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
LESSONS IN GOD'S WORD 