Proverbs 26 “To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” Part 4  

(Pro 26:13-16)

[Study Aired March 5, 2026]

Pro 26:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Pro 26:14  As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
Pro 26:15  The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Pro 26:16  The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

In this study of (Pro 26:13-16) we’ll review how Christ who is our wisdom (1Co 1:30) works within our hearts and minds (Jer 17:9) to lead us unto repentance (Rom 2:4) by the power of God’s holy spirit. God’s words which are spirit (Joh 6:63) become a lamp unto our path (Psa 119:105), that helps us discern His will that takes us out of a direction of spiritual slothfulness into a liberty in Christ, that produces a zealousness to do what is right in the temple of God that is being cleansed as we are “changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (Rom 8:14-17, 2Co 7:9-11 ,  2Co 3:17-18).

2Co 7:11  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Paul beseeches us (Rom 12:1-3) to present our lives a living sacrifice in order to overcome this slothful spirit, and John also explains the same message of not loving the world or being conformed to it so that we can discern the will of God (1Jn 2:15-17) which, when accomplished by God’s holy spirit within us (Zec 4:6, 2Co 3:17), will lead us into the glorious liberty of the children of God, even now (Joh 2:17, Rom 8:21, 1Jn 3:1).

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (Joh 17:3)

Joh 2:17  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. (1Co 3:16, Php 2:12-13)

Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

In order “to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge”(Joh 17:3), we must be granted to see all these negative traits found in these proverbs, within our own heavens first (Pro 16:4), and continue to overcome them by the goodness of God that is expressed in “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering” (Rom 2:4) traits of our heavenly Father that are used to continue to receive his children in this age (Heb 12:6, Tit 2:12-13).

Pro 26:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

This verse can be seen as referring to Christ who is the lion of the tribe of David who is the way, the narrow way in the streets, meaning in life, where God willing we are being consumed by His zealous spirit that is working within us both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure (Rev 5:4-5, Mat 7:13-14, Php 2:12-13).

Adam and Eve hid themselves in the garden and did not want to be judged by Christ who is the lion in the streets (Gen 3:8). God’s elect are being dragged to the altar which is the cross, where we die daily (Joh 6:44, 1Co 15:31) for the purpose of being cleansed by that light that is Christ within us, our hope of glory who is able to cleanse the temple from all sin (1Jn 1:6-10, 1Jn 3:1-3).

1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:(Heb 10:25)
1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.(Col 1:27, Rom 8:9)

The lion in the street can also be taken as meaning Satan who is the god of this world going to and fro seeking who he may devour in the streets (Job 1:7, 1Pe 5:6-8).

Job 1:7  And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The solution to overcoming the second lion is found by drawing close to Christ who is greater than him who is in the world (Jas 4:7-10, Luk 18:1, 1Pe 5:6-7, Php 4:6-7, Luk 22:31-32, 1Jn 4:4).

Jas 4:9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

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

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:(Luk 18:1, 1Jn 4:17) and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Pro 26:14  As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

There is a negative and positive use of a door and a bed, and the negative door is the one that “the door turneth upon his hinges” like “the slothful upon his bed”.

Pro 26:14  Lazy people turn over in bed. They get no farther than a door swinging on its hinges. (GNB)

Positively, the “bed” is undefiled in Christ because our labours in Him are holy and undefiled, and predestined from the foundation of the world (Heb 4:3, Eph 1:3-5, Heb 6:1).

Heb 4:3  For we which have believed [Joh 6:28-29] do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest [a predestined work] to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest [Php 2:12-13], he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest [Php 2:12-13], lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

[not acknowledging Christ doing the work within us is equated with slothful unbelief, and doing the work is equated with the faith of Christ “we which have believed [Joh 6:28-29] do enter into rest”].

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [Luk 12:32, Luk 17:21]

Those works are being accomplished not by might or power but by God’s holy spirit, via the “door” (Php 2:12-13) who makes a way for us to bring forth much fruit through that door, that vine that Christ is to us.

If we contrast Jonah (Jon 1:4-6) with Christ (Mar 4:38-41) who are both asleep in ships in these stories it will help us understand how we are to enter into Christ’s rest through labouring in the word (Heb 3:18, Heb 4:11)

Jon 1:4  And the Lord sent out a great wind on to the sea and there was a violent storm in the sea, so that the ship seemed in danger of being broken.
Jon 1:5  Then the sailors were full of fear, every man crying to his god; and the goods in the ship were dropped out into the sea to make the weight less. But Jonah had gone down into the inmost part of the ship where he was stretched out in a deep sleep.

[We all start off as the foolish virgin as typified by Jonah in this story, and if we are God’s elect He deals with our spiritual inattentiveness, or slothfulness (Mat 25:5, Mat 26:40-41)]

Jon 1:6  And the ship’s captain came to him and said to him, What are you doing sleeping? Up! say a prayer to your God, if by chance God will give a thought to us, so that we may not come to destruction.

