Praise for the Virtuous Woman

October 27, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Wisdom’s Praise for the Virtuous, Wise Woman

Book of Proverbs Chapter 31 verses 10-31

Many things have been said throughout the Book of Proverbs about women of folly, foolish women, and wrong women, but the Holy Spirit would not finish this great book without telling us about the virtuous woman.

No matter who we are, as men, we all have a desire for a virtuous woman.

Virtuous means morally good, acting in conformity to moral law, practicing moral duties, and abstaining from vice.

Conforming to Divine Law.

How did a woman come about? Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Only one man can join with one woman and be One Flesh, and this by marriage.

The Lord Jesus said: Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

This is the definition of marriage, as defined by Almighty God.

These are the only two humans that God has created!

What does the Holy Spirit say about this virtuous woman?

*Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The most important decision we will ever make is what we will do with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are we going to believe Him and the Gospel, or are we going to ignore Him?

The Bible says we are to submit to Him in complete obedience.

We already know that submitting is far greater than just complying.

Once we have accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the truth of God, then the Holy Spirit will come to live in our hearts, and we can know what it is to “Fear the Lord”.

For most of us, the next great decision we will make is the choice of our spouse.

Pro 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

We can understand from this question in verse ten that it may not be easy to find a virtuous woman.

What we see in this passage is the qualifications of an excellent wife.

What we see in this passage is the embodiment of all the wisdom instructions contained in the previous thirty chapters.

We have a portrait in words of an exceptionally wise woman who has the “Fear of the Lord”.

If we are a Christian male and fear the Lord, then if we are seeking a wife, we should seek a Christian female who also has the fear of the Lord.

We must understand that because family relationships are the most important relationships in life, the character of the wife and mother is of great importance.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

We may read these words as describing a perfect wife and a perfect marriage, and we know that none of us is perfect, so for the husband to find such a godly wife, then that husband must be a God-fearing man living as close as he can to the Word of God.

A virtuous woman is a woman who is noticed by many of God’s people because she has an excellent character, no matter where she is or what she is doing.

Rth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

A virtuous woman is a rare and precious treasure!

We may think that such a woman does not exist, but she does.

It is a fact that there may not be many of them.

Women would say the same thing about us men.

One thing is true to that man who has found a virtuous woman is richer than any king.

This woman of wisdom is certainly a gift from the Lord.

Pro 19:14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

*Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

One of the greatest qualities of this godly wife is the fact that her husband can trust her.

He knows that this woman is devoted first to the Lord, next to him, and then to the family.

He will not question her motives, and he will not question her words.

He understands that such a woman will draw the attention of other men, but he knows she will never betray him.

His heart is secure in her faithfulness!

She has enriched his life and meets his needs, and he has hers.

The one thing the Old Testament is good at is showing us examples.

It spends a lot of time on godly men and things that God will punish us for.

This passage is an example for godly women.

Here we see faithfulness and purity, and these are things God expects from all His children.

A good wife will commit that she will never act in a way that could cause her to lose the trust of her husband, and the husband must make this same commitment to the Lord.

The world we live in today is so full of immorality that any signal from a woman or a man can be seen as saying they are available.

The commandments of God do not even exist in modern society.

Wedding vows are not sacred.

Adultery is glorified and seen as normal behavior.

God’s Word is still the truth: 1Jn_2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Our commitments to our spouses must be important, and they must be real!

In marriage, both spouses must be attentive to each other’s needs.

The primary need of women is still love and affection!

The primary need of the husband is reverence and respect.

We are to put the needs of our spouses before our own needs.

The husband-and-wife relationship must be a picture of our relationship with Jesus Christ!

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

To gain His bride, the Lord Jesus gave up everything to become a man, so that he could give His life to purchase His bride.

We have no greater example of this for our own marriages!

He gave Himself for us!

Friendship with the world is committing Spiritual adultery.

We are completely secure in the love of our Savior!

Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*Pro 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Pro 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Pro 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

This is a woman of good works: 1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

This home is founded on the commitment of a husband and wife and the love they share with their children.

Her first concern is for her family to be well-clothed.

She does not buy the clothes, nor does she buy the fabrics to make those clothes.

She gets the raw materials, wool and flax to make the fabrics herself, and takes the time to get the best materials she can find.

She works with her own hands.

Wool comes from sheep and keeps the body warm when it’s cold.

Flax comes from the land and is used to make linen, which is for warmer days.

In typology, the wool would indicate that the Church is to be a place of warm, loving interest in each member.

Linen would represent righteous deeds of the members: Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

She also provides food for her family, and she seeks out the best foods for them; she even brings it from afar.

She is compared to ships and not a single ship.

She eats the same food she prepares for all who live in her house.

In typology, this is Spiritual food, and it comes from afar because it comes from Heaven, where our Lord Jesus Christ is today.

It is the Lord Jesus who provides for the Church: Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

This is the food she prepares and puts upon the table.

For breakfast, she gets up before all others so the food will be ready when they awaken.

She does not call upon her maidens; she does these things herself.

She makes sure all those in her home start the day with a good breakfast.

She then plans the day’s work for her maidens.

In typology, the Church is to be full of believers who serve each other the food of the Word of God.

Each member has a purpose, and they are to do that task as well as they are able, but they need the nourishment of God’s Word, that Heavenly Manna from on high.

Each member receives their portion that is needed to perform the service God has given him or her.

After taking care of the needs of her family, she is free to do things that will increase the family budget.

She is also a good businesswoman who invests wisely.

She buys the things she needs without going into debt.

After she buys this field, she immediately plants a vineyard.

In typology, that field is an area outside the Church where we can do the work of God.

A vineyard speaks of joy in that work.

That field can represent the family of God because the Church is to be made up of families.

Every family in the Church that lives for God is a great joy to our Heavenly Father.

A strong Church is a blessing in the place where it is located.

*Pro 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Pro 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Pro 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Laziness is one of those things that God hates, but the virtuous woman is never lazy.

We see her work begins before daylight and continues after all others are in bed.

She is a symbol of strength, and in typology, she represents the Church, which is also to be a symbol of strength.

Most of the churches in America are failing in this issue today, and attacks against the Church have increased because the Church appears to be so weak, and it is a shame.

The Word of God is being twisted and turned till the truth has been removed, and this is another reason God will first judge the Church, and He will accept no excuses!

The strength of the Church is in the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is no longer relevant in much of the Church of today.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

The Lord Jesus says: Rev_3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

We see this wise woman is always evaluating the work she has done, and it must be the same for the Church.

There is only one way that will work for the Church!

Jer_6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Much of the Church will no longer walk in the ways that work and have teamed up with the world in ways that are destroying much of the Church.

We see the candle of this wise woman does not go out at night, and her house is spared from the disasters of the wicked.

The Church must always be alert to the wickedness of the world and the wiles of the Devil.

This wise woman sees that her clothes are in demand from others, and she sells some of them along with her produce that she grows.

It is the same for the Church; the Gospel message is still in high demand from those who have never heard it, and the same Gospel that worked in the days of the Apostles will still work today.

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Just as this wise woman will be blessed the Bride of Christ will be blessed if it remains diligent in the work the Lord has given us to do.

The Lord Jesus promises a reward for our labors!

We will all stand before the Lord and give an account for what we have done, good or bad.

1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

*Pro 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

We have seen that this wise woman cares much for her family, but she does not forget those who are poor and needy.

She is compassionate and caring.

We must understand that the Church must never be seen as standoffish and must share with the less fortunate.

There are far too many people in our area who are spiritually poor and needy.

The Church should extend its hand and help with spiritual blessings.

There all always people who are in need, and there may be some inside the Church that we just have not noticed, but we should.

It is not just the poor but also those members who have become too old to get out and those who, through sickness, can no longer get out.

If we truly love the Lord, we will be compassionate and help others when we are able, and this includes the Church.

In fact, this should be a ministry of the Church.

Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

*Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She does not just think of today, but she prepares for the future.

This cold, dead world does not bother her because she shows the warmth of love in her home.

No matter what is going on outside, she has prepared her family for it.

That word scarlet describes the quality of the things this wise woman has prepared for those times of uncertainty.

The Church, full of love and warmth, will attract those who are seeking a place of rest.

The Church must be prepared to face this cold and worsening world.

The Bible tells us that this world will never improve, but there will always be souls that need saving.

Life is far shorter than we realize, and we cannot predict the future except for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Psalms 22, which refers to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, He says: Psa 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

That worm refers to a crimson worm that had to die to produce a dye used for the color scarlet.

*Pro 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

This noble wife takes great pride in her appearance and in being attractive and appealing to her husband.

She could buy anything she needed, but she prefers to make them herself.

She uses the skills God has given to her, and she lives according to the Word of God.

The Lord Jesus clothes His bride in the very best: Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The Bride of Christ is clothed in fine linen: Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

As husbands, we should provide nice things for our wives if we are to be like Jesus Christ.

*Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

This husband was known in the community, and part of the reason was that his wife was so diligent and supportive of Him.

A noble wife will help her husband, and many wives contribute to their husbands’ success.

It is the same for the Bride of Christ.

A diligent, hardworking Church will brag on the Lord Jesus.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The Church has a high calling: Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

He sits among the elders: Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

*Pro 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

This wise woman provides for her family.
She cares for the poor.
She encourages her husband and his position as head of the family.

Now we see she wants to serve her family with her abilities but charges a price for her services.

What she delivers is quality!

We see there is nothing in Scripture that says a woman cannot work to help provide for her family.

We know that her priority is for her family, and everything else is secondary to this first thing.

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

We know that there is a price to be paid to be a Christian.

We are to be Born Again into a godly life as much like Jesus Christ as we are able.

The truth must be bought: Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Truth is not some doctrine, but it consists of wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

These things are more valuable in life than any material riches and are necessary to make life on earth have any value.

This value is eternal and is connected to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The purchase price is the time we invest in the Word of God.

Learning the truth of God takes time and effort, and the Holy Spirit.

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

We know that a sinner cannot pay anything to be saved.

We can be saved only by grace: Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

*Pro 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Pro 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Pro 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Pro 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

We have already seen where this wise woman is adorned in elegance and modesty, but her true beauty is inside her.

1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

She possesses strength, honor, and dignity.

She is esteemed and honored by others as a woman with a strong character.

This is a product of the wisdom of God, our Heavenly Father.

She is ready for her future and does not fear the unexpected.

She stands upon a firm foundation.

She has sown righteousness in her life and in her family, and God promises she will reap the same.

Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Living in the fear of the Lord brings great benefits.

Psa_103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

The Church owes all strength and dignity to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Strength and dignity are the attributes of our Heavenly Father, and the Church should exhibit them.

The Church must always be the Lamb’s wife who has made herself ready, dressed in fine linen for the Bridegroom.

She offers helpful and reliable counsel.

When she opens her mouth, only wisdom comes from it.

Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

She is always watchful for anything or anyone who would harm her family and never passive in this area.

Nothing escapes her attention!

Her children want the world to know how precious their mother is to them.

Today, not many children honor their parents, but they should know that there is nothing more precious than loving parents.

Her husband praises her and expresses great appreciation for the support she has always given him.

Her husband knows he could not have chosen a better spouse for himself and his family.

Her driving force has always been the “fear of the Lord”.

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

It is no different for the Church!

Only through the reverence of our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is it able to express itself in a way that will reap the praise of God.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

*Pro 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

This last passage should strike a note with us because the Lord Jesus said deceit is the main ingredient in these last days.

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

This wise woman does not focus on deception.

She knows that personality and popularity do not always reveal a person’s true character.

People are not always genuine.

Many people today are masters at deceit, trying to get what they want from others, and the world is full of them at this time.

She can stand her ground because of her relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is our fear of the Lord who will lead us in the right direction.

She has given her life to raising her family and being a good wife to her husband.

No reward in this world can be given for the work she has done, for there is no work more important than the work she has done every day.

It is the same for the Church that remains the Bride of Christ.

There is no more important work than that of the Church that remains with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

It is the “fear of the Lord” that is the secret to a successful, satisfying, and blessed life here and then the great rewards of our Heavenly Home.

The Church has one job, and it is to remain close to Jesus Christ and do the work He has given us to do.

There is no greater work than this!

Amen

Human Relations

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Wisdom’s Instructions on Human Relations

Book of Proverbs Chapter 27

What are our duties as the children of God?

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

After the Holy Spirit guided Solomon through the entire Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon sees that there is truly one duty that every human is to have.

“We are to have a reverent fear of the Lord and keep His commandments”.

Everything in this world is meaningless unless we see it through the eyes of Jehovah.

There is safety and peace in the keeping of the commandments of our self-existing God.

The Word of God is just as valuable today as it was in the days of Solomon and all the writers of Scripture, led by the Holy Spirit, and even more so as we approach the end of the Church Age.

Our eternal existence depends upon our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the giver and the taker of life!

Our one job is to please our Heavenly Father through His Son!

This begins when we recognize sin and avoid it.

*Pro 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Pro 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Pro 27:3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.
Pro 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

We should understand that no matter how our day goes, it is a day that God by His Almighty Power causes or allows to happen according to His plan for us.

If we rely on what we think tomorrow will bring, according to the day we live now, we can be totally disappointed.

All our plans are secondary to the plan of God!

When we ignore what God has said, it is a sin as much as any other sin!

We are blind and arrogant to think that we hold power over our own lives.

This does not mean we are not to plan and even plan for the future, but we had better remain flexible with our plans.

We cannot take tomorrow for granted, and only God can direct our future; and it is sin not to know this.

God’s plans will always prevail.

Let the Lord Jesus teach us on this: Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

There is another proverb that should be more important to us: 2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

God is saying we do not know what tomorrow will bring, so do not put off today what needs to be done today.

If the Lord Jesus returns this afternoon and you are waiting till next week to talk to the preacher about salvation, it will be too late for you to get to Heaven.

It is the same thing if the Lord has laid it upon you to witness to a certain person and you put it off for a few days, and all of a sudden, the trumpet sounds and we’re out of here.

We may think we are the best that the Lord has to offer to the world, but we are never to brag about ourselves.

If we are just doing what the Lord has commanded us to do, there is no reward for that, it’s obedience.

If we are not obedient, we are living in sin!

If we boast about how great we are, we will forget how great the Lord is.

Humility, not boasting, will cause others to think more of us, especially the Lord.

2Co 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2Co 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

As we go through life as a Christian, we will find there are many daily irritations that can make our life unbearable, but if we come face to face with a fool, the Spiritual effort it takes to deal with him is far greater than anything else we face.

Pro 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Envy, which includes jealousy, will consume and destroy even the strongest Christian, and we must avoid them.

Remember, Cain slew Abel because of jealousy and became the first murderer in the Bible and caused strife in the first family that existed.

Joseph, the son of Jacob, was sold into slavery because of jealousy.

King Saul tried to kill David because of jealousy.

Envy is the most dangerous of all sinful emotions.

Pro 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore, he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Many times, we ignore these sins in our lives, and we think we are living according to the Word of God when we are living in unconfessed sin, and our prayer life will suffer because of it.

The Lord Jesus Christ has given us the power to overcome all sin in our lives, but we must recognize them as sin.

The closer we stay to living according to the Word of God, we will understand that all sin is an abomination to our Heavenly Father.

Next, we must always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

When we feel someone tugging at our heart, there is no need to look around on the outside because it will be the Spirit on the inside ringing our bell.

We must swallow our pride, admit our sin, and we will see an improvement in our prayer life and in our lives.

*Pro 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Pro 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Pro 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Pro 27:8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
Pro 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Pro 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

We meet a lot of people throughout our lifetime, but only a few can we say are our friends.

How can we say we are good friends if we do not love them enough to point out bad behavior?

We are never to ignore their bad behavior or anything which could be called evil.

It’s the same with our children. How can we say that we love them if we do not tell them about their bad behavior and try to correct them at any age?

Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Real friends will confront each other with the truth!

A true friend will get over that rebuke and remain your friend.

Many of us tend to overindulge, especially when we are eating our favorite meal.

Even that favorite meal will lose its taste when we reach the point where we cannot take another bite.

We know our health should be maintained before we reach this point.

We sometimes forget that a hungry person will eat anything they are offered, even if they do not like the taste of it.

Pro 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

True friends will help the needy.

A bird that strays from the nest shows no regard for the family it leaves behind, and they will perish without its help.

For a father or a mother to desert loved ones is not different.

We simply are not to walk away from those we love!

As far as the Jews, this applied to those who left their nation to live in some other nation.

God’s plan encompasses the community of people beyond the family.

We must understand that God has placed us wherever we live, and unless God calls for us to go somewhere else, then His intention is for us to remain where He has placed us.

This is our mission field.

What did God tell Cain after he murdered Abel? Gen 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

Look at what happened to Naomi.

Rth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
Rth 1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab and continued there.
Rth 1:3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
Rth 1:4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
Rth 1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

God made something good come out of this tragedy in the family of Naomi, for this is what God does, but maybe they should have stayed in Bethlehem.

Our purpose cannot be fulfilled when we run away from it!

Maybe we should not run away from the friends that God has allowed us to establish unless it is God who leads us to do so.

Good friends are just too hard to find!

True friends can help heal each other in times of sorrow and times of need.

Wounds of the heart are especially painful, and a good friend can help heal that pain.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

In today’s world, we need more friends and not fewer friends, and our brothers and sisters in Christ are to always be our friends and we theirs.

A friend of your father who is now your friend shows a connection to the family and should be regarded as a true friend.

We should not only love our friends, but we should also love our friends’ children.

Most of the time, we do not need the help of our friends, but on that day, we do, and it is good to know that help will come.

True friends are priceless!

A good friend who is available is far better than a family that lives miles away from you.

A wise child of God will cherish and value their friends.

Our greatest friend is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

*Pro 27:11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
Pro 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Pro 27:13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Pro 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

If we raise our children according to the Word of God, we will certainly be criticized by the world.

The world will say we are doing it wrong.

They will be taught to follow certain godly rules.

They will be denied certain freedoms that the children of the world will partake in.

They will be removed from certain teachings in the schools that go against the Word of God.

The world will say, As Christians, we are being too oppressive to our children.

That wise child will bring great joy to his parents if they have listened and learned the reasons why these things are important.

How we and our children go through life reflects our upbringing.

When we are trained to recognize the pitfalls of life, then we can avoid them.

When we see the danger that is ahead, we can protect ourselves from it.

The wise child of God will not walk into danger unprepared.

We have the full armor of God.

Those who are simple seldom see the danger that is ahead of them and are not prepared to face it when it comes.

When we do business with people we do not know, we need to demand payment or keep some sort of collateral.

If we are asked to stand good for the debt of someone else, we should refuse.

If we allow our best winter coat to be collateral, we may spend many cold days because of it.

Pro 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

What is common courtesy? Most of us would say it is being polite, connected to kindness.

It is also an act of respect.

If we have had some great thing happen to us and we just cannot hold it in and wake our friends up in the middle of the night to tell them, then we have not been good friends to them. We have not respected them.

We may even lose a friend with such behavior.

Our good news has become bad news for them.

If we call our friends in the middle of the night to tell them how much we appreciate them, they may not appreciate your call.

Friends are just too important for us to do these things to them.

If we call our Pastor for some trivial matter after he has preached three services and visited the sick and needs his rest, we have done him no favor.

*Pro 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
Pro 27:16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Pro 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

The Holy Spirit has mentioned this subject at least five times, so it has to be important.

If it has been raining for a long time and the place you are seeking shelter has a leaky roof, that can drive us back out into the storm.

If we are at home trying to have some peace, but an angry, quarrelsome wife will not let that happen can also drive a man out of that house.

Those who are married to such a person are at their mercy.

We should not be the cause of her anger, or we will certainly suffer for it.

It will be raining inside and outside, and we will have nowhere to avoid it.

Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

A husband and wife must be good friends at all times and let not anger divide them.

Iron is sharpened by another piece of abrasive iron.

The Bible says we are not created to be alone but with others.

We are social beings, and we need to be around others to feel human.

Iron sharpening iron is about two pieces of equivalent materials.

When two people talk and work out the details of their marriage or their friendship, they have sharpened each other, and their bond remains strong.

Our character is shaped by contact with others, which is another reason God wants us to gather together as like-minded people to worship our Heavenly Father.

We do not have to agree with each other all the time, but by talking and gaining understanding, it will sharpen our convictions and remove those sharp edges that cause friction.

It is the same for husbands and wives, good friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is also the same in our relationships at work.

It is not so much about sharpening as it is about caring for one another.

Tending to a fig tree requires some work, but if you do this properly, you will be able to eat its fruit.

As Christians, we have only one Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we faithfully serve the Lord and do not worry about whether our efforts will be recognized and rewarded will in the end receive from our Master, the most important things.

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

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.

It is these things that build our character.

*Pro 27:19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

A good mirror will show the reflection of our face, but they did not exist at this time, so a pool of clear water would give the best reflection.

Just as that good mirror gives the best reflection of our outside character, our hearts will give the best reflection of our inside character.

Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

It is the Word of God that is to be used as our mirror.

It is the Word of God that will show us what is in our hearts.

What is in our heart is what we are!

When we acknowledge what is in our hearts, it will drive us to our knees, and we will beg God for mercy!

The world we live in today is so close to being like the world that existed before the flood that the Lord could return at any moment to remove His Church, which He promised would not see His wrath and return with fire to destroy this wicked world.

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

*Pro 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Pro 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
Pro 27:22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

We know that the grave eats up all the bodies that are put into it and is always ready to eat up more.

Destruction is speaking of the second death.

Rev_20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev_21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Hell is always hungry for more of the dead!

Hab 2:5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

Hell is never full or satisfied. Enough is never enough.

The Bible then says our sinful desires can be compared to Hell because our sinful desires are never satisfied.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The only thing that will satisfy us is the “Fear of the Lord” and a reverent relationship with Him.

The fining pot and the furnace are used to test precious metals for purity.

In the same way, our praise of the Lord reveals our character.

If our praise is not real, God knows it!

When we humble ourselves before God, we show we are sinners and give God the credit for His Mercy and His Grace, which allows for our salvation.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

We should understand that not everyone is going to accept the truth of God, and over and over, God says they are foolish.

Even severe punishment is not enough to cause fools to change their minds.

Pro 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
Pro 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

No matter how long we pound fools, we will never be able to separate them from their foolishness!

We are cautioned not to waste our time and energy trying to reform them.

Jer 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Jer 13:24 Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

We must recognize who we can and cannot help.

*Pro 27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
Pro 27:24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Pro 27:25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
Pro 27:26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Pro 27:27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Everything we own belongs to God, and we need to be diligent in managing and protecting these things.

The wealth of the people of the Old Testament consisted of livestock.

God had given them their land, and it could not be sold.

Flocks would designate sheep, but herds could be goats or cattle, or any group of animals.

Why should we be so diligent? Because God has provided these things to feed and clothe our families.

When we do not work diligently with the things God has given to us or loaned to us, then our families will suffer.

A farmer must keep a close eye on his animals.

Today, we are to keep a close eye on our assets, our property, businesses, if you have a business, our accounts, and any other resource.

We are to do this because at any moment these things could disappear, or we could see a better place to place our finances.

Riches do not last forever!

We know that if we have animals, they require personal attention.

It is the same for everything we have obtained.

We must set our hearts on providing for our families.

Once money is spent then it is gone.

The value of cars and other possessions deteriorates with time or can be stolen.

There are more risks every day because our world is getting more evil, and crime is increasing.

Nothing we own is entirely secure, even our nation, and who knows about our government from day to day.

We must also apply these things to our Churches.

The Church is compared to flocks by the Holy Spirit.

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

We know that these things are happening in the Church today.

What is the Pastor to do?

1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

It is not the time for any Pastor or Church leader to stray from the Gospel, but many are.

The message of the Lord Jesus Christ does not ever change.

There is no such thing as a modern Gospel.

The growth of the Church has always been the job of the Holy Spirit!

Our job is to preach and teach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

In the beginning of time, God provided everything needed to sustain humans throughout all the Ages.

God then gave humans the knowledge to take care of the things He created.

We are to be good stewards of these things.

Luk_12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

This includes taking care of the planet God has allowed us to live upon.

We will one day give an account to God for all He has placed in our heads, our hearts, and our hands.

Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Psa 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
Psa 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
Psa 8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

We will one day give an account for this planet God has created for us to live on till He takes His children home, those who love the Lord Jesus Christ!

Amen

Will You Have a Good Name

October 13, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

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

Dealing With Moral Virtues

October 6, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Wisdom’s Instructions on Moral Virtues

Book of Proverbs Chapter 18

We can say that virtue is acting according to the “Will of God” for our lives.

The Bible tells us that only fools walk outside the will of God!

Rom_12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1Jn_2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Each of us must come to understand what the will of the Lord is!

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

We should come to an understanding that:

1) We should stand in awe of our Creator, who is wise, powerful, and loving.
2) We can entrust our entire lives to our Almighty God.
3) We can rejoice in the wonder of His salvation.
4) We can rest in peace while the world goes through turmoil after turmoil.
5) That God holds people accountable for their sin.
6) That God opposes the pride of mankind.

Man, in his pride, desires to run his own life and refuses to recognize that God is God of all creation, but He has a humble Spirit.

We must avoid having a sinful attitude.

We must understand that the Book of Proverbs declares that fools walk a path of death.

