He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
The Anatomy Of The Wise: The Mind (Part 2):
Proverbs 15:22-26
22) Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of
counsellors they are established.
23) A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!
24) The way of life [is]
above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25) The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish
the border of the widow.
26) The thoughts of the wicked [are]
an abomination to the LORD: but [the
words] of the pure [are] pleasant
words.
EXPOSITION:
In
the text for this morning, we find the second of two parts of this study on the
“mind”. In our devotional for this morning
Solomon presents to us a series of proverbs that continue to emphasize the need
to think ahead and prepare for the future…
22) Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of
counsellors they are established.
1. Without the aid of wise advice our future plans
can be hindered or completely frustrated.
2.
As we plan for the future, by taking
heed to many, varied bits of advice, our plans will be strengthened and based
upon a firm foundation.
A
characteristic of wise planning is seeing the need for Godly, experienced, counsel
to aid in the formation of our plans.
“[Every] purpose is established by counsel:
and with good advice make war.” (Proverbs 20:18)
23) A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!
1. When we give others information from which
they benefit, we will experience great joy knowing we have made a difference in
their lives.
2. The proper words spoken at the appropriate
times are beneficial to the hearer, the speaker and are pleasing in the sight
of God.
Before
we speak we are to stop and think about the most beneficial answer we can those
to whom we are addressing.
“Let no corrupt
communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
24) The way of life [is]
above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
1. A lifestyle of a wise person places his
desires, hopes and beliefs in that which transcends the wisdom of this fallen
world, the things of God.
2. By living a Godly life of faith in
Christ, the wise is given the ability to
be delivered from eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire.
By
preparing for the future by trusting and serving Christ now we can find
deliverance from eternal death… separation from God in the Lake of Fire.
“If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God. Set your affection on
things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3)
25) The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish
the border of the widow.
1. We should recognize that the end of those who
are proud, see themselves as not needing Him and unwilling to submit to the
Lordship of Christ will come to utter ruin at the hand of Almighty God.
2. We should also recognize that this same
Almighty God will be there to protect those who are humble, weak, recognize
their great need of Him and are unable to protect themselves. This type of person is pictured as a widow
who was the most vulnerable and abused person in the society of Jesus’ day.
We
need to recognize that, by humbly recognizing our great need of Christ and trusting
in Him, we will be the recipients of His grace and future security in Him.
“Though the LORD [be] high,
yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” (Psalms 138:6)
26) The thoughts of the wicked [are]
an abomination to the LORD: but [the
words] of the pure [are] pleasant
words.
1. The thoughts of those separated from the Lord
are based upon selfishness, pride and rebellion against Him. It is
these things are despised by the Lord.
2. The words that are spoken from a pure heart that
is motivated by love and concern for others are words that will benefit others
and delight God.
The
words that we speak flow from our desires within us. By taking the time to examine our motives
before we speak, we can regulate our speech only allowing that which benefits
others and pleases God.
“O Jerusalem, wash thine
heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain
thoughts lodge within thee?” (Jeremiah 4:14)
“Do not ye yet understand,
that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out
into the draught? But those things which
proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
For out of the heart
proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false
witness, blasphemies: These are [the things]
which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” (Matthew 15:17-20)
SUMMARY:
In
our study on the mind of the wise, we have seen that:
1. A wise man will consider the effect of
uncontrolled anger on himself and those around him.
2. A wise man will realize that the path of
righteousness can be clearly seen and clearly reveals his destiny.
3. A wise man takes into account the counsel and
teachings of those who love and care for him.
4. A wise man will see the lasting benefits of
following the Lord with a dedicated heart and life.
5. A characteristic of wise planning is seeing
the need for Godly, experienced, counsel to aid in the formation of our plans.
6. Before we speak we are to stop and think
about the most beneficial answer we can those to whom we are addressing.
7. By preparing for the future, by trusting and
serving Christ now, we can find deliverance from eternal death.
8. By humbly recognizing our great need of
Christ and trusting in Him, we will be the recipients of His grace and future
security in Him.
9. The words that we speak flow from our desires
within us. By taking the time to
examine our motives before we speak, we can regulate our speech only allowing
that which benefits others and pleases God.
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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