August 15, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 15
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Following Scripture Verses

1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
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.
27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Today's Pathway:
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"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility." - Proverbs 15:33

The importance of the fear of the Lord is a theme that has been often repeated in the book of Proverbs. In today's verse Solomon states that this fear is the instruction of wisdom, which means that when a man truly fears God as he ought, he is receiving wisdom. I find it interesting that he adds to this that "before honor is humility". Apparently having a proper fear of the Lord will produce humility in a man's life.

Fear will produce humility because once I understand how great God is and how insignificant I am when compared to Him, the end result will be my own humbling. My fear of God acknowledges that I realize that He can do to me whatever He pleases, and that I have no option but to follow Him. My own will does not matter, thus I certainly have nothing to be conceited about.

Humility is necessary for several reasons. First, pride is a sin (Prov. 6:17), and thus every Christian should attempt to overcome this issue in his life. Second, humility is greater than honor, for I have no control over what others may think about me, but I have complete control over how I think about myself. Since I will be held accountable for what I do, and not for what others may do, my choice to be humble becomes more important than whether or not others choose to honor me. Finally, humility is important because without it no man will ever be honored by God. God will never exalt the proud man (James 4:6), and an individual who proclaims his own goodness has received all the honor that he will ever get (Matt 6:2).

Humility comes before honor in importance, and humility comes before honor chronologically. Stop worrying about the praise of men, and humble yourself before the fearsome, Almighty God.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery