TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 5:1-23
A man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. - Proverbs 5:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
We have already learned this month that the Proverbs have a lot to say about being careful where and how we walk. Simply put, God urges us to watch where we're going when it comes to the decisions and activities of life.

But as important as our vigilance is, it is only half the story. Someone else is watching where and how we walk day by dayÑand nothing escapes His eye.

Proverbs 5 applies this truth to an area of life that has been a source of both blessings and curses since the beginning of time. Today's reading makes the unmistakable point that God is interested in our sexual conduct.

What a timely word of warning these verses are! They could not be more needed than they are today, in our loose-living 90s culture. The entertainment industry, the homosexual rights movement, and others may try to put an attractive face on sexual sin.

But anyone who is willing to look past all the glitz and glamour will discover the truth of Solomon's words: those who practice immorality are on a path that leads straight to deathÑspiritually and even physically. The landscape of this generation is scarred with the graves of people who groaned in agony as their bodies and spirits were consumed by the results of sexual sin.

It isn't hard to imagine a godly father pleading with his son to avoid the allure of sexual immorality. Even those who don't have children still need to be reminded that we never outgrow our responsibility to be morally alert.

But once again, God's Word does not simply warn us about taking the wrong path. When it comes to sexual conduct, He has an infinitely better alternative.

For married couples, God's alternative is the purity of a satisfying, faithful marriage in which the partners' commitment enriches and deepens their physical intimacy. And God calls single believers to a path of sexual purity that honors Him, preserving the joy and strength of life and avoiding the snares that hold the sinner in bondage.

Clearly, God is pleased by our sexual purity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Praise the Lord that He has told us the whole truth about sex.

There's no mystery about what it takes to maintain our integrity in this area. In the Proverbs alone, God gives us detailed instructions on how to avoid the traps that lead to sexual bondage. We hope you have a biblically-based plan for dealing with sexual temptation. If not, this weekend would be a great time to draw one up and make it a firm commitment.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 6:6-19
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. - Proverbs 16:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Some advertisements in the 'Help Wanted' section of a newspaper or magazine include a line that begins, 'The successful candidate will have....' What follows is a list of the qualifications and/or training the company desires in a potential employee.

If you're merely browsing through the paper, ads such as this one probably wouldn't catch your eye. But if the ad is for the job of your dreams at the company you have always wanted to work for, that's different. You would sit up and take note of that list; your motivation will be very high because of the name on the ad.

You get the idea, don't you? When the Bible says, 'Go and consider this' or 'These are things the Lord hates' we had better sit up and take careful notice because of the Name on the page. As believers our highest calling is to glorify God, which includes hating what He hates.

So the writer of Proverbs sets out verbal markers for us that are so obvious we cannot miss God's will. For example, 'Go to the ant...consider its ways and be wise!' (v. 6). It may have been decades since you lay on the sidewalk on a summer day to watch ants, but you can learn something by doing so.

Chances are this is not the way you want to spend your Labor Day weekend. That's fine. But let's not miss the message of verses 6-11. This well-known passage helps to answer the question, 'Should I work hard and save up for the future, or simply trust God for tomorrow?'

The answer is, God's Word teaches us to do both. Godly living does not mean we can shirk our responsibilities and expect God to rain manna on us from heaven. God promises scarcity to the lazy personÑa promise few, if any, of us would want to claim!

The next verbal marker is even more stark (v. 16). When God hates something, He does so with a hatred as pure as His love.

You can read the list for yourself. Isn't it interesting that the instruments of evil hereÑeyes, tongue, hands, heart, feetÑare some of the same instruments God told us to guard in chapter 4 (see the September 4 study)? Let's get the message.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's list (vv. 17-19) forms another ready-made biblical checklist against which we can measure the quality of our relationships with God and others.

Some of these items are not as far removed from us as they may seem. For example, we may have never shed an innocent person's blood, but Jesus said it is murderous to hate our 'brother.' God's Word does indeed pierce to the heart (Heb. 4:12). Allow the Holy Spirit to use the sword of the Word in Proverbs 6:17-19 to search your heart today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 7:1-5, 24-27
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. - Proverbs 7:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
The church-based movement that has challenged thousands of young people to take a pledge of sexual abstinence until marriage is still gaining momentum. In the past few years, it has spread across many denominations and has moved into other countries. Today, countless numbers of teenagers and young adults are wearing a ring as the symbol of the promise they have made before God.

The writers of Proverbs would have approved. This movement illustrates what Solomon had in mind when he urged his readers to bind God's teaching on their fingers. Like a string on the finger that reminds a person to do something, the ring constantly reminds the wearer of the promise made.

Why is so much of Proverbs devoted to warnings against sexual immorality? Because it is a pervasive threat, appealing to the very core of our makeup as men and women. It's also a temptation that does not generally diminish or get any easier to handle as we grow older.

So here we are in Proverbs 7, reading a much-needed passage on the importance of protecting our moral integrity. Instead of embracing immorality, we need to embrace God's commands. The writer uses several images to drive home his point.

We have already talked about wearing God's teaching the way we would wear a piece of jewelry that is always there as a reminder. Solomon also tells us to treat God's commands like we do the 'apple' of our eyeÑa reference to the pupil of one's eye, a delicate and important organ we would guard at all costs.

But even these images did not satisfy Solomon. So he referred to God's wisdom as an intimate relative, a member of our family whom we would hold very close. It takes this kind of intimate familiarity with God's Word and with His will to protect us from immorality.

One reason for this intensity is the danger into which the simple are easily led (vv. 7-23). In the Proverbs, a simple person is someone who is untaught, gullible, naive. This is usually a young person, but not always. The simple need guidance and instruction. In the language of another day, they need to 'wise up.' Otherwise, they will become another victim of the immoral person, since sexual sin has been the ruin of many.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The psalmist wrote, 'I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you' (Ps. 119:11).

That's the idea behind writing the Word of God on 'the tablet of your heart' (Prov. 7:3). As you enjoy your Labor Day holiday and the official end of the summer season, why not join your friends in the Today family in making this commitment? Let's renew our determination to make the study of God's Word a priority daily.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 8:1-11, 32-36
Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire
can compare with her. - Proverbs 8:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Campus Journal relates the story of a woman whose family heirloom jewelry was accidentally sold for ten cents. She had taken the jewels out of their safety deposit box to wear at a wedding and then put them away. Unfortunately, she forgot about the jewels, which were in an old shaving case inside a box. The woman gave the shaving case to a friend who was collecting items for a garage saleÑand by the time she realized her mistake, the case had been sold to an unknown buyer for a dime.

How tragic to treat something of such value so lightly, and ultimately lose it! Mistakes such as this one are pretty rare in the material world, but treating the treasure of God's Word lightly happens far too often in the spiritual realm.

How valuable is the wisdom God has revealed to us? Today's text says nothing on earth can compare with the value of knowing and doing God's revealed will (vv. 10-11).

The opening verses of Proverbs 8 form a clear contrast between two ways of living. In the previous chapter, the seductive woman lurked on the street corner while darkness fell, with the intent of luring a naive young man into sin (7:9-12).

But wisdom, personified as a woman in chapter 8, stands boldly in full view at the busiest intersections of the city, calling out to those who would listen. She has nothing to be ashamed of and no reason to lurk in the darkness, because her offer leads to life, not death (see 7:27).

Wisdom extends an appeal to several groups of people who regularly appear in the Proverbs. We have discussed the 'simple,' who are naive and lack judgment. The simple need to be instructed.

A second category is the fool, and this person is much more difficult to reach. In Proverbs a fool is someone who is stubborn, hard-headed, unwilling to be taught, and determined to do wrong. These traits may also be accompanied by an arrogant pride that causes the fool to boast about perverse ways. The foolish need to repent of their ways and turn to God.

Then there are the wise or 'discerning' people (Prov. 8:9), those who value God's wisdom more than anything else. To these people, every word from God's mouth is incredibly valuable.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus said that life's real nourishment comes not from food alone, but from every word God has spoken (Matt. 4:4).

To help underscore the value of eternal matters, make two brief lists: a list of your three or four most valuable material possessions and another list of the treasures you have that can't be lost (salvation, God's love, etc.). Then read the two lists with a family member or friend and discuss how they differ. This could prove very beneficial in determining what is really valuable to you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 9:1-18
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still. - Proverbs 9:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Everyone loves a good meal, and no one sets a better table than the banquet God has prepared for those who hunger for His wisdom.

The personification of wisdom as a wise and gracious woman continues in Proverbs 9. Here the writer says that wisdom has not only prepared a feast for spiritually hungry people, but also that she has built a house with seven pillars (v. 1). This would be a large house, suggesting the privileged position God reserves for the wise.

With everything ready, wisdom once again goes out into the city to cry out her invitation to those most in need of godly wisdom. These are the simple, a category of humanity we have met before. Since these people lack godly judgment, they need nothing more than to feed on God's Word. The wisest decision they could ever make is to accept wisdom's invitation.

You probably noticed that there is someone else issuing an invitation to passersby. She is called 'the woman Folly' (v. 13).

This woman also goes to 'the highest point of the city' (v. 14), seeking to lure the unsuspecting into her banquet of death. Verses 7-12 provide an appropriate 'bridge' between these invitations, showing that a person's character will be determined by which meal he or she chooses.

Sometimes, wisdom calls for a rebuke to those who want to walk in God's path. Therefore, those who sit at wisdom's banquet table must accept godly rebuke, which is beneficial and necessary but often painful to our egos.

The person called 'a mocker' does not want any part of correction, so wisdom's invitation falls on deaf ears. In fact, one characteristic of people like this is their abusive, bitter reaction to any attempt to correct their behavior.

But the wise person accepts correction and rebukeÑand just as important, values the person who delivers it. Notice how wisdom and righteousness are linked here (v. 9). From heaven's standpoint, there is no true wisdom apart from faith in God.

Self-generated wisdom without holiness is mere self-deception. We are commanded, 'Do not be wise in your own eyes' (Prov. 3:7). Instead, we need to remember that 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (9:10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Throughout the Proverbs, we'll see that godly living brings life and peace, while sin ends in pain and death.

This is true for many people in this life, and it will be true of everyone in eternity. That means our spiritually lost friends and relatives are on a dead-end trip toward God's judgment. Do you have an unsaved loved one on your heart? Ask God to give you a divine appointment so that you can share the love of Christ with that special person.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 10:18-21, 31-32
The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. - Proverbs 10:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
Albert Einstein once attended a dinner at which he received an award. Although Einstein was not scheduled to speak, the audience clamored for the great scientist. Einstein stood and said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry but I have nothing to say.' Einstein sat down, but rose a few seconds later and added, 'In case I do have something to say, I'll come back.'

Obviously, Einstein knew the value of keeping silent when he had nothing to say. The Proverbs also recommend to us the practice of holding our tongues when no words are needed. Such restraint marks a wise person; it's too bad this quality is so rare.

It's impossible to get very far into the Proverbs without running into the subject of our tongues. Few things reveal inner character, or the lack of it, like a person's speech. Fools and their money may be soon parted, but not fools and their mouths!

There are several ways ungodly people can cause damage with their tongues. One is through deceit, hiding their true feelings behind lying lips that may flatter another person.

A perverse tongue may operate in the other direction and spread slander against othersÑthe implication being that the slander is false. 'Perverse' (vv. 31-32) refers to that which has turned aside from what is normal.

There is no value in perverse speech, so it should not surprise us that such words come from an evil heart, one in which there is

littleÑif anyÑvalue (v. 20).

But consider the blessing we can bring when we speak from wise hearts. The words righteous people speak are worth hearing. People who know God intimately bring spiritual nourishment by what they say because they know 'what is fitting' (v. 32).

There is much solid advice in these verses. Since words are so powerful and can't be recaptured, being sparing in our speech is always a wise choice. This doesn't mean we shouldn't ever say anything. But wise people think before they speakÑand sometimes, a moment's thought keeps us from blurting out the first thing that comes to mind.

The Bible reveals how seriously God takes our words. The punishment for a perverse tongue is severe, and God will not tolerate ungodly speech forever.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We have countless opportunities every day to speak. Let's be careful about which ones we choose.

Do you have an opportunity today to encourage someone? Take it. Are you storing up a criticism for someone else? Think twice before you deliver it. Has God given you a spiritual insight another believer may benefit from? By all means, share it. And if God brings someone to mind who needs your prayer support right nowÑwell, a genuine prayer is always fitting.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 11:1-14
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. - Proverbs 11:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a powerful message titled 'Does Character Count?' Dr. Adrian Rogers makes a biblical plea for the now-radical notion that the moral character of our leaders and of ourselves does count dramaticallyÑbecause character matters to God. Dr. Rogers quotes a sociologist who observed, 'Character has been slowly bred out of many Americans, especially ÔBaby Boomers' and their children.'

If this is true, we are in deep trouble. Whether in a private business transaction or in the dealings of our national leaders, God scrutinizes and judges human actions based on the standard of His righteousness.

Proverbs 11 draws a dramatic contrast between righteous and wicked people. If you want to know how to walk in God's way and enjoy His blessing, the answer is here for you in a poetic form called antithetical parallelism: a big term for two stanzas that present contrasting truths.

Verse 1 is a good example. God abhors dishonesty in business, whereas honesty pleases Him. And the contrasts continue: between pride and humility, integrity and unfaithfulness, wickedness and righteousness, and gossip and trustworthiness.

Anyone who doesn't think character counts needs to spend some time in the Proverbs. Pride results in disgrace, unfaithfulness brings destruction, and wicked people are trapped by their own sin. The message is found again and again. What we do or fail to do has tremendous consequences because we live under the all-seeing eye of a just God.

The consequences of character are one matter when we're dealing on an individual level. But these verses also make reference to a city and a nation. Is it possible that an entire culture can suffer when evil is ignored and ungodliness promoted?

The answer of God's Word is a resounding yes. The mouth of the wicked can destroy a city (v. 11). A nation can fall for lack of godly guidance (v. 14). God will not be mocked by any individual or culture.

Given this truth, we need to spread the word. Character counts with God!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This isn't a national holiday, but it's still a good day to pray for our country.

Today, let's pray for ourselves, the body of Christ. Peter says judgment must begin in God's house. If we, as God's people, will get our lives lined up under His authority, there is no telling what He can do with us and through us to impact our culture and the world. Pray that believers worldwide will have a new passion for holiness and that God's righteous standard will be a daily reality for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 12:13-23
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. - Proverbs 12:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
It has been said that one advantage of telling the truth is that you don't need to have a good memory.

If you can remember as a child trying to get your story straight while telling your mother how her lamp got broken, you know what we're talking about. Honesty is not only the best policy, but a requirement if we want to be considered wise people from God's standpoint.

Speaking the truth is a character trait we have already encountered in the Proverbs. The language is strong here. A lying tongue will be around only for a moment (v. 19)Ñliterally, as long as it takes to blink. That's because God detests lying. But truthful people are His delight.

It is well established that a person's speech is a major indicator of character. Several familiar themes reappear in today's reading as the Scripture tells us how to please God.

One of these common themes is that evil people are trapped by their own wickedness. It's true that people are often hurt by someone else's sin. But the writers of Proverbs want us to understand that God has built a law of sowing and reaping into the universe (see Gal. 6:7). The idea of an evil person's getting away with evil, or even prospering from it, is basically foreign to this book.

The other side of the equation is also true. Right conduct in God's sight brings abundant blessing. This is true whether we're talking about words, business dealings, or personal morality.

Along with familiar themes, we have become acquainted with several people in the Proverbs: the wise person, the simple one, and the fool. There isn't much hope for the latter as long as this person insists on following his or her own stubborn way and refusing God's discipline and instruction.

We can see two characteristics of the fool and the prudent person in verses 15-16. Fools always think they're right, so they are easily annoyed when others correct them. A wise person, however, is open to instruction and correction and controls any irritated response. Is there any doubt about the example we need to follow here?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's verse hits home, because there is probably not a person on earth who has not cut another person with reckless words.

As we noted earlier this week, one reason the Bible has so much to say about our words is that they can't be brought back once they are spoken. But we can still ask forgiveness of anyone we have hurt with our words or offer forgiveness to another offender. If either of these is a need in your life, God's Spirit will reveal it to you if you will ask Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 13:1-16
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. - Proverbs 13:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of life's truisms is this: if you stick around long enough, people will say or do something that reveals what they are really like inside.

Judging by what we read today in the Proverbs, you won't need to be around very long before the fool and the wise person manifest their true character. One of the principles we have seen again and again is that the state of a person's heart will sooner or later be made apparent.

We can see a couple of obvious examples in verses 1 and 10. A person who receives instruction proves wise by God's standards. But the one who brushes off the sound advice and correction of a wise father reveals the heart of a mocker.

The speech of a good person produces good results as surely as a fruit tree bears fruit. But the arrogance of a proud person reveals itself in arguments and strife. Most know-it-alls don't like being contradicted or corrected.

The laziness of the sluggard also becomes visible in an unfulfilled life (v. 4). The lazy person is another familiar character in the Proverbs, about whom the Word has little good to say. The sluggard is obvious by the grand plans to hit it big on a next scheme or by playing the lottery, all the while refusing honest work.

Another example is the fool who exposes personal shortcomings like a salesman laying out a line of goods. The contrast is the prudent person whose actions demonstrate how life is supposed to be lived.

Along with these contrasts, today's proverbs also give us some very down-to-earth advice. Although dishonest people may receive a great deal of money up front, we need to take the long view of finances, which is God's view. Honesty wins out every time.

It's also good for us to guard our tongues and avoid the ruin that comes with rash words (v. 3). We need to hate what God hates (v. 5, see 8:13). And we must try to accumulate as much of God's wisdom and instruction as we possibly can.

One thing is sure: whatever we accumulate will eventually become obvious to everyone.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One of the great things about godly people is the way their lives bless others.

If you are drinking at the 'fountain of life' that comes from a wise person's teaching (v. 14), you know what we are talking about. Perhaps that person is your pastor, Sunday school teacher, or parent. Take a few minutes to thank the Lord for the people He has used in your life and consider dropping them a note of thanks and encouragement.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 14:26-35
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. - Proverbs 14:34
TODAY IN THE WORD
If you have ever been caught out on the streets of your town or city in a sudden downpour, you know how important a refuge can be. An awning on the sidewalk or the open door of a nearby store look awfully good when the rain is pouring down. There's nothing worse than being caught in a storm with no place to run.

Everyone needs a refuge in life's storms. One promise God does not make to His people is freedom from trials and setbacks. The rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt. 5:45), and so does adversity.

The difference between these two groups is that the righteous person has a secure fortress in the Lord, while the wicked person is 'brought down' by trouble because there is no place to turn (Prov. 14:26, 32). Even in death, the righteous find a refuge in God.

We could title today's study 'The Blessings of Godliness.' This isn't the first time we have encountered this topic, but this portion of Proverbs 14 is laden with blessings. The blessings start at home, because when we fear the Lord our example spills over in benefit to our children.

Most parents will do anything necessary to secure their children's safety. A parent cannot be there to protect children at every turn, but what better protection is there than the refuge God promises to those who fear Him?

Fearing the Lord also brings us to His 'fountain of life' (v. 27), another reference to the longevity of life that the righteous can anticipate.

So we as believers have a secure future when we fear God and live in His wisdom; but what about the journey along the way? That path also contains good things for those people whom the Proverbs call wise.

For instance, we can enjoy the blessing of a patient and peaceful heart, a soul that is at rest because our trust is in God and there is no reason to envy anyone (vv. 29-30).

That's worth a lot by itself, but there's more. We have already mentioned the assurance of God's refuge at death, a promise we know as eternal life. And of course, when we seek God's will and way, He deposits His wisdom in our hearts.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Verses 34-35 remind us once again that these principles from the Proverbs also apply on the national and worldwide levels.

On September 11 we turned our attention to this nation, praying that we as believers would get our lives right before God. Today, let's pray that He would be pleased to deliver this countryÑand others around the worldÑfrom the disgrace of sin, at the highest levels of leadership and on the individual level. And if the Holy Spirit prompts you to confession, claim God's forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 15:3-11, 25-26, 29
The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. - Proverbs 15:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
We learned yesterday that wicked people have no place to turn when trouble comes because they have rejected the Lord and spurned His counsel. Therefore, they are on their own to figure out how to deal with life.

Being left alone by God would be frightening enough, but God doesn't just leave evil people to themselvesÑHe has set Himself against those who oppose Him.

You may have noticed by now that it is hard to find an all-encompassing theme for any particular portion of the Proverbs. Many of these chapters are compilations of 'stand-alone' proverbs covering a number of topics. But today's verses focus on the importance of making the Lord our friend rather than our enemy.

It needs to be said again here. The way we live matters so much because we are accountable to God. His eyes are upon us, and His standards are those by which we will be judged. Thus, we need to make sure we are in His favor.

God has drawn a clear line when it comes to His standards. When we submit ourselves to God's righteousness, He is pleased by our commitment to live for Him. We can express that commitment in our acts of worship and by the way we think and conduct our lives.

Conversely the wicked, those who refuse to bow before God's holiness, meet God not as friend and Father, but as foe. The Bible says God detests a number of things about people who refuse to submit to Him: their religious acts, their way of life, their thoughts. The house of the proudÑwhat constitutes their livesÑwill not be left standing.

This puts matters in perspective, doesn't it? Many people spend time networking, cultivating relationships with others they believe can help them get ahead.

There's certainly nothing wrong with developing business ties. We just need to remember that it doesn't matter whom you know if you don't know God. We can't afford to neglect our relationship with Him, because if we aren't pleasing Him, it doesn't really matter if everyone else is pleased with us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Proverbs gives us a number of answers to the question, 'How can I please God?'

But that doesn't mean we can reduce the Christian life to a list of do's and don'ts. Paul says the kingdom of God is not a system of rules, but 'righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Rom. 14:17). Then he adds: 'Anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God' (v. 18). Do you long to please God? 'Pursue righteousness' (Prov. 15:9), and you will make the right choices.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 16:18-25
Better to be lowly in spirit . . . than to share plunder with the proud. - Proverbs 16:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
It is said that two pairs of interlocking deer horns hang in a monastery in Germany. The horns were found that way, the result of two bucks locking horns in battle to gain some advantage. The bucks either could not or would not separate their horns, and they died in that positionÑan eloquent testimony to the kind of stubborn pride that gets people into so much trouble.

We know that God hates pride (see the September 6 study). One reason is that it reminds Him so much of Satan when people declare 'I will,' and shake a defiant fist in His face. When the Bible says, 'Pride goes before destruction' (v. 18), all we have to do is look at Lucifer. He fell all the way from heaven to hell.

The fate of proud people who refuse to repent of their pride is clear. They are headed for a very hard fall. In this way, the Proverbs were written to do more than warn us against falling into destructive sinsÑthese truths from God's heart will help us avoid the pit into which the proud fall.

In the verses before us today we see some of the traits that will help us guard against pride. The opposite of pride, of course, is humilityÑand one of the marks of a humble person is the willingness to receive instruction (v. 20).

The proud try to tell others what to do. They aren't really interested in learning from others, because in their minds that attitude would be an admission of weakness or of inferiority.

Pride almost always manifests itself in what a person says. Making sure our words are 'pleasant words' (vv. 21, 24) that bring instruction and promote healing is a great way to help ensure that we don't succumb to pride. It's hard to get carried away with yourself when you're carrying someone else's burden.

Verse 25 is another classic from this great book of wisdom. The proud person's way will seem right to that person. After all, how could he or she be mistaken? But this spirit ends in self-deception and spiritual death, the worst place possible to wind up. It is much better to seek out God's way and find life!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you 'locked horns' with someone at home, at work, or in your church?

If so, why not do all you can to undo the stalemate before the situation gets worse? One step you can take toward settling the issue doesn't even involve the other person. It may be hard, but tell God you are willing to yield your position, even if it means wounding your pride. It's amazing what He can do when we are willing to humble ourselves. And if you're not in this position, pray that God will keep you from feeling the need to defend your territory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 17:1, 9, 14, 19, 2
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. - Proverbs 17:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Although his name and fame were often associated with war, Dwight Eisenhower became a champion of peace during his presidency. Eisenhower believed that those who experience war 'are the most ardent advocates of peace in the world.'

Today's theme, scattered throughout the seventeenth chapter of Proverbs, refers to this. It's worth gleaning the principles these verses have to teach us. Peace with ourselves and with others is worth the effort it takes to achieve and maintain it.

Our verse today sets the tone for the subject of peace. Tranquillity at home is so desirable that we would be wiser to give up some material comforts than to sacrifice peace. And what is true at home is also true in our other relationships.

Living by God's wisdom, the goal of our studies this month, will lead us to pursue godly peace. The apostle James described godly wisdom as 'peace-loving' (James 3:17). He even declared that 'Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness' (v. 18).

So how can we promote peace in our relationships? One way is to overlook the offenses that are inevitable whenever two or more people meet (Prov. 17:9). This does not mean ignoring wrong or sweeping sin under the rug for the sake of outward calm.

But it does mean not taking every ill-advised word or action so personally that we nurse our hurts and spread our tales of misery to everyone around us. Because God forgives, we can too.

Another valuable peacemaking idea is stopping pointless arguments before they begin (vv. 14, 19). Some disagreements simply are not worth getting disturbed about. We all know people who love to argue and go looking for disputes, but according to the Bible this isn't just a personality quirk. It's sin.

The final two verses of the chapter bring us back to a place we have been before. More strife is stirred up by words than by any weapon of war. So using our tongues with restraint, choosing our words carefully and keeping them to a minimum, is perhaps the best peace-keeping strategy of all. Even a fool can look like a genius when keeping his or her mouth shut.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Verse 9 contrasts the wisdom of silence and forgiveness with the damaging practice of gossip.

The Proverbs have a lot to say about gossip and the destruction it causes. To be effective, gossip needs a network, such as a telephone or computer. You can break the gossip network in your circle of influence by refusing to hear a charge against a fellow believer or by offering to go with the speaker to find out from the source whether the story is true.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 18:1-10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. - Proverbs 18:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
There's an old saying that it takes all kinds of people to make a worldÑbut some kinds are harder to deal with than others.

One example of this is the person who says, 'Don't confuse me with the facts. I've already made up my mind.' We call someone like this stubborn. When it comes to the spiritual realm, the book of Proverbs uses another term: fool.

Jesus did warn us about calling someone a fool (Matt. 5:22), because it's a strong term. But there's no other word to describe this individual: a person who refuses even God's counsel and wisdom, determined to plunge ahead into destruction and take others along if possible.

Verse 2 of today's text introduces us to another facet of a fool's personality. Such a person not only rejects godly wisdom, but 'delights' in his folly. It's not that the fool is uninformed. That would qualify him as simple or naive, another category of people desperately in need of God's instruction.

The problem with foolish people is that they enjoy what they're doing. They like parading their rebellion and rejection of God. In our media-soaked world, they would be the guests on television's most offensive talk shows.

When the Bible says a fool's mouth 'invites a beating' (v. 6), we are reminded of those who approve of the vilest kinds of sin and invite God's judgment (Rom. 1:32). If this seems harsh, we need to remember that the Proverbs hold little hope for a fool. God can save anyone, but from the human standpoint a person like this is one of the toughest cases to crack.

We now know enough about a fool's character to run the other way in terms of our own conduct. The rest of today's proverbs give us more solid advice on how to build lives that please God and reflect His wisdom.

We could summarize these exhortations by saying that wise believers are unselfish and impartial in their dealings with others, careful about their speech, and diligent in their work.

Aside from the personal benefits of a life marked by these qualities, imagine the blessing this person brings to his or her world! Any employer would love to have workers like thisÑand any church would be stronger with a sanctuary full of 'Proverbs people.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 19:20-29
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. - Proverbs 19:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
Author Tony Evans tells the humorous story of the time he tried to assemble a bicycle for one of his children at Christmas. His wife Lois urged Tony to read the directions, but he didn't want to bother with a thick manual. He had a doctorate degree, he reasoned, surely he could put a child's bike together. 'Eight hours later, with only the handlebars on,' Dr. Evans writes, 'I decided it was time to consult the instruction manual.'

A wise choice. Among the many differences between the wise and the foolish is their attitude toward instruction. A wise person is more ready to listen than to talk, more willing to take advice than to give it. That's not a new line of thought for us this month, but we can't emphasize it enough.

The term we use for this attitude today is teachability. You can get a pretty accurate reading on how serious you are about godly living by checking your 'teachability quotient.' While a fool is busy ignoring and defying God and the simple person is blindly flying headlong into trouble, a person of discernment has a listening ear turned toward heaven.

The way unrighteous people treat godly wisdom, you'd think God was trying to lead them down a hard road. But that's not true. The hard way is reserved for the scorner and the mocker who choose their own paths. Why? Because no one can defy God and succeed. His purpose will prevail in the end (v. 21). It is better to choose 'the fear of the Lord' and enjoy life, contentment, and security (v. 23).

At least there's hope for the simple if they will learn from the punishment meted out to the wicked (v. 25). There's something about watching another person get punished that can snap even the dullest people awake.

Some people learn the hard way, and others never seem to learn at all. God's judgment is reserved for the latter. The best advice a wise parent can give a child is to keep listening to God's instruction (v. 27).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The early life of Samuel offers a great example of what it means to be teachable and to accept instruction from God.

You can read the story in 1 Samuel 3. The key to the story is the priest Eli's advice to Samuel: 'If [God] calls you, say, ÔSpeak, Lord, for your servant is listening'' (v. 9). We hope that's the attitude you bring to the Word each day. Samuel did what he was advised, and God revealed Himself. Why not write the words of this prayer on a card and use it as your Bible bookmark for the rest of the month? As you see the card each day, offer up Samuel's prayer.