SCRIPTURE: PROVERBS 16
MEMORY VERSES:
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5)
“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” (Proverbs 16:8)
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:”9)
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16)
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:20)
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)
“A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)
“Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
CENTRAL THEME OF THIS CHAPTER:
- Planned heart – (v. 1, 9) – Commit everything we do to the Lord in order to succeed.
- Proud heart (v. 5, 14) – Pride is a sin that God hates and which he will punish.
- Honest heart (v.11-13) – Honest scales and balances are to be used. Honest lips speaks the truth.
- Wise heart – (v. 21) – They are discerning. They speak pleasant words that promote instruction and give healing to the bones.
- Perverse heart – (28-30) – They stir up dissension and separate close friends by gossiping. They lead their neighbors down to evil path.
THOUGHTS:
All our plans are under God’s hands. Therefore, when planning for something, ask for His guidance and trust Him as you plan. However, you must also exert efforts with hard work in order to accomplish your plan.
God abhors people who are proud because is is resisting God’s leadership and believing that he is able to live without God’s help. Therefore, if you need God’s help, you should be humble.
Honesty is the best policy. But because of greed, people want to enrich themselves with dishonest business dealings. Remember that the Lord demands us to use honest scales and balances. He wants us to be honest and fair.
God’s wisdom is a life-giving fountain that can make a person happy and health. By reading God’s word, we know that if we repent, our sins will be forgiven. And He will also give us eternal life.
Long life is a sign of God’s blessings. When people grow old, gray hair appears. Gray hair is not a sign of disgrace but it is a crown of splendor. While young people glory in their strength, old people can rejoice in their years of experience and practical wisdom. Everyone must treat old people with respect.
It is a great personal victory if you know how to control your temper. Losing your temper may cause you to forfeit many opportunities and ruin your future..