*Pro 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Pro 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Pro 18:3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

There are many interpretations of this verse, but the most accurate interpretation seems to be that people who think only of themselves, who are selfish and antisocial, are fools.

They are foolish because they have a great desire to live as they wish, but they will meddle in the affairs of all others.

We are to separate ourselves from the world: 2Co_6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

We are not to live a life like an isolationist, which is foolish behavior!

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

We are social people, and we will not develop properly by self-discipline in solitude.

To depend upon us for all things is not beneficial, and it is not good, but to do this while we intermeddle in the business of all others is downright sinful.

Pro 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Pro 21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

What is being obstinate? It is stubborn, having only your own opinion, your own purpose, your own resolutions.

Not yielding to reason nor in arguments. Having your own way at the expense of all others.

This fool has no desire to listen to what others have to say, as they have made up their minds that they are right and everyone else is wrong.

They are interested in only their own opinion.

They will not listen to the arguments of others.

They are so full of pride in themselves that they want to impress others with what they have to say.

These are not people who should be allowed to stay in the Church.

The Church is far better off without wicked people in the Church.

This is not to say that we should police all who come into the doors of the Church, but the Bible does say we will know them by their fruit.

One pastor said that these are blessed subtractions.

Wicked people may contribute to some organizations but not to the Church.

They bring contempt to the Church.
They bring ignominy or shame to the Church.
They bring reproaches or disgrace to the Church.

They will also bring this same damage to themselves and to their families, unless they repent.

It is the wisdom of God that will bring blessings.

*Pro 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Pro 18:5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Pro 18:6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Pro 18:7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Pro 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

It is the mouths of those who fear the Lord that will edify the Church.

Pro 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

In contrast, if that wicked person is allowed to stay in the Church, then there will be problems.

Pro 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

When we accept this person, we are showing partiality and not considering the right and wrong of it.

Anytime we show partiality to the wicked, we are wrongly judging the righteous man!

These wicked people may seem to be very wise in the Scriptures, but so was Satan.

Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

The Bible teaches us against such things.

Psa 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

This wicked person may be the richest man in the congregation, but we are to act according to the Word of God.

These things have divided many Houses of Worship today.

The Bible says we are never to show partiality to the wicked, nor are we to speak against the righteous and the innocent.

Fools bring on most of their problems because they cannot control their speech.

In most cases, it is their quarreling over matters we consider evil that sets them apart from the Church.

Many churches today are accepting the testimony of certain movements when there is no repentance, which goes against the Word of God, when the Word of God is the foundation of the Church and not the words of man.

God calls for repentance!

Jhn_3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jhn_3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1Pe_1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Many denominations are quarreling over these things today when the Lord Jesus says, “ye must be Born Again”.

When we throw the Lord Jesus out of the Church, we have no Church!

We are warned: A fool’s mouth ends in destruction!

Their senseless, uncontrolled words will be their downfall.

If they could keep their mouths shut, they might even fool the Church.

Pro 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Talebearers or those who go around whispering about others also cause divisions in the Church.

We call it gossip, and it will destroy the reputation of the righteous man.

Spreading rumors inside the Church is an abomination to the One we come together to worship.

In fact, the reason we gather together is to worship the Living God!

Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

We must avoid selfish attitudes and sinful words that hinder our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ and cause division in the Church.

We are to love one another and seek our security in the Lord, who is the foundation of the Church.

*Pro 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Being slothful is being lazy, being idle, and it is destructive!

Those who are wise are people who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for life now and eternal life in the future.

This is a never-ending life of “Grace”.

Fools trust in themselves, some in their wealth, and others in this corrupt world.

I used to think our own government, no matter which party was in charge, would be far above corruption, but I now know this is not so after seeing the Democrats do everything they could to destroy are nation and our Republic.

Things are getting worse just as the Lord has said.

2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

We can blame a lot of these problems on the Church because the Church has become weak and lazy, and slothful.

The Church has become a great waster of the work the Lord Jesus has done to save us!

Many in the Church purposely tear down rather than build and preserve the Gospel.

This is why God will first judge the Church before He judges the world.

God will separate the goats from the sheep in the House of God, and the goats know who they are, but the sheep have become far too docile to take a stand on the Lord Jesus and the Gospel.

We can trust that our Lord God knows what He is doing and run to Him for safety.

God is The Almighty God.
He is the great I Am Yahweh.
He is Jehovah.
He is the Lord God.
He is wonderful.
He is the everlasting Father.
He is the Prince of Peace.
He is our Counselor.
He is the High and Lofty One.
He is the Lord Our Righteousness.
He is Emmanuel.
He is the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning, and the End.
He is my Savior and Redeemer.
He is my Strong Tower of safety.
He is my Rock and Fortress.

Those who reject these things are fools.

*Pro 18:11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

There are not enough riches in this entire world that can save those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ from the wrath of my Heavenly Father.

The rich think that their wealth can save them from anything, and they are wrong when it comes to the wrath of God.

1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

To all others, the Holy Spirit says.

*Pro 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

The rest of the world seeks salvation in their own abilities.

That word haughty means proud and disdainful with contempt for all those who trust the Lord.

They are proud people who trust only in themselves.

In their own strength, in their own intelligence, in their own abilities.

As fools, they will not even be able to stand against the storms of this life, and it will break them.

Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

*Pro 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

We must first hear the whole story before we can speak to a matter.

Only a fool thinks he has all the answers!

This is being arrogant and putting yourself above others.

A wise man will wait until he has heard the whole story of the matter and then see if he can help in some way.

Only God and His Word have all the answers to life!

*Pro 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Our spirit can only sustain us if we live according to Christian principles.

Christian principles give us the strength to look past our troubles to our future, and this will make all our troubles bearable.

Pro 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Those who are deep into depression and despair are difficult to rescue.

*Pro 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

God has no respect for those who are ignorant except for the fact that He will send someone to tell the ignorant the truth so they can decide for themselves.

If a person desires to avoid harm to body, mind, and soul, then that person must acquire knowledge both in relation to things of this world, which are material, and seek spiritual things that are from Heaven.

Most of us who have tasted the wisdom of God are now trying to find out more.

We know we need to grow in wisdom, but it requires our faith, our belief in the truth of God!

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

If we truly begin a search for wisdom, it will lead us to fear of the Lord, the place of true wisdom.

1) Our hearts must be dedicated to obtaining this knowledge.
2) Our ears are open to receive this great knowledge.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of 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,

Our security can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ have nowhere else to turn for lifesaving knowledge!

They are open to all the destructive forces in this world, which is the domain of Satan.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Only those who are filled with God the Holy Spirit is secure in this world and the world that is to come.

2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

God has a purpose for everything we face in this life, every problem and every difficulty.

This does not mean He causes all our problems; that is what Satan does.

We must keep our focus on Heaven and not on our problems!

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

When we become too ashamed to ask for God’s help, we will suffer more than we could have.

Our Heavenly Father does much more than just listen to us; He will answer every prayer that reaches into Heaven.

We must live our lives in such a fashion as to make sure our prayers reach Heaven, and it begins when we have the “Fear of the Lord”.

We must never seek an unfair advantage over others, because God will not allow it.

We must seek that God’s righteousness is at work in us as we go about the business of serving the Lord!

God’s wisdom will affect our behavior toward others!

*Pro 18:16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Pro 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Pro 18:18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Pro 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

It is a proven fact that generosity and politeness have opened many doors.

There are two kinds of gifts, the gift of selfishness and the gift of kindness.

A man sometimes bestows a favor on another to get back something of a higher value. This gift is a bribe.

Bribery is the cause of much corruption in our world.

The true children of God will not offer bribes, nor will they accept them!

The gift of kindness is the true gift and is the real power.

It makes room for the giver in the heart of the receiver, and it bringeth him before truly great men. Great men recognize and honour the generous.

We may be able to use gifts here on this earth to help open doors, but we never need gifts to go before the Lord!

The door of access to our Heavenly Father is always open to His children!

We must be very careful when we hear something that seems bad about someone.

God’s children must hear both sides of each story.

The first one to plead their case usually seems right. When we hear from the first side, we often feel that the first one to plead their case seems right, and we are quick to take their side.

Our neighbor may come and judge us for our quick reaction without hearing the story from the other side.

Our judgment may be different once we have heard from the other side.

We may have to demand cross-examination of both parties before we can know the truth.

In the Bible, the casting of lots was used to find answers and make decisions, and they had every faith that God would be involved.

Pro 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

As true believers, we should be able to settle disputes just as peacefully as they did; we supposedly have the mind of Christ and have the Holy Spirit living within us.

We should never turn to the world for help!

As we witness to the lost, it is important that we argue and defend the truth of the Scriptures before all whom we may face, giving exactly what God has said and the meaning of it.

As Christians, we are wise to do everything we can to prevent conflicts in the Church before they arise.

Once it has taken place and relationships are harmed, it will be hard for them to be restored.

People who are angered and hurt are difficult to win back.

These things divide churches if not solved before they get out of hand.

We see that to please God, we must make it clear that we cannot be bought; we are not for sale.
We must never take sides based on partial information.
We must handle differences of opinion according to the Scriptures.
We should do everything we can to live peaceably with others.

*Pro 18:20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

There is sometimes great power in the words that we say.

We need to think before we speak and try not to wound the spirits of those around us.

Some people indeed make their living speaking words, and most of them do not care what they say if it gets a laugh or causes some dispute.

They just laugh at those who do not think the way they do

It is far better to seek to encourage and build up people.

We are commanded to show respect for each other.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

What we say comes from the heart, so impure words come from an impure heart.

Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Each of us is responsible for our own spiritual growth.

We are responsible for getting our children headed down the right path.

Pro_22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The families of our nation are failing in this command of God.

If we keep our minds focused upon the Lord, we will think right.

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

There is certainly death in the power of the tongue, but there can also be life if we think before we speak.

The great example we have before us is the Word of Life, the Love Letter that God has given to us.

God just speaks, and things happen.

God does not speak bad things because it is out of His character and goes against His goodness, but He does not hesitate to tell us the truth of this world and the world that is to come.

*Pro 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

When we find that wife that God designed for us, we know we have a good thing.

This is also pleasing to our Heavenly Father, and He will bless this marriage.

Unfortunately, not every wife is a good wife, and not every husband is a good husband.

To be honest, we will not know how to choose a good wife until we become children of God.

Besides salvation, the choosing of a good wife is one of the most important decisions we will make in this life.

What does God actually say: 2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

We should understand that God ordains each marriage for life, so we must be wise when we are searching for a wife.

1Co 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

1Co 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

These things go for the husband also.

If our marriage does not work out, we must be careful to observe the Word of God and allow God to decide if we need another wife or another husband.

God is very good at leading two people together and making it a blessing.

*Pro 18:23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

In the Bible, the poor are those because of circumstances beyond their control, cannot work to support themselves.

God has very little pity on those who can work but are too lazy to do so.

God has very little pity on those who cannot work because of sin.

Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Those whom God has allowed to become rich are to help those who are poor.

How to use our resources is another thing we need the wisdom of God to do righteously.

*Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

We should understand that one true friend is far more valuable than many who just claim to be our friends.

The one who gave us our first cigarette was not our friend.
The one who gave us that drink of alcohol was not our friend.
The one who gave us drugs was not our friend.
The one who talked us into doing something foolish was not our friend.

A true friend will stick by you no matter the circumstances.

Even in this, we have the Lord Jesus Christ as our example because He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who died in our place so we can live an eternal life.

Nothing can separate us from our Savior!

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

God bless the Word of God that gives us such great wisdom from the only source of true wisdom.

Amen

To Fear the Lord

September 29, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Wisdom’s Instructions About the Fear of the Lord

Book of Proverbs Chapter 14

What is the “Fear of the Lord”?

If we go back to Adam, God’s greatest creation, mankind, we know that Adam walked with God in the cool of the day. We can only imagine the conversations they had as they strolled through the Garden of Eden.

Things changed once Adam had sinned!

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Those private walks in the Garden were over because Adam now had a great fear of the Lord, and this fear came to him because of sin.

We see that Adam’s fear stemmed from his awareness of his sin.

God knew where Adam was hiding, but he wanted Adam to admit that he was now a sinner.

It is the same thing we must all do to improve our relationship with the Lord God our Creator.

It is because we have sin in our lives that we must have a reverent “fear of the Lord”.

Then the Lord Jesus came to save us.

Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Today, far too many live in fear of what this world is doing to them, and they have forgotten to fear the only One who can send us to Hell.

The Bible teaches us that we want to avoid Hell, and the only way to do this is to listen to what God has to say and be a doer of the Word of God.

*****Pro 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Remembering that wisdom comes from the “Fear of the Lord”, we can see that a wise woman makes her home her priority. Her primary focus is on her family.

She has not built with hammers and saws but with the qualities that make a home a home.

She builds an atmosphere that supports and strengthens her husband and her children.

This should be the priority in a wise woman’s home.

Today, with so many single mothers, these things cannot take place as they should.

God has ordained this role of the wife and mother.

1Ti 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

This does not mean that the husband should not be involved, nor does this mean that the woman cannot work or be involved in things outside the home.

It just means her priority is the “Fear of the Lord,” which makes her a wise woman, and then she can build with her husband a house that is a home.

Today, there are far too many who destroy the home through neglect. The first thing they reject is the Word of God, which makes them foolish, and they have no “Fear of the Lord”.

This kind of woman will tear down the family because she puts everything else first before her family and her husband.

Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

It pays for the man looking for a wife to choose very carefully, and choose someone who has a reverent fear of the Lord.

It is the same for a woman looking for a husband.

*****Pro 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

If we have a reverent fear of the Lord, it will show in the way we live our lives.

Remember, God will judge us by the way we look at His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

People who have truly placed their trust in the salvation and redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ will live their lives according to the written Word of God.

We must declare the Lord with our lips and demonstrate it with our lives!

That word walketh means the way we live our lives, our conduct, and our behavior.

All those who claim to be Christian and walk like the world are not telling the truth!

Many denominations are split over this very simple truth of God!

1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Repentance is still the great Doctrine of the Bible that we are to keep.

True repentance is a change of mind and purpose and life, with remission of sin is promised.

Remission refers to the penalty of sin.

Forgiveness refers to the person.

*****Pro 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

We can say that the fear of the Lord is also demonstrated by the way people speak.

The words of a fool will bring his own destruction.

Psa 64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

Whatever power that an arrogant fool thinks he has in the end will be a tool in the hands of the righteous.

They may cause us pain for a season, but in the end, they will bring their own destruction.

It can be said that a fool is his own worst enemy!

Pro 12:6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

*****Pro 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Nobody likes to clean up a stall where animals are kept, nor the feeding trough, which is a crib or a manger.

If a farmer did not have an ox, he would have no crib to clean.

The farmer who has to clean the ox’s crib does so with a smile because the ox does all the hard work that allows his family to have plenty of food.

The farmer who is taking care of hardworking animals is better off than using his own labor to provide for his family.

A productive ox is far better than a barn that needs no cleaning.

There is a great reward that comes from a well-fed ox!

The same is true of Spiritual food. Walking by faith has its own difficulties, but we will not get to Heaven unless we do.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

*****Pro 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

A faithful witness cannot be convinced to tell a lie!

A false witness is someone God hates!

Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

One of the things that is wrong in our court system today is the fact that so many lies are told, and no one seems to care, and no one is held accountable.

By the world’s standard, this may seem to be okay, but God’s standards are much higher than the world’s standards.

A foolproof test of a person’s heart is whether or not he or she will tell the truth.

A witness is someone who gives testimony in court or some official proceeding.

A Christian will tell the truth no matter the circumstance.

We even do wrong when we deal with our children at the time of Christmas and Easter.

Being faithful should mean much more than some lie for any reason, and we know that our Lord hates a liar, and there is no such thing as a white lie.

No amount of money should convince us to lie!

No promotion or promises should convince us to lie!

No threat of harm or danger should convince us to lie!

We are to remain as faithful witnesses no matter the cost!

Exo 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Pro 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Pro 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

*****Pro 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

There are times when those who deny God and God’s Word seek God’s wisdom, but they will never find it.

The Word of God will remain just another man-made book to them because they do not have the Holy Spirit to discern for them.

Wisdom is given only to those who have a reverent fear of the Lord!

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

*****Pro 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

Pro 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Pro 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

God shares His wisdom with His children so we can know how to move away from foolish people.

No wisdom can be gained from a fool!

Time spent with fools is wasted time, and we are taught not to waste the little time we have on fools.

Eph_5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Col_4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Fools are deceiving themselves, and they will deceive anyone who listens to them.

When salvation becomes part of our lives, we can look back and see the flaws we were living with and do our best to fix those flaws.

This is called repentance, and we will need the Holy Spirit to be able to do this.

Spiritual blindness means the fool thinks he is acceptable to God just as he is and requires no change.

This one thing is causing the split of many denominations, and we must not get caught up with fools.

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

As we see into the realm of the LGBTQ movement, fools scoff at the concept of feeling guilty for their sins and the need for atonement.

This applies to every person on this earth!

They deny the need to repent of their sins!

They deny that their lifestyle is living in sin and refuse to repent.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

There can be no righteousness unless we fully accept our accountability to God and are grateful for His mercy and His grace.

God made a way for us to escape His wrath, and we must do the things He has commanded us to do to be saved.

*****Pro 14:10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

Neither our joys nor our sorrows can be wholly shared with another person.

No one can know how we truly feel, to feel that which we feel.

It is only our Lord Jesus Christ who can know these things about us.

2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

This is the exact reason He took on that body of flesh, so He could know exactly how we feel in terrible or even joyous situations.

We can be sure that as Christians, we will experience great times of joy, but we will also experience those times of mourning and heart pain.

Those who love us and love the Lord will give us room to go through these times and be ready to come to our aid if we request their help.

If we are in a Bible believing church, we can be sure that if we are going through some situation, there is someone in that church who has been through a similar situation, and this person will know the comfort that came from God when they needed it.

It is only Jesus Christ who knows the truth about us!

Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

We should have a routine that starts with the Lord every day to prepare ourselves to go out into this wicked world.

We need that hedge of protection that God provides if we are His children!

We need to spend some time in the Word of God.

We certainly need to spend some time in conversation with God.

We must consistently walk in obedience to the Word of God all day.

We must not only avoid evil but also avoid looking like we are taking part in any evil or wickedness in this world we have become strangers to.

*****Pro 14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

Pro 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Pro 14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Pro 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Pro 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

We must prepare for our own end.

We must prepare for what will occur when our lives on this earth are over.

We must prepare to meet our God!

When our heart beats for the last time and our living spirit leaves our body of dirt, every individual will meet God in judgment.

Heb_9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, their body is just a house.

Those who have given their heart to the Lord Jesus, their body is a Tabernacle.

A house is a permanent dwelling; a Tabernacle is just a temporary dwelling place.

A house is a place for those who are settled, a tent or tabernacle is a place for those on a journey.

A house is more stable than a tent.

A house is of earthly value and more expensive than a tent.

To those who are lost, a house is more desirable, but the Word of God does not agree.

An earthly house is the best a lost person can hope for.

When they reach the end of their days without the Lord, that earthly house is destroyed, and they are homeless throughout eternity.

That soul that cannot die will spend eternity in Hell.

Those who love the Lord know their flesh is no more than a tent, and this life is only part of our journey, and we are only passing through this world to get to our permanent home in God’s New Heaven.

2Co 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Those who are lost trust in their own judgment, which will lead to eternal torment and eternal death!

Those who love the Lord Jesus trust in God’s way, the way that leads to true life, which is eternal life!

It is a tragic mistake to believe that there is no God who is our Creator, and we have to abide by His Word.

All those who are deceived have been deceived by Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, and Shintoism, and the Dalai Lama, Joseph Smith, Charles Russel, and L. Ron Hubbard, and any salvation by works.

Even those who are atheists have been deceived.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

We may all travel the mountains and the valleys of this world, but to God’s children, He will travel with them, and He is always ready to take them home at the end of that last breath here in this world.

These things are not true for all the others who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

These things are serious and not things that can be laughed at.

The backslider in heart is the one who turns away from God, and he will reap the rewards of his wickedness: Pro 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Pro 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

We must understand that we will reap what we have sown while we are in these earthly bodies!

The backsliders are those people who seem to follow the Lord Jesus, but in their hearts, they have completely turned away from God.

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

With the wisdom of God, we can take thought of our actions before we face them.

Those without God will believe anything and follow anything.

Even as Christians, it may be hard to see the concept of eternity, but it is real.

How we spend eternity depends upon what we have done with the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we are wise, we have prepared for eternity by believing the truth of God and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who opened Heaven’s doors to accept those who have placed their faith in the Gospel.

The ones we are to reach with the Gospel are not the ones who have rejected the Gospel many times, but the ones we are to reach are those who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

*****Pro 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Pro 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Pro 14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Pro 14:19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

Pro 14:20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

Pro 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

We all know that things are going on in this world and in the heavens that we just do not understand.

We have seen things discovered that no one can explain.

Those who believe in the evolution theory have us all beginning as apes.

They have simple-minded people who could do nothing more than hunt game and raise a few crops just to survive.

God says that from the beginning of time, humans were city builders.

Gen 4:17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

Gen 4:21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

Gen 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.

We also know that after the great flood of this world, all the pyramids and ziggurats were built.

Gen 10:32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

Gen 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Gen 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

Gen 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

These things can be denied, but it does not make them any less true.

Humans have always been able to build things!

We who know the Lord fear sin because we now know the consequences of sin.

Those who are fools are reckless and self-confident.

Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Foolish people are quick-tempered and do not try to control their tempers.

I know because I was one of them.

Even later, with PTSD, I became worse, but the Lord Jesus has shown me the way out.

Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

A fool is someone who has heard that there may be a God who is our Creator, but they will not take the time to find out more about Him.

This is part of our sin nature we inherited from Adam. We are foolish by nature.

We can quit being foolish by choosing the “Fear of the Lord”.

The Word of God is our “hedge of protection” if we abide by it!

We must understand that the Devil will certainly bow before God on the day God chooses.

Evil will bow before the Church at God’s appointed time.

Evil will only profit in the world we live in now, but there is no evil in our future once God takes us home.

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

As the Church, we are to see every soul as equal.

The rich may have many friends, but those friends are only there because of their wealth, and they all hate the poor man.

It is not to be this way in the Church of the Living God!

The Church will not be blessed unless the Church has “mercy” on the poor.

The poor are all those who have need of help financially and spiritually.

Psa 41:1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

The ways of the world will make us angry, but we are to do our best not to follow the ways of this world.

*****Pro 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Pro 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Pro 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

It is not a sin to become angry; it is a sin to remain angry.

By remaining angry, we become fools: Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

It is called self-control; it could also be called being sober.

Self-restraint means we are never to disregard the feelings of others.

We cannot remain healthy without a healthy heart.

He has a healthy heart, morally and physically, and is not cluttered up with anger issues.

Pro_4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Envy will eat away at our strength like heart disease and cancer eat away at our lives.

Envy is like a deadly plague trying to destroy our nation.

To oppress is to offer violence to the bodies, to the property, or to the conscience of others.

This happens to the poor more than it happens to any other group, though the oppression of Christ is rising in this world.

We can also see that protests have become nothing but a means to oppress those who do not agree with the agenda that is being pushed on them.

We can see that these things bring on the wrath of our Maker, our Creator.

No one has the right to oppress someone else in this world, and this includes wicked governments.

1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Those who are wicked do not even realize what is in store for them!

***** Pro 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Pro 14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Pro 14:35 The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Once we claim the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior with all our hearts, our future is set in stone. It cannot change!

We can live in peace knowing that no matter when death comes our way, it means life.

As Christians, we can look death right in the his face and say: 1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Those who reject the Gospel have no such hope. They may not believe in Hell, but they are in for a rude awakening on the day of their death.

Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Almost every politician campaigns on making our nation better.

Some truly try, and others had no intention but only sought to make themselves prosperous.

Our nation cannot prosper through illegal immigration.

Our nation cannot prosper through the drug trade.

Our nation cannot prosper through lawlessness.

Our nation cannot prosper through corruption.

Our nation cannot prosper through immorality.

Our nation cannot prosper through spending more than it takes in.

Our nation cannot prosper through the profits of sin.

Only one factor determines whether a nation rises or falls, and it is righteousness.

Nations that follow God’s standards, that are governed by the Word of God, are great nations.

For America to be a great nation again, it must stop its downhill slide to Hell, and this goes for every nation.

Good citizens serve the best interests of their nations.

The wicked serve only themselves!

God’s principles will do the same for families, co-workers, and friends.

How Christians are to behave is written in plain language in the Word of God.

Wake up Church!

Amen

Wise Enough to Listen

September 22, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Wisdom’s Instructions for Right Living

Book of Proverbs Chapter 13

A father who gives instructions to his children or administers corrections to them is wise, but a father who says, “Do as I say and not as I do,” will hardly get his point across.

A father who does not walk in righteousness cannot instruct righteousness.

The greatest proof of wisdom is a willingness to learn from those who know more than we do.

It is the same for us today that we can learn from the Word of God because He knows much more than we do.

We could say that this lesson today is the contrast between the two sons.

One son is wise and listens to and learns from his father, while the other is a foolish son who will not listen to anyone and goes his own way.

As Christians, we are the sons and daughters of God, and if we are the true children of God, we will hear and obey the instructions of our Heavenly Father.

We show our wisdom as we submit cheerfully to His discipline because we know that He is the only God.

1Ti 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

*Pro 13:1 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
Pro 13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
Pro 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

The father who gives wise instructions is wise, and the son who listens to those instructions and takes that advice shows himself to be wise also.

There are many things in this world that are not as simple as they seem.

We can also say that there are many things in this world that are not as complicated as they seem to be.

It is not a complicated thing to become the child of our Heavenly Father!

We must only be wise enough to listen to what He has to say and then be obedient to those things.

Wise children obey their righteous parents.

Foolish children mock their parents and refuse to listen to them.

To mock is to ridicule and scorn.

Mockers rebel against instructions by refusing to listen to them.

Wise children listen, learn, and change their behavior.

Pro 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

A wise child has control of his mouth, but the foolish will harm all others through their quarrelsome and perverse mouths.

The hearts of the wicked are only satisfied by violence, and they will not stop until they get what they are craving for!

We see this all over America today.

Some are so full of themselves that they will go anywhere in the U.S. to ridicule and scorn if you will pay them.

Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

The wise will control their words and preserve their lives.

All of us know that the human tongue needs guarding!

We know that many of the victims of mockery and ridicule will sometimes strike back, and many of them are stronger and fiercer than those who mocked them.

They hit harder and fight more with malice than anticipated.

At the same time, the wise will guard their lips so that they do not let inflammatory words escape their mouths, even though this is hard to do.

The wise will bite their tongue and walk away.

The wise will not take the bait that violent people dangle in front of them.

Doing this will preserve their lives for much of the time.

Angry words can be very painful at times.

Foolish people say hurtful words if they get their feelings hurt by someone else.

Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Pro 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

As the world we live in goes from bad to worse, these things will become even more important for the Christian.

*Pro 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

A sluggard is anyone who has a habit of being lazy.

They may have a desire for a lot of things, but they are just too lazy to work to obtain them!

Handouts have made much of our nation this way today.

Those who have never had to work to obtain the important things in life will refuse to work to get them!

Pro 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

*Pro 13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
Pro 13:6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
Pro 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Pro 13:8 The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
Pro 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

It is verse five that hits the nail on the head.

We trust too much in our own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord.

We must show the Lord, we trust Him by trusting with all our heart because when He looks at us, He looks into the heart rather than what is on the outside.

1Sa_16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Most righteous people are people of integrity and have a solid work ethic.

Lazy people are just the opposite; they are unreliable.

If we are to have a personal relationship with the Lord, then we have to trust Him with all our hearts!

This is the greatest lesson we should learn first in our relationship with our Savior.

We are to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

This does not mean we are not using our own understanding.

God does not expect us to run to the Bible every time we have something to do, but if we question what we are about to do, we should.

We are to use our understanding while we depend upon God and His directing and His overruling providence.

Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Some try to show they are rich but are not.

Some pretend to be poor, but they are just misers, while they have wealth.

This means that we can never trust in appearances, and God did not call us to judge to begin with.

If we are not rich toward our Heavenly Father, then we do not have true riches!

Our riches lie in the inheritance of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rom_8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Gal_3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Tit_3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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?

A rich man may be able to save himself from many of life’s difficulties, such as he may be able to pay a ransom if he or one of his children is kidnapped.

But a poor man does not have to worry about these things because he is too poor for the robber to mess with and can live in peace.

The light of the righteous man is the child of the Divine command of God.

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

The light of the wicked will be put out because God will divide the light from the darkness.

Light comes naturally through the Word of God.

Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Those who reject the Word of God will live in darkness.

Pro 24:20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

Light refers to life!

Jhn_8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

*Pro 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Pro 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Wealth that you receive without working for it, or by illegitimate and dishonest means will not last very long.

This includes gambling, and it could include charging someone a high rate of interest on a loan.

Jas 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
Jas 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
Jas 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Righteous people work hard, save as they can, and prosper in this world. It does not mean we become rich, but we do possess integrity and honesty.

Life without the Lord is vain even if you are rich.

It is an empty life that has no lasting value.

Many who win the lottery are broke again soon after.

Many sports figures die broke.

God has determined that we should earn our bread by the sweat of our brows: Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

This is part of the sin of Adam we have inherited.

Those who refuse to work who are healthy and able should just listen to what God has to say: 2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

This does not include those who are unable to work.

On those, we are to have compassion.

The Church is to be a people of integrity, who live in truth and try to live honestly according to the Word of God.

*Pro 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Pro 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

When we were lost and out in the world, most of us had the same hopes as we have now, but we knew we had no way to fulfill our hopes by the world’s standards.

We just knew that we live for a while and then we die, and we thought that was it.

We did not understand life.

Now, after becoming a child of God, hopes and dreams are an important part of our lives.

It is our dreams of Heaven that keep us going through the dark days when nothing is going right for us.

Remember that old cripple at the pool of Bethsaida, he knew he would not get the chance to get healed because he knew he could not be the first one to get to the pool of water once the angel had stirred the waters.

He had high hopes, but he knew those hopes would never be true.

You see he had to meet Jesus then his hopes became a reality, and his dreams would bring joy to his heart.

He now lived close to the “Tree of Life”.

The “Tree of Life” is the knowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is the giver and the taker of life.

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

When our hope is gone, we will be miserable, and we will see no purpose for living.

We find these truths in the Word of God, so if we despise the Word of God, we will have no life!

When we despise the Word of God, we are subject to the penalties for violating the Word of God, even if that penalty is death.

At the same time, God rewards those who fear His commandments and reverence Him and obey His laws.

We all should have a reverent fear of God, but we should also realize we need to fear the Awesome Power of God; He is All-Powerful.

God will richly bless all those who submit to Him!

We need to understand what God is saying.

*Pro 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Pro 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Pro 13:16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Pro 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Pro 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Pro 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

The Law of the Wise is the Word of God!

It concerns me when most of the world looks on the Word of God as the words of man, but they are just confused.

The Word of God came by writers who were used of God to communicate His will to mankind for our benefit.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God’s Word cannot fail because it was written under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit and free from error.

All saving knowledge can be found is obtained from the infallible Word of God!

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

It is the wisdom of God; He has shared with all who ask Him.

Most people just do not realize this world is filled with the snares of death.

Many animals that fall into the snares of man die some instantly, and some slowly.

The ones that die slowly or even escape do everything they can to escape because death is so frightening.

Some animals caught by a leg or an arm will bite that arm or leg off just to escape death and go through their remaining life maimed.

It is no different when humans fall into Satan’s snares.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Satan has no intention of making anyone his friend; his purpose is to destroy anyone who might turn to God.

It is a foolish human who thinks Satan will not harm them.

Even with the knowledge of Satan’s treachery, people will continue to ignore the Lord Jesus Christ and play games with the Devil. There is no better definition of being a fool than this.

As ambassadors for Jesus Christ, we have been handpicked to tell the world about its Savior.

Satan’s cohorts intentionally misrepresent their wicked leader. This is what liars do!

Jhn_8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Pro 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

With the wisdom of God, we can reach most of the goals we set in this life, if not all of them, knowing that our main goal is to reach the New Heaven and spend eternity with our Savior.

Not many foolish people who hate the Lord Jesus will ever have peace in this life and will certainly not have peace in Hell.

I have no greater hope than to spend eternity with our Redeemer!

It is this hope that keeps me going day by day.

I understand that I need God’s instructions to succeed.

The Word of God will lead me to the glory world.

I must think through every action that I might take and act wisely, knowing that wisdom comes from the mind of my Heavenly Father.

I must live my life so that my Heavenly Father can trust me.

I can do this if I apply the Word of God to my every action before I take that action.

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

I must be a good steward of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

*Pro 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Pro 13:21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

It may be more important today to watch who we associate ourselves with than it ever has been.

One of the biggest decisions our children will make as they grow up is the choice of companions they hang out with.

As parents, we know this to be true.

We must also realize it is just as important to each Christian to choose the right companions.

The Bible says 1 Thess_5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Our lives can be influenced by the people we hang out with.

God has placed wise men and women in our lives for this reason.

We get most all our wisdom from God Himself, but we can call gain wisdom from that true Saint of God.

What is a shepherd?

What does the shepherd do?

In the early morning, he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any, for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands, sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night, he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none was missing.

Psa 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

We must know that fools will influence those whom they are allowed to lead. That influence will not be good!

When we remain firmly in the hands of God, we will be rewarded with good things.

When we associate ourselves with those who are immoral and those who live wicked lifestyles, we will get caught up in their trouble and their influences.

These are proven things, and God says to avoid them.

Look at King Solomon, who did not follow His own advice, and see where it took him. Not only him, but his sons.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

*Pro 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Pro 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Pro 13:25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Most righteous people care about family.

Righteous people respect the institution of marriage.

Righteous people value the sanctity of life.

So, wherever God places us, we want to do the very best we can.

A poor person usually has only a small portion of land, but if they work hard in tilling the soil, that small piece of land will yield enough food to feed their family.

Righteous people will always try to leave something of benefit to their family.

Divine justice will determine the final disposition of that inheritance.

God has a way of making sure the righteous come out on top.

It is the righteous who are rewarded with the blessings of God.

It is the judgment of God that gives the wealth of sinners to the people of God.

We see this all through the Scriptures.

It is a foolish person who steals from the poor!

Many a rich man has lost everything they have by dishonest practices.

We all must be good stewards of the things God has given us, or the things God has loaned to us.

Everything upon this earth belonged to our Heavenly Father and he has given all those things to His Son Jesus Christ.

No matter what we have, this world we live in will try to take it away from us.

We must remember that if we do not correct our children while they are children, we will never be able to correct them after they are grown.

We know how foolish we were when we were growing up, and this world is much more wicked today than it was then.

The Word of God will correct us at any age, but the Scriptures say, if we refuse to correct our children, then we must hate our children.

Pro 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Pro 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Pro 23:14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

God is not talking about a severe beating. God is talking about firm discipline!

God will bless the righteous.

God promised to provide our needs.

Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Our Heavenly Father loves family.

He has chosen us as His family. He has chosen all those who want to be in His family.

When we walk in the wisdom of God, we will live a righteous life, and we will be more like the Lord Jesus Christ, which is what being Christian is all about.

When God’s wisdom works in our lives, we will walk in the Spirit of God!

Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Amen

An Open Invitation

September 15, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Wisdom’s Invitation

Book of Proverbs Chapter 9

Without a doubt, the Bible is the place to find “wisdom” and “understanding” of the things in our lives today and the things going on in this world.

We can see much of God’s wisdom in His creations, especially in the nighttime sky. However, we can also see the great wisdom of God in childbirth and new life and all other of His creations.

He created humanity, we did not come from monkeys.

The theory of evolution is the doctrine of Athiests!

The Bible tells us that “wisdom” is the principal thing, or the most important thing, for understanding the things of this world and of course God’s World to come.

Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

The Bible says that without wisdom, we cannot even apply our hearts to understanding.

The Bible tells us where to find this wisdom:

Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

So, what are these 7 pillars of wisdom so that we can build our house of understanding?

Let’s jump right into our lesson today.

*Pro 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

James, the Half-Brother of Jesus, gives these seven pillars of wisdom to us:

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1) The wisdom from Heaven and God is first “Pure”:

In other words, these 7 pillars of wisdom must first be built upon Jesus Christ:

Jesus Christ is our foundation for wisdom:

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Remember, it is not Peter that is the “Rock,” it is what Peter had just said!

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

This can happen only one way:

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Without the purity of Jesus Christ, the other pillars will fall.

2) The wisdom from God is next “Peaceable”:

The Bible says:

2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2Ti 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

3.) The man of wisdom must next be “Gentle”:

Every child of God must be a gentleman or gentlewoman.

Again, the Bible says:

Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

4) The man of wisdom must next be “Easy to Be Entreated”:

This is being reasonable when it comes understanding the Word of God.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

5) The man of wisdom must next be “Full of Mercy and Good Fruits”:

This is always helpful and considerate!

The Bible says:

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

6) The man of wisdom must next be “Without Partiality”

The word “race” is not in the Bible. The word “tongues” meaning languages suggests only other cultures, and “race” is irrelevant!

God does not look at the color of our skin; He looks into the heart.

The Bible says:

1Ti 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

7) And the man of wisdom must be without “Hypocrisy”

Again, the Bible says:

1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Being a Christian is not putting on a show, but “It Is” being sincere in speech and our actions.

We must be “doers of the Word,” not hearers only!

There is no “Wisdom without the Lord,” and your house of “Wisdom” will fall without these “Seven Pillars”!

Here again, we see wisdom in the sense of a female, and King Solomon shows us two females, or we could say hostesses serving up a meal to guests in their homes.

As we are filled with the Holy Spirit of Jehovah, we also have the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
Isa 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

With the wisdom of God as described by James, the stepbrother of our Lord Jesus, we begin to see that wisdom is the source of life-giving nourishment.

The woman of wisdom is the builder and the dweller of a beautiful house who has prepared her meal and sends her maids out to invite guests.

The woman of folly is pictured as a lewd woman who sits on a chair at the door of her house and lures passersby to come to her, and she has also prepared her feast.

True wisdom is revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ: Col 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

*Pro 9:2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
Pro 9:3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Pro 9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Pro 9:5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Pro 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

All those who lack wisdom are searching for something, but they do not understand what it is.

They do not know that they need this wisdom to live, but are easily influenced by foolishness.

To accept the woman of wisdom is to have life and have it more abundantly; pleasure is not mentioned.

To accept the woman of folly means to enter into the realm of the dead. Pleasure is mentioned so she can hide the death that is in the end.

The woman of wisdom addresses all those who are without discernment to all who would attend.

2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Those who accept the invitation of the woman of wisdom, which results in a major life change.

They choose to forsake their foolish ways of the world and go in a different direction.

It is called to repent.

Wisdom’s house is not on the path to destruction but upon the road of life.

Those who are simple are those who are foolish, who are traveling on the road to destruction and every foolish way.

To accept the woman of wisdom is to make a choice.

To accept the foolish woman to remain on the path they are already traveling on the road of pleasure that leads to death.

*Pro 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

Who are those who will now be called foolish? Those who reject the wisdom of God!

They are the scorners.
They are the wicked souls of mankind.

2Ch 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

There is no remedy for those who reject the wisdom of God.

Pro 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

As we have found out, not many will accept the truth of the Messiah.

Not many will accept the truth of God.

Most people will refuse to change their lifestyles just because we tell them they must be saved.

They will get angry, and God’s messengers, and we know that Christian persecution is on the rise.

Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

They remain lost because they refuse to believe that they are lost!

There is only one path to tru life, and there can only be one path!

Then how are we to continue as the messengers of God?

*Pro 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Pro 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

1) Do not reprove or rebuke a mocker, someone who is unteachable and filled with pride.

The Lord Jesus said: Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

2) Rebuke only those who humbly acknowledge their sinful condition and accept that they need to repent of their sinful ways.

3) Instruct the wise, and they will grow wiser. This is discipleship.

4) Teach the righteous, and they will seek to know more.

5) We must all know the beginning point of wisdom, which is the fear of the Lord. We must trust the Lord as we begin a personal relationship with Him. We begin to know by experience as we see what He has done in our own lives.

Wisdom will reward its messengers.

*Pro 9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Pro 9:12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

We must be real with ourselves! Every person will bear the consequences of the choices they make in this life!

Wise choices will produce good fruit.

Foolish choices will result in decay and death.

For all those who accept wisdom’s invitation will receive sweet fruit.

One of the rewards for accepting this wisdom is long life, many days, and additional years.

Pro 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Pro 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand, riches and honour.

Pro 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

We do not know how many more days or how many more years are still in the hands of God, but we know they all are.

Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Pro 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

We can be sure that the wisdom from Heaven will enrich every day we have left upon us.

What do we know for sure?

1) The Lord Jesus is building a house for all those who accept Him.
2) Our Father’s house can hold many mansions.
3) The Lord has extended an invitation to anyone who believes in the marriage supper of His Son.
4) The Lord Jesus Christ is the embodiment of wisdom.
5) Every believer is commissioned to deliver the Lord’s message to the world.
6) Every believer can expect to be persecuted in this world.
7) The way of the foolish is death!

*Pro 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
Pro 9:14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
Pro 9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Pro 9:16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Pro 9:17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
Pro 9:18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

The woman of Folly, the foolish, also has her house.

This woman is loud, boisterous, and noisy.

She is naive and gullible, and lacking in judgment.
She is prone to pitfalls. just like those who are taken by her.
She knows nothing.
She is ignorant of the truth.
She does not have good sense.
She is ignorant of the fear of the Lord.

She sits in her doorway to lure in her prey.
Her house sits on a hilltop, so she can be easily seen.
She loves to be seen and heard as passersby go past her.
Her house is neither spacious nor is it safe to enter.
She has prepared nothing for those who enter.
She is lazy and selfish.
She is always on the lookout for her next victim.
She always sits in the best location.
She calls out to all who pass by, even those who are minding their own business.
She invites them all into her house of doom, especially those who are trying to find her.
She lives on the road to destruction.
She especially tries to distract those who ignore her.
She finds many on this road to destruction who do not know where they are.
She targets those who are simple and lost.
She entices them all with her secret sin.

Her folly fulfills all those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wisdom is a life built upon the “Fear of the Lord” and the repentance from our sin nature!

Folly is a life built upon the rejection of the Lord.

Jesus gives us a description of the sin that cannot be forgiven: Jhn_16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Jhn_16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Folly is a deceptive harlot and an unworthy wife.

She serves only water and makes it thrilling by the fact that she has stolen it.

There is no substance in her drink, nothing of lasting value.

There is good reason to believe that these things speak of immorality, but we will not go there for now.

She is wicked and immoral, and those she traps are doomed to Hell.

So, we can see this lesson is about the choices we make in this life.

The woman of wisdom and the woman of folly are both trying to capture souls.

If we choose wisdom, we will live wisely by building our lives around the “Fear of the Lord”.

We will turn away from all paths to destruction.

God will reward us!

If we choose folly, we will build our lives around sin, we will reject the Lord Jesus, and we will continue traveling that road to destruction.

We will remain separated from our Creator and our God!

The only choices that we need to make are:

1) Choose wisdom.
2) Choose Christ Jesus.
Choose Life.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We should know that Satan is the king of folly.

Satan offers nothing to those caught up in his grasp.

He is a thief and a counterfeiter.

He takes what he steals from God and then corrupts it.

He will tell the same lies that he told Eve.

Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

We need to be aware of the choices we make in this life and just choose our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

A Father’s Instructions

September 8, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

A Father’s Instructions

Book of Proverbs Chapter 4

We know that if we hear what the Lord has to say and listen to it just once, then this is enough, and we should abide by it.

In last week’s lesson, we saw that we must submit to all the Word of God, not just comply with it.

As we read the Book of Proverbs, we will see that the Holy Spirit teaches us by repetition.

Once is enough, but when we see a matter repeated over and over, then it must be important to the Lord that we have a clear understanding of that Scripture.

We must agree with the Word of God to have a clear understanding of it!

We are to read, to listen, and to pay attention to what is being taught.
We must understand the Word of God as God’s commands and not God’s suggestions.
We must know that the Word of God is wisdom.
We must recognize that there are numerous benefits to possessing the knowledge and wisdom of God.
We must know that there is great danger in rejecting the wisdom of God, our Heavenly Father.

There are some things that our Heavenly Father hates, and we must stay away from them!

These are things we must avoid as we follow in the path of Jesus, and we should treat this chapter as words from our Heavenly Father and not King Solomon.

*Pro 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Pro 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

I find that I am better prepared on Sunday if I read the Scriptures out loud so that I can hear them at the same time.

We must, as the children of our Heavenly Father, read these instructions as they came from Him because they did come from Him.

The word “hear” in this Scripture means far more than to hear the Word of God; it also means to observe and to obey what our Father is saying to us.

Solomon may have received these words from his father David, and David may have received these words from his father Jesse, but Heaven was the source of these words and was delivered by the Holy Spirit.

We know that all the Law of Moses also had their beginning in Heaven.

These words we have now are intended for all generations that exist and those in the future that remain.

The word “good” in verse two means “in the wisest sense”.

It is good doctrine because it came from Heaven.

Jas_1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

*Pro 4:3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
Pro 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

This verse speaks of the historical record of King Solomon and being the child of promise, but it also speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Sa 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
2Sa 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

Bathsheba knew her son was to be King of Israel.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew her child was in some sense the child of the Living God.

She had been told by the Angel Gabriel that her son would be the Savior of the world.

She may not have grasped the complete meaning of these things, but she pondered them in her heart.

Luk_2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luk_2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

We know the remainder of the family of Jesus did not believe what they heard about Jesus, only His mother.

Mrk_6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

The more we know of the Lord Jesus Christ and live in faith, the more we will enjoy a long and happy life.

The key to our lives is our faith in the wisdom of our Heavenly Father. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the actual image of God’s wisdom.

*Pro 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Pro 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pro 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Pro 4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Without the wisdom of our Heavenly Father, we will never have the right understanding of life as we live in this wicked world.

Without obedience to the Word of God, we will perish.

That word get means to buy wisdom and understanding if we have to. Money is not nearly as important as the wisdom of God.

Pro 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Getting wisdom is not a once-and-for-all decision; it is a lifelong process!

Getting wisdom requires an ongoing commitment.

Wisdom must be used, but it must also be sustained.

We may lose a lot of things we have had in our lives, but we must hold onto the wisdom of our Heavenly Father and apply it to our lives every day and not allow it to slip away.

We know what happened to King Solomon; he turned away from his father’s advice and turned away from our Heavenly Father’s commandments.

We cannot allow the wisdom we have strived to get from our Heavenly Father to just slip away!

God’s wisdom will protect and watch over us if we abide by it!

Wisdom is personified in the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what gender is referred to in this passage.

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Wisdom is also personified by the Church, which is the Bride of Christ, if we hold onto the wisdom of God

Wisdom is the principal thing because wisdom begins with the “fear of the Lord”.

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

How can this be explained? Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of 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,

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

The wisdom of God will bring favor to those who get it.

The wisdom of our Heavenly Father is an ornament of His “Grace”.

The wisdom of our Heavenly Father will bring a “crown of glory to the victor”.

These principles are intended to be taught to children by their Christian parents.

The home is the right place to teach the wisdom of God to our children, and then make sure they go with us to a Bible believing church.

They will not learn it in schools, which will only teach them the ways and wisdom of this world, which will come to nothing.

Spiritual training needs to begin in the early years of a child’s life.

The father has a special role in the Spiritual leadership within the family!

*Pro 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
Pro 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
Pro 4:12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

For years, many a person has wasted time and money seeking the truth for a long life.

The Word of God explains the truth in a few simple words. Receive the truth of the Word of God and hold to it.

We simply must choose the right path of life and stay on the path.

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

We must travel the way of wisdom rather than the world’s path to destruction.

Will we live a life of submission to the Lord, or will we be slaves to the Devil and to sin?

We will all get an opportunity to choose one way or the other, and it helps a great deal to know the truth of our Heavenly Father.

We must understand that our flesh will lead us to join the foolishness of this world.

This is the path of destruction.

The wisdom of our Heavenly Father will lead us down that path which leads to life, “eternal life” in that Heavenly Home of our Heavenly Father.

*Pro 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Pro 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Pro 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

We should understand that the “wisdom” of our Heavenly Father does not just give us a good life.

The “wisdom” of our Heavenly Father is life!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It is not the quality of life, but life, eternal life.

Taking hold of the “wisdom” of our Heavenly Father is a matter of life and death!

If we do not choose the “wisdom” of our Heavenly Father, we are certain to face eternal death!

1) We must heed this warning from our Heavenly Father.
2) We must never let go once we know the wisdom of God.
3) We must keep and guard the Word of God,
4) We must never start down that path to destruction.
5) We must not veer to the left or the right nor follow the ways of evil men.
6) We must avoid that wicked path altogether.
7) We must not even go near that wicked path.
8) We must go in the opposite direction from all evil.
9) We must move past that wicked path and continue on the path of righteousness.

*Pro 4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
Pro 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Pro 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

We sometimes just do not think much about the wickedness of this world.

If we believe the Word of God, then we need to believe what God says!

1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Only those who are committed to the truth of the Word of God are not wicked, though none of us are perfect.

Why do we fail so often? Because all the rest of the world is lying in wickedness!

We belong to our Heavenly Father, and the rest of the world belongs to the Devil.

2Ti_2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We may try to see some goodness in those who are lost, but we must know that at any time the Devil will use them for one of his wickedly sick purposes and they will be unable to resist him.

Mrk_10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Those who are lost, their lives revolve around sin.

We know this because we were once just like them until we met our Savior.

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

They eat a steady diet of sin!
They drink the wine of violence!

The color of their wine is the same color as blood.

We see these things increase in our world today.

There is no comparison between the life of a true Christian and that of the lost.

There is a perfect day in our future, but for the lost and wicked, there is only the life turmoil now and a future of eternal torment.

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The way of the lost is in darkness!

Even the Bible says there is pleasure in sin for a season, and many of the lost hunt for that pleasure all their lives and never find it again because they remain in the darkness of the Devil.

Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

All of these take great pleasure in sin that, in truth, has made them captives of the Devil.

*Pro 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Pro 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
Pro 4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Here we see our Heavenly Father almost begging us to hear what He has to say.

This is the loving concern for us that He always shows us.

We must listen closely to what God has to say to us. He always has our best interests in mind.

Pro 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

We must pay attention to what God is saying to us.

Jesus Christ said: Jhn_14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

We cannot just listen to what the Lord is saying, we must act upon it. We can do that only if we keep the Word of God in the midst of our hearts.

God’s wisdom is like life-giving blood; it flows through our bodies, giving us new life that we never knew before.

2Ti_1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What is our heart like before we meet Jesus?

Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man:

A fact of life is that out of our hearts come the issues of life, our moral conduct.

The wisdom of God will purify our hearts, and if our hearts are pure, our lives will be pure.

Ezk_36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

This is why we are to guard our new heart above all else.

A wise person will recognize the importance of keeping wisdom in the heart!

These wise people are the Body of Christ!

When our hearts become the fountain of moral life, then our moral life will be the fountain of our conduct, which everyone sees.

When we hear corrupt talk around us, we need to get as far away from it as we can.

*Pro 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Pro 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Pro 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Pro 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

A person with a dark heart will spew ungodly words and evil speaking, and we should not trouble our ears to hear such filth.

The Lord Jesus makes this very simple for us to understand.

Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

If there is no evil in our hearts, no filth will spew out of our mouths!

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

We need to take the words in the Word of God about the New Heaven and try to visually see what it looks like, and then focus our path on the entrance gate, and as we complete our walk in this life, the vision of that place will become brighter as we walk in that direction, not veering to the left or the right.

If we keep our focus upon Jesus, we will find the entrance to heaven because He is that entrance.

If we spend our time looking around trying to see some evil, we will surely see it.

Remember David on the roof of his mansion, just looking out to see what he could see, and there it was right in front of him. A beautiful woman with no clothes on probably innocent to his stare.

There is no profit in our looking to see how evil our world is; we must know that it is because the Word of God says it is, and keep our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, who will lead us to His Father’s mansion.

We need to remove all the stumbling blocks out of our pathway and walk on the glory road that ends in New Heaven.

If we stay focused on these things, we will not see things on the left or the right that might deceive us!

These are the same things we must teach our children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren.

God has sent us an invitation to join Him around His glorious throne, and we would be foolish not to want to be there with Him!

This is the prize we seek.

It is the glory of God that will blind us from the path of evil if we just listen to Him and obey Him!

Amen

The Rewards of Wisdom

September 1, 2025 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Rewards of Wisdom

Book of Proverbs Chapter 3

We know that the Book of Proverbs is a collection and compilation of true, divinely inspired, wise sayings, and they are unquestionably Scripture.

We should know that many of these Proverbs existed as a teaching tool long before King Solomon

Num 21:27 Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:

1Sa 24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

We should understand that all genuine truth, regardless of its human origin or proclaimer, has God as its ultimate source.

Ecc 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

We should understand that if God can speak through a donkey, He can cause some truths to come from a pagan human being, if He chooses.

2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

God still loves all His created beings but insists that they become believers. Who’s to say He did not put words of wisdom in their mouths?

It was the Holy Spirit who decided which proverbs would be included in the Scriptures, just as every other Word, Passage, and Book.

There are many other proverbs in this world, but the Holy Spirit decided these were important to the believer.

Most scholars have said it was Solomon who assembled this Book of Proverbs as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Solomon wrote: Pro 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Pro 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We have this verse of prophecy: Pro 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

God also says this to all unbelievers: Pro 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
Pro 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Pro 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Pro 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

If we seek true wisdom, then we will also find the Lord! Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Pro 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Pro 2:22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

It is very hard to view these three chapters as one lesson, but this is the way of our lessons.

*Chapter 3 Verse 1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Pro 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

We should clearly understand that God does not desire our compliance with all the Word of God, but God requires us to submit to all the Word of God.

Obedience without submission is compliance.

We must submit all the Word of God because we know it is the truth.

God is not some tyrant trying to force His ways upon us.

Just to be compliant because someone says so, shows we still have a rebellous spirit.

These are so-called believers who, though the outward action is present, rebellion is still in their hearts, and their prayer life will never amount to anything fruitful.

Chastisement may drive the child of God to compliance, but it takes love to drive the child of God to submission without rebellion.

The Lord Jesus Christ is treated as the Son of God as a member of the Holy Trinity. Not three Gods but the three persons in the One God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

As adopted into the family of God, He is our Heavenly Father. This is why He speaks to us as His dear children!

If the God of all creation sees us as His dear children, then why in the world would we rebel against Him?

We talk a lot about the Ten Commandments, and we know that the Jews were given 613 commandments in all, but the truth is that all the Word of God is commandments written to us in love.

Our Heavenly Father will never force us to recognize Him as our Father, but it is the wise thing to do.

The Laws of the Father are the same laws of the Son.

Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
Joh 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

Our life span upon this earth is really not very long. As I grow older, I feel the call of my Heavenly home, but as I have reached the age to see my Great Grand Children and the things going on in this world, I know they need me as long as the Lord leaves me here. I think most of us feel the same way.

To be honest, we have not left such a great world for our grandchildren and certainly not our great-grandchildren.

I am already experiencing verse two and have been at peace for a while now. I’m certain I’ll end up in New Heaven and am prepared to go whenever the time comes.

This is why submitting to the Lord is far better than trying to keep up with a bunch of laws.

My God, my Heavenly Father has promised mercy because of His great love, and mercy means I will never see His wrath upon me.

Mercy means I will not receive the punishment for my sin that I deserve but will receive the “Grace” of God instead.

*Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Listen as our Heavenly Father teaches us.

“Mercy without truth is like a great rain in a desert place that is not a blessing because there are no plants that need its nourishment”.

When we receive the mercy of God, it means we are not getting what we deserve, eternity in Hell, which is a real place.

For those who believe in Heaven but doubt a place called Hell means they have rejected the truth. Both places are mentioned in the Word of God.

Our Heavenly Father exhorts each of us to grab hold of His mercy and His truth and never let go.

That mercy and that truth came to us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Truth means things we can rely on, and we can rely on the truth of the Gospel!

God has proven He loves us as He has made a way for us to miss out on His wrath.

Our obedience to His Word proves we love Him!

The obedience of the Christian is the outward behavior of each Christian’s inner devotion to our Heavenly Father.

The terms binding and loosing to the Jew mean permitting or forbidding or declaring anything to be forbidden or permitted.

What are the benefits of being obedient to the Word of God?

We will find favor and understanding with our Heavenly Father.

The favor of God is God’s “Grace,” which means His good will, His acceptance, and the many benefits that come from these things.

When we devote ourselves to the Lord, we will remain true and faithful to Him.

Love and faithfulness are to be worn like precious jewels in a necklace.

To the Jew, the throat is the life of every person. Mercy and truth are tied to the throat, so mercy and truth are to become a part of our every breath.

We bind them to our neck and then we write them in our heart!

This means that we know that the Word of God is to become a major part of our lives.

Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Even as a child of twelve, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated these rewards in His life.

Luk 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

We can do none of these things until we have submitted ourselves to God!

God wants to see our love for Him with His own eyes!

God wants us to demonstrate our love for Him by being obedient to Him!

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Without this faith in Him, we can never please our Heavenly Father.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

*Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Today, most people trust in their own understanding, even though most of that understanding comes from media sources that have forgotten the truth and have allowed politics to dictate their beliefs, much of which comes from hatred.

Just look at Microsoft News, and ninety percent of it is distorted news who do everything it can to go against our duly elected President.

People do not get to learn on their own understanding because all we get is a distorted worldview.

The truth of the Word of God is so easily seen as it teaches us how to live in a mind at peace with this world, because we are no longer a part of this world.

When we acknowledge our Heavenly Father, He knows it.
When we love our Heavenly Father, He knows it.
When we trust our Heavenly Father, He knows it.
When we accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, He starts a building program in the New Heaven.

This applies to every minute of our lives, at home, at work, at church, and in everything we do.

The enemies of Israel came against King Asa and Asa called upon the Lord: 2Ch 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

Every day we go out to battle in this world, we need to say, “Help us, O Lord our God, for we rest upon thee and in thy name, we go out into this lost and dying world with the Gospel”.

We can do this if we are devoted to Him and His Word!

Our path is the same path that our Lord Jesus walked.

Our understanding will be darkened by our sinful nature if we depend upon our own understanding.

Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

We can walk in the darkness, or we can walk in the Light of Life.

Jhn_8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

*Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Pro 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Self-confidence can be a good thing, but when we put our own confidence above the truth of the Word of God, then we will fail.

Any wisdom against the wisdom of God is wrong, and it is sin.

Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

We should always seek the direction of God in everything we do!

We are also able to see that our moral condition and our physical self are closely linked together!

Godliness is profitable for all things.

1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

When we have a reverent fear of the Lord, it builds our relationship with Him, and we can see His promise, we will live healthier lives here on earth and in eternal life when we reach His home in New Heaven.

Godliness means we hate evil and the evil ways of man.

To be self-sufficient is to be arrogant and self-righteous.

If we wish to conquer the challenges of this life, we have to cry out to the Lord God for His help and His wisdom.

Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Every command that God gives us is for our well-being in every dimension of this life we live now.

Sin will rob us of time we can spend with our families and enjoy this life as we prepare for that eternal life.

That word naval actually means the neural chord we were attached to when we were in the womb of our mothers.

If we belong to the Lord God, our Creator, our naval chord is now attached to Jehovah God and He will moisten the marrow of our bones.

Psa 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

We can say all these things and do all these things, but there is a way we can prove to the Lord, we love Him.

We can bless Him as He has blessed us.

It’s called self-sacrificing.

*Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

This means more than just tithing, which we are all called to do.

Our first fruits are to be presented to the Lord in gratitude and thankfulness to Jehovah.
Our first fruits are to be the best we have.

Trusting the Lord with all our hearts includes our wealth and our substance.

Fearing the Lord extends to His commands about finances and material things.

These things honor God because they show our submission to Him.

When we give our best instead of our leftovers, it glorifies our Creator.

Many leftovers of our meals go out to feed animals, so we do not have to wonder how God feels when we try to give Him our leftovers.

Our first fruit must be a token of our gratitude to the Lord for the blessings that He has already given to us.

When we are willing to give God the best that we have, which includes our time, it is really just a trial of our faith.

Ask Abraham how he felt when God told him to give up his son?

God says to prove Him: Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Can I say I have received a gift from God that was not special, and a thing I needed?

God will do for us what only He can do!

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2Co 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

We could say that giving to the Lord is our supreme act of faith.

We must also know that we are only human, and humans are made from dirt, and we will fall under Satan’s temptation on occasion.

We cannot make excuses but own up to our failures and ask or sometimes beg for forgiveness.

*Pro 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

None of us likes any sort of punishment.

No child of God can love pain or loss.

None of us looks forward to the knife of the surgeon.

We must completely understand that God not only rewards His children and prefers to do so, but He is also a loving Father who will discipline us. It is called chastisement.

As long as we remain in this sack of flesh that we wear, we will make mistakes, and we will need discipline.

If we are or were parents, we understand this clearly.

If we are being disciplined by the Lord, we must understand it is because He loves us.

None of us enjoys discipline, but we are to submit obediently to God’s hand of discipline.

As we travel that narrow path to Heaven, we will need His guidance, and we already know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the door to the entrance into the glory world.

He is not the doorway but the door.

Jehovah God never gets angry with His children; He corrects us!

Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Job 5:18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

As God is our Heavenly Father, we are part of His family, so it is discipline of a family and not like as school or prison.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

We can understand the word “bastard” as those born of the world and have Satan as their father.

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

We show our trust in the Lord by just believing what He says.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

*Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Pro 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Pro 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Pro 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Pro 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

We should know that just like precious metals and precious jewels, wisdom is to be found.

We must diligently seek God’s wisdom!

We can see that God’s wisdom will bring happiness.

Happiness is the result of being in God’s favor!

God’s wisdom has much more value than silver. Silver is used to make musical instruments in Heaven.

God’s wisdom is much more valuable than gold. Gold is nothing but paving material in Heaven.

God’s wisdom is much more valuable than jewels. Jewels are used as wall decorations in Heaven.

Out of everything we might ever desire, wisdom will make us richer than any money ever will!

Instead of seeking some magic potion for long life, the only potion that will work is the wisdom of God.

God’s wisdom can bring honor.
God’s wisdom can bring happiness and peace to our lives.
God’s wisdom is truly the tree of life here on earth and will lead us to our new home in the New Heaven.

Wisdom is truly the source of life!

Wisdom brings happiness to God’s people.

Amen

The Wise Will Confess Their Sin

January 24, 2016 / Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

Wisdom Leads To Confession Of Sin

Proverbs 28-31

Confession means to acknowledge our faults, or our guiltiness, or our failures.

The Catholic Church teaches that Christ Jesus forgives sins through the priests at confession.

This is taken from John 20:23

Joh 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The truth is, the power to forgive sins cannot be given by Jesus Christ to any of His ministers!

Only God can forgive sins!

God forgives out of “Grace”!

Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Our sins were nailed to the cross that Jesus Christ bore for each of us!

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

This forgiveness forever solves the problem of sin in our lives, all sins past, all sins present, and all future sin.

We must remember Jesus Christ died for the sin of unbelief!

It is unbelief that leads to all other sins!

Our salvation is secure BUT, we will need a daily cleansing to maintain fellowship with God.

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

This is the truth of the Scriptures and our own wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord!

It is the fear of the Lord that will lead to the confession of our sins!

*****Pro 28:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

What is the theme of our world today?

The wicked who forsake the Word of God then exalt the wicked and their evil deeds!

The righteous who keep the Word of God and are considered the enemy!

Those who forsake the Word of God will insist on leaders who are like-minded so they can build their carnal society!

They are greedy and self-serving and insists on their evil agenda!

This is the America of today!

When ungodly leaders and ungodly citizens prevail, any nation will decline and will also suffer the reproach of the world and the condemnation of God!

This is the America of today!

Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

It may be already to late to save America but we must not sit idly by while this wickedness dominates our society!

The Bible says to “contend” with those that reject the Word of God!

To “contend” is to defend and preserve!

Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you “that ye should earnestly contend for the faith” which was once delivered unto the saints.

We are to remain settled on the truth of the Scriptures, the facts of the Word of God!

We are to stand up!

We are to speak out!

What is the truth of the Scriptures?

*****Pro 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

If we remember the words of Jesus on the cross we can understand this verse.

Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus Christ was always thinking of others!

Those that reject the Word of God cannot be expected to make righteous judgments nor can they administer sound justice!

This is also a fact in America where as more and more of these people are appointed to seats of judgment in our justice system.

They are void of the knowledge and the wisdom that is needed and ignorant of the truth!

Understanding can come but from one place and that is knowing the truth of God!

Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Without searching for the Lord, He will never be found, yet He is always near!

It is only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God who can have the understanding of true justice!

*****Pro 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

The truth is, the wicked are not so much those that are ignorant of God’s law as it is those that turn their ear away and ignore God’s law!

It is all those who are ignorant of God’s law that we are to witness too and not so much those that hear the Word of God and reject it!

This is why Jesus taught in parables!

To be able to go before God in prayer is an awesome privilege.

We may never have an audience with the President or even with a Governor but we can have an audience with our God at any moment in time!

God is a Father with a desire to do good and a distinct love for mankind and has great delight in hearing from His children.

Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

When we reject the Word of God, we forfeit the privilege to enter into the presence of God!

God despises the prayers of those who despise the Word of God!

Joh 9:31 Now we know “that God heareth not sinners”: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

It is wisdom that leads to confession and it is confession that leads to answered prayers!

*****Pro 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

If we open our eyes to this world we will see that for the most part, the wicked are arrogant and they consider themselves to be wise.

They simply reject anything that goes against their perceived thoughts.

It is easy to see through their deceit when compared to the Word of God!

It is far better to be poor and have integrity than to be rich and have no integrity!

Most of the rich see themselves as being superior to others and they use their wealth as a sign they are simply smarter than the average person.

They deceive themselves into thinking that those who are beneath them are blind to their schemes.

The truth is money simply cannot buy character!

Money simply cannot buy true wisdom!

Their lack of wisdom can be easily seen in their selfish, permissive, and worldly lifestyle!

It is only those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, who can have a clear understanding of life and our world!

It takes a close personal relationship with the Lord to overcome the deceptions of this world!

Pro 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

*****Pro 28:12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

What’s the truth of our world?

When the wicked rule a nation it is divided and most all people will flee from oppression!

When the righteous rise to power more people will rejoice and most problems are solved.

But remember God says there will always be those who are poor in this world until He returns!

When our government is run by someone that fears the Lord, God’s people will celebrate openly and publicly!

When the wicked rule, God’s people are forced to hide because they know that oppression is coming.

This is the dread of America!

This is the truth of ISIS!

This is the truth of almost every nation other than Israel!

An unrighteous leader causes grief to all those who reject their agenda!

Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Pro 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

The Bible is very clear, it is the love of money that is the root of most all the evil in our world!

*****Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

The Bible is also very clear when it says that sin cannot be hidden!

Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: “and be sure your sin will find you out”.

When we are to arrogant to see our own sin and repent of it, we can be sure that our sin will be made known to those that it affects.

We should also remember that those that reject the Lord are already condemned to a sinner’s Hell!

If we spend our lives refusing to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, we can never prosper spiritually!

We can have no fellowship with the Lord.

We will forfeit God’s benefits.

Our prayer life will be powerless.

We will stunt our spiritual growth.

Our service to the Lord will be fruitless.

Joy will be far from us!

We will never succeed and prosper in this life we now have.

We must deal with our sin first by confessing it to the Lord!

Confession is recognizing sin as sin, and admitting it to God!

Most people think it ends there, but to be truthful our confession must be accompanied with “repentance”!

Repentance is much more than saying “I’m Sorry”, repentance is an action word that means “I’m Going To Travel The Path Of Righteousness”!

Genuine repentance is a complete change of heart and of mind that results in a change of conduct!

When we confess our sin then we are in agreement with God that sin can only be atoned by the blood of Jesus Christ!

After confession, must come action on our part before we will ever see the mercy of God!

*****Pro 28:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

What is the truth of the Bible?

Those that walk according to the Word of God “shall be saved”!

The upright are safe and secure while those who reject the Word of God “will fall”!

The upright are all those who are washed in the blood of Jesus, innocent and blameless.

Perverse, means to be turned aside, distorted, stubborn and contrary.

He sways right and wrong and also pretends to be pursuing one path while he is really taking another.

These are the traits of the Anti-Christ and they both will fall!

Once he falls he will never rise again!

*****Pro 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

The truth is that our character is in full display by the way we treat others!

Jesus taught that loving others is equal to loving God:

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The Apostle Paul taught that loving your neighbor is the fulfillment of all God’s commandments:

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The line that separates the upright from the foolish is by the way they treat others!

All those who stubbornly persists in sin will be suddenly destroyed.

God makes this very plain!

Without remedy means that it will be done and there is nothing that can be done about it!

1) There are those who refuse to hear what the Lord has to say and avoid any sort of relationship with Him.

These will be destroyed without remedy!

We can be sure that they have been approached by God.

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

At death they will be instantly banished to eternal destruction:

Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

2) Then there are those who have a relationship with God but have returned to their sinful ways.

They may suffer a premature death because of unrepented sin!

God does not ignore the sins of His children!

God will not allow us to willfully continue in sin!

We may eventually cross a line where God’s patience has ended.

We will not lose our salvation but we will lose any reward we could have gotten!

This is an act of judgment but it is also an act of love.

By releasing us from our corrupt flesh, God releases us from our temptation to sin, ruining our testimony, and we will no longer cause harm to the “Body of Christ”!

1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And again.

1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

These things cannot be denied!

God will not allow His children to continue in unconfessed sin!

3) God may also destroy nations where sin has been allowed to run rampant!

Israel is a prime example but there are many nations that do not exist today in any form!

2Ch 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

There are many reasons God sends His missionaries to foreign lands and sometimes God wants that nation to repent.

*****Pro 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

There are many things that are going on in our nation that most all of us do not understand.

It is a fact that our leaders need to be able to discern between truthful and untruthful information!

It seems our leaders today yield to lobbyist who do not have the good of the people in mind.

The truth is that it is mercy and truth that makes a true leader!

Pro 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

Those that are in a position of responsibility must remember to verify all information in order to know what’s for the good of the people they represent!

As far as the people, we must take strong action against all those who are not honest in their duties to serve the people.

We are finding this more difficult to do because it seems our government is becoming more and more corrupt!

This has taken place because the public has been lenient in insisting on the truth!

Pro 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Pro 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

What is the truth? It is those who are right with God who will prevail!

*****Pro 29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

It is a fact that immorality will cause the spread of sin.

In a world where Satan reigns, sin will continue to run rampant because that is Satan’s goal.

This the nation and the world we live in today!

Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

The truth is that we who know the Lord should never despair because a God who cannot break a promise, promises a future day when all His enemies will be destroyed.

Psa 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

When the Lord returns, He will reign in righteousness!

Knowing all these things should make us confess our own sin and repent.

*****Pro 29:23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Pride says we are superior to others because human logic reasons the way to success is through self-elevation.

This is a false conclusion!

The truth is that pride will only result in dishonor and humiliation!

The Bible teaches us that those who are arrogant will certainly be humbled through a painful process.

Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pro 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

We can boldly go before the throne of God but we better be humble when we get there!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we are in need of a Savior!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we must remain at the mercy of God!

The truth is that God will exalt us throughout eternity if we will humbly bow before Him in this life!

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Here again, our example is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly in heart but most people today regard Him as the greatest man that has ever lived even if they do not recognize Him as God, which He is!

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You cannot be Christian if you cannot learn from the Savior!

We are all certainly unworthy of God’s Grace and God’s “Grace” is shown to us all by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Humility is not weakness, humility is strength under complete control!

We must exchange our yoke for His yoke.

We must exchange our burdens for His burdens.

We must exchange our pride for His teaching.

If we are struggling in our faith, then we must “learn of Jesus”.

Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

If we are struggling in our walk according to the Scriptures, then we must “learn of Jesus”.

Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
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.

If we are tempted to quit on God, then we must “learn of Jesus”.

Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

As believers we are to walk humbly upon this earth just as our Savior did!

And we are never to partner with evil!

*****Pro 29:24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

A thief makes it his business to cheat, defraud, and steal the property of others.

If you become a partner to a thief, you come under double judgement.

1) You will be guilty of his crime!

2) You will be guilty of withholding information about his crime!

That’s what sin does, sin multiplies. One sin will always lead to another sin!

Psa 50:18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psa 50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

When we try to use that excuse, “I did not want to get involved”, we are already guilty in the eyes of God!

We have shown no real concern for our own soul and if we cannot care for our own soul how can we care for the souls of others.

God says it like this:

Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

The Lord our God put it this way:

Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

When we hear the cursing of those who have been harmed and who are the victim and we do not report what we know, how can we plead “not guilty”!

God never changes so He warns us again and again:

1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, “neither be partaker of other men’s sins”: keep thyself pure.

If we are wise we will have an unwavering faith in the Lord and His Word!

*****Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

When our fears turn us away from serving the Lord then our fears will actually be greater!

We are to obey human authority in order for there to be a civil society.

If we have trusted in the Lord then we will live righteously and living righteously is doing things the right way!

We also will not be afraid of what people will do to us when we take our stand on the Word of God!

The truth is that many who say they trust in the Lord are compelled to lie, or to compromise to avoid any unpleasant repercussions.

Remember even Peter denied Christ Jesus because he was afraid of what those people would do to him and when he realized what he had done he got alone and wept bitterly.

We must remember God takes responsibility for His Words!

And it will always be impossible to live for Christ and avoid persecution!

Someplace everyday some of those that love the Lord are slain just because they trust Him for their salvation.

If we truly love the Lord then we will not have a fear of what man can do to us.

God said to take a stand and stand firm:

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

When we are threatened we simply need to call on the Lord and place it in His hands.

We are in God’s hands and it is He that is in control of our lives!

We must remember, we have already been judged and justified by the Lord, we do not need the favor of any ruler of this earth or any other person!

*****Pro 29:26 Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.

When we trust in the Lord we must not fret when justice is not served in human courts.

We know that the Lord is the ultimate and final Judge and no sin will go unpunished.

It is not in our hands to seek revenge!

The day is coming when the Lord will correct all the wrong that has been done in this world!

It is a fact that human government cannot bring a perfect justice.

There are those that seek a rulers favor but the truth is, what God has appointed for them will surely come to them!

Pro 19:6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

Those that pay for a favorable judgement here on earth are not rich enough to sway the judgment of God!

The truth is an unjust man is an abomination to the Lord!

*****Pro 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

The title of our lesson is that “wisdom leads to the confession of sin”.

No one can be justified until they can make a confession!

When we walk in God’s righteousness we will refuse to compromise with the things of this world!

We will then be despised by those who reject the Word of God!

When we take our stand for the Lord we will see opposition.

In many cases it will be bitter with much anger!

Fearing the Lord, gives us the conviction to do right and leave the results with Him!

Questions?

Let’s Pray!

LESSONS IN GOD'S WORD

Taking time to read the Bible

Book of Proverbs

Praise for the Virtuous Woman

Human Relations

Will You Have a Good Name

Dealing With Moral Virtues

To Fear the Lord

Wise Enough to Listen

An Open Invitation

A Father’s Instructions

The Rewards of Wisdom

The Wise Will Confess Their Sin

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