“Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right.”
This verse is not just about a young man; it is about all of us. Even as adults, our actions reveal who we really are. Our behavior, whether pure and upright or not, is a clear indicator of the state of our character.
As mature individuals, we have a responsibility to ensure that what we do aligns with what we believe. After all, it is not enough to simply claim to be righteous – we must live it out in our daily lives. The Lord sees all, and He will ultimately judge each person according to their deeds.
Someone pointed out that we often judge others by what they do and judge ourselves by what we meant to do. That makes leaves us with bad habits and few friends. Our habits are bad because we don’t really see what we did wrong. We have no friends because we have judged them all.
My favorite quote from Maya Angelou puts it this way. “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.” We might change it just a bit to point to ourselves. When our actions show us who WE are, believe them. It is only by believing what we see in our selves, that we can really work on making things better.
Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
My friend has been Mayor of his Texas town for 19 years. He is running because he has an opponent. The strange thing is this opponent has never served before. Well, I guess that is okay, but he has never attended meetings or done anything for the city. It reminds me of the joke I used to tell about how I tried to join the army, but it turned out they don’t need any more Generals right now. Don’t be that way. “Hasty comes only to poverty.”
Remember the story of David and the Giant. He told King Saul that he would fight the giant. Saul’s response was, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33)
I might have agreed, but David had a ready response.
“Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.” (34-35)
David believed that he could kill the giant because, with God’s help, he had already killed a bear and a lion. There is a great principle here – one victory grows to another.
Before you can kill a giant, kill a bear. Before you kill a bear, kill a wolf. Before you kill a wolf, kill a mouse. If you cannot kill a mouse, you are not ready to fight a giant. Victories grow little by little.
Learn to win the little victories, and then when a big battle confronts you, you will be ready. When you get ready, God will be waiting for you.
“A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him.”
When caught in a half-truth, a deception, people might say, “Well, technically, it is not a lie.” Maybe we need to define a lie; a lie is an untruth spoken or implied in order to deceive.
Keeping that in mind, here is one of the more famous “half-truths.”
In Genesis 12, When he is around the Pharaoh, Abraham refers to his wife Sarah as his sister. He does the same thing in Genesis 20 to another king..
While Sarah was indeed Abraham’s half-sister, Abraham’s statement was a half-truth intended to deceive others. This half-truth leads to great pain for others and shame for himself. Lies usually do.
There can be a bit of Abraham’s deception in us all. People will say, ”I was just joking,” as a method of covering up a mean-spirited comment. Others will say, “Everyone is saying.” No, they are not. Maybe a couple of people said it, or maybe only you said it.
Often, the half-lie or deception is not used to influence you but is one you tell yourself. We say, “I had no other choice,” to justify a decision or action that actually had alternatives. We even say or tell ourselves, “I did my best,” when we know it isn’t true.
Being honest with ourselves is always helpful. Anything else is simply deceit.
“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
We begin by reading the best example of this verse.
“At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane…Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus did not want to die on the cross. He asked the Father to let it pass. After this request, he acknowledges that His Father knows best and determines his steps. He prays, “Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Years ago, a friend was trying to get a preaching job in Texas. He tried, but the doors kept closing. He prayed for God’s help, but nothing happened. Finally, he prayed and told God that he would go anywhere. Almost immediately, a work opened up that was a thousand miles away. He spent more than 20 years in that work and had the greatest work of his life.
In whatever you do, pray, “Yet not as I will, but Your will be done.”
Why? Because, as our proverb says, “the Lord determines our steps.” He knows best.
I’m Lonnie Davis And these are thoughts worth thinking.
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.”
Sometimes, we treat this verse like a threat. Some may feel like God is spying on us. When you think that way, I remind you that there is great comfort in the all-seeing eye of the LORD.
Here is a story that explains what I mean. My brother was big and strong. I confess that I always felt safer when he was with me. I was not a little kid, but still, his presence made me even safer. We never had to fight anyone, but I knew he was there to help me. I remember a time when a man came speeding down our street. It was a neighborhood with children, so I hollered at him to slow down. He went about 100 yards down the road, hit his brakes, and then headed back toward me. I walked out to the edge of the street. My brother came with me, and we stood there. The speeder came by and never slowed down. As he zoomed past, I remarked, “He is a coward who would not even stop.” My brother responded, “Would you have with two big men like us standing there?” Good point!
God is not my brother, but he is my Father, and he sees me when the world is a dangerous place. He is standing beside me.
“The eyes of the Lord are in everyplace.”
I’m Lonnie Davis And these are thoughts worth thinking.
Todays proverb is found in Proverbs 18:17 “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.”
I admit that I love the Amazon review. I often take my phone with me when I go to a store to buy a product. I don’t ask the salespeople for their opinion because they often give only one side of the story, and it is what they have been told to say. While standing in the store, I look up the product on Amazon because the reviews there will have hundreds or thousands of opinions. Of course, I never believe the first opinion. I read others before I buy the product. Unfortunately, companies sometimes post fake reviews, and even some real legitimate reviews are wrong, with both pros and cons.
If they might be fake or wrong, why do I do this? Because getting MANY other views is helpful.No one believes this is not so.
The idea of listening to only one opinion is so powerful in marketing that most of you have been offered free stuff, hotel nights, money, passes or whatever, if you will just come and listen to a sales presentation for a few hours. It works! If you understand today’s proverb, you will not be trapped in this way.
By the way, if I look up a product and it has only one review, I consider the one opinion to be unhelpful in making a decision.
After all, that is the meaning of today’s proverb. “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.”
I’m Lonnie Davis And these are thoughts worth thinking.
Our text today is Proverbs 18:13 “He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.”
I’m going to confess that I really struggle with this passage. Sometimes, I don’t hear things because I am thinking about my reply. Do you ever do that? It is a bad habit.
Someone once noted that God gave us two ears and one mouth because he wants us to listen twice as much as we talk. Indeed, this is an easier task for some than for others. I would say that it is easier for one gender than for the other, but I have seen people on both sides of the gender line face that same problem. (And yes, I still believe in two genders.)
I told my family about the time I was at a men’s breakfast. I told a really good joke and everyone started laughing. Just as they started to laugh, one of the other men spoke up, “Let me tell you a joke I heard.” He didn’t give people enough time to enjoy my joke. In the middle of telling his joke, one of the other men spoke up, “Hurry up and finish your joke. I have one I want to tell.”
As you can see, answering before we hear the whole issue is a very old problem and a foolish thing to do. It can bring shame. You may get away with it for a while, but eventually, it will bite you.
“Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.”
Notice from this text that both the righteous and evil man falls, the difference between the righteous and evil is whether they get up from their fall. The righteous man, the good man falls down but gets up. The wicked man falls down and just wallows in his failure.
Consider the stories of Peter and Judas.
Peter failed. He bragged that he would never deny Jesus, but before the next morning he had denied Jesus three times. He even took an oath before the enemies of Jesus that he did not know Jesus. Feeling his failure, he wept bitterly. Jesus forgave him and a few days later Peter preached the first gospel sermon.
Judas failed. He betrayed Jesus for money – thirty pieces of silver. He regretted his act of betrayal and tried to return the money. When he could not, he hanged himself. Now let’s read that verse again:
“Though a righteous man (Peter) falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked (Judas) are brought down by calamity.”
If you are righteous, you will fall, get up, and try again. Or maybe try another way. You will not quit! But if you are wicked, you will fail and quit.
Do you know what the second top-selling self-help book is?
It is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, with an astounding 80 million copies sold worldwide.
After this are “You Can Heal Your Life” (50 million), “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” (26 million), and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” (Over 25 million).
All of that is interesting, but the top-selling self-help book is the Book of Proverbs, with hundreds of billions of copies sold worldwide.
The book of Proverbs was specifically written to help people live well and make wise decisions. Read the first six verses, and you will understand the purpose.
Proverbs 1: Verses 1 through 6 Verse 1 says: These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,
Verses 2 through 6 read:
For gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight, and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.
To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
It is tragic that so many millions rush to obtain a book of wise words from the latest guru but overlook the book about wise living from the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon.
They already have this book. It is nearly 3,000 years old and is in their Bible.
“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn?
and fools hate knowledge?”
There have been a few times in my life when I dug myself into a hole and then kept on digging. I’ll bet you have too. One pundit asked, what is the first thing you do when you dig yourself into a hole. The answer is: stop digging. I wish I had known that sooner.
Today’s proverb describes three kinds of people who do not stop digging. They keep on messing up and never repent. They are the simple, the scorners, and the fools. This text tells us how to identify them.
Number 1. The simple:
The simple are naive, impressionable people who are open to all kinds of influences, both good and bad.
Number 2. The scorers:
The texts asked, “ How long will scoffers delight in their scorn?” Scorners are those who treat wise counsel with contempt; nothing is sacred or serious to them. When God or righteousness comes up, their answer is always contempt.
Number 3. The fools:
Fools are those who senselessly refuse instruction. They are conceited and opinionated in their ignorance. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.”’ (Psalms 14:1).
A simpleton, a scorner, and a fool.
I try to avoid being one of those three. It doesn’t end well for them.
Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 1:22. “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?”
There have been a few times in my life when I dug myself into a hole and then kept on digging. I’ll bet you have too. One pundit asked, what is the first thing you do when you dig yourself into a hole. The answer is: stop digging. I wish I had known that sooner.
Today’s proverb tells us about three kinds of people who do not stop digging. They keep on messing up and never repent. They are: the simple, the scorners, and the fools. This text tells us how to identify them.
Number 1. The simple: The simple are naive, impressionable people who are open to all kinds of influences, both good and bad.
Number 2. The scorners: The texts asked, “ How long will scoffers delight in their scorn?” Scorners are those who treat wise counsel with contempt; nothing is sacred or serious to them. When God or righteousness comes up, their answer is always contempt.
Number 3. The fools: Fools are those who senselessly refuse instruction. They are conceited and opinionated in their ignorance. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.”’ (Psalms 14:1).
A simpleton, a scorner, and a fool. I try avoiding being any of those three. It doesn’t end well for them.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
In today’s verse we are introduced to the “generous person.”
I love generous people. I am frustrated by cheap people.
Many folks do not consider themselves as either generous or non-generous. Those who do not consider themselves as generous ought to find a word other than “non-generous.”
How about these words instead: greedy, selfish, and cheap.
What is cheap?
Once my wife called the ladies at church to provide a meal for a funeral. She called one lady and tried to be easy on her and asked her to bring two loaves of bread. The ladies’ response was “Oh my, TWO loaves?” Another young family was going to a church party and were asked to bring potato chips, they stopped at the store, picked up two of the cheapest brands they could find. That is not frugal, that is cheap.
I remember teaching my son the difference between frugal and cheap on a date. If you drink water because Coke is too expensive, you are frugal. If you won’t let your date have a coke, you are cheap.
Let’s close with First John 3: verse 17,
“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?”
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
To understand this proverb, look at the life of Christ. As the time of Jesus’ crucifixion drew near, Jesus headed to Jerusalem. Certainly to meet the cross. Tired from the long trip, “He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem.” (Luke 8:52-53)
This upset the apostles. James and John were ready to punch back. They asked Jesus, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” (54).
Jesus could have crushed the town for their unkindness and mean spirit toward him. What DID he do? Verse 56 tells us, “He and His disciples went on to another village.”
Jesus showed great restraint. He knew that calmness begets calmness, and anger begets anger. The Samaritans started the unkindness, but Jesus did not use that as an excuse to hit back. He broke the cycle of anger. He demonstrated a gentle answer.
It is always up to the mature person, the person of character to break the cycle of anger, to change the tone.
Our Wise Proverb for today is Proverbs 9, and verse 8.
You need this proverb.
So do I.
This proverb is for those times when you find yourself having to deal with that person who just has to be right, no matter what! It should also warn us not to be that way ourselves.
Look at the verse:
“Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”
I really want us to understand this proverb, but there are two big questions we need to ask.
Number 1. What does it mean to rebuke? The essence of “to rebuke” as used in this verse, is not just to criticize or point out a fault, but to offer correction with the aim of promoting change and understanding. It involves saying something in the right spirit.
Number 2. What is a mocker? The word translated as “mockers” refers to someone who mocks, scorns, or derides others, often with a sense of contempt or disdain. The verse emphasizes the futility of correcting someone who is set in their ways of mockery and scorn.
This proverb speaks volumes about the nature of wisdom itself—it is not just knowing what to say, but also knowing when to say it, and perhaps more importantly, knowing whether to speak at all.
I’m Lonnie Davis And these are thoughts worth thinking.
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.”
In these words, we see a truth about human nature. It’s tempting to put off tasks, to delay duties, or to give in to the comfort of doing nothing. Proverbs teaches us that such habits lead to loss and lack. Just as a thief surprises his victim, poverty, too, can sneak up on those who are NOT vigilant.
This message is as relevant today as it was in the days of Solomon. Whether it’s tending to our jobs, managing our homes, or nurturing relationships, continuous effort is crucial. Laziness has a cost, often unseen until it’s too late.
Like when a burglar climbs through the window at night, we will be surprised, but poverty sneaks in on the one who wants “a little more sleep, a little more slumber.” Everyone needs rest, but for some, enough is never enough.
Since I was a young man I set a goal for myself to become a wise old man – someday. I know I have accomplished one of those goals. If you know me, you know which one. Here’s a hint, I have reached the age that when I go into an antique shop, I look around and say, “I remember these.”
So now, how do any of us reach the goal of being wise? There is one verse in the Bible that tells us where the start of wisdom begins.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom.”
The first step in becoming wise is to “fear the Lord.” But what does it mean to fear the Lord?
The original word “fear” in this verse means to hold God in the highest regard and honor His commands. Don’t be frightened of God. Don’t be scared of him. Honor and hold him up. Fear Him. Unless a man or woman can do that, then there is no wisdom.
Whether a professor, a preacher, a president, or anyone else, if there is no fear of the Lord in that person, there is no wisdom.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom.”
Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.
May God bless this reading.
Out of the many lessons in this text, here are three for today.
Number 1. Don’t Judge everything by appearances. Verses 1 -3.
We’ve all been there. You see someone struggling and maybe make an assumption: they must be unlucky, unhealthy, or have done something wrong. John 9 throws a bucket of cold water on that way of thinking!
When Jesus encounters a man blind since birth, the disciples blurt out, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, to deserve this?” Wow! Instant judgment based on appearance. But Jesus says, “No! This is about God’s work being revealed.”
This is a wake-up call for us all.
We can’t know someone’s story by just looking. Maybe that grumpy guy at work is dealing with a tough situation at home. Maybe the classmate who seems carefree is battling anxiety. Let’s stop assuming and give others another chance.
Number 2. Time is Limited to Do Good (John 9:4)
Jesus reminds us, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.”
It’s a call not to waste the time we’re given. Our time here is finite, a precious commodity we often take for granted. It is a series of fleeting moments and opportunities, each with an expiration date we can’t always see. It’s like catching a train; if you hesitate too long, you’ll miss it, and there’s no guarantee another one will come along. Take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, because they won’t always be available. Whether pursuing a dream, reconciling with a loved one, or stepping out in faith, now is the time. Don’t let fear or procrastination hold you back. Remember, the doors of opportunity don’t knock; they silently swing open, waiting for us to walk through. Don’t look back and wonder, What if?” Move forward with “What’s next?”
Number 3. Faith Requires Action (John 9:7):
“Then He told him, ‘Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.
Imagine being told your blindness could be healed and your sight could be restored if you just washed in a pool. Sounds simple, right? The man, blind from birth, is healed after he acts on Jesus’ instructions. It should remind us that faith isn’t just about believing; it’s about doing. Taking that step, even when it feels uncertain or odd, is what faith in action looks like. It’s about trust, about moving your feet even when you can’t see the path ahead. Let’s not just believe; let’s act on our faith and watch as wonders unfold.
From such a long reading, we will read together, verses 27 through 32.
They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him. So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
From the long reading today, I call to your attention four great lessons.
Lesson 1: Jesus is the Light: John 8:12
“Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Sometimes, I am perplexed when I see so many people who publicly and proudly act in ways that are spiritually wrong. It should not be puzzling because unless one knows Jesus, then one does not know the light. Jesus is the standard. He is the light. Today people believe that standards are decided by the people. In World War II, the German leaders thought this way and it led to the holocaust. When our own country decides that right and wrong are not determined by God and the light of Jesus, then we too will be in darkness.
Lesson 2: The Truth will set you free. John 8:31 and 32
He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Let’s ask, how does the truth set us free?
On a spiritual level, truth sets us free from the bondage and punishment of sin.
On a personal level, it sets us free from self-deception. We often create narratives about ourselves that are not fully aligned with reality. Acknowledging the truth about ourselves, as uncomfortable as it may be, liberates us from the chains of these illusions. It allows us to grow, to change, and to live as we should.
Lesson 3: Jesus was always here. John 8:58
“Before Abraham was born, I am!”This is a direct claim to divinity and an affirmation of Jesus’ eternal existence.
Lesson 4: Jesus is the only way to be saved. John 8:24
“For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
It is only through Jesus that anyone can be saved.
[3] The scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them [4] and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”
[6] They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.
[7] When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” [8] And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.
[9] When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.
May God bless the reading of his word.
In our reading, we find a powerful story that speaks to the very heart of the human condition. It begins with a woman caught in the act of adultery, brought before Jesus by a group of Pharisees and scribes. They were ready to condemn her, to stone her as the law demanded. But Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, offered a profound response.
“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her,” Jesus declared.
With those words, he challenged the accusers to examine their own hearts and lives before daring to pass judgment on another. The impact of this statement was immediate and profound. As verse 9 tells us, “When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.”
We are all flawed, imperfect beings, and that true justice and righteousness can only be achieved when we approach one another with empathy, humility, and a willingness to forgive. Jesus did not condone the woman’s actions, but recognized that the real sin lay in the self-righteous condemnation of those who were quick to cast the first stone.
This story reminds us that we must look inward, acknowledge our own shortcomings, and extend the same compassion to others that we hope to receive ourselves. It is a call to break the cycle of judgment and retribution, and to embrace the power of forgiveness. In doing so, we not only find healing for ourselves, but we also create the possibility for true redemption and restoration in the lives of those around us.
The Jews were looking for Him at the feast and asking, “Where is He?” Many in the crowds were whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” But others replied, “No, He deceives the people.”
Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews. About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach.
May God bless the reading of this text.
In today’s reading, we find Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles, having to choose between chasing public opinion or doing the right thing. Despite the risks, Jesus chooses the right moment to teach in the temple courts, underscoring a profound truth: doing what’s right outweighs the need to please everyone.
This passage invites us to reflect on the often-quoted wisdom, “You can’t please all the people all the time.” Jesus knew this well. He wasn’t swayed by the crowd’s expectations or the Pharisees’ demands. Instead, He focused on His mission, teaching God’s truths, even when it wasn’t the popular choice. This moment in Jesus’ ministry is a powerful reminder of the futility in trying to satisfy everyone’s expectations.
Trying to please everyone can lead us down a path where our values and convictions are compromised. This text reminds us that doing the right thing, though not always popular or easy, is what truly matters. It’s about aligning our actions with our faith, even when it goes against the grain.
We must remember that some people will always be dissatisfied or disagree with your actions, no matter how hard you try to accommodate everyone. Trying to please everyone is an unrealistic and unattainable goal.
So, as you move through your day, remember the lesson from Jesus’ actions. When faced with a choice between doing what’s right and doing what’s popular, choose the right. It may not win you the favor of everyone, but it will help you reach your real purpose in life. Reflect on this passage and see for yourself the truth about choosing integrity over popularity.
