DAY 29 - 31 DAYS OF PROVERBS!

Read Proverbs 29.

I read Proverbs 29 in the New Living Translation.

My thoughts on Proverbs 29:

• Be open to constructive criticism. Don't harden your heart or you will be destroyed beyond recovery. A note of caution: Everyone can't speak into your life. Know their motives. While it may be constructive criticism it might not apply to you. Let Holy Spirit lead you. Destroyed - shâbar, to burst (literally or figuratively): —break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, tear, view (Strong's 7665) "To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry." (Proverbs 25:12 NLT) "Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating." (Proverbs 12:1 AMPC) "He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding." (Proverbs 15:32 AMPC)

• We need more godly people in authority. PRAY! If God can transform Saul, who was killing believers, to Paul, who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament He can change our ungodly leaders. Is the problem that we don't believe this is possible? Remember, with God ALL things are possible. Stop calling the situation hopeless and start praying. Since God addressed this in His Word then our faith can make it happen! These Scriptures give me hope: "When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild, but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse." (Proverbs 29:16 MSG) "When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves." (Proverbs 28:12 AMPC)

• Make a lifelong pursuit of wisdom. "Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces." (Proverbs 13:20 MSG) "The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)." (Proverbs 4:7 AMPC) "For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6 AMPC)

• Evil people are snared and trapped by sin. The righteous escape. Snared - môwqêsh, a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose): —be ensnared, gin, (is) snare(-d), trap (Strong's H4170) "The wicked is [dangerously] snared by the transgression of his lips, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall come out of trouble." (Proverbs 12:13 AMPC) "They’re trapped, those godless countries, in the very snares they set, Their feet all tangled in the net they spread. They have no excuse; the way God works is well-known. The shrewd machinery made by the wicked has maimed their own hands." (Psalm 9:15-16 MSG)

• Care about the rights of the poor. Don't harden your heart to their plight. "You’re here to defend the defenseless, to make sure that underdogs get a fair break; Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them.” (Psalm 82:3-4 MSG) "I know that you, God, are on the side of victims, that you care for the rights of the poor. And I know that the righteous personally thank you, that good people are secure in your presence." (Psalm 140:12-13 MSG)

• Be the voice of reason and calm in the midst of anger and attacks. Never choose to act in anger. "A fool’s wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult." (Proverbs 12:16AMPC) "Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself—it tends only to evildoing." (Psalm 37:8 AMPC) "A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." (Proverbs 15:1 MSG) "Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity." (Proverbs 14:29 MSG)

• Fools vent their anger showing no self-control. The wise quietly hold back from angry responses or actions. "A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out." (Proverbs 25:28 MSG)

• Don't listen to lies or be swayed into action based on lies. And don't lie yourself! Always choose the truth no matter how much it hurts. The fact that God hates lies should be enough to keep us aways from lies and liars. Lie - sheqer, an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial):—without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully (Strong's H8267) Outline of Biblical Usage - ie, deception, disappointment, falsehood, deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one), deceit, fraud, wrong, falsehood (injurious in testimony), falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets), false tongue (Strong's H8267) "Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight." (Proverbs 12:22 AMPC) "For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men." (2 Corinthians 8:21 AMPC)

• We need divine guidance. Always choose to obey God's commands. "Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14 AMPC) "You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." (Psalm 73:24 NLT) "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMPC)

• Think before you speak. Speaking without thinking is foolish. "Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few." (Ecclesiastes 5:2 AMPC) "In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent." (Proverbs 10:19 AMPC) "Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry." (James 1:19 AMPC)

• Be humble. Pride leads to destruction. "First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall." (Proverbs 16:18 MSG) “Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure. The higher you lift up yourself in pride, the harder you’ll fall in disgrace.” (Proverbs 16:18 TPT)

• Don't fear people. If what they tell you in contrary to God's Word you must side with God. "Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29 AMPC)

The verse that spoke to me:

"Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors." (Proverbs 29:23 MSG)

My takeaway:

“Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure. The higher you lift up yourself in pride, the harder you’ll fall in disgrace.” (Proverbs 16:18 TPT)

“First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 MSG)

Pride not only goes before the fall; it initiates the fall! So, check your motives. What we build for God must be based on bringing glory to His Name, not building, or bringing glory, to your name.

Choose humility over pride all day, every day and God will lift you up. He will promote you. No one can stop God’s promotion in your life. Do it His way and get His results.

“Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.” (I Peter 5:6 AMPC)

We must be on guard against prideful behavior, which Satan wants to use to lead us into rebellion against God. Our greatest example of pride in the Bible is Satan and our greatest example of humility is Jesus Christ. To defeat Satan, we must put on the whole armor of God and at the same time imitate Jesus Christ.

Distinguishing between the sin of pride and a good self-image and an appropriate sense of self-confidence can be challenging. Some go from one extreme to another. In order to stay away from pride, they don’t acknowledge who God made them to be and wear a false sense of humility. Others take credit for everything totally leaving God out altogether.

As a believer this can be a hard walk between humility and pride. However, I think the closer we walk with God, spend time in His Presence and in His Word the more we will look like Him and act like Him. If you study the life of Jesus, you will see the difference. Because He knew who He was, His purpose, and that He was loved by the Father, He walked in confidence. When you know these things, you don’t need to build yourself up with pride. You recognize your significance as a child of God. At its essence pride is based on insecurity and the need for approval. Once we’re anchored in Christ pride should not be an issue. If it becomes one, time with the Father to see things from His perspective will get us back on track!

FAITH CONFESSION:

Lord, I know I can do nothing without You. I know I have accomplished nothing without You. Forgive me for the many times I declared what I did without giving You glory. All I have and everything I’ve done is because of You and I give You thanks.

I can’t make anything happen with You. So, I am going to stop trying and rest in You, trusting You to move on my behalf and give me direction. I submit to Your timing for my life. In this Lord, let Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, through me.

Share in the comments what verse spoke to you and why. Let's grow in wisdom together.

#LeisaWilkins #EncouragementInTheWord

Be Encouraged! ❤