Read Proverbs 19
I read Proverbs 19 in the New Living Translation and Amplified Classic.
My thoughts on Proverbs 19:
Choose honesty and integrity over everything. Honesty - an upright disposition; moral rectitude of heart; a disposition to conform to justice and correct moral principles, in all social transactions; Fairness; candor; truth (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary) Integrity - Wholeness; entireness; unbroken state; unimpaired state of anything, particularly of the mind; moral soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty; Purity; genuine, unadulterated, unimpaired state (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary)
Don't make hasty decisions. God is not in a rush and we shouldn't be either. Always take time to pray and when necessary to seek wise counsel. "To make rash, hasty decisions shows that you are not trusting the Lord. But when you rely totally on God, you will still act carefully and prudently." (Proverbs 25:28 TPT) "Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him." (Psalm 37:7a AMPC)
When you make foolish decisions don't get angry at God. Take time to assess the choices you made. Did you pray about it? Did you make the decision quickly? Did you seek wise counsel? Did you have peace about your decision? Always let peace be the umpire of your heart. If you don't have peace about something don't do it.
Love yourself! Acquiring wisdom is part of loving you. Get wisdom and cherish understanding. Wisdom and understanding are keys to a good life.
Control your temper, don't let it control you. it is foolish to do otherwise. "A [self-confident] fool utters all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and stills it." (Proverbs 29:11 AMPC) "He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly." (Proverbs 14:9 AMPC)
A wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord.
Keeping God's commands is life. Anything else leads to death. (Read Deuteronomy 28 to see the blessings of obedience and the curses for disobedience)
Anger has consequences. Be careful not to rescue those who act in anger. They will not learn their lesson and you'll be continually rescuing them.
Get all the advice, instruction, and knowledge you can so you'll be wise. "The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly]." (Proverbs 1:5 AMPC) "The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge." (Proverbs 18:15 AMPC)
Trust your plans to God. Seek His counsel. It's wisdom to make plans and be prepared, however, you must be willing to change your plans based on God's direction. Know that God has a plan for your life. "I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Jeremiah 29:10b-11 MSG)
Be loyal in your associations. It makes you a person of value "He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor." (Proverbs 21:21 AMPC)
Reverencing God leads to life, security, and protection from harm. This doesn't mean you won't have challenges. It just means the challenges won't have you. It also means your eternal destination, being with God, is secure.
Have a teachable and correctable spirit. Correction leads to more wisdom. Embrace instruction. Don't turn your back on knowledge. "Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating." (Proverbs 12:1 AMPC) "He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding." (Proverbs 15:32 AMPC)
The verse that spoke to me:
"Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come. Cease listening, my son, to instruction and discipline and you will stray from the words of knowledge." (Proverbs 19:20, 27 AMP)
Listen - shâmaʻ, to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.): attentively, call (gather) together, carefully, certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. (Strong's H8085)
Counselor - yâʻats, to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve:—advertise, take advise, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel(-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose (Strong's H3289)
My takeaway:
When I need sound counsel, I seek the Lord and dig into His Word. I know that everything I need can be found there. I've learned to ask God who I can share the issue, challenge, I'm facing with. We can't tell things to just anyone. When God gives me release to talk about it, I seek wise counsel from the person, or people, He's placed on my heart. Then I must humble myself and listen to the counsel of the wise. Yes, even when I don't agree with what I hear I must still listen.
I asked God who to talk to so I must trust the person God led me to. I can always take it back to the Lord if I'm bothered. However, I need to determine why it bothers me. We don't seek godly counsel to co-sign what we want to do. We seek godly counsel for truth. It's critical that we know our motives because God already does. Ultimately, what's important is my obedience to God and following after peace. He will never lead me astray.
Seek God first:
"You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." (Psalm 73:24 NLT)
We have a Counselor in Holy Spirit:
"However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]." (John 16:7 AMPC)
Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby. He is everything we need.
Let the Lord show you what steps to take:
"I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." (Psalm 32:8 AMPC)
"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMPC)
We also have wise counselors that God has placed in our lives. We need to recognize them and seek their counsel:
"Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory." (Proverbs 11:14 AMP)
"Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished." (Proverbs 15:20 AMPC)
"For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety." (Proverbs 24:6 AMPC)
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the people in my life that have given me wisdom and insight on handling things. Thank You for loving me so much that You provided for me in this way. Help me in turn to be a source of godly wisdom and insight to others You may send my way. Help me to seek Your heart about my relationships so they can be a source of peace to all involved and bring You glory. In Jesus Name. Amen.
FAITH CONFESSION:
Lord, I want You to instruct and teach me in the way I should go. I don’t want to choose the path. I want You to show me the path. Counsel me Abba Father. Your way is truth. Keep Your eyes on me so I don’t stray from the path You want me to walk in. Make it clear. Mark the path so I don’t miss it. Lord, let Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, through me.
Share in the comments what verse spoke to you and why. Let's grow in wisdom together.
Be Encouraged! ❤