June 6: Proverbs 10-12

June 6, Proverbs 10-12

Proverbs changes here from more stories to more traditional proverbs that are more individual and collected together…

Proverbs 10 We are to pursue righteous living over the pleasures of self and evil, which stem from being a fool, wicked, laziness, gossip and the like. We are on solid ground when we walk in integrity. If we do not, our sins will be found out. I don't care how good somebody covers their tracks - our sin will be revealed, even if we think we got away with something (and maybe convinced other of that too). God sees everything and will bring everything to light. We are not to hate because it stirs up conflict, rather we are to love, which covers all wrong doings. Again, righteousness leads to life and evil leads to death (physically and spiritually speaking). Wisdom brings peace and understanding, and doing wrong/evil leads to a short miserable life. God’s ways are beautiful to those who love Him but destruction to those who oppose Him.

Proverbs 11 Need some financial advice? Proverbs is full of them. How about this for simplicity? Be honest and humble in your business doing, making decisions based on integrity and not just profit, and God will guide your business. Over and over again we learn that God delivers the righteous. Think about that - pursue what is right before God and He will take care of you and deliver you. Be kind and blameless! God cares about our character, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.” A gold ring doesn't belong on a pig, it would be out of place. Character goes well beyond the outer shell - righteous living comes from within and displayed in the life of a believer. It is genuinely a heart issue - if you give freely, more will be freely given to you. If you are stingy with what God has given you - you will only want more and actually suffer want!

Proverbs 12 Here is how God puts it bluntly: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Remember a couple days ago we talked about being disciplined by God is being loved by God? If you hate being disciplined you are stupid. God’s words, not mine! Strive for humility and stay the course that God has you on - don't think you know everything, because you don’t. Don’t lie - God hates it, rather be honest and faithful and God will delight in you!

To sum it all up:

• Righteous living vs evil living. Both have consequences and both take action. Which team are you on? To put it bluntly: You cannot play for both teams - either you are all in for God, or you are not, which means you are on Satan’s team.