[trim your lamp by chance your God will give a thought to us]

Mar 4:37  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mar 4:38  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mar 4:39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

[Christ (Mat 25:4) our hope of glory within (Col 1:27), is in the hinder part of the ship G4403, the area where the stern is, which is critical for the navigation of the ship Psa 107:13, Psa 107:19, Php 2:12-13]

Mar 4:40  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

[Christ’s rhetorical question because no faith had yet been given]

Mar 4:41  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

[they were still focused on the outward miracle and not able to answer Christ as to why they have no faith. This all representing us before we were given the faith of Christ that makes it possible for us to enter into Christ’s rest]

Heb 3:18  And to whom did he make an oath that they might not come into his rest? was it not to those who went against his orders?
Heb 3:19  So we see that they were not able to go in because they had no belief. (1Jn 5:4)

Pro 26:15  The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

A strong illustration of (Pro 26:15) is found in the Parable of the Talents in (Mat 25:24-30). The servant who received one talent hid it in the ground, did nothing with it, and excused his inaction. This mirrors the proverb well: the sluggard hides his hand, and the servant hides his talent in the earth, earth, earth that we are (Jer 22:29). Both avoid exertion, and both suffer loss because of their unwillingness to act. It takes God’s process of judgements in our earth, earth, earth for us to become a special people who are zealous of good works (Tit 2:14).

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.

The servant was not asked to do something extreme—only to use what he had been given—yet even that felt like too much. His inactivity is a parable telling us what Christ told us, that we could of our own selves do nothing without him (Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5).

Joh 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Those works, are works which are being done in the earth where the talent was buried. This is the point of the proverb and that parable of Christ, that the world does not understand and neither do God’s elect until were given to see that it is only Christ who can do those works through us as we continue to abide in the vine (Joh 15:5).

If we don’t acknowledge that it is Christ, and that we don’t have free will, those works are yet talents in the earth, symbolized by the unaccepted wheat offering of Cain that was not upon a burnt offering as his brother Abel’s was (Gen 4:3-7).

Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

A similar pattern appears in the account of the foolish virgins in (Mat 25:1-13). They brought lamps but failed to bring oil. They began the process but did not prepare fully. Like the sluggard who will not finish lifting food to his mouth, they started but did not follow through, and their lack of readiness cost them dearly and is an admonition that by God’s grace and the faith of Christ (Eph 2:8-9), God’s elect will take heed in this age and be made ready and scarcely be saved through a process of judgement (1Pe 4:17-18).

This again is another parable that admonishes God’s elect and reminds us that we are being received of God to burn this spirit of the sluggard out of us (Heb 12:6, Tit 2:11-12), so that ultimately we can glorify God with the predestined works that He has called the body of Christ unto.

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.

In our appointed time we are the first to say ‘haven’t I done many wonderful works, haven’t I trimmed my lamp’, etc. The truth is that once that man of perdition is destroyed from the temple of our hearts where we boast in our flesh,  then all such boasting is done away by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens that tries our faith, so that it becomes precious in God’s sight (2Th 2:3-8,  Rom 3:27, 1Pe 1:7).

It is Christ’s tried faith that puts an end to that boastful spirit and then we begin to no longer hide our talent in the earth but rather lay up treasure in heaven through Christ (Mat 6:20). The only works that are accepted of God are those that are accompanied with a burnt offering that symbolizes our acknowledging that Christ is the one doing the work through us. The many who come up in the great white throne, lake of fire judgement, second resurrection, are the majority of humanity who did not have God’s spirit within them, and like the rich young ruler whom Christ loved (Mar 10:21), cannot follow Christ in this age, and will come up in the second resurrection claiming they have done many wonderful works, not knowing that those works were all hidden in the earth, like the talent that was buried in the earth (Mat 19:23, Mat 25:18).

Mat 19:23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

Another vivid example is the neglected field described in (Pro 24:30-34). The field is overgrown with thorns, the wall broken down, and everything deteriorated through neglect. The owner likely once intended to tend it, but repeated small acts of avoidance that led to ruin. This captures the “it grieveth him” mindset—where even necessary effort feels burdensome. In each case, what was needed was not extraordinary strength, but simple, faithful action that was continually put off.

Once again the story was written for God’s elect today to remind us that if we are faithful in little we will be faithful in lots (Luk 16:10), and that faithfulness will stem from our being given to not neglect so great a salvation, as God drags us to Christ, who permits us to bring forth much fruit to His glory in whom we first trusted (Heb 6:3, Eph 1:12). In other words we bring nothing to the table, and despite ourselves what God has started in us He will finish through the author and finisher of our faith, not by our might, or power, but by God’s holy spirit (Zec 4:6).

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Pro 26:16  The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

It takes a miracle for us to finally confess that we ‘are the man’ (2Sa 12:7) and that all our wise indictments of others’ bad behaviour is pointless and hypocritical if we don’t see ourselves as the chief of sinners in need of going through much tribulation, all the seals, trumpets, and vials, in order to enter into His rest. We can’t naturally do this in our flesh which does not have the power or might to open those seals without Christ giving us the power to do so. A process of judgement is being granted to the body of Christ in this age that can only be accomplished through Christ (Rev 13:4, Rev 5:1-5, 1Pe 4:17-18).

2Sa 12:7  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Rev 5:1  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Rev 5:2  And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Rev 5:3  And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:4  And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.(Col 1:27)

The sluggard who is wise in his own conceits is each one of us, who can’t hear  “seven men that can render a reason” because of that conceit in our hearts that needs to be burnt out by the seals, the trumpets and the vials of God so that we can enter into the temple of God (Rev 15:8).

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

The seven men represent the complete counsel of the church which the spiritual sluggard in me cannot receive until that spirit is burnt out of me through judgement. We are confident in our flesh that we can do what God asks of us, but in reality it is only Christ in us as, our hope of glory who can make a way where there seems to be none so that we can drink the cup that we are called unto (Mat 20:22-23).

Mat 20:22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

“Fret not thyself because of evil men,
neither be thou envious at the wicked” – Part 2

(Pro 24:19-34)

[Study Aired January 15, 2026]

Pro 24:19  Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
Pro 24:20  For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
Pro 24:21  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
Pro 24:22  For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
Pro 24:23  These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Pro 24:24  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
Pro 24:25  But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Pro 24:26  Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
Pro 24:27  Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Pro 24:28  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Pro 24:29  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Pro 24:30  I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Pro 24:31  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Pro 24:32  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Pro 24:33  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Pro 24:34  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

In this section of Proverbs 24 we’ll look at how these verses, as we do with all of God’s word, apply to us inwardly as we examine ourselves whether we be in the faith or not, using God’s word to prove our own selves to that end (2Co 13:5, Col 1:27).

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Pro 24:19  Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
Pro 24:20  For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

The candle in (Pro 24:20) represents God’s word (Rev 1:12-13) that we have wrapped around the idols of our hearts (Eze 14:3, Mat 6:21-23), idols that need to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens (2Th 2:3, Col 1:24) so that we can be one body full of light, “if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light”, overcoming through Christ (Mat 5:14, Joh 8:12, Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5, Col 1:27).

Satan’s ongoing goal is to sift the body of Christ by taking away that singleness (2Co 11:3) that is in Him, and Christ’s goal through His body is to give us the might and strength to fight a good fight of faith to maintain that unity of the spirit (1Ti 6:12, Eph 4:13)

Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.[wrapped around an idol of the heart Eze 14:3 or set on things above Col 3:2]
Mat 6:22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity^G572(singleness) that is in Christ.

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

G572 haplotēs hap-lot’-ace
From G573; singleness, that is, (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal): – bountifulness, liberal (-ity), simplicity, singleness.
Total KJV occurrences: 8

In verse 19 we are admonished to fret not because of the evil in this world [within and without]. Notice the words “men and man” are in italics in these opening verses, taking the focus off of the sin within ourselves, “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked”. We are not to be beset by the destruction of sin process (Heb 12:1-4) which we are enduring through Christ, even though no chastening “seemeth to be joyous” when you’re going through it (Heb 12:6, Heb 12:11). We are not to be envious at the wicked of our past (Php 3:13), or the wicked in this world, our former conversation (Mat 24:17-19, Gal 4:7-11, Eph 4:22, Eph 2:1-4). Rather we are to flee to Christ who gives us the power to flee fornication (1Co 6:18), idolatry (1Co 10:14), youthful lusts (2Ti 2:22) and riches (Pro 23:5), so we can receive a reward (Rev 20:6).

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
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.
Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.[the contradiction of sinners against himself, against His body]

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (flee to Christ, look to Christ Psa 121:1)
Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Eph 4:20  But ye have not so learned Christ;
Eph 4:21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man,[your former “house”, your former “clothes”] which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Jud 1:23)

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

(These verses in (Eph 2:4-5) remind us that God loves us and knows the daily struggle we have against sin in our members and yet He is “rich in mercy”, mercy that is shown by giving us much tribulation as we die daily, so we can inherit the kingdom of God within, day by day (Act 14:22, Luk 17:21, Rev 11:15))

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Pro 24:21  My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
Pro 24:22  For their calamity^H343 shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

God does not change (Mal 3:6) in a world that is unstable and ever changing where we are blessed to know the whole counsel of God’s will is being fulfilled (Eph 1:11-12). Our calling is to “fear thou the LORD and the king”(Ecc 12:13) and to not fear or meddle with the unstable affairs of this world, the wars and rumours of wars without, of which God has willed without so that His children can be witnesses of His power that makes it possible for us to be ambassadors and soldiers for in Christ in this dark world, and who are not troubled by such things (Mat 24:6-7, 2Co 4:15).

Mal 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

H343 calamity ‘êyd ade
From the same as H181 (in the sense of bending down); oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin: – calamity, destruction.
Total KJV occurrences: 24

The calamities that “rise suddenly” are connected to the plagues that God is going to pour out upon this world when Christ returns with the saints, also likened unto the days of Noah (Mat 24:37-39). The elect will be used to baptize the world with the undefiled word of God, that will be a plague against all carnal thinking (Rev 18:4, Hab 2:14). God knows the ruin of them both (those who don’t fear the Lord and are given to change), and commands us to “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues”. God’s judgement is upon His people now (1Pe 4:17), as we experience those calamities via the seven last plagues [seals, trumpets and vials] being poured out upon us now, so we don’t need to be judged later (Rev 15:8, 1Co 11:31-32).

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came (Mal 3:18), and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.(Heb 12:6)

The good news is that God is moving the world (Act 17:28) in the direction that is according to the counsel of His will (Dan 2:20-22, Act 17:28), with a desire within Him that will be obtained to save all of His creation in time, each man in his own order (Eph 1:11, 1Co 15:22,  Job 23:13-14).

Job 23:13  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
Job 23:14  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

Pro 24:23  These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Pro 24:24  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
Pro 24:25  But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Pro 24:26  Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

Inwardly we are being told in this proverb to not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, which is what Babylon does when they call “light” ‘dark’, and “dark” ‘light’ (Act 20:27, Isa 5:20). We judge this way when we think that anyone, including Christ, in this sinful flesh, can judge righteous judgement of himself independent of God (Joh 5:30).

Act 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.(Eph 1:11)

Joh 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (When we seek God’s will we will judge justly like Christ, and be his brothers, sisters or mothers Mat 12:48-50, 1Jn 4:17)

Christ knew he couldn’t judge righteous judgement independent of His Father, and He is showing us in this proverb why man’s judgements fail and don’t produce the righteousness of God (Rom 10:2-6, Jas 1:19-20). It takes God’s spirit within us (Rom 8:9) to clearly see that there is none righteous, no not one (Rom 3:10), and we call no man good, there is one who is good, even God (Mar 10:18).

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.(Christ and his body are sealed with the holy spirit of promise and have become the end of the law for righteousness Joh 6:27, Eph 1:13)

If we are blessed to judge as Christ did, who is our example (1Pe 2:21, 1Jn 4:17), we will not say to the self-righteous man of sin within us [the carnal mind apart from God’s spirit] that he is our righteousness, but rather we will acknowledge it is Christ working in us who is our righteousness (Php 3:9), even as Christ acknowledged it was the Father working in him. This ongoing realization of understanding of who is doing the work (Php 2:12-13, Joh 14:20) is accomplished by the dying daily process, which is also only possible by the son setting us free from sin, “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Joh 8:36).

If we don’t judge matters as Christ did on this earth, that person, me, will be cursed and abhorred by Christ’s body for not binding mercy and truth around my heart (Pro 3:3-4), which mercy and truth makes it possible for us to rebuke the wicked within ourselves (Rom 2:4),  a delight unto God that brings a good blessing upon all who take such actions.

Pro 3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man [“a good blessing shall come upon them”].

Judging righteous judgement is what will happen if we kiss the son while it is today (Psa 2:11-12, Heb 3:12-13). Kissing Christ and his Christ with a holy kiss, symbolizes our having a right relationship with our judge and high priest who alone knows how to judge every matter correctly (Joh 7:24).

Psa 2:11  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Joh 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

He is the reason we can give “a right answer”, just as Christ said of himself that his answers were right because of his right relationship with His Father (I can do nothing of my own self Joh 5:30-31, the branch cannot bear fruit of itself (Joh 15:4-5).

Contrast of the spiritually zealous vs. the spiritually slothful

Pro 24:27  Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Pro 24:28  Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Pro 24:29  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

These verses help us understand how we can fulfill this commandment of not fretting: “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked”. If we are diligent, we will by God’s grace “prepare thy work without”, and we will be fit today in the hands of the fit man who is working with us in this world (Lev 16:21). Laying up that foundation of good works is essential against the day of evil, and will give us peace knowing that God does not forget our labour of love for one another (1Ti 6:19, Heb 6:10-11).

1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Heb 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

“and afterwards build thine house” is another way of saying “seek the kingdom first and his righteousness and all those things shall be added unto you” (Mat 6:33). It is the Lord who gives us the diligent spirit, it is the Lord who makes it possible for us to be in the world [the field is the world Mat 13:38] and not of it [“fit for thyself in the field”].

We need to mind, or be mindful of, our own business which is what Christ declared to His disciples when He said he has food that they don’t know of yet, prior to Pentecost (Luk 2:49, Joh 4:32). When we are witnesses against our neighbour without cause, “Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips”, we are not about our Father’s business (Mat 7:6, Pro 26:17).

Meddling in strife that should not be our concern, or taking vengeance that belongs to God, “I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work”, is the opposite of, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Mat 7:12). Vengeance is God’s. He knows how to deal with the unjust ways of mankind and calls us to trust Him against all the adversaries we will be presented with in this life (Rom 14:4, Isa 54:17).

Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Pro 24:30  I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Pro 24:31  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Pro 24:32  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Pro 24:33  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Pro 24:34  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

When we are void of God’s understanding, we will be spiritually slothful in this world, not being quickened by the word of God (Joh 6:63) because we are not being drawn to labour in it (Joh 6:44) as we should (Act 17:11, Tit 2:14).

“The field of the slothful” is “grown over with thorns” which represent false doctrines (Gen 3:18), and nettles “had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down”, saying the same thing: that there is no healthy foundation that is laid without Christ and His words of life (1Co 3:11, Mat 16:18).

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

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.

What causes this slothful condition is then explained as being a lack of diligence: “Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.”

Christ comes as a thief in the night (1Th 5:2-6, Mat 24:43, Rev 16:15), and if the Goodman in us (Col 1:27) is not being neglected, we will stir up this gift of prophecy (2Ti 1:6-7) that has been given to us so that, Lord willing, we will not be caught unawares when the He returns (Mat 24:45-47).

1Th 5:2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief [“if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come”(watch and pray, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, because the Father knows the hour and the day and Christ is working within us both to will and to do our Father’s will– Mat 24:24, Mar 13:33, Mat 26:41, Php 2:12-13)].
1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

2Ti 1:6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.(Luk 18:1)

Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up [If we are being judged in this age our house is being “broken up” and when Christ abides in us we become the goodman who can now watch and pray so that we will be ready when He returns outwardly (Rev 11:15)].
Mat 24:44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Rev 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Mat 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Christ tells us to not fret because of the evil, “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked”, wicked that is manifested in the wars and rumours of wars that will escalate as evil men wax worse and worse, producing this spirit of spiritual slothfulness, along with iniquity abounding and the love of many waxing cold (Mat 24:48-51).

Mat 24:48  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;[Mat 24:12-13]
Mat 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We ask the Lord to not let us grow weary in well doing, praying to “receive[ed] instruction”, or correction, that must come upon all those who are being dragged to Him in this age (Gal 6:9, Heb 12:22-29)

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Heb 12:12  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Heb 12:13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
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;[1Co 9:27]

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: [Tit 2:11-12, Heb 12:6]
Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” Part 2

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”

(Pro 22:11-16)

[Study Aired December 11, 2025]

Pro 22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
Pro 22:12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
Pro 22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
Pro 22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
Pro 22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Pro 22:16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Last week we looked at how God’s grace or favour is to correct us in this life, to judge us, so that we forsake ungodliness and worldly lust, and understand that no one can naturally do this unless we are dragged unto Christ by our Father in heaven (Joh 6:44).

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.

We looked at how becoming a peculiar people zealous of good works (Tit 2:14) can only happen by the grace and faith of God that causes us to move with fear to the building up of the body of Christ (Heb 11:7, Eph 4:16), and is typified by Noah who “found grace^{H2580 = favour grace(-ious) pleasant precious [well-]favoured} in the eyes of the LORD”.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth [The Church, the body, the Ark (1Pe 3:20, 1Pe 3:8)], according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

God’s name is being formed within the body of Christ, by our dying daily experience (Act 27:18-19, Rom 13:11), by the death of our old man, a death that is precious unto Him (Psa 116:15, 1Co 15:31), and it is also the trial of our faith that is precious unto God, reminding us how the faith of Christ is connected to the precious dying daily process (1Pe 1:7).

Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

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

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: [This is how God is making a way for a good name to be chosen within the lives of His people, rather than the riches of this earth, gold that perishes]

The following verses of (Psa 103:1-14) reveal to us the benefits^H1576 that God extends to the body of Christ so that we can be partakers of the life of Christ, his body, the church, the bride that He has promised will be prepared (Rev 19:7). What greater benefit could there be in this life than to know that God is judging us, and in the manner that is also revealed in these verses below  (Heb 11:26-27, 1Co 3:21, Psa 103:1-14), which set the tone for the verses we will look at in this section of proverbs and once again remind us that “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold”.

H1576  benefits gemûl ghem-ool’
From H1580; treatment, that is, an act (of good or ill); by implication service or requital: – + as hast served, benefit, desert, deserving, that which he hath given, recompence, reward.
Total KJV occurrences: 19

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

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

Isa 35:4  Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence;^H1576 [of good or ill]  he will come and save you.

Psa 94:2  Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward^H1576 [of good or ill] to the proud.

Psa 103:1  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Psa 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:^H1576 [of good or ill]
Psa 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Psa 103:4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Psa 103:5  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psa 103:6  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
Psa 103:7  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
Psa 103:8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psa 103:9  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Psa 103:10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Psa 103:11  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Pro 22:11  He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

Initially we don’t know what “pureness of heart” is by God’s standards, as we naturally clean the outside of the cup as the first man Adam thinking this is pureness of heart before God (Mat 23:25).

Mat 23:25  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but within you are full of extortion and excess.

It is only by God’s grace in our lives that our “lips” can be purified, cleaning the cup on the inside via the chastening and scourging process that God’s elect are called unto (Heb 12:6). What an incredible blessing and honour to be judged in this age so that by “the grace of his lips the king [Christ] shall be his friend” (Isa 6:5-7, Joh 15:12-15)

Isa 6:5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips,(Rom 7:24-25) and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
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.(Joh 8:36)

Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.[“He that loveth pureness of heart”, 1Jn 5:2-3, Rom 5:5]
Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

God is the one who is dragging us to Christ (Joh 6:44) and gives us the mindset of one who “loveth pureness of heart”, and by the grace of God and the faith of Christ we are being purified (1Jn 1:7) and realizing the gift of pureness of heart (“forget not all His benefits” of Psa 103:1-14) that makes it possible for us to be friends of our Lord (Joh 14:7).

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.

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Pro 22:12  The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

These verses below in (Gen 32:30-31) explain how the LORD will “preserve knowledge”, and overthrow the words of the “transgressor” within us. The wresting match that the body of Christ is in right now is against powers and principalities (Eph 6:12) which are within us, however our hope of glory within, Jesus Christ (Col 1:27), is greater that he who is in this world (1Jn 4:4, 1Jn 2:16, Eph 1:21) and He will “preserve” His saints with the “knowledge” of God that will “overthroweth” the words of the first man Adam who is the transgressor that we can continue to overcome daily [within and without] through the faith of Jesus Christ (Luk 22:32, Eph 6:16). This battle will leave us “halted upon his thigh”, bruised but victorious because of God’s mercy toward us in this age that leads us unto repentance (Gen 3:15, Rom 2:4).

Gen 32:30  And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Gen 32:31  And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted^H6760 upon his thigh.

H6760 “halted” tsâla‛
tsaw-lah’
A primitive root; probably to curve; used only as denominative from H6763 [rib, side], to limp (as if one sided): – halt.
Total KJV occurrences: 4

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Gen 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Pro 22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Pro 22:13  The lazy person says, “I can’t go {to work} now. There is a lion outside. It might kill me.”  (ERV)

The problem is not acknowledging that Satan is the god of this world, “a lion without”, the problem is denying the power of God  that tells us we are more than conquerors through Christ who can overcome what the spiritually “slothful man saith”(Rom 8:37-39).

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We will not be “slain in the streets” by Satan if we remain diligent in God’s service (Php 2:12-13) which will have us positively lying dead in the streets of that great city as God’s two witnesses in this age, dead to sin and alive in Christ (Rom 6:2, Rom 6:11, Rev 11:8-11).

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.

Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Gal 2:20)

Pro 22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

It is miracle to come out of the false-doctrinated harlot system of this world that is likened unto “The mouth of strange women is a deep pit” and God does abhor our first man Adam, “he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein”, and consequently, we all have to go into Babylon to come out of her my people,(2Co 6:17-18), each man in his own order (1Co 15:22-23).

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (forget not all His benefits of Psa 103:1-14),
2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (forget not all His benefits of Psa 103:1-14).

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Pro 22:15  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

I’ve applied this verse to children most of my life thinking of how our physical fathers correction did drive foolishness that was bound in our hearts far from us. Now we understand that the spiritual application is toward the sons of God who are being received of our heavenly Father, and these verses in Hebrews explain why we should be so grateful for His correction toward us, which makes it possible for us to be called sons in this age and not spiritual bastards (Heb 12:3-14, Joh 17:3).

Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Heb 12:5  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Heb 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Heb 12:10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.(Tit 2:11-12)
Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Heb 12:12  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Heb 12:13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Pro 22:16  He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

If we only look at the outward appearance of a situation we won’t understand what is being said in this proverb (Joh 7:24, 1Sa 16:7). King David knew that those who oppress the poor to get increase and give to the rich will prosper in this evil world, and was even growing envious of their condition (Psa 73:3, Psa 73:17, Heb 10:25, Psa 84:10, Ecc 7:2, 1Co 15:31), until the Lord brought him to see the slippery path they were on, a path that would “surely come to want”, as opposed to the solid ground that God brings His children on when we are in the household of faith, being judged and learning to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts (Tit 2:12-13). We come to learn, over time, that He is faithful and that nothing is more valuable than the body of Christ and the discipleship that God has given us, which will preserve us in this ungodly world where we can shine as lights unto the first resurrection (Php 2:14-16, Rev 20:6).

Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psa 73:17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. (Heb 10:25)

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Psa 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Ecc 7:2  It is better to go to the house of mourning,(1Co 15:31) than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Php 2:16  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

We will end our study here, being reminded of where it is that “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” is obtained in the house of God!

Mike,

I was asking the question, “Why do we have money in our world?” and I came across socialism. In socialism, everybody would have free access to the goods and services designed to directly meet their needs and there need be no system of payment for the work that each individual contributes to producing them. All work would be on a voluntary basis. Producing for needs means that people would engage in work that has a direct usefulness. The satisfaction that this would provide, along with the increased opportunity to shape working patterns and conditions, would bring about new attitudes to work.
What do you think about this?

J____

Hi J____,

Thanks for your question. You ask what I think about socialism. Our citizenship is not in this world, and we are not to concern ourselves as citizens of a heavenly kingdom, with the affairs of how to run this present evil world.

Php 3:20  For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

But as far as the principle of socialism is concerned, the scriptures are diametrically opposed to the socialist principles which do not reward hard work and which do reward mediocrity and even slothfulness. The scriptures reveal that those who work hard are to be rewarded for their efforts, and those who take the attitude, ‘Well, God is sovereign, therefore I need not apply myself,’ will be punished for their slothfulness, and robbed of their reward.
Christ gives us two parables which fly in the face of socialism, even the apparent spiritual socialism of the church in its infancy.

Act 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [ of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Later we see that Philip had his own house as did other New Testament men of God.

Act 21:8  And the next [ day] we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

Those two parables are in Mat 25, and they make it clear that only babes in Christ consider that their talents or their bread or their water or their oil are held in common. Contrariwise, we are being taught that we are to “work out our own salvation.”

Mat 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3  They that [ were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The “foolish virgins” were spiritual socialists who thought that there was no reward for abundant labor and diligent preparations. But just look at the very next parable, in the very next verse. This parable is placed where it is to drive home to us that if we are lazy and slothful and we sow sparingly, then we will in turn reap sparingly. These parables both teach that “to whom much is given, much is required.”

Mat 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [ them] other five talents.
Mat 25:17  And likewise he that [ had received] two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Mat 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, [ thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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:
Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [ then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give [ it] unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance, but from him that hath not shall be taken even that which he hath” flies in the face of every principle of socialism which does not believe in rewarding hard work or penalizing the slothful and lazy.
 
Notice that the Lord did not bother to remind the “wicked and slothful servant” who thought that His Lord harvested what He had not sown, that He had indeed sown eight talents into these three men. Instead the Lord simply answered that wicked and slothful servant “according to the idols of his heart” (Eze 14:2). The first two doubled their talents and the third thought it was unjust for the man who financed him to be rewarded for His investment. What was the Lord’s response to this socialist servant who felt that hard workers deserved no more than himself and that those who invest in others deserve nothing for their investment? Here again is God’s opinion of the concept of spiritual socialism:

Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

God despises slothfulness and will not reward the lazy.

2Co 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

God appreciates the diligent and will reward them for their diligence.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

It is the “overcomers” who are rewarded with “power over the nations”. Christ said the wicked and slothful would be destroyed.
Here is Paul’s teaching concerning rewards:

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.
1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
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.

Yes, even the “wicked slothful servant” will eventually be saved “by fire.” But he will also “suffer loss,” by missing out on “the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

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 [ Greek, are being perfected], be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Here is more of what the New Testament actually teaches us:

1Th 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
1Th 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

You say you found this about socialism:

In socialism, everybody would have free access to the goods and services designed to directly meet their needs and there need be no system of payment for the work that each individual contributes to producing them. All work would be on a voluntary basis.

Here is what the scriptures teach about “all work being done on a voluntary basis,” and “everybody having free access to the goods and services… and no payment for the work each individual contributes to producing them:”

2Th 3:8  Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

I hope this helps you to see that the apparent spiritual socialism of the early church was a mark of the infancy of the body of Christ at that time. That immaturity was left behind when persecutions came and the early church was forced out of Jerusalem and into the surrounding nations to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. That was also another doctrine which the early church was not yet mature enough to receive. But along with losing the luxury of having all things in common, these immature Jewish Christians also eventually had to acknowledge that God was working in the lives of the Gentiles.
The process of maturing lasts a lifetime, and learning to spiritually eat from your own fig tree and drink from your own well is part of that process of maturing.

Pro 5:15  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Pro 5:16  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, [ and] rivers of waters in the streets.
Pro 5:17  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.

This advice is directed to fidelity in marriage, but just as we do not share our wives with others, neither do we give our oil to those who had not worked for and brought their own oil with them and produced their own salvation through Christ in them.

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.

Why are we told to “eat our own bread, drink of our own well, and work out our own salvation? Here is why we do that:

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [ his] good pleasure.

So none of this is meant to deny that God is sovereign. What is is meant to demonstrate is that in God’s sovereignty, a lazy and slothful, spiritual socialist will not be in that “blessed and holy first resurrection” (Rev 20:6)
His sovereign pleasure is not socialism, it is rugged individualism in Christ who was not afraid of being hated of all men, and having nothing in common with this world.

Your brother who, Lord willing, is not a spiritual socialist,
Mike

Dear Mike,

Hope you are well. A small question for which I suspect I have an answer! A cell phone provider in our country is offering a fully functional and stocked farm as a lottery prize for those signing up with them and paying a small lottery fee. Should those after the mind of Jesus Christ indulge? I think not, but I don’t seem to have concrete corroboration from scripture. Thank you.

R____

Hi R____,
Thank you for your question. You are asking if it is all right for a Christian to gamble.
You say that you do not think “those after the mind of Jesus Christ should indulge, but you don’t seem to have concrete corroboration.”

Well, you certainly are right about what you think about the mind of Christ on this subject. When Christ was commending the servants who had made their talents to prosper, he never once mentions gambling in a casino or in a state run lottery, where the odds of winning are just slightly better than if you had never been born. Neither does Christ commend them for taking part in a raffle which, just as a lottery or a Casino, is designed to enrich the house at the expense of the public. I would suppose that state run lotteries are capable of being reviewed by those who are interested in doing so, but don’t hold your breath until you hear the words “Lottery players lost big tonight…” because that is not going to happen on your evening news. It is the small pittance that is won by the players which will always be touted to the always hopeful lottery players. It borders on deceitfulness to tell people only the winnings and never once mention how many billions of dollars are lost to produce those few winnings.
It is a commentary on human nature as “marred in the hand of the Potter” (Jer 18:4), that when this financial crisis began here in the United States, there was a very marked increase in the number of ticket sales in all the lotteries in all the states with state run lotteries.
When dealing with the “wicked and slothful servant,” Christ gave us an insight into His mind concerning what He would have us to do with “His goods.” That insight is not an endorsement for charging interest, any more that “you must become as this little child if you want to enter into the kingdom of God,” is an endorsement for naivety or immaturity. Neither were Christ’s comments commending the unjust steward an endorsement for stealing from one’s employer. What Christ was endorsing was that we should not be gambling with ‘His goods which we are given:’

Mat 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Mat 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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:
Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“You ought to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” God does not ‘take chances,’ and those who have the mind of Christ don’t take chances either.
You have asked me what the scriptures reveal about this subject, and I have given you what Christ said about what He expects us to do with His goods. As King David said, “of thine own we have given to thee,” because our jobs, our homes, our families, and our very lives are not ours but are His.

1Ch 29:14  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

If Christ’s associations with sinners, publicans and harlots means to you that you can see Christ buying a lottery ticket, then that is where God has you. That is not where He has me.
Having said all of that, it is important that we never condemn a babe in Christ who still “plays the lottery responsibly.” The very reason you are unable to “have concrete corroboration from scripture” concerning the lottery, is because it is not specifically mentioned in scripture.
But once again, it is a commentary to the total sovereignty of God that when anyone does “win the lottery” this too is “of the Lord.”

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

Those who God wants to believe that there is nothing wrong with gambling, will be confirmed in that belief, and those who He wants to avoid gambling will be confirmed in that faith. It is all in His hands, and it is right here is this same chapter.

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Here are a couple more verses of scripture which should be instrumental in helping us to make good Biblical decisions in all of life’s challenges.

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 6:12  All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
1Co 10:22  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
1Co 10:23  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

I hope this has helped you to see some scriptures which I pray will give you a better knowledge of the mind of Christ and His Father.

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Mike,

Is there anything unrighteous about working for the Chemical Processing Industry, such as a Process Technician? I sometimes think that God might not want me to do this because it takes too much time to understand the chemistry and problem solving that comes with it.  I hate the fact that I’m going to spend a lot of my life and time into something that doesn’t help me conform to Christ. Do you think the disciples would go on a 12 hour shift four times a week?
Thanks,
J____

Hi J____,
Thank you for your question. You ask:

Is there anything unrighteous about working for the Chemical Processing Industry, such as a Process Technician? I sometimes think that God might not want me to do this because it takes too much time to understand the chemistry and problem solving that comes with it.

I really have not a clue what a “Process Technician” in the chemical processing industry does, but the answer to your question is that there in nothing wrong with doing any job which does not specifically require you to break the commandments of God. No one should ever let his job become his God, but that hardly seems to be the case here, and there certainly is no injunction in scripture against 12 hour shifts.

You ask:

Do you think the disciples would go on a 12 hour shift four times a week?

While that does sound like a strenuous work schedule, the answer is, yes I do believe the disciples would and probably did work 12 hours a day on many occasions. It was Christ himself who said:

Joh 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

Much of Christ’s ministry was spent walking from town to town. Christ had no concept of an 8 hour work shift. Of course he was working directly for His Father which is what you are aspiring to do. But here is what the scriptures tell us concerning our daily jobs. It is very important that we take this attitude toward our jobs, because it will save all of us much sorrow to do so:

Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

What you need to realize is that if you have been given a job which does not require you to disobey any of the commandments of God, then you were given that job by God. If on the other hand you find yourself in a job which does require you to break God’s commandments, then that too was given you by God, and it will be God who will bring you out of that job at His time.
Paul deals with unfavorable working conditions when he deals with the subject of slavery, a practice which was completely legal in the Roman Empire of Paul’s day. Here is what Paul admonished the slaves over whom God had given Paul a spiritual charge:

Eph 6:5 Servants [ Greek, slaves], be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants [ Greek, slaves] of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Here is verse five in the NASB:

Eph 6:5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;

Paul goes on to tell slaves that if they can be free, then they should take advantage of the opportunity to have one less obstacle between themselves and their Creator:

1Co 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? [ Greek, slave] care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

So, if you are choosing between different jobs, then by all means, work in the job that gives you the most freedom to be the slave of God. But if you are asking me if it is a sin to work in the chemical processing field, then the answer in no. If you are simply asking about long hours, then the answer is that there is nothing sinful about working long hours. We are not all meant to be teachers and preachers, but we are all called to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.” So whatever job our loving heavenly Father gives us, we should do that job “as unto Christ.”
There are many, at this time of economic and financial turmoil, who would love to have a job that required a schedule of four 12 hour work days. The fact that “it takes… time to understand the chemistry and problem solving that comes with it,” should be taken only as a challenge. If this is a good paying job and you do not want to do that job, there will be plenty of others who will.
I myself have worked 12+ hours a day for many years as a self employed remodeling contractor, and while it was not easy, I was thankful for, and am still thankful for every job I am privileged to work, and I pray that I will always do whatever I am given to do “in singleness of heart, as unto Christ.”
The tone of the scriptures is not that of being concerned with being overworked, so much as with guarding against being slothful. I am not assuming that you are slothful, nevertheless you need to be aware of what is the tone of the scriptures when it comes to working and business. The book of Proverbs is full of verses like this:

Pro 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Pro 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Pro 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

We have ants on our property, and we also have some honey bees. Both work from sun up to sun down all day long seven days a week. This is not the message of Pro 6, but the message is that we, too, should be diligent and hard workers.
Here too, are a few relevant New Testament verses:

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:
Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

This may not be the answer you wanted to hear, but it is certainly based in the scriptures. I will close with this verse which I believe sets a proper Biblical tone in response to your question. Please realize that I am not promoting 12 hour work days, but I am promoting the sentiment and the mindset of this verse:

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

I hope this helps to give you some Godly direction and helps you in choosing a job.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike