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Pathways Through Proverbs
Daily Devotional
December 18, 2008
Today's Reading - Proverbs 18
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Following Scripture Verses
Proverbs Chapter 18
- Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
- A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
- When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
- The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
- It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
- A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
- A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
- The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
- He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
- The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
- The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
- Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
- He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
- The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
- The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
- The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
- A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
- A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
- Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
- The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
- A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
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Today's Pathway:
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This verse tells us that things occur before a man either falls into destruction or is blessed with honor. Honor and destruction don't "just happen". The decisions that we make in this life and the attitude that we have will produce a certain result.
Solomon deals with attitude in today's proverb. He states that when a man is filled with pride the end result will be his destruction. There are several reasons for this. First of all, a man who is filled with himself will not be trusting in God. He will not be looking to the Lord for leadership because he will believe that he has all the answers within himself. Second, the proud man will reject good counsel from others for the same reason. Third, he will not be thinking about the long term consequences of his decisions because he will only be interested in what will please him right now. If a man thinks only of himself and his immediate desires, and rejects the leadership of the Lord and the advice of godly men, then he is bound to make choices that will result in his chastening and destruction.
Solomon contrasts this with the man who is humble in spirit. The humble man does not believe that he knows everything. He does not trust his flesh. He does not see himself as being great in any way. Thus, he is willing to completely rely on the Lord. He seeks God's face and His will. Because of this, he will make decisions that will cause the Lord to honor him.
If you want to receive honor, humble yourself. If you want to be somebody, realize that without the Lord you are nobody, and allow Him to direct your paths.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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