Wisdom’s Instructions to Obtain and Keep a Good Name
Book of Proverbs Chapter 22
We should ask ourselves, how will people perceive us, or how will they remember us after we’re gone?
Do we have a “good name”, a good reputation, a good testimony?
Are we a person of integrity?
Are we friends to the world, or is our name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
If people see us a friend to the world, then we are God’s enemy!
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do we compromise on the Word of God just to remain friends with the world?
Luk 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Are we seen as a child of God?
2Co 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
Act 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
3Jn 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
We need to understand that a good name, a good reputation, is not the same as being popular.
We can be popular without being a child of God, but with what sort of people!
These are people who are concerned for their own honor and not the honor of God.
This is a people pleaser, and we have far too many of those behind many pulpits today.
One of the first things we need to have a good reputation is the fact that people recognize us as Christians, being like Jesus Christ, and not a hypocrite.
*Pro 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Pro 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
God will never show partiality to His children!
The Lord Jesus died upon that cross for every single living person from the time of Adam till the end of time.
We may put a high value on earthly things that have no value in Heaven, but to our Heavenly Father, our soul is the most valuable part of being a human.
We should ask ourselves, would we sell our good name for a million dollars?
Would we compromise our character for a million dollars?
We cannot put a price on honor, integrity, and righteousness!
Ecc 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
Why is our death more important than our birth?
We are born into a life that will not be very lengthy.
At our death, we will have eternal life, either in the torments of Hell or in the glory of Heaven.
We must make this choice while we are alive!
We must understand that we are one of God’s creations and love Him as our Creator, our Maker.
God is unmoved by the possessions we gain while we are living, but He offers the glories and the wealth of Heaven if we turn to Him for our salvation.
God will never discriminate among people because of their wealth, success, gender, race, or social status!
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Why are there so many suicides in America? They are plagued with low self-esteem and see no future for themselves.
They use the wrong things to judge themselves!
They focus on appearance, abilities, or position.
They focus on popularity, wealth, or success.
These things have nothing to do with our real value if we look through the eyes of God.
God cares for us so much that He keeps up with every detail of our lives.
God loves us so much that He will go with us everywhere we go, in good times and bad times.
God has a wonderful plan and purpose for our lives.
God is always thinking about us.
God loves us enough that He sacrificed His Son for us despite our sins and our rebellious nature.
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Almost every religion in the world is looking for some messiah, but my Messiah came and died for me, and He will return to take me home.
We will never be able to fulfill the purpose God has for us if we do not have a good name after our salvation.
We were all dirty, rotten sinners before our salvation.
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
*Pro 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Pro 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Pro 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Pro 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Pro 22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
Pro 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Pro 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
Pro 22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
As Christians under the leadership of our faith, we understand that there will be a day of wrath from the Almighty Living God, and there is only one way to avoid it.
We know to look to Jesus Christ and hide ourselves in His loving arms.
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Isa_25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
As Christians, we are paying attention to what is going on in this world, and we know the results at the end of the Church Age and the seven years of tribulation.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Only the Church will be saved from this day of wrath!
Those whom God says are simple-minded reject the truth of God, and they will be punished for it; most of them, if not all, will spend eternity in Hell.
They refuse to recognize the dangers of a sinful lifestyle!
Pro 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
They refuse to recognize the truth of a Righteous God!
We already know the foundation of wisdom is the “Fear of the Lord”.
This fear is not only a reverent fear of the Lord but also includes an actual fear of a God who would rather not show His wrath.
Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
Isa 28:23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Only those who have submitted to God before they come to their own death will miss out on this consumption upon the whole earth.
This consumption is the disease of sin that God will eradicate.
We know there are painful hazards as we travel life’s journeys.
That journey is far worse for those who reject the Word of God.
They cannot know the comfort of knowing we do not have to go through these pains alone.
Pro 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Those who have received the pleasures of this world become slaves to those things, and God’s people know there is no real pleasure in anything this world has to offer.
We who travelled that sinful life for far too long and have turned to Jesus Christ know that we are to train our children while they are children, so they can avoid most of life’s pitfalls.
The children God has given to us are our responsibility and not the governments to raise and teach.
If there is one thing we have realized in the last several years is that our government has steered our children down the path to the destruction of our entire nation and the way of freedom.
As parents and grandparents, and great-grandparents, we only get the opportunity to guide our children in the right direction.
They will choose a path for themselves sooner than we realize.
We hope that as they get older, they will remember those things in their heart and their minds.
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Eph 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
We must understand that there are consequences to borrowing money, and credit cards have destroyed many families.
There is nothing disgraceful about being poor!
The rich have far too much power in dictating the lifestyle of the poor, and certain politicians want to keep the poor from gaining in life by giving incentives to them incentives not to work. All for their vote to keep them poor.
It is ridiculous that people have fallen into this trap and want to remain there.
Those who have caused this problem and keep doing these things will reap what they sow.
God is sending His warnings to these lenders from the Holy Spirit.
As Christians, we are taught to share.
The Holy Spirit says to those who share, they will also reap what they sow.
Pro 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
The Church has become stagnant because the Church has allowed the world into the Church.
God has one answer if you want to stop the arguments in the Church: throw out those who reject the Word of God or those who try to compromise the Word of God with the world’s ways.
Pro 21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
These are the ones causing the contention and strife in the Church, and it can be settled by simply forcing them to leave unless they repent.
Ask them how they get saved to hear their answer.
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
If we can speak to others with the same grace that our Heavenly Father has shown to us, we will get along, and we cannot move to the left or to the right from the truth of God.
A troublemaker does not have a pure heart; they are troublemakers. This is what they live for.
*Pro 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
Pro 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
Pro 22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Pro 22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
God is so moving and loving for us that He sent His only Son to die in our place just so we could live with Him forever.
God is also holy and righteous and will not put up with foolishness and unrighteousness.
We should ask ourselves, “What is the providence of God”?
The providence of God is the fact that it is God’s wisdom and God’s power that preserves and governs this world for the ends which He purposes to accomplish.
Since God created everything, it should be reasonable to infer that He upholds and governs all things!
All things are known to Him!
All things are possible for Him!
It is our Heavenly Father’s plan for us, and nothing in this world can change God’s plan for us!
As our Creator, He is self-existent, and it is His Will, so all His creations depend on Him!
He only deserves our worship!
He is the great guardian of the truth of this world we live in!
It is a fact that lazy people will come up with all sorts of excuses not to work.
Some things they come up with are laughable.
It is highly unlikely that any Jew was mauled by a lion because they were not found in towns or cities.
It is in our best interest as Christians to be the best workers on the job site.
This is diligent.
It is true to say that those who can work but refuse to do so should not eat.
When they are hungry enough, they will find some work to do to provide that meal.
We have to wonder if Solomon wrote this proverb early in life or later in life because he admits that the seductive words of harlots and adulteresses will entice a man to his own destruction of his body and his soul.
Solomon also wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes, and we can see more profound words by the Holy Spirit.
Ecc 7:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
Foolishness is actually self-will.
Children must be rescued from this and it can be accomplished through discipline.
Foolishness is not a learned behavior it is in that child from birth.
It can be removed while they are still young to keep them from harming themselves or others.
Parents who love their children will correct them!
Pro 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
God says we will reap what we sow.
So those who oppress the poor will themselves suffer similarly by giving their riches to someone who is already rich and does not need it.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
We can see where we fail in this life if we reject the wisdom of God.
When we reject the Word of God, we live in open opposition to Him.
True success in life comes through trusting and fearing the Lord.
Who are the foolish, all those who do not want the Lord to be on their side!
The Bible did not come to us by accident!
It is a Holy God who has preserved His Word for us to know and respect.
*Pro 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Pro 22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Pro 22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Pro 22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
Pro 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
Wisdom does not just come upon us. We must ask for wisdom and then study what other wise men have said.
If we understand that the Holy Spirit has directed the thoughts of God to men to write down so they can be understood.
The Word of God is useless if it remains in the Book. These wise words must be read and studied and brought into our hearts and our consciences.
That word hear is the Hebrew word “shama,” which means to hear intelligently and to heed and obey.
We must keep this wisdom in our hearts.
Rom_6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
God wants His word to be active in our lives.
The Bible is the most powerful Book that has ever existed!
It is nourishment for the soul!
It is the seed that brings forth much fruit.
It is the truth that applies to this life we live now.
It is the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, that teaches us to trust Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim, the Almighty God.
It is our Heavenly Father who is the source of all wisdom, no matter whose lips it comes from.
God wants us to know the truth of this world.
God expects us to know the truth of this world.
God wants us to have confidence in His Word of Truth!
Jehovah can be trusted, the Lord Jesus Christ can be trusted, and the Holy Spirit can be trusted because the Bible is designed and written by the Holy Trinity, so we can know the truth.
God gives us His truth so we can live more successful and meaningful lives.
It is the Word of God that gives us this powerful message we can share with those who do not know Him.
God did not have to tell us anything, and we would have gone through life confused, but He would have still held us accountable for our sin.
Rom_1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
God gave us His Word so that we can have hope that this life we live now is not just meaningless, and there is a better life ahead. That hope is in our Savior, God Himself!
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Rom 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
*Pro 22:22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
Pro 22:23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
There are many poor people in this world, many of them have happy lives and know that riches cannot make them happier than they already are.
Some are poor, and they do not like to be reminded of that fact, and we should help them if we are able.
We must understand that God is always on the side of the poor!
The instruction “not to rob the poor” does not speak of robbery because they have nothing worth stealing.
We are not to rob the poor of their dignity.
Many of the poor are taken advantage of because they cannot hire a lawyer.
God is reminding us that He will defend them in the end.
To understand what the Holy Spirit is talking about here, let’s look at the Apostle Paul.
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
There are probably far more Christian Saints who were poor until they met the Lord Jesus than rich.
Just as it is today, many of the poor are wrongly afflicted by unjust judges and society.
Cruel and greedy people choose the poor as their targets because they are unable to defend themselves.
Praise the Lord, we have an advocate in Heaven.
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Psa 35:10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
When the Lord says He will spoil the souls of those who oppress the poor, He is saying He will take away their lives.
*Pro 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
Pro 22:25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
There are a lot of bad examples in our world, and we must not spend time around them.
Yes, we are to witness if we get the opportunity and flee as soon as we can.
Those who are short-tempered can influence us in a bad way.
All of us are prone to losing our temper from time to time, but this angry man from the Scripture is full of anger at all times, and the wise do not need to be around them.
Wise people understand the power of influence and avoid such people.
Bad behavior can rub off on people and infect others.
Uncontrolled anger is a trap that is easy to get caught in and hard to escape.
Scripture never tells us to associate with the ungodly for the purpose of trying to change their behavior.
In fact, Scripture tells us to be an example to them of the wisdom to avoid anger as best we can.
1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
*Pro 22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
Pro 22:27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
In the old days, all it took was a handshake to seal a deal.
We all want to help our children and maybe close friends, but God says do not secure debts for them.
I do not know how many of us have been burned by our own children, but it happens.
If that debtor is not creditworthy, then why should we be taken advantage of?
We end up taking up a debt that we are not prepared for, and we could lose our own possessions and our own creditworthiness be ruined.
Our testimony can also be affected if we are known to be someone who does not pay our debts.
We must not make foolish deals. Nothing is untouchable if you put yourself up for someone else’s debts.
*Pro 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
The ownership of property is important in today’s world, but it was extremely important in ancient Israel.
Most land is worth far more than its monetary value.
It was Jehovah who gave Abraham and the descendants of Sarah the land that belonged to Israel.
Deu 19:14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Gen_17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
God had forbidden the children of Israel to sell their land He had given to them.
Moving a boundary stone was an act of theft and a violation of the eighth commandment.
Deu 19:14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Deu 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
*Pro 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
It is a rare occasion for a diligent worker to be fired, even in today’s world.
To have a good work ethic is to be obedient to our Heavenly Father.
Christians should be the best workers on any job site.
As believers, we are called to set the example of being diligent workers.
We are never to be seen as being lazy.
We do not labor only for our employers; we labor also for our Lord!
Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
And the words that every Saint of God hopes to receive.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Amen