August 19, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 19
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Following Scripture Verses

1. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6. Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7. All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8. He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10. Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12. The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13. A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24. A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25. Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28. An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29. Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Today's Pathway:
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"Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge." - Proverbs 19:27

Solomon's words of wisdom to his son in this verse are very simple. However, many people fail to heed their warning. Solomon states this basic principle: stop listening to people who lead you astray.

We all know of that young person who is a pretty good kid until he starts spending his time with a certain other young man. Then, when the two of them are together, trouble happens to both of them. What is the easiest solution to this problem? Keep the good young man away from the troublemaker! This principle applies in other areas as well. If you get in trouble when you go to a certain place, stay away from there. If certain people drag you down spiritually, avoid them. If the television or radio or computer lead you into sin, get rid of them.

One important area of application deals with who we allow to instruct us. I would not put my child in a school where the Bible was ridiculed because I would not want to cause him to hear instruction that might cause him to err. I would not want to go to a church that taught false doctrine, no matter how exciting the services might be, because I would not want to hear instruction that would cause me to err. I would never allow my children to be placed under false religious teachers for the same reason. We also need to be careful what books we read. As pastors we do much studying, but we need to be careful not to allow books by liberals or neo-evangelicals influence us in a wrong direction. Many a preacher has chosen foolishly in his reading habits, and has paid the price theologically.

Don't listen to people who are heading in the wrong direction. If you do, you may soon find yourself walking the path of sin with them.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery