Proverbs 26 “To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge”

(Pro 26:17-21)

[Study Aired March 12, 2026]

Pro 26:17  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Pro 26:18  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
Pro 26:19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
Pro 26:20  Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Pro 26:21  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Pro 26:22  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Pro 26:23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Pro 26:24  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Pro 26:25  When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Pro 26:26  Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Pro 26:27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Pro 26:28  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

These remaining proverbs of chapter 26 have two main themes, the first being ‘The Danger of Stirring up Conflict’ which theme is contained in (Pro 26:17-21), and the second theme I’ve titled ‘The Harm and Consequences of Deceitful Speech’ which comprises the last part of the proverb which we’ll look at next week Lord willing (Pro 26:22-28).

The wars and rumours of war that are becoming more prevalent in our society are signs of the times (Mat 24:4-13) that Christ tells us are for our sakes (2Co 4:15-16) so that we can learn to hold faith with a good conscience (1Ti 1:19-20) and not get caught up in the destructive spirit of ‘brother against brother’ in this age (Mat 10:21-23).

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

1Ti 1:19  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1Ti 1:20  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, [“Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme”] and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

This prophecy of Christ (Mat 24:4-13, Mat 10:21-23) paints a very clear picture for us of what the physical and spiritual landscape of the world is going to look like before our Lord returns, and does look like today, and He is telling us to be ready and think it not strange concerning the fiery trials (1Pe 4:12) that are coming our way and have come our way as His children. These verses (Mat 24:4-13, Mat 10:21-23) tie in well with the subjects at hand in this last section of Proverbs chapter 26. The more mature bad fruit of the man of perdition is catalogued for us in many of the proverbs we will be looking at, and this 24th chapter of Matthew shows us the evil fruit of this age, the deceptive spirit of mankind that has waxed worse and worse, and is setting the stage for the return of our great King (2Ti 3:13).

Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

[many are called but few are chosen to overcome the man of perdition, “[that] man [who can and does] deceive you]”,  which is on the throne of mankind’s heart. In order for us to see this, we must have the man of perdition destroyed in our own hearts first, by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens (2Th 2:3-8)]

2Th 2:3  Let no man “no man” deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. [making no room for Christ, leaving us with the spirit of anti Christ (1Jn 4:3)]
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work [Eze 33:12-13]: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8  All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12  And because iniquity [Eze 33:13] shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.[Php 3:9]

Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children [false doctrines] shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. [what this tells us is that we will be fighting false doctrines our whole life and must endure until the end to be saved, these cities being within (Mat 24:13)]

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (Joh 8:31-32)

The Danger of Stirring Up Conflict

Pro 26:17  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

We are to watch and pray and not lose heart (Mar 13:33, Luk 18:1), knowing that God has ordained that the love of many will wax cold at the end of this age (Mat 24:12). Many will not be given that extra oil for their lamps, but God has determined from the foundation of the world who it is that will endure to the end, by being given that increase (1Co 3:6), or extra oil that comes from Him (Mat 25:3). Knowing salvation is a gift from God (Eph 2:8) and understanding the mercy that God has bestowed upon us in this age will help do away with a spirit of conceit. (Rom 11:25, Rom 12:16).

Mar 13:33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Luk 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Mat 25:3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Rom 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Our goal as the bride of Christ, as those who are being redeemed of the Lord (Psa 107:2), is to keep the focus on fulfilling His will as we look to Christ (Heb 12:1-2, Rom 12:1-2) to lead us into paths of righteousness for His name sake (Psa 1:1-3, Psa 23:3).

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[This verse in (Psa 1:1) is the direct opposing thought to  “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears”]

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.[as opposed to this “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears”]
Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Getting involved with the conflicts of this world happens when we lose sight that we are ambassadors for Christ (2Co 5:20). We need God’s discerning spirit to know how we are to walk in this evil age, circumspectly, wisely, applying our hearts unto wisdom and numbering our days (Psa 90:12 , Eph 5:15-16), as those who do not “meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears”.

2Co 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Psa 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (how we redeem the time Mar 13:33, Luk 18:1)

The image of taking  “a dog by the ears” is a parable telling us if we forcibly cast our pearls on the unbelieving and try to convince those whose ears were intended to be closed, they will turn and rend us (Mat 7:6).

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Pro 26:18  As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
Pro 26:19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

These verses warn about the danger of harming others and then pretending it was only a joke. The proverb compares such a person to a madman throwing firebrands, arrows, and deadly weapons in every direction. The image shows how reckless and destructive this behaviour is.

God’s word is also likened unto a firebrand and arrows (Psa 127:4). When we think above what is written and take license with God’s word, using it carelessly without a second or third witness (2Co 13:1), our good intentions can end up being divisive and spiritually destructive. It’s “the man” who deceives his neighbour with idols wrapped around his heart (Eze 14:4), who can also carelessly dismiss his lack of judgement and say “am not I in sport?”, meaning “I was joking”, not understanding that carelessly using God’s word is not a laughing matter. In the next couple of examples I’ve given there is again a connection with doctrine and the need to keep the word of God undefiled.

Psa 127:4  Having a lot of children to take care of you in your old age is like a warrior with a lot of [positive use] arrows. [“As a mad man who casteth firebrands, [negative use] arrows, and death”]

2Co 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Words spoken in deception or cruel humour can cause real damage to relationships, reputations, and hearts. Yet the person responsible may try to escape blame by saying, “I was only joking.” Scripture repeatedly teaches that words are powerful and must be used carefully. As (Pro 18:21) says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” and careless speech can wound as deeply as physical violence. Repentance is what is needed in a deceived heart in order to fitly frame His words of gold around pictures of silver. Silver representing repentance (Pro 25:11).

The Bible gives several examples of this harmful spirit. In (Gen 21:9), Ishmael mocked Isaac, and what may have seemed like ridicule or playful scorn created serious conflict within the family of Abraham. The situation became so severe that Sarah insisted that Ishmael and his mother leave. We know this was all played out this way for our benefit to show us an allegory of the two covenants, the first covenant being represented by the bondwoman Hagar, whose fruit of her womb, her child or doctrine, represents spiritual bondage. The second covenant represented by the free woman’s son Isaac typifies the seed of Christ or the doctrine of Christ that liberates us if we are blessed to continue in it (Gal 4:22-26, Joh 8:31-36). The cruel mocking spirit of Ishmael represents the spirit of the law of Moses which the sons of thunders possessed, and the world today still holds fast to (Luk 9:49-56, Rom 2:14).

Gal 4:22  For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Gal 4:23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:24  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Luk 9:49  And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
Luk 9:50  And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
Luk 9:51  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
Luk 9:52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
Luk 9:53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Luk 9:54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luk 9:55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. [Babylon today]
Luk 9:56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

In another example, the Philistines called for Samson to “make sport” for them in (Jdg 16:25), mocking him for their entertainment after they had captured him. Their cruel amusement treated a man’s suffering like a joke and ultimately ended in Samson bringing down the temple. In this example a “young man” guided Samson’s hands toward the pillars so that he could destroy the temple. The young man symbolizes how scripture can guide us into a place where we can destroy the idols of our hearts, and destroy those negative pillars that house and hold up the idols of our own hearts (Jdg 16:26, Mat 18:3,  Jdg 16:30).

Jdg 16:25  And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
Jdg 16:26  And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jdg 16:30  And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

Likewise, in (2Ki 2:23-24), a group of youths mocked the prophet Elisha, showing how ridicule and disrespect can quickly become serious sin. Once again, a parable is being shown and these youths represent false doctrines coming up against God’s true prophet, and resulted in those youths being destroyed, which is what God is going to do through the church with every false doctrine of Babylon within us. There are many other examples of this spirit, like the 250 men of renown (Num 16:2, 1Co 10:11), the whole congregation that rebelled (Num 14:2, 1Co 10:11), Aaron and Miriam (Num 12:1-10, 1Co 10:11), all the churches of Asia that turned away from Paul, including Phygellus Hermogenes, Titus, Crescens, and Demas (2Ti 1:15), and on and on!

2Ki 2:23  And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
2Ki 2:24  And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

The greatest example of cruel mockery is seen in the treatment of Jesus Christ. In (Mat 27:27-31), Roman soldiers mocked Him by dressing Him in a robe, placing a crown of thorns on His head, and sarcastically saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”. Scripture therefore warns believers to avoid speech that disguises cruelty as humour. Instead, our words should build others up, as (Eph 4:29) teaches: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying.”

Pro 26:20  Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Pro 26:21  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

God’s elect are being judged in this age with a judgement that is not only burning out the wood, hay, and stubble within us, but also purifying our heavens that have been blessed to have His “gold, silver, and precious stones” within us being purified (1Co 3:12-15, Jer 5:14, 1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 1:7).

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

The “talebearer” within us is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens (2Th 2:8), and the end result of this action is that “the strife ceaseth” (1Pe 4:1).

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

After we have been cleansed by God’s fiery word, through fiery trials (Jer 23:29, 1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 1:7), we must have all readiness of mind to then defend the words of Life that we’ve been given (2Co 10:3-6), not letting the coals, or wood have opportunity to flourish from a contentious man who kindles strife (Jas 3:6-7, 1Co 9:26-27).

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire (Jer 23:29, 1Pe 4:12), might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds (how we redeem the time Mar 13:33, Luk 18:1)
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Jas 3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

May the “water of the word” put out such fires! (Eph 5:26, Job 18:5)

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Job 18:5  Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

Next week Lord willing will look at the harm and consequence of deceitful speech and how by God’s grace and the faith of Christ we can come “To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” and contains all of these spiritual qualities mentioned in (Jas 3:17-18).

Jas 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

The Harm and Consequences of Deceitful Speech

Pro 26:22  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Pro 26:23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Pro 26:24  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Pro 26:25  When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Pro 26:26  Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Pro 26:27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Pro 26:28  A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” Part 1

(Pro 17:1-7)

Pro 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Pro 17:2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
Pro 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Pro 17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Pro 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Pro 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Pro 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. 

In this section of proverbs the focus will be on the subject of “godliness with contentment” and how that can be obtained by heeding the admonitions that God gives us in His word (Eph 5:14-16, Col 4:5).

Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Col 4:5  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

The verses that precede the phrase “but godliness with contentment is great gain” are these, (1Ti 6:1-5), and they help set the stage for the verses we will be looking at today to help us see what we can do through Christ to grow in a mind of thankfulness and gratitude, being content whether we have a little or a lot (Php 4:11-13).

1Ti 6:1  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. [amongst the gentiles 1Pe 2:12]
1Ti 6:2  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;(1Co 4:6)
1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Pro 17:1  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

This verse reminds us that it’s not what you have that matters (Luk 12:15), rather how you possess your souls, and that is a matter of being in a right relationship with our Father and the world around us (Deu 13:3, Mat 22:37-40, Mat 19:19).

Maybe a dry morsel doesn’t sound very appetizing to us, but when we parallel this proverb with these verses,  (Mar 7:25-29), it becomes clear that this “dry morsel” with the sound mind of Christ will bring quietness and peace to our souls.

Mar 7:25  For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
Mar 7:26  The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
Mar 7:27  But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
Mar 7:28  And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. [“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith”]
Mar 7:29  And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

The house “full of sacrifices” represents the many sacrifices being accomplished in the court, which represents the churches of this world, but there is strife there because these sacrifices do not cleanse our conscience (Heb 9:9, Heb 9:14, Heb 10:22) which is only possible by the blood of Christ and the washing of the word (Heb 9:23, 1Sa 15:22). It takes but a little faith of Christ, “a dry morsel”, “faith as a grain of mustard seed”, to remove the mountains in our life (Mat 17:20), as opposed to those days when we were spiritually blind and ever searching and not able to come to the knowledge of the truth even when we were “full of sacrifices”.

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. [“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith”] (Pro 15:16, Pro 16:8)

1Sa 15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices [“full of sacrifices”], as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Pro 17:2  A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

Christ is our wisdom (1Co 1:29-31) and the one who can give us the power to rule over “a son that causeth shame”. The “son that causeth shame” typifies the false doctrines of Babylon that by God’s grace we are rooting out of our heavens in the hope that we “shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren” as we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:9-15).

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness [“rule over a son that causeth shame”] which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Pro 17:3  The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

The “fining pot^H4715” and “the furnace^H3564” are environments that are used to refine precious metals, and are analogous of our bodies, these “earthen vessels”  in “a crucible to remove the impurities and pour into a mold” (the definition of fining pot H4715), or a “smelting furnace” (the definition of furnace H3564), where the pearl of great price is formed within us (Mat 13:46, Col 1:27), our great treasure, Christ, who is hidden in these earthen vessels that we are (2Co 4:7-10).

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. [“but the LORD trieth the hearts”]
2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Pro 17:4  A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

The wickedness of man’s heart was on display when Christ was being falsely accused by the counsels of his day (Mat 26:59-61), and we are warned by our Lord that we will go through the same thing for standing on God’s word (Luk 12:11-12).

Mat 26:59  Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Mat 26:60  But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
Mat 26:61  And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

Luk 12:11  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
Luk 12:12  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. [Joh 16:13]

Our goal then is to overcome the “wicked doer” within us and any “false lips”, and to not give ear to gossip or “a naughty tongue”. All these admonitions are expounded on, in these verses in the book of Titus (Tit 2:1-10).

Tit 2:1  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Tit 2:2  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Tit 2:3  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Tit 2:6  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Tit 2:7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Tit 2:9  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Tit 2:10  Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

How the conditions are going to be created in our hearts and minds to take on these Godly qualities spoken of in (Tit 2:1-10) is revealed in the very next verses we are so familiar with (Tit 2:11-13, Heb 12:6)

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching [paideuō] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope (We are being corrected so that we continue to look unto the author and finisher of our faith with hope in our hearts Heb 12:2, Col 1:27, Rom 12:1-2), and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [paideuō], and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Pro 17:5   Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

We all in our appointed time ‘mock the poor’, and in our ignorance we ‘reproach our Maker’ (Pro 14:31), who identifies with those who are “poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isa 66:2).

