Proverbs 13:6 says, Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner (NIV). The Easy to Read Version says, Goodness protects honest people, but evil destroys those who love to sin. Basically this means that God will look after people who love Jesus and try to live right. People who love sin will be dragged further down the path of sin. A sin that seems small, can lead to bigger sin (note: it's important to remember that God doesn't grade sin, it's all equal). This doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to righteous or good people. I think it means that they won't get dragged down a sinful path if they are loving Jesus and trying to live by his Word. The Enduring Word Commentary says, deeds can reflect destiny. Small sins can lead to bigger ones.
0 Comments
Proverbs 13:4 says, No matter how much a lazy person may want something, he will never get it. A hard worker will get everything he wants. We weren't designed to sit around and do nothing all day. (Note: we weren't designed to work ourselves to the point of exhaustion either).
There are several verses in Proverbs about laziness. Here are a couple of them: Proverbs 10:4 Hard workers will become leaders. But those who are lazy will be slaves. Proverbs 12:24 Lazy hands will make you poor; hard-working hands will make you rich. Proverbs 19:15 Lazy people sleep a lot. Idle people will go hungry. The principle in all these verses is that you have to work for the things that you want, whether that is material things, good grades, promotion at work, etc. Laziness shows a lack of care or concern about something. We should do everything as though we are serving God, not people. We definitely shouldn't be lazy about serving God. Have you been lazy about certain things? What can you do to resolve this? Proverbs 13:1 says, Wise children pay attention when their parents correct them, but arrogant people never admit they are wrong.
One of the Ten Commands tells us to respect our parents. Respect your father and your mother, as I, the Lord your God, command you, so that all may go well with you and so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16 Jesus also referred to this commandment several times in his teaching so it's clearly important. It's not fun when you are corrected and disciplined. You might think that your parents are old-fashioned, overly strict, or unreasonable, but they are trying their best. It's actually a lot harder to be a parent than you think. Next time they tell you off, try not to be angry or defensive. Take some time to think and pray about what they've said. Proverbs 12:26 says, Good people are careful about choosing their friends, but evil people always choose the wrong ones. Your friends play an important part in your life. I love the quote, show me your friends and I'll tell you your future. If you choose good friends, they will encourage you to be the best version of yourself. If you choose the wrong friends, you could get yourself into trouble. Do your friends encourage you in your faith, respect your beliefs, give good advice, help you when you're down? Are you a good friend?
Proverbs 12:25 says, Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. We all know what it's like when you're having a bad day, when you're stressed or anxious - it weighs you down like a heavy backpack. It makes it hard to put one foot in front of the other and move from where you are. Anxiety is like that - it makes you feel heavy and weighed down. It makes it hard to move forward. But kind words can help lift you up, they encourage you. Sometimes critical words flow more naturally than kind ones. But if we are led by the Holy Spirit, if we read the Word, pray, and worship etc., kind words will come more easily. When you see someone who is struggling, think about what you would like someone to say to you if you were in their shoes. This week be generous with kind words and cheer people up rather than tearing them down.
Most people agree in principle that lying is wrong. But many are guilty of telling little white lies, bending the truth or omitting some of the truth when it suits us.
Have you ever told someone they looked good in something, even if they didn't? Have you made up a creative excuse as to why you didn't finish your homework? Have you told your Mum that you finished your homework, when you haven't? Have you ever lied to fit in? Have you told someone that you did something to look cool? Proverbs 12:22 says, The Lord hates those who tell lies. But he is pleased with those who do what they promise. The Bible says that God hates lies - those are strong words. You don't have to be brutal when you tell the truth, but you can tell the truth with love and kindness. The second half of verse 22 says that he is pleased with people who keep their word and do what they promise. Do you know someone who never keeps their word? They promise to send you the notes for the lesson you miss, or to catch up on the weekend, but they never come through on their promises. You might also know someone who you can rely on to do what they say. Be one of those people - God is pleased with them. Proverbs 12:18
Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. I can imagine that a sword causes quite a lot of damage - your words can do the same. The Bible has quite a lot to say about our words. James chapter 3 says a lot about the tongue. It's not talking about the body part that helps you eat and speak, it's talking about your words. James 3:5-6 It is a small part of the body, but it brags about doing great things. A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame. And the tongue is like a fire. It is a whole world of evil among the parts of our bodies. The tongue spreads its evil through the whole body. It starts a fire that influences all of life. The tongue gets this fire from hell. James 3:9-10 We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people. And God made them like himself. Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers, this should not happen. Your words can hurt or heal, they can build up or tear down, they can bring joy or pain, they can bless or curse - you choose. Proverbs 12:10 says, Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs. God made all the animals and in Matthew 6:26 says, Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And Matthew 10:29 says, When birds are sold, two small birds cost only a penny. But not even one of those little birds can die without your Father knowing it. We can infer from these verses that God cares for the animals.
In Genesis 1:26 God said that mankind would rule over the animals. Then God said, “Now let’s make humans who will be like us. They will rule over all the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. They will rule over all the large animals and all the little things that crawl on the earth.” God has told us to be kind to animals and look after them - whether they are domestic pets, farm animals, or wild ones. We can support wildlife conservation and buy ethically farmed meat, poultry and dairy products. Proverbs 11:25 says, Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped. You might not think that you have much to give, but there are other ways to be generous than just giving money. You can give your time and attention, you can give kindness and your assistance. Here are some examples:
Proverbs 11:24 says, Some people give much but get back even more. But others don’t give what they should, and they end up poor. We don't give so that we can get more back. God knows our motives. He blesses those who give with the right attitude with more. How can you be generous this week? Proverbs 11:17 says, People who are kind will be rewarded for their kindness, but cruel people will be rewarded with trouble. Science has proved what the Bible has been saying for thousands of years - that kindness is good for you. According to www.happiness.com, kindness has the following benefits:
We should be kind because we love God and he made people in his image. Here are some other Biblical benefits of kindness according to the book of Proverbs:
|
About UsShort and sweet inspirations for Christian teen girls. Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|