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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wisdom Project 2/25



Proverbs 25 - NIV
Proverbs 25 - ESV

Proverbs 25:28 . .
Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.


Commentary:

ONE valuable way of practising self-control is in checking grumbling, and an unnecessary display of vexation at petty inconveniences. A workman has fulfilled his task imperfectly, some order is wrongly executed, some one keeps you waiting unreasonably; people are careless or forgetful, or do what they have in hand badly. Try not to be disturbed; be just, and show the persons to blame where they are wrong, even (if it be needful) make them do the thing over again properly; but refrain from diffuse or vehement expressions of displeasure. A naturally quick, impetuous person will find that to cultivate a calm external habit is a great help towards gaining the inward even spirit he needs.

From: HL Sidnet Lear - On Precept

Blessings
3 John 8
Bill H.
_________

WISDOM PROJECT: For this month, I will supply links to both the NIV and ESV versions of the chapter each day (Feb. 1 = Proverbs 1, etc.) in the post—both of which contain the audio.

And in the month of February a unique feature for the WP will be Commentaries on selected passages/verses from within the chapter for the day. And for the most part, these comments will be from links in the Online Bible Study Resources feature here on the 3 John 8 blog (scroll down in the column to the right to find the links).

Note to Proverbs class participants: this is the place where you should post your application comments for the Daily Proverbs Reading Assignment.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Response 2/25/2010 7:30:03 AM

Proverbs 25:28 . .
Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.

The Apostle Paul wrote that it is important to understand that as a Christian we are not under the law, but that does not mean that we are free to do anything that we want or desire. Self control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit wrought in our lives as Christians through discipline.

1Co 6:12 All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
John Erbentraut

Jim Morrison said...

Verse 21 - "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." What a difficult thing for us to do, to humble ourselves to the point of feeding those who are our enemies. When we have been wronged, the last thing we would think to do is to feed them, to serve them, to care for them.If we would only humble ourselves this way in all situations, imagine what God could do through our lives.

Tim K. said...

28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
This verse reminds me of the many times self-control has kept me from trouble and the many times lack of self-contol has gotten me into trouble. In the times I lacked self-control it was because of a lack of the proper perspective. In this world of instant gratification self-control is not encouraged or sought after. When we have GOD's perspective we can be patient and exercise the self-control that leads to greater rewards.

Gabe Vanderstel said...

23. "The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance"

As surly as a rain cloud brings rain, slander brings anger. This is a cause and effect relationship. Evil speech will not bring anything good. It will only cause divisions and anger

Unknown said...

Proverbs 25:16
"If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it."
- Too many times I eat too much without even realizing it until its too late. "The Eyes are bigger than the Stomach" as we always hear. That simple warning has helped me even in the simple things of not taking more than I am going to eat as to not be wasteful. It also helps on paying more attention to what I am actually feeding my body and not always eating what I like to taste that is not as good for me but to go a step further and eat more fruits and vegetables which I know are best for me than a lot of things I'd rather eat. That's what stuck out to me when I read this section for today. Proverbs truly is loaded with plenty of wisdom filled ideas to keep in mind throughout the day.

Carrie L. said...

Verse 7 reminded me of another passage in one of the gospels where JEsus tells his disciples not to take the seat of honor when invited to a banquet. When someone more important than you comes the host will ask you to sit in a different seat and you will be humiliated. This was a reminder to me not to make myself out to be more than I am.

Verse 16 "If you find honey, eat just enough - too much of it and you will vomit". What a reminder of self-control! Many times we eat( or whatever we are doing) more than we need just because we can. We need to exercise self-control in every aspect of our lives.

Mandi said...

9 If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence, 10 or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation. This verse was a great reminder to me about trust and how important it is not to betray a friends trust. It is so easy that while arguing to let your words just come out but I need to remember not to betray trust.

Ashlie said...

I like verse 28 and how it shows that with no self-control there is not protection or wisdom when trials come. I like also how it compares it to a city that has no protection from the enemy. It goes to show that the enemy can come upon someone who has no self-control alot easier then someone who does.

Erin said...

Proverbs 25:13, "Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters." It's important to be a good employee who is responsible and trustworthy. This verse reminds me of how I need to be a person that my boss can rely on at all times.

Lisa Griffiths said...

Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
I remember during soccer season this idea of wind and clouds with no rain is such a disappointment. There were times when I woke up at 545 every morning only praying for a huge rain storm so I could go back to bed for another hour or so, only to find no rain falling. I knew I had to then put my running shoes on and go experience physical pain for about an hour or so rather than the pleasure of sleep. I need to not be like the boaster in this passage. I think this is the first time I have actually understood what this meant. What funny experiences God places in or lives to help us understand things.

Unknown said...

“v10b - and you will never lose your bad reputation.” How difficult it is to maintain and pursue a life of integrity. What a contrast in the good v. bad arena: a good reputation is difficult to obtain and keep. It takes work and choosing to make right decisions, regardless of how tough they may be. One wrong choice, one bad word, and one may lose their good reputation – forever. How easy it seems to be able to lose the good, and find the bad. It’s the bad reputation that some are not able to rid themselves of. May we strive for a life pleasing to the God the Father. 1Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Mike T.

Nate said...

This chapter is filled with practical knowledge and one of the interesting verses is verse 20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. I do not understand this verse but I want to. Is it saying that to sing to someone with a heavy heart is like offering them a jacket on a cold day? If so that makes sense because I know that music lifts my spirits when I am down. But I do not know what thee soda and vinegar means. Basically because I don't understand the importance of those two chemicals.

Unknown said...

“It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out” (25:2).
God’s glory is manifested in many ways (e.g. creation, intervention in history, and specifically human redemption through His Son). Yet His ways and will are often hidden from human comprehension. The glory and greatness of kings, however, is manifested in their ability to make God’s ways known to those under their rule. Solomon emphasizes wisdom as research.

Renee K said...

Verse 4 is awesome - Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;

I think this just directly parallels us as Christians. (well, people in general)... If you take away the sin from our lives (the dirty filthy dross) then you have a person who is ready, willing, and able to be used as a vessel by God. It really makes me sit and evaluate and check to see what needs to be removed in my life in order for me to truly serve God with the right attitude and be fully available for His service.

Unknown said...

verse 21 grabbed my attention today, not that i have tons of enemies, but i do struggle gettin along with some, and this was a reminder to treat them with kindness

Melissa Jordan said...

I know verse 28 has been mentioned several times but it is such a good verse. Just because we are not under law does not mean we can go do whatever we want. We needed to have self control and evidence Christ dwelling within us. I really liked the verse that someone else brought up 1 Cor 6:12. I think it ties in quite nicely.