April 12, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 12
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Following Scripture Verses

1. Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Today's Pathway:
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"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise" - Proverbs 12:15

It is normal for an individual to believe that his ideas are correct. After all, we usually believe ourselves to be intelligent and thoughtful, therefore once we have considered a matter our opinions are probably correct, aren't they?. Solomon writes that only a fool considers himself to always be right. A man who is wise will seek out the advice of those who have greater knowledge and experience than he does and at least listen to what they have to say.

There needs to be an explanation here. Any believer who is right with God can seek wisdom from the Word of God and be directed by the Holy Spirit to make a proper decision without the benefit of outside counsel. This is what James 1:5 teaches. I do not believe that a man must get advice from his spiritual leader before he makes every decision in his life, for he and his pastor are reading the same Bible and have the same Holy Spirit. I certainly don't believe that a pastor has "veto power" in a man's life, for God never expressly gives this power, and the possibility always exists that the pastor isn't in a right relationship with God, and thus does not know His leading himself. However, I believe that God has placed people around us who can both encourage and instruct us, and we would be wise to seek out some of the wisdom that God has given them.

Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to "lean not unto thine own understanding". Rather than foolishly trust in ourselves, let's determine that we will trust first and foremost in the counsel of the Word of God, and if need be we will seek the Biblical advice of those whom the Lord has given us to provide for our spiritual edification.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery