November 14, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 14
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Following Scripture Verses

1. Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2. He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3. In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5. A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9. Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10. The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24. The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28. In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35. The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Today's Pathway:
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"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge." - Proverbs 14:7

Today's proverb contains good, practical advice concerning the people to whom we listen. Solomon teaches his son that he should distance himself from any man he encounters who does not speak with wisdom.

Obviously this verse does not mean that we can not attempt to evangelize a fool. However, it does mean that we need to be very careful about listening to what he has to say. I once had the experience of listening to a preacher who I knew was a heretic, and yet as I listened I started thinking to myself that what he was saying was making sense. At that point I stopped listening, which is what I should have done as soon as I knew who he was. The longer you listen to a fool, the more inclined you are to allow his words to influence you in the wrong direction.

This verse means that we need to be very careful about who our teachers are. We need to be careful about what preachers we listen to on the radio and which "Christian" authors we read. Just because a man's book is being sold in the Christian bookstore does not mean that he has anything of spiritual value to say. If you hear or see a man's message heading in the wrong direction, it is time to get away from his influence. Please note that I am not saying that you need to avoid every person who does not agree with you 100% of the time. However, if a man's teachings across the board lack knowledge, we can not waste our time and risk our mind by listening to him.

Take a moment to think about the doctrinal positions of the people that have the greatest influence on you. Are their lips full of Biblical wisdom or not? If they aren't, then it is time to get new teachers.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery