all possessions will not destroy it. Build your relationships on this firm foundation.

"Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God."

Proverbs 2:17

On December 29, 2006, the United States Treasury received a payment from the government of England for $83,000,000. It was the final payment on a loan negotiated in 1946 to help England recover from the devastating effects of World War II. The original loan of 3.5 billion dollars (about 55 billion in today’s money) was made at 2% interest, and the funds were used to prop up the staggering British Empire. Over the years, the payments continued to be made, until the loan was finally marked "paid in full." Even though six decades had passed from the original loan, the terms of the agreement had not been forgotten.

Such dedication and commitment should not be rare. But in our day, all too often people make covenants they are not willing to keep. We see evidence of this in the spiraling divorce rate, people walking away from their homes and mortgages and people breaking employment contracts. Whether they never intended to keep the commitments they made or whether they feel they are justified in breaking them because “things have changed,” people are abandoning their covenants at an alarming rate.

As God’s children, we should never lose sight of the fact that He is a party to every agreement we make. Every promise, every commitment, and every covenant we enter should be carried out to completion. God is quite blunt in evaluating those who break their commitments: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed” (Ecclesiastes 5:4). Keeping our promises is so important for Christians because it is so much a part of God’s character. In his prayer at the dedication of the Temple, Solomon said, “There hath not failed one word of all his good promise” (1 Kings 8:56).

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

Proverbs 4:20-22

Hymn writer Philip P. Bliss was killed in a train wreck along with his wife in 1876 when he was just thirty-eight years old. Yet, in his short life he penned many songs of faith and inspiration that we still sing today. One of the best known is “Wonderful Words of Life.” Bliss wrote the song two years before his death. A new publication was being planned called Words of Life that was meant to encourage believers to read and study the Scriptures. The name was taken from John 6:68 which reads: “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Bliss was asked to write a new song for their use, and he penned these words:

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.

The Bible is the book God has given to us to teach us how to live according to His guidance. This is what wisdom is all about. Yet often people are looking for new ideas and new directions rather than going by what God has already said. Over the centuries man has learned much about science and the natural world, but the principles God established in Scripture never need to be updated or revised. They simply need to be followed. When the Word of God is in our hearts and our minds, it will guide our steps, build our faith, and keep us from sin.

"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent."

Proverbs 6:27-29

In 2010 Adam Galinsky, Professor of Ethics and Decision in Management at the Kellogg School of Management, conducted a series of experiments to measure the effect of power on people and their moral judgments. What he found would not surprise any student of Scripture or human nature. When people in the experiment were placed in positions of authority, or even told they were in a higher position than others, their judgment of both themselves and others changed radically.

Galinsky summarized his findings by saying, “In all cases, those assigned to high-power roles showed significant moral hypocrisy by more strictly judging others for speeding, dodging taxes, and keeping a stolen bike, while finding it more acceptable to engage in these behaviors themselves. The powerful impose rules and restraints on others while disregarding these restraints for themselves, whereas the powerless collaborate in reproducing social inequality because they don't feel the same entitlement.”

Right and wrong do not change, regardless of position or power. There are no exceptions to God’s rules. His moral standards are absolute, and He accepts no excuses from those who violate them. Though we may convince ourselves that somehow we will escape punishment because of our special circumstances, we are wrong. No one is above God’s law, and no one is allowed to sin without judgment.

The world has done everything it can to destroy the concept of absolute truth. But God’s Word is not subject to revision or alteration. It is settled, and it is true. God has not changed His mind about anything that He has spoken, and He holds each one of us accountable for obedience to His commands.

"Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men."

Proverbs 8:30-31

Joshua Bell is widely regarded as one of the best violinists in the world. When he was a little boy, Bell pulled out the drawers of his dresser, strung rubber bands across them, and “played” music on them, changing the position of the drawers to get different notes. When his parents saw that, they enrolled him in violin lessons. Bell’s concerts routinely sell out, but in January of 2007 he took part in a unique experiment. Dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap, Joshua Bell stood in the L’Enfant Plaza Subway Station in Washington and played his violin.

A reporter watched to see what people would do. Bell played six classical pieces on his Stradivarius for nearly an hour. More than a thousand people passed by. Only seven stopped to listen for as much as a minute. A world class violinist playing some of the most beautiful music ever written on a violin made by the greatest master of the craft did not attract attention from the crowd—they had no delight in what he was doing.

When we think about the things that bring delight to God, we often immediately focus our attention on external things—what we can see or feel. Yet the Bible tells us that God delights in wisdom…and that the same delight is available to us. The things in which we delight tell us clearly what we love. When we find it difficult to focus on reading God's Word or hearing it preached and taught, we are revealing that our delight is not in the things of God. He has made so much available to us, and it is a tragedy if we miss out on what delights God.

"He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."

Proverbs 10:9

Chilon of Sparta was considered one of the wisest men of the ancient world. Acclaimed as one of the Seven Sages of Greece, he was instrumental in bringing about the Peloponnesian League which greatly strengthened the city of Sparta. Chilon is probably best remembered for his motto, which was rendered into Latin as finem respice—consider the end. That was good advice six centuries before Christ was born, and it is good advice today.

Every path we choose leads to a destination. The path of upright and godly living leads in one direction. The path of perverted and ungodly living leads to a different place. It is not always possible (though often apparent) to immediately discern where a person is headed, but if you watch them long enough, it will become clear. Even before a person reaches the conclusion of his path, whether it is right or not, it becomes plain where he is going. There is no way for us to conceal our direction and escape the consequences of our choices forever.

Eventually the day of reckoning comes. But that day is not the product of random chance or circumstance. Instead it is the culmination of a series of choices. Some will reach the end and hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Others who have never placed their trust in Christ will hear, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).

Over the years as I have counseled people who are dealing with sin, I’ve seen that they rarely considered the consequences of what they were about to do. If they had considered the end at the beginning, they might well have made a different decision. Instead of falling for the lie of the present, we should always consider the future when we are tempted and do what is right.

"The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand."

Proverbs 12:7

One of the best-known of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poems is Ozymandias. In it Shelley tells of a report brought by a traveler from a distant land of the remnants of a statue erected to a great ruler. The ravages of time have left only the legs still standing. The head of the ruler is mostly buried nearby in the sand. But the inscription boasting of his prowess was still there on the pedestal. The poem concludes with these lines:

"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

There are times when it appears the wicked are prospering. Perhaps you know someone who is dishonest or immoral but seems to be doing very well. This can be confusing and discouraging when we are trying to do right. The prophet Jeremiah knew this feeling. He asked God, “Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?” (Jeremiah 12:1). When we are in this position, it is important for us to remember that God is keeping record of all that is done, and there will come a day of reckoning.

Rather than allowing the seeming prosperity of the wicked to discourage us, we should remember that at best it is only fleeting. One day all of the possessions and power they accumulate will disappear along with them, and in that day it will not profit them at all. When the judgment comes, those who have turned away from obeying God will see too late the folly of their evil ways. On that day we will know the value of the decisions we have made to follow and obey God.

"A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident."

Proverbs 14:16

In September of 1923 the USS Delphy under the command of Lt. Commander Donald Hunter led a flotilla of naval vessels along the California coast on a training exercise. Partway through the trip a dense fog settled over the small fleet. Rather than stopping until they could tell for certain where they were and what direction they were headed, Hunter led the other ships full speed ahead, confident he knew what to do.

The resulting shipwreck came to be known as the Honda Point disaster. It was the largest peacetime loss of ships in US history—seven of the destroyers ran aground and were sunk. Twenty-three sailors died and dozens more were injured. If they had simply waited until the fog cleared, the disaster would have been avoided. Instead, overconfidence led to a great disaster and loss of life.

We all face the temptation to overestimate our abilities and knowledge, but that leads us down a dangerous road. Paul reminds us, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). Pride leads us into overconfidence—and into danger.

The path of wisdom requires that we properly evaluate potential dangers. It is foolish to think we are immune to dangers. When we take that approach we fail to take precautions that would prevent tragedy. The fences placed around the wild animals in the zoo are there for a reason. They are not decorative, but protective instead. Similarly, the dangers of this world are real. The devil is seeking to destroy us. Rather than taking a lax attitude toward our security, we need to keep our guard high.

"Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly."

Proverbs 16:22

In 2008 and 2009, public schools in Atlanta, Georgia, saw an impressive increase in student test scores. Schools where a majority of the students had been struggling suddenly were producing students scoring well above grade level. Accolades followed, and many teachers and principals received raises and bonuses. Atlanta School Superintendent Beverly Hall was named national superintendent of the year. Teachers and leaders from other parts of the country wanted to know the secret to Atlanta’s amazing success.

Then the house of cards came crashing down. Following rumors of widespread cheating, special investigators appointed by the governor of Georgia determined that the improvement of test scores had nothing to do with student performance and everything to do with educators cheating. In 2013 nearly three dozen educators were indicted on charges of racketeering, theft, conspiracy and lying. The investigation revealed that they would gather in “grading parties” where teachers would sit around and change the students’ wrong answers to correct ones. Many of the teachers claimed they had not wanted to go along with the scheme but felt “forced” to do so.

Unfortunately not everyone who is in a position of authority and leadership is going to give you wise teaching and counsel. Some will look for shortcuts in their own lives and encourage you to do the same. They will tell you how to get around the rules—both man’s rules and God’s rules—and show you the “benefits” they have gained by doing so. If you listen to these teachers of folly, your life will surely suffer as a result. Instead you should look for those who live and teach God’s wisdom and accept their input and direction. The instruction of fools may seem wise to man for a short time, but it leads to disaster.

"The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?"

Proverbs 18:14

Viktor Frankl was a prominent Jewish psychologist in Vienna during the 1930s. During the Holocaust, he and virtually all of his family members were rounded up and placed in concentration camps. One by one they perished at the hands of the Nazis. By the time the American army liberated the camp Frankl was in, the only surviving member of his family was a sister who had fled to Australia before the war started.

After the war, Frankl wrote a book about his experiences called Man’s Search for Meaning. He detailed the suffering he endured, but he also noted the vital importance of attitude and outlook to whether a person survived that awful experience. Though Frankl was not a believer, he had hit upon an important truth found in Scripture. The spirit of man—our inward thoughts and emotions—plays a vital role in our success or failure in life.

Certainly Daniel had a great deal about which he could have complained. His nation had been conquered, and he had been carried far from home and placed in a training program designed to destroy his allegiance to God. Rather than allow his circumstances to dictate his outlook, he kept his spirit right. On the night the handwriting appeared on the wall in Belshazzar’s palace, the queen described Daniel this way: “an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding… were found in the same Daniel” (Daniel 5:12).

We do not have to let what is going on around us dictate our inward thoughts and attitude. Paul wrote, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). As believers we have access to a source of strength and power that will allow our spirit to overcome injury and trouble.

"Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good."

Proverbs 20:23

The American quarter is something of a throwback in its design. It has grooves around the outside, known as “reeded” edges in the coin business. The reason for this unique design dates back far into the past. When governments began minting coins from precious metals, usually gold or silver, dishonest people quickly saw an opportunity. They would file the edges away, taking a little from each coin, which over time would add up to a significant sum of money.

Isaac Newton, who in addition to being a brilliant scientist and devout Christian, was in charge of the Royal Mint in England and devoted much of his time to prosecuting counterfeiters and “coin clippers.” To combat this kind of theft, a new coin design was introduced. Having grooves along the edge of the coin made it impossible to file away part of the metal without it immediately being spotted. Though US coins haven’t been made with silver for decades, the design remains.

When people decide to get ahead by dishonest means, they will do almost anything. Clever thieves exert diligent effort into creative ways to take advantage of others. Yet this approach is doubly wrong. First, it is wrong to be dishonest, to lie and cheat to try to get ahead. But second, this approach misses the value that God places on work. Jesus said, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).

Work is honorable and part of God’s plan for His creation. Adam was given assignments prior to the Fall. God’s plan is for us to work to provide for our needs and for our families. Rather than looking for shortcuts, accept your work assignments as being from God and pursue them diligently.