Pro 14:31  He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

It is Christ who was oppressed and mocked by His accusers for our sakes (2Co 4:15-16) so that we can  receive the comfort that our Father gave him (2Co 1:4, Heb 4:15-16) under those most humiliating circumstances (Mat 26:65-70,  Rom 8:28)

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes (Heb 4:15-16), that the abundant grace (Rom 5:10) might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Mat 26:65  Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66  What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Mat 26:67  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Mat 26:68  Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? (Rom 5:10)
Mat 26:69  Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Mat 26:70  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [Christ’s experience of evil was for the sake of His own body (Rom 5:10), the church, who are now filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ, and able to be comforted by the author and finisher of our faith unto salvation (Col 1:24)]

It is Christ who we are all naturally against at first, and the spirit of God that is within him and his body (Act 26:14), until we become God’s witnesses of these things, of his power that makes us more than conquerors through Him (Luk 24:48, Rev 11:3). Prior to that we are naturally against Christ and his Christ, and glad at the calamity of Christ lying dead in the streets of Jerusalem (Act 4:26-27, Rev 11:9-10).

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Rev 11:9  And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Rev 11:10  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; [“he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished”] because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Pro 17:6  Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

God’s word is unsearchable and the “old men” in this verse is the positive use of ‘old man’, meaning someone who is mature in the Lord and has many scriptures laid up in his or her heavens, which storing up is likened unto “children’s children” and is a crown of honour to the mature man that typifies the crown of glory that God will give to those who are in that blessed and holy first resurrection (1Pe 5:4). We glory in God in all things, and we will especially do so one day Lord willing, when see Him face to face (1Co 13:12) acknowledging all the works that He has accomplished through the weak of the world (Rev 4:10-11).

1Pe 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Rev 4:10  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Pro 17:7  Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

This last verse we will look at is a reminder to try the spirits of all men, look at the fruit of their life, and if their actions don’t add up with their words then you know that this man’s religion is in vain (Jas 1:26-27).

Jas 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The other side of this coin is to pray that our conduct and our behaviour and our speech is seasoned with salt (Col 4:6), glorifying God so that our accusers cannot find fault in finding us as princes who lips that are lying (1Pe 2:12).

Col 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt (Mar 9:49), that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

When we live a Godly and contented life, God is being glorified as great gain, or treasure is laid up in heaven for us, which He has ordained to be there from the foundation of the world (Mat 25:34, Eph 1:4, Rev 17:8, Eph 2:8-10).

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Pro 16:21-33 “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD”

(Aired on July 31, 2025)

Pro 16:21  The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Pro 16:22  Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
Pro 16:23  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Pro 16:24  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pro 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Pro 16:26  He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
Pro 16:27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
Pro 16:28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Pro 16:29  A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
Pro 16:30  He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
Pro 16:31  The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Pro 16:32  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Last week we briefly discussed how “The lot^H1486 is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD”, which is another way of saying what we read in these two verses, (Eph 1:11, Rom 8:28).

Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being;[“The lot”] as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things [“The lot”] after the counsel of his own will:

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things [“The lot”] work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The word “lot”^H1486 is the same word found in these few verses: Lev 16:8(2); Lev 16:9; Lev 16:10; Num 26:55; Num 26:56; Num 33:54, and explain with their spiritual message how and what the “the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” should mean to God’s elect today. We also recently discussed how Peter is the stone that is built upon the rock spoken of in this verse, (Mat 16:18). Peter’s lot in life is that of the elect’s predestined lot to be that stone built upon the “rockG4073”, the petra who is Christ!

H1486 Lot gôrâl    gôrâl  go-rawl’, go-ral’
From an unused root meaning to be rough (as stone); properly a pebble, that is, a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot): – lot.
Total KJV occurrences: 77

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art PeterG4074, and upon this rockG4073 I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

G4074 Petros pet’-ros
Apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle: – Peter, rock. Compare G2786.
Total KJV occurrences: 162

G4073 petra  pet’-ra
Feminine of the same as G4074; a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively): – rock.
Total KJV occurrences: 16

With these definitions in mind let’s look at these few verses that use the word “lot”^H1486 and then we can go through the last part of this chapter of proverbs that concludes with the title verse, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” [Lev 16:8(2); Lev 16:9; Lev 16:10; Num 26:55; Num 26:56; Num 33:54”].

Lev 16:8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; (Act 4:27-28) one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat (Rom 8:28).
Lev 16:9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering (Psa 22:18, Joh 19:24, Act 4:27-28).
Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive (Rom 6:11, 1Co 15:22) before the LORD, to make an atonement with him,(1Jn 4:17) and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness (Col 1:24).

Num 26:55  Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
Num 26:56  According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few (Mat 22:14, Psa 139:16).

Let’s also remember that God spoke our existence into reality, the “lot”^H1486 (Col 1:16), which we naturally think of as our lot that is cast into our lap, when in reality, it is God who created all things, to work out His own plan and purpose which is unfolding in this prescribed manner, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” (Php 2:12-13).

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

All our books are written by God (Psa 139:16) so again what appears to be disorder from the human vantage point is a perfectly ordered plan all being worked according to the counsel of Him, who works “all things” after the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11, Rom 8:28).

Psa 139:16 Your eyes saw my embryo, And my days, all of them were written upon Your scroll; The days were formed When there was not one of them.”

Our first verse:

Pro 16:21  The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

God’s word is like honey on our lips that we love, and it increases our learning, and once we ingest that honey it becomes bitter in our belly (Rev 10:9-10) to the end that God’s word would sanctify us and give us a wise heart that becomes prudent through much tribulation in this life. That is what it takes for the honey to be digested (Act 14:22). Christ is our wisdom and the one working in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure, which is to see that the trial of our faith will occur and produce something precious in the eyes of our Father (1Pe 1:7, Psa 116:15, 1Co 15:31).

Rev 10:9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
Rev 10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

1Pe 1:7 that the testing of your faith, much more precious than gold which is perishing, yet, being tested by fire, may be found for applause and glory and honor at the unveiling of Jesus Christ,

Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints [bitter death of the first man Adam within us through the sword of his word].

1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Pro 16:22   Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Without the keys to the kingdom which are a gift from God (Mat 16:19), our wisdom, our instruction is as that of a fool’s folly (Pro 14:7-9, 1Co 2:6-8).

Pro 14:7  Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
Pro 14:8  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Pro 14:9  Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

1Co 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: (Mat 25:29)
1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8  Which none of the princes of this world knew: (Isa 3:1) for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

It’s not anyone’s fault that they can’t see or hear spiritually, it is what God has ordained to hide the truth from the masses through the parables (Mat 13:10-11), and with the same parables give “a wellspring of life unto him that hath it”(Joh 4:10).

Mat 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Joh 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Those who have it, have it because of God’s mercy that has opened our spiritual eyes and ears, and we know that God is no respecter of persons, so we must not be highminded with this understanding, thinking somehow that we figured it out by ourselves (Rom 11:20, 1Ti 6:17, 2Ti 3:4), but rather understand that unlike this woman (Joh 4:13-15) who was with Christ in the flesh, we are being dragged to Christ as God’s children and provoked unto love and good works through Christ and His body (Tit 2:14)

Joh 4:13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Joh 4:15  The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Pro 16:23  The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Our whole life is now earmarked to add learning to our lips, like the ‘noble Bereans’ Lord willing, who were given that wise heart that is not just seeking but also finding treasures daily in God’s word (Heb 11:6), adding learning to his lips (Act 17:11).

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The lips must be purged with God’s fiery trials in our lives (Isa 6:6-7) as God’s workmanship whose good pleasure is to give us His kingdom which we can receive as a result of Him trying us (Act 14:22, Heb 12:6) in this life, which will in time, “make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1Pe 5:10).

Isa 6:6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Pro 16:24  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

We’re all growing in learning how to speak pleasant words that are as an honeycomb as we are dragged to Christ (Joh 6:44). It is such a blessing to be encouraged or to encourage others in the body of Christ, and when we go through trials the God of all comfort (2Co 1:3-4) will comfort us to that end that, with that comfort He gives us, we can then bring that same comfort to our body (Col 1:24) and it will be “health to the bones” (Eph 5:30).

2Co 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Pro 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

This proverb is twice mentioned (Pro 14:12, Pro 16:25) as a witness (2) against all flesh whose natural inclination leads to death. That is how God made us, and only Christ can turn the tide of carnality by setting us free from sin (Joh 8:36, 2Co 3:17, Rom 8:14-16), from the self-righteous spirit that wants to do our own will (Php 3:9) and does not know better that God’s ways lead to life and not death (Joh 14:6, Joh 6:44).

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Pro 16:26  He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

We hopefully are being blessed to be given a hunger and thirst for righteousness in this age (Mat 5:6), labouring in the word (Joh 6:27, Joh 4:32), craving those things that will lead to growth so that we can have something to give to others, both physically and spiritually (Eph 4:28-32).

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Joh 4:32  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Pro 16:27  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Imagine getting a shovel and going down to a graveyard and digging up someone’s physical bones. That is what we do when we dig up the past of those who have been made white by the blood of the lamb, and in doing so we are guilty of counting that sacrifice of Christ of no value (Heb 10:29).

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, [digging up dead men’s bones including your own] and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

This ungodly man who is at the door of our hearts is called “the accuser of our brethren” (Rev 12:10) and only Christ can rule over him and cast him down within us, which He will do if our names our written in heaven (Luk 10:18-20). Otherwise our lips will continue to be the opposite of the lips that are being saved by God’s chastening grace, bringing forth our own self-righteous condemnation of others and our own selves with lips that are “as a burning fire”.

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Luk 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven [cast down].
Luk 10:19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Pro 16:28  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Here’s a little more information regarding how the devil’s devises work, which we are not ignorant of  (2Co 2:10-11).

2Co 2:10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; [one body whose actions can affect each other positively or negatively]
2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

It is the froward or perverse mawerrn who sows contention or strife, as opposed to these words “be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”. With such a spirit that soweth strife, and gossips with the intention of separating chief friends, we have these verses that remind us of what an abomination this all is unto God (Pro 6:16-19).

Pro 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Pro 6:19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Pro 16:29  A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

Was I ever this violent man? At one point we do think, ‘no Lord I was not’, then by the grace of God we are brought into remembrance of what great violence we did to the word of God and in our ignorance enticed ‘my neighbour’ to believe the lies that we were convinced was truth at that time. So yes, we are all guilty of being the one who “leadeth him into the way that is not good” because the way that seems right to us leads to death until we are shown better.

Pro 16:30  He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

It came very naturally to us to devise froward things in our hearts, and the Lord answered us according to the idol of our own hearts to reinforce our deception at that time (Mat 25:24-26). Our eyes were shut to the truth, and our hearts were hardened so that our former way of life was filled with lips that continually brought evil to pass (Gen 6:5).

Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: [Eze 14:4]

Gen 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Pro 16:31  The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Christ is the way of righteousness, and despite what all the religions of this world teach, there is only one “hoary head” that can lead us unto God (Rev 1:14), and it is the Father who is dragging His workmanship to Christ so that “through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” can be experienced in this life (Php 3:9).

Rev 1:14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness [hoary head not found by way of the righteousness of Christ], which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Pro 16:32  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

This powerful verse, parallels with these verses, (Ecc 9:14-18), that speak of our hope of glory within, Christ (Col 1:27), who is the “poor wise man”, of a humble, poor and contrite spirit who gives us victory over our spirits within (Php 2:12-13) making us, by God’s grace, able to be “slow to anger” and  “better than the mighty” as we’re given power to rule over the powers and principalities of this world, becoming more than conquerors through Christ, ruling over “his spirit” our spirit within, through our Lord who is higher than all the powers and principalities that we wrestle against (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21-23).

Ecc 9:14  There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it [Satan the man of perdition], and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
Ecc 9:15  Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
Ecc 9:16  Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard [Luk 6:46].
Ecc 9:17  The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Ecc 9:18  Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

These verses we’ve just read, (Ecc 9:14-18), are as much ‘the lot that is cast into the lap’ as any other part of God’s word that we live by (Mat 4:4). All things are ours (1Co 3:21-23) “but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” who is working all things according to the counsel of His own will.

1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; [The lot is cast into the lap]
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

Let us give thanks and praise to God for his mercy and goodness toward His little flock in this age that is experiencing all things working together for good as his love is shed abroad in our hearts to fulfill His will, his purpose that we’ve been called unto (Psa 30:4-12, Rom 8:28).

Psa 30:4  Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psa 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psa 30:10  Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
Psa 30:11  Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Psa 30:12  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Pro 10:15-32 “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city”

[Study Aired February 13, 2025]

This section of proverbs talks a lot about the mouth and the lips, so I thought it would be instructive to start off with these two contrasting verses, (Mal 2:7, Mat 15:8), that show us the negative and positive application of these words.

Mal 2:7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Little and by little the lips of the elect are being purified (Exo 23:30, Isa 6:7), so that we can lay up treasure in heaven in a “strong city” (Eph 4:26, Heb 11:10) that represents Christ and His christ, where “neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Mat 6:19-20, Rev 21:23-27). This is the foundation of good works that we talked about last week that God’s elect are blessed to lay up, as we present our whole lives as living sacrifices unto God (Mal 3:10, Mat 6:33).

Christ is our strong city who enriches our lives with the tree of life, or the book of life, within us. Here are some verses, (Gen 3:24, Pro 3:18, Pro 11:30, Pro 13:12 , Pro 15:4), that demonstrate how we can become spiritually wealthy in the Lord who is “a tree of life”; and the rest of these proverbs in chapter ten reveal the blessing of being God’s elect, with the life of Christ within them now, and what powerful promises and hope we have as a result of God’s mercy being shown to us in this age (Rom 11:31-32) via the relationship that we have with our Father and Christ, “At that day” (Joh 14:20, Joh 17:3).

Pro 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

As long as we are in these earthen vessels, these proverbs will serve to show us the light and dark side of the pillar within us, admonishing us and keeping us spiritually alive and quickened (Joh 6:63) as we are given to rightly divide the message that will “give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” (Pro 1:4).

Pro 10:15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

A “city” in God’s word represents ‘a church’, and the “general assembly and church of the firstborn” (Heb 12:23) is where “the rich man’s wealth” is found, the rich man being Christ who is the head of the church that is “his strong city”. We are of course talking about spiritual riches that come in the form of the words of eternal life that Christ gives freely to those who thirst for them (Joh 6:68, Joh 7:37-38).

Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.[Mat 5:6]

One day all the world will hunger and thirst for righteousness, and will be brought to acknowledge their own blindness and spiritual poverty that currently has the churches of this world thinking they are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing (Rev 3:17-18).

Pro 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Our labour in this life must tend to the life of Christ within each of us (Col 1:27), and if Christ is in us, our love and concern for one another will grow and be reflected in the communion and discipleship we’ve been called to continue in through this life (1Co 10:16-17, Joh 13:35, Joh 8:31-32).

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The “fruit of the wicked” needs to be rooted and burnt out of us. The self-centered man in me does not come to serve his body, but looks only to my needs and not the needs of others (Php 2:3-8). That is “the fruit of the wicked to sin”, which is rich toward itself and not sacrificial toward others (Luk 21:1-4, Luk 12:16-21, Mat 25:40, Mat 25:45).

Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Luk 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Luk 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

It is the witness of “two mites” that are put into the treasury (in Luk 21:2 above) that represent the life of Christ within us who is the only one who can give us the power (Php 2:12-13, Rev 11:3) to be presented as living sacrifices [witnesses] who lay down our lives for one and other (Rom 12:1-2, Heb 12:1-2) . The poor widow’s gift is symbolically being laid up in heaven (Mat 6:20-21), whereas the self-righteous many wonderful works that we do in the earth without acknowledging the hand of God in all, is the treasure that is in fact buried in the treasuries of the earth to bear witness against us, where we receive our reward of men in this age (Mat 7:22, Mat 25:25, Mat 25:18, Mat 25:24-30, Mat 6:2).

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is (2Co 4:7), there will your heart [Eze 36:26] be also.

Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? [“Strong delusion”] and in thy name done many wonderful works? [“hid thy talent in the earth”]

Pro 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Last week we talked about the importance of laying up store, and this proverb is another admonition for us to not grow weary in well doing for in due season we will reap if we faint not. Our labours in the Lord are not in vain and the way of life is to keep instruction, and we find our safety in the body of Christ through the counsel that God provides as spiritual meat in due season through the church (Eph 3:10) [“He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction”].

God willing, He will give us that hunger and thirst for righteousness that can come from him alone (Mat 5:6), so that we remain intreatable like a humble child (Jas 3:17, Mat 18:3) not refusing the reproof that God gives every son whom He loves and receives in this life (Pro 10:17). These verses below show the result of being one who receives reproof, or one who becomes hardened through not receiving God’s reproof.

positive reactions to reproof:

Job 26:11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

Pro 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Pro 15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

negative reactions to reproof:

Pro 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

Pro 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Pro 5:12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

Pro 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

both negative and positive reactions to reproof:

Pro 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Pro 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Pro 15:5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Pro 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Pro 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Pro 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

This last verse regarding ‘reproof’ reminds us that “all the promises of God in him are yea” (2Co 1:20), and are all profitable unto the one that God is working with in this age:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Pro 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

God sees our hearts, and we are deluding ourselves if we think otherwise [like Adam and Eve trying to hide from God in the garden of Eden]. Hiding hatred is akin to having a root of bitterness that goes unexamined. God must grant us to be introspective and examine ourselves that no root of bitterness, toward God or man exists in our heavens (Eph 4:31, Heb 12:15)

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

We lie to ourselves when we don’t see the need to go to our brother ‘between you and him alone’, or if we refuse to confess our faults when we’ve done wrong to someone. Lying lips have to be purged by God in this life if we are going to be profitable servants who don’t slander. ‘Slander’ is the exact opposite of covering each other’s sins, and such foolish behavior is destructive and hated of our Father (Pro 6:16, Pro 6:19)

Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Pro 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Pro 10:19  When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise. (NET)

Another couple of verses that correlate with this proverb are these: (Ecc 5:2, 1Co 14:19, Mat 23:12).

Ecc 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God (When words abound, transgression is inevitable): for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few (he that refraineth his lips is wise).

1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased (When words abound, transgression is inevitable); and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (he that refraineth his lips is wise).

Pro 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

A repentant heart, a contrite and broken heart (Isa 66:2), is someone who has a tongue of “choice silver” because of the fiery process of repentance that they have endured making it possible for living waters to spring forth from their bellies, symbolized by the “five words” spoken with the understanding mind of Christ (1Co 14:19). God is producing rivers of living waters through each joint that supplies, as He works in our lives and destroys the heart of the wicked that is of “little worth” within us (1Co 3:17) as it defiles the temple of God.

1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Many are called, but few are chosen to have our initially defiled lips purified in this age so that in time the purified bride of Christ will “feed many”. In order for this to happen, the fool within me who thinks he can obtain the kingdom by my own might and power, by my own wisdom, must be destroyed daily so that the living waters can spring forth via the power of God (1Co 2:3-6).

Pro 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

The spiritual blessing of the Lord enriches our life and leads to a liberty that cannot be produced in Babylon where we are promised liberty but it is never found because of our inability at that time to be led of the spirit of God, where there will be true liberty (2Pe 2:19-20, Rom 8:14-15, 2Co 3:17).

2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it”, because He has promised that He will meet our every need (Rom 5:10) via the riches that God supplies through Christ (Php 4:19).

