SettledInHeaven.org (Blogger): SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 14:5-9

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

The Pursuit Of The Wise: Speak A God Honoring Message: Proverbs 14:5-9

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.

EXPOSITION:

In this text, we find that wise people will seek to speak a God honoring message to all who will hear…

5) A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

1. A witness that is worthy of our trust and attention is one that does not deceive with their speech.

2. A witness that should be ignored is one that speaks falsely and deceptively.

For our message to be trusted and taken seriously, we must develop a lifestyle of honesty and truth. How can others believe our message about Christ, when we are known to be deceptive in other areas of our lives?

“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.” (Exodus 23:1)

6) A scorner seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not: but knowledge [is] easy unto him that understandeth.

1. One who holds the Word of God as dirty and useless, when he seeks genuine wisdom elsewhere will not find it.

2. Those who perceive the value and truthfulness of God’s Word will swiftly find truthful facts when he seeks them.

For our message to be truthful and Godly we must recognize the source of all divine truth…. The Word of God. For those who speak messages based upon other worldly sources will only be speaking sinful, fallen knowledge of this world.

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].” (Matthew 11:25-27)

7) Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.

We are to walk away from those we perceive are foolish teachers who lack wisdom in their teachings. They are false teachers. We are to not listen to them, consider their message, or encourage others to do so.

We are to always guard our message from the influence of false teachers. We are to keep in hearts and minds pointed to the Lord and His truth if we expect to continue increasing our knowledge of Him and to strengthen the foundation of our teachings.

“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:27)

8) The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way: but the folly of fools [is] deceit.

1. Those who possess Godly wisdom place their attention on their life and their duty before the Lord. They are making sure that their lifestyle matches the Godly message they proclaim.

2. Those who are foolish do not care about their lifestyle but concentrate on how to mislead and deceive others for their own personal gain.

To have a fruitful message we must always be sure that our lifestyle mirrors that of the message that we proclaim. To contradict our teachings by living in contradiction to them is only an exercise in futility and displeasure in the eyes of God.

“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” (Psalms 143:8)

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” (Ephesians 4:22)

9) Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous [there is] favour.

1. Those without wisdom will not take sin seriously, it will only be an object of their jest, excusing it and mocking it.

2. Among those who take sin seriously and have lifestyles that reject sin, they will find favor with God and man.

To have a Godly message of truth, we must always take sin seriously in our lives and our teachings. To mock at sin or to take it lightly will only corrupt our message and bring displeasure of God upon us. Our message should always include the harmful aspects of sin, the need to repent of that sin and the need to flee from its presence.

“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude 1:18-19)

“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.” (Proverbs 13:15)

SUMMARY:

To possess a God honoring message we should pay special attention to:

1. develop a lifestyle of honesty and truth

2. recognize the source of all divine truth

3. keep in hearts and minds pointed to the Lord and His truth

4. be sure that our lifestyle mirrors that of the message that we proclaim

5. always take sin seriously in our lives and our teachings.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

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