He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Interacting With: Ourselves: Proverbs 25:24-28
24) [It is] better to dwell
in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25) [As] cold waters to a
thirsty soul, so [is] good news from
a far country.
26) A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a
corrupt spring.
27) [It is] not good to eat
much honey: so [for men] to search
their own glory [is not] glory.
28) He that [hath] no rule
over his own spirit [is like] a city
[that is] broken down, [and] without walls.
In
this section of Scripture Solomon addresses the proper way we are guard our own
life …
EXPOSITION:
24) [It is] better to dwell
in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
We
are to choose spiritual benefit over the things of this world…
1. It is more beneficial to remain in the small
area of the attic than
2. to remain with a contentious, quarrelsome,
woman in a fascinating house large enough to inhabit several people.
In
this example, we find two options…. Either we can live in peace and harmony in
a place that only meets our needs, or placing ourselves in a position of
temptation and trials for the sake of enjoying a fancy home in which to live?
Keep
in mind, to live with anyone who is argumentative and enjoys conflict, is
placing ourselves in a position where temptation to sin will abound. In this situation we would have to constantly
be struggling with the sins of anger, deceit, attempts to pay back abuse … etc
etc . However, if we use Godly wisdom,
it would be clear that it is far better to live alone, in a small dwelling, in
peace and harmony (avoiding these many temptations), than to be faced with
daily temptations and enjoy living in a house that appeals to our fleshly
desires.
“Finally, [be ye] all of
one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be]
courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are
thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love
life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips
that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and
do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are
open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do
evil. And who [is] he that will
harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Peter 3:8-13)
25) [As] cold waters to a
thirsty soul, so [is] good news from
a far country.
We
are to seek out people who bear encouraging messages and have uplifting attitudes.
1. As cool water to a person who is thirsty
2. so is beneficial news from a distant area.
How
easy it is to become like those who surround us! We are to pick our acquaintances very carefully,
knowing that their presence in our lives will greatly affect our character and
attitudes. Encouraging people can
strengthen and give us joy in times of trial and heartache. Conversely, those who are discouraging and
pessimistic can destroy our source of peace and dishearten us in our service
for Him.
“Be not deceived: evil communications
corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness,
and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your
shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34)
26) A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a
corrupt spring.
Take
care not to place ourselves into a position of obligation to wicked men…
1. For a man who is aligned with God’s law to
bow in submission to a wicked man
2.
is like the disturbed waters of a
fountain or poisoned waters of a well-spring
A
Godly man who finds himself obligated to a wicked man will gradually become corrupt
and of no use to the Lord. This is
pictured as a fountain that is disturbed causing dirt to be stirred up making
the water useless. It is also pictured
by a well-spring that holds poisoned waters.
“Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath
Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath
the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God
hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from
among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing];
and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
“They did not destroy the
nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the
heathen, and learned their works. And they served their
idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, [even]
the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the
idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled
with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of
the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own
inheritance.” (Psalms 106:34-40)
27) [It is] not good to eat
much honey: so [for men] to search
their own glory [is not] glory.
We
are to avoid pride and self-exaltation.
1. It is not beneficial to over indulge in an
overabundance of honey (that which pleases and indulges our fleshly desires.)
2. So too, it is equally as harmful for men to
actively pursue the praise of others… in doing so, others will think less of
them.
When
we live our lives to exalt ourselves, it only shows to others that we are prideful
self-consumed.
“How can ye believe, which
receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God
only?” (John 5:44)
28) He that [hath] no rule
over his own spirit [is like] a city
[that is] broken down, [and] without walls.
We
are to exercise diligence and control over every aspect of their life…
1. A person cannot exercise control over his own
life
2. Is like a city that is decayed, and lacking
walls for protection.
A
person whose life is out of control is a person who is not properly guarding
and exercising discipline in his thoughts, desires, and actions. He is leaving himself open to Satanic attack
and will be unable to resist temptations when they come his way.
“Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in
the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren
that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
SUMMARY:
Five
areas to guard our own lives are:
1. We are to choose spiritual benefit over the pleasures
of this world
2. We are to seek out people who bear encouraging
messages and have uplifting attitudes.
3. Take care not to place ourselves into a position
of obligation to wicked men.
4. We are to avoid pride and self-exaltation.
5. We are to exercise diligence and control over
every aspect of their life.
If
you notice, all of these areas enhance our testimony as we minister for the
Lord. Above all else a Christian’s
testimony in the eyes of others will dictate his level of success or failure in
the service of Christ.
When
we look like the world and act like the world, we cannot expect the world to
look up to us, respect us, and take our message seriously. But if we look and act the way the Lord would
have us to, the world will see the difference in us and they will see that they
are missing something in their lives.
May
we all possess Godly wisdom and live our lives for Him.
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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