On Life and Conduct
Proverbs 20; I die daily devotional.
When I think, metaphorically, of wine and hard drink. I think of vices specific to influence the mind—not just alcohol—such as: prescription drugs, marijuana, caffeine, pornography, etc. (any substance that deals directly with the psyche). It’s not that we should feel guilty when enjoying a beverage, but that we understand the consequences of its intoxication. Wisdom teaches us what we don’t have to experience. That means we don’t have to get our kids drunk in order for them to learn the consequences of too much alcohol. So don’t go and find your favorite flavor of sin, become intoxicated and say, “OohHhaA that’s what wisdom meant”. No, don’t do that, avoid the substance of stupid.
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the growling of
a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits
his own life.
3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a
man, But any fool will quarrel.
4 The sluggard does not plow after the autumn,
So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.
Yessss… Jesus turned water into wine, but that wine is symbolic to the blood of the new covenant, His blood. And if we are reading the Word of God, then we are drinking all the wine we need!
6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But
who can find a trustworthy man?
7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity—
How blessed are his sons after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am
pure from my sin”?
10 Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the LORD.
If you and I are inspired by the Holy Spirit, then you and I live as archetypal kings that sits on thrones of justice to disperse all evil from our eyes! If we believe in Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God), we can say that we’ve cleansed our hearts, and in faith, are pure from our sin.
11 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes
himself If his conduct is pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The
LORD has made both of them.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will become
poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied
with food.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But
when he goes his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious
thing.
Our deeds distinguish us by how we conduct ourselves. Are you pure and right? I would like to know whether I am, but my wife reminds me without my asking (perks of marriage); you don’t have to be married, intimate friends in Christ will do the same (perks of what marriage means). As for now, I can tell you that I (personally) have much work to do, but stick with me and watch the Holy Spirit work to the glory of Jesus Christ.
16 Take his garment when he becomes surety
for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him
in pledge.
17 Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to
a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled
with gravel.
18 Prepare plans by consultation, And make
war by wise guidance.
19 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
20 He who curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will go out in time of darkness.
We are at war with spiritual wickedness that manifests through us when we choose to sin rather than repent. So let’s go to war with the sin that so eagerly desires to devour our souls and the souls of our loved ones. Don’t fear what it is evil, fear the Lord who casts out evil. Perfect love casts out fear.
21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the
beginning Will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the
LORD, and He will save you.
23 Differing weights are an abomination to the
LORD, And a false scale is not good.
24 Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD,
How then can man understand his way?
25 It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!”
And after the vows to make inquiry.
I find it easy for me to compare myself to people who seem to have it all together; they’re structured, they have the right job, the right family, the perfect score! I also find it easy for me to compare myself to people who don’t have it all together; they’re crazy, free to explore, fun friends, revolving jobs, the perfect adventure! The worst part about this comparison issue is how I judge to determine the value of someone else’s life; Person 6’s’ life is what I want, but Person 5 … definitely not. Why does this happen? For me, I think of it as another kind of “substance” abuse; I don’t even have to do drugs or get drunk for this issue. Insecurities have a way of destabilizing me in ways that destroy my character and relationships; when I “drink” that “kool-aid” it looks like delirium, but don’t let that fool you, it’s insecurities that affect everyone. It’s a hard cycle to bend until it’s broken, but with discipline I’ll learn by these proverbs of Wisdom. If you’re with me on that struggle of insecurity, and on this journey with me … I feel you.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
28 Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he
upholds his throne by righteousness.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Stripes that wound scour away evil, And strokes reach the innermost parts.
Let’s be KINGS!
Resources
Proverbs 20 (NASB)—Is what I’m using for these devotionals, but personally study with multiple versions.
OUTLINE
- I have the chapter provided and broken in sections for me to write throughout as you read the chapter at your convenience.
"NOT WITH INK" 