A Lesson From Every Chapter Of The Book Of Proverbs.

Proverbs Chapter 1
Wise people are always increasing in knowledge.
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance…” (Proverbs 1:5).
This message is stressed several times in the book of Proverbs. Wise people happily receive correction and listen to what others have to say; they continue increasing in wisdom. The fool, though, rejects advice and is offended at correction.

Proverbs Chapter 2
If you diligently pursue wisdom, then you will find it.
“… if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:4-5).
There is a certain amount of wisdom that we gain through the experiences of life, but the wisdom that comes from above must be diligently pursued. If you make wisdom the highest priority, then God promises that you will find it.

Proverbs Chapter 3
Walk humbly before God.
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).
If you are blessed with wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and talents, then be sure to maintain a humble mindset. Whatever you have is from God and is to be used in His service. The Bible is very clear: God resists the proud but blesses the humble.

Proverbs Chapter 4
Wisdom will reward you.
“The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown” (Proverbs 4:7-9).
Observing a fool is enough to make you realize that you would rather be wise than foolish. Diligently pursuing and applying wisdom will eventually pay off.

Proverbs Chapter 5
Steer clear of temptations.
“Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house” (Proverbs 5:8).
This is addressed to men, and the advice is to steer well clear of those places that are known for prostitutes and adulteresses. We can apply this “steer well clear” principle to all areas of life; whatever your particular areas of weakness, steer well clear of places and circumstances in which you are easily tempted; make no provisions for sin.

Proverbs Chapter 6
Get to work!
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:6-11).
Wise people work hard to provide for their families, support the work of the Lord, and have something to help the poor. A fool squanders his pursuing pleasure and seeking entertainment. If you don’t want to live your life in poverty or sponging off others, then you must develop a strong work ethic.

Proverbs Chapter 7
Don’t let lust destroy you.
“Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:25-27).
Fornication, adultery, pornography can seem harmless at first, but they are very dangerous and very destructive. Not only will they mess you up in ways you cannot comprehend (e.g., it may be that you agree that fornication and adultery are destructive, but you still think it’s safe to continue watch pornography. The fact that you think that way is the proof that some damage has already been done), but all these things will destroy your relationships. Stay away from lust; it is a trap that will eventually be the death of you.

Proverbs Chapter 8
Anybody can become wise.
“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense” (Proverbs 8:4-5).
If you are immature and lack discipline, you don’t have to spend the rest of your life living that way. Ask God for wisdom and direction and He will bless you.

Proverbs Chapter 9
Learn to receive correction.
“Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you” (Proverbs 9:8).
It can be difficult to receive correction, especially when they are younger than you or lack experience. However, a wise man will resist that initial defensive stance and stay humble and listen.

Proverbs Chapter 10
Don’t hold resentment or grudges.
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12).
If someone has wronged you and repented, then don’t dwell on the matter any further; forgive and move on. Both of you will reap the benefits.

Proverbs Chapter 11
Honesty is the best policy.
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight” (Proverbs 11:1).
It can be tempting to be a little dishonest in order to gain a profit. If you value wisdom and integrity, however, your honesty won’t go unnoticed.

Proverbs Chapter 12
The rulers are the hard workers.
“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24).
If you keep failing at your startup and are forced to work from nine till five, you’re not working hard enough. You can’t get to the top of the ladder without climbing the rungs.

Proverbs Chapter 13
Stay away from get-rich-quick schemes.
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it” (Proverbs 13:11).
Be patient. Even if you’re not bathing in gold after a year of blood, sweat, and tears, stick with it. Wealth will come little by little and then grow exponentially. And this doesn’t just apply to wealth. This goes for relationships, skills, habits, etc. This is not to encourage covetousness, but to encourage prosperity through hard work in order to provide for your family, support the work of the kingdom, and have something to give to the poor.

Proverbs Chapter 14
Associate with the wise.
“Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge” (Proverbs 14:7).
You will become like the people you hang around with. If you know that your friend is one who often makes bad decisions, cut off that relationship. Stick with people who challenge you and encourage you to grow.

Proverbs Chapter 15
Pursue peace.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
There are many reasons that someone might be angry with you, but you can keep things from getting out of control by resisting the urge to respond in anger and keeping your cool. Don’t just think your mature, act mature.

Proverbs Chapter 16
Wealth is be-all and end-all of life.
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8).
God has a lot to say about money because He knows its importance. But there are some things that are even more important, and one of those things is righteousness. If we devote ourselves to seeking first the kingdom of God, then God will provide our physical needs.

Proverbs Chapter 17
Use trials to grow.
“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3).
It’s not easy getting through tough times, but our endurance will not be in vain. The Lord permits and controls our trials in order to develop our character.

Proverbs Chapter 18
Be open-minded.
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (Proverbs 18:2).
A person that values their own opinions is a danger themselves and others. It is essential to acknowledge that you make mistakes and that you can be wrong. Have the humility to let others change your mind and learn from your mistakes. The alternative is to live as a fool and perish as a fool.

Proverbs Chapter 19
Be slow to anger.
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11).
Develop a reputation for being even-tempered. Don’t let little things throw you off, and always be willing to give someone a second chance. Anger is in the bosom of fools and doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.

Proverbs Chapter 20
Be patience with the wise and you will be rewarded with knowledge.
“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Proverbs 20:5).
Some people have wisdom and knowledge but are quiet and reluctant to speak. A man of understanding and patience will eventually learn to draw out such knowledge and wisdom.

Proverbs Chapter 21
Don’t settle for short-term pleasures.
“Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17).
All the pleasures and entertainments of this world only bring temporary satisfaction, which is why we continually seek for more. True joy and contentment is only in Christ, and true pleasures await us in heaven.

Proverbs Chapter 22
Your reputation is more important than your net worth.
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
When you die, do you want to be remembered for your net worth or for your reputation and integrity? This is why the book of Proverbs stresses the importance of honesty and integrity over wealth. They will always serve you better than money ever could.

Proverbs Chapter 23
Discipline – a matter of life and death.
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol” (Proverbs 23:13-14).
Children are gifts from God and raising them in the Lord is a great responsibility. All children need to be disciplined and this verse reveals why it is so vital. A failure to discipline our children could cost them their souls, and, no doubt, our own souls.

Proverbs Chapter 24
Do not seek revenge.
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done’” (Proverbs 24:29).
The best revenge is to beat out the competition with hard work. If you try to seek revenge against your enemy through name-calling or sabotage, it will not end well for you. Vengeance belongs to God.

Proverbs Chapter 25
Repay evil with good.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you” (Proverbs 25:21-22).
Imagine a scenario where your competitor publicly shames you. If you respond with kindness, you will be regarded as the hero and your enemy will be put to shame. It’s very difficult to do so, but God will reward you for it.

Proverbs Chapter 26
Do not repeat your folly.
“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11).
We all make mistakes, but by “folly” something more is meant, which is seen in the revolting picture in the verse: “Like a dog that returns to his vomit”. A wicked person may be struck by his conscience, see the vileness of it, and turn from it. But after a while they forget their unease and revulsion and return to it. It is this return to it that the Lord sees as something vile and repulsive. If you have repented and obeyed the gospel, then don’t return to your sin and prove yourself a fool.

Proverbs Chapter 27
Leave the bragging to your fans.
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).
If there is something commendable about you, then others are sure to notice and praise you. If you have to commend and praise yourself, then it just proves there is nothing commendable and praiseworthy about you. The very fact that one is seeking the praise of men is proof of a problem. Let us seek only the praise of God because that’s the only praise that matters.

Proverbs Chapter 28
Keep a clear conscience.
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).
The guilty conscience of a wicked person put them in constant dread of the judgment of God. A righteous person has no such fears for perfect love casts out fear.

Proverbs Chapter 29
Even the wicked prefer a righteous ruler over a wicked oppressor.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2).
Yes, the majority of people are sinners and many are extremely wicked, and yet when one of their own are ruling over them, they groan under the oppression of their wicked rule. Yet the same people will rejoice when a righteous man is in power, and people will not turn from their wickedness.

Proverbs Chapter 30
Respect your parents.
“The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures” (Proverbs 30:17).
God has a serious message for children: obey your parents. There are serious consequences when children disobey their parents.

Proverbs Chapter 31
Use discernment in choosing your partner.
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 31:10).

Christian people know that marriage is for life, which makes it all the more important to use great discernment when choosing a spouse. A godly husband or wife can be hard to find but the rewards of patience and a careful search will make it worthwhile.

By Becky Rene

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