What Does The Book Of Proverbs Say For Today? Part 5

 

What Does Proverbs Say For Today Part 5

 

Results for Ignoring Wisdom

 

“Wisdom calls aloud outside (in the street) she raises her voice in the open squares. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away (waywardness) of the simple will slay them, and complacency of fools will destroy them; My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend (Lit. bow) your ear to my understanding, that you may preserve discretion (appreciate good judgment), and your lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of an immoral (Lit. a strange) woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of hell (or Sheol). Lest you ponder her path of life – her ways are unstable; you do not know them. Therefore hear me now, my children, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor (vigor) to others, and your years to the cruel one; lest aliens be filled with your wealth (Lit. strength), and your labors go to the house of a foreigner; and you mourn at last, when your flesh and your body are consumed, and say: ‘How I hated instruction, and my heart despised correction! I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! I was on the verge of total ruin, in the midst of the assembly and congregation.’  My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids. For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; and an adulteress (wife of another, lit. a man’s wife) will prey upon his precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes into his neighbor’s wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death. He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes (leads) astray. He who is devoid (Lit. lacks heart) of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his pace. Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet. Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. “ (Proverbs 1:20, 24-32; 5:1-14; 6:20-21, 24-29; 8:36; 10:17; 11:12; 19:2, 27; 20:1; 21:16; 28:16)

 

Proverbs 10:17b says, “…but he who refuses correction goes (leads) astray.” Those who choose to do evil will lead the simple and foolish, the scripture is clear, ignoring wisdom results in destruction and death. Paul says in Romans 16:17-19 and Titus 3:9-11, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our LORD JESUS CHRIST, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple (innocent) concerning evil. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition (warning), knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” Study 2 Peter 2.

 

Solomon’s teachings are clear that not seeking wisdom and living our life by the knowledge and understanding that come from wisdom our life now and through eternity will be painful and disastrous. There is no good thing that comes from seeking our own way and desire. “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weights the spirits. A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s—that will stand. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weights the hearts.” Proverbs 16:2, 9, 25; 19:21; 21:2 If we submit to GOD’s will for our life and seek His wisdom on how to live it we will receive His blessing and rewards. If we seek our own will and pleasure we will receive His correction and judgment.

 

This is a common theme throughout the Bible and it divides into two categories; believers and non-believers. Non-believers are pretty straight forward for believers to understand; non-believers reject GOD and His Word because they reject His authority as Creator and Redeemer. They believe the lie of the serpent in the garden to Eve and irregardless of the evidence around them in life they cling to the hope that they can be in charge of their life. Though there are those who do evil because they enjoy it and get power from it and their judgment will be all the greater (Revelation 20:11-15); “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses (enticements to sin)! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” Matthew 18:6-7.

 

Believers is more complicated and many Christians are confused about “Once saved always saved!” or, “Can a Christian lose their salvation?” or, “Were they truly saved at all?” Proverbs is written to the Jewish people who are believers, or at least most of them are. It is also written to all believers from creation until New Jerusalem so we need to pay attention to its teachings. So when Solomon talks about not heeding the voice of Wisdom, of doing good not evil, of keeping the Commandments of GOD he is talking to believes as well as non-believers. I’m only going to quote two verses to support this. Matthew 7:21-23 and Revelation 22:12-21. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘LORD, LORD,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders in Your Name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” “‘And behold, I Am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last (NU, M First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.), Blessed are those who do His Commandments (NU wash their robes,), that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter through the Gates into the City. But (NU, M omit But), outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. I, JESUS, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the Churches. I Am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.’ And the SPIRIT and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the Water of Life freely. For (Nu, M omit For) I testify to everyone who hears the Words of the Prophesy of this Book; If anyone adds to these things, GOD (M may GOD add) will add to him the plagues that are written in this Book; and if anyone takes away from the Words of the Book of this prophesy, GOD (M may GOD take away) shall take away his part from the Book of Life (M Tree of Life), from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book. He who testifies of these things says, ‘Surely I Am coming quickly.’” “Even so come, LORD JESUS! The Grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all (NU with all; M with all the Saints). Amen.”