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Pro 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

The wisdom of Christ within the body of Christ keeps us from the mischievous spirits of this world where we once ran to the same excess (Eph 2:1-5) following the pulls of our foolish flesh which we must still continue to keep under all our days in order to be a man of understanding who has wisdom and knows how to make war against the powers and principalities we wrestle against by God’s power within us (Eph 6:12, Zec 4:6).

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Pro 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

Perfect love casts out fear (Rom 5:1-4, 1Jn 4:18), and it is a curse to have debilitating fear in this life. Scripture shows us that victory over fear is a gift from God who sheds his love abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5-6).

He does not always take away the circumstances that may cause us to start to fear, but when we pray and come boldly before the throne of God, “the desire of the righteous shall be granted”. That desire to overcome fear is something God will grant His children and freely give to us, as we boldly face our fears and conquer them through Christ (Rom 8:28, Rom 8:32). That carnal Adamic fear is replaced with a Godly fear of our Creator, and with such a spirit within us, we are as Christ was (1Jn 4:17) and we are heard of God (Heb 5:7).

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Pro 10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

It takes the Lord raising the storm in our life (Psa 107:24-25, Eph 2:10), “the whirlwind^H5492 that does pass”, to create the foundation of Christ in our hearts and minds, “but the righteous is an everlasting foundation” (Mat 16:18).

Psa 107:24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
Psa 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Whirlwind H5492 sûphâh soo-faw’
From H5486; a hurricane: – Red Sea, storm, tempest, whirlwind, Red sea.
Total KJV occurrences: 16

Pro 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

Both experiences of vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes are indicators of what the sluggard produces spiritually. Both ingredients are irritants, one to the teeth and the other to the eyes. Vinegar  symbolizes the word of God that has been improperly stored, not preserved correctly by the slothful man in me who forgets God’s words of reproof and cannot produce spiritual meat in due season (wine gone bad). Smoke is produced more abundantly when a fire is not kindled properly, which produces an unclean environment, just like a wick that has not been trimmed (Mat 25:7). Christ sends our first man Adam into the wilderness and this is all we can produce at first, vinegar and smoke, until the Lord gives us power to do otherwise.

Here’s an interesting translation from the [CAB] version: Pro 10:26 As a sour grape is hurtful to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so iniquity hurts those that practice it.

It is the iniquity in our lives which is self-righteousness that causes us to produce these types of fruit, vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, that reveal that it is our works being manifested and not the power of God that preserves us (Php 3:9, 1Co 2:5).

Pro 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Pro 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

God is going to preserve His saints by doing a quick work in the body of Christ. The quick work is the destruction of our old man in this life, “the years of the wicked shall be shortened”. The result of this adamic destruction in this age is that our days will be prolonged because of our fear of God working in our lives so that we can be heard of our Father, we can be judged in this age, we can be dragged to Christ, and we can inherit the Kingdom and be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Heb 5:7, 1Jn 4:17).

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Our hope of glory is in Christ (Col 1:27), and we understand that our deceitful and desperately wicked hearts (Jer 17:9) shall perish and not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co 15:50). This is “The hope of the righteous” that makes us ‘glad’.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Pro 10:29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

If we truly believe that Christ is our righteousness, our strength, our wealth, then the workers of iniquity, which is self-righteousness will be destroyed by the brightness of his coming into our lives (2Th 2:8). God must grant us that we decrease and that our Lord increase, and if He is building that spiritual house within us in this age, that is what is going to happen (Joh 3:30, Psa 127:1).

Pro 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

This proverb confirms that there is no rapture, as we’re reminded the “righteous shall never be removed” however the wicked shall not inherit the earth. Inwardly this is the main point for God’s elect today, as we are called to notice the foundation of Christ’s life being formed within the body of Christ that shall never be removed (Mat 16:18, Mat 24:40-42).

Mat 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Pro 10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Christ has to cut out the froward tongue in our lives if we are going to become just stewards of His word who bring forth wisdom. It’s not just our tongue that must be cut out (Mat 5:29-30), but anything that is going to hinder our reaching the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ (Php 3:14) that awaits those who have respect unto the recompense of the reward and demonstrate that respect by holding “fast the profession of our faith without wavering” (Heb 10:23).

Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised:)

Pro 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

We are naturally froward unless God is humbling us by the life of Christ within us who makes it possible for us to be accepted of our Father (Eph 1:6), through the judgement and trials that humble us. Christ is the one who delivers us daily from our otherwise froward spirit, humbling our hearts through affliction, persecution, tribulation and suffering so that His power can rest upon us and we can be found with His righteousness in our lives and not our own (Php 3:9). That is the narrow way God’s elect have been called unto that is found through a lifetime of judgement (1Pe 4:16-19) which will produce great spiritual riches within the body of Christ, [“The rich man’s wealth is his strong city” (Psa 19:13-14)].

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Psa 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Amen!