those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Those who give heed to instruction prosper,
and blessed are those who trust in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
27 Scoundrels plot evil,
and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
28 The perverse stir up dissension,
and gossips separate close friends.
29 The violent entice their neighbors
and lead them down a path that is not good.
30 Those who wink with their eyes are plotting perversity;
those who purse their lips are bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
those with self-control than those who take a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.
Questions to consider:
- Characterize perverse men.
- To what extent are you getting wisdom as a result of studying Proverbs? Why?
- To what extent have you been able to relate the proverbs to your own daily life?
- Try to memorize a proverb!
Possibilities for prayer:
Ah! The infamