Read Proverbs 27
I read Proverbs 27 in the New Living Translation.
My thoughts on Proverbs 27:
Live in the moment you're in. Tomorrow is not promised. While we might need to make plans always be ready to surrender them to the Lord. Don't miss what God is doing today because you're already focused on and walking in tomorrow. "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." (Proverbs 16:9 NLT) "
Let others praise you. Don't brag about who you are or what you do. Just be who God created you to be and let your actions speak to your character. Let God promote you. "So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." (1 Peter 5:6-7 MSG)
Dealing with a fool's wrath is burdensome, a heavy weight - avoid it. Wrath - kaʻaç, vexation: —vexation: —vexation: —anger, angry, grief, indignation, provocation, provoking, sore, sorrow, spite, wrath (Strong's 3708) "Escape quickly from the company of fools; they’re a waste of your time, a waste of your words." (Proverbs 14:7 MSG)
Uncontrolled anger is cruel and doesn't advance God's Kingdom, or represent Him well, or encourage healthy relationships and communications. While we will get angry, we are commanded to sin not in our anger. "Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life." (James 1:19-21 MSG) "Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
Jealousy and envy are dangerous. They are characteristics of the world, not believers. As a believer you have no reason to be jealous of anyone. You are created in God's image, and you are His Masterpiece. Celebrating others doesn't diminish who you are. "For you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?" (1 Corinthians 3:3 NLT) "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily." (1 Corinthians 13:4 AMPC)
Correction, an open rebuke, given in love is better than silent approval. Rebuke - tôwkêchâh, chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defense): —argument, chastened, correction, reasoning, rebuke, reproof, be (often) reproved (Strong's H8433)
Wounds from a friend are better than flattery from an enemy or someone who is not your friend. Flattery - False praise; commendation bestowed for the purpose of gaining favor and influence, or to accomplish some purpose (Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary) "A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin." (Proverbs 26:28 AMPC) "To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry." (Proverbs 25:12 NLT)
Counsel from the heart of a friend is priceless. Counsel - ʻêtsâh, advice; by implication, plan; also prudence: —advice, advisement, counsel(-lor), purpose (Strong's H6098) "Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket." (Proverbs 25:11 NLT) "A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23 AMPC)
Value and evaluate your friendships. These relationships reflect you and impact your growth. Make sure you're positively impacting the growth of your friends also. Who you are connected to matters. "Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character." (1 Corinthians 15:33 AMPC) "There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24 NLT)
Be wise! We've been studying Proverbs for almost a month and have learned the need for, and power of, wisdom. Do all you can to be wise. "The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)." (Proverbs 4:7 AMPC) Don't have wisdom? Ask God. "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5-6 AMPC)
Recognize danger and take precautions to avoid it or you'll suffer the consequences. "A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident." (Proverbs 14:16 AMPC) "A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering]." (Proverbs 22:3 AMPC)
Your friendships should be iron sharpening iron contributing to the growth of each other. God never meant for us to do life alone. "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT)
I never thought of praise as a test. As I reflect on this, I can see how it can be. How we handle praise shines a light on our hearts. Do we remember that it is God that gives us the ability to do what we do? Do we take the credit? Do we point people to God. Praise from man doesn't last. Be careful not to crave the praise of man. Remember, the same people that praised Jesus crucified him a week later! "For they loved the approval and the praise and the glory that come from men [instead of and] more than the glory that comes from God. [They valued their credit with men more than their credit with God.]" (John 12:43 AMPC) "Take care not to do your good deeds publicly or before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you will have no reward [reserved for and awaiting you] with and from your Father Who is in heaven." (John 6:1 AMPC)
The verse that spoke to me:
"As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person." (Proverbs 27:19 NLT)
My takeaway:
Your heart reflects who you are. People may not always know or see that part of you. You can hide it from them and present yourself to be other than who you are.
You can't fool God because He knows and sees what man can't:
"But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 AMPC)
"All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart)." (Proverbs 16:2 AMPC)
"Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good." (Proverbs 16: MSG)
Side note: We are learning about wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and with that comes discernment. Ask Holy Spirit to show you who people really are and not who they pretend to be. Holy Spirit is our Counselor, our Helper and He will give us insight. Don't make any decisions without praying about it and seeking His counsel. That's wisdom.
He looks at the motives of our heart. What is in you will come out of you:
"The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45 AMPC)
When the praise of man motivates our words and actions then the praise of man is all you will have:
"But He said to them, You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted and highly thought of among men is detestable and abhorrent (an abomination) in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15 AMPC)
FAITH CONFESSION:
Lord, let my character reflect my heart. Let me live with integrity and honor so I reflect You well. I want to operate with pure motives guided by Your love. Make me aware when I step away from pure motives and step into selfish ambition. In this 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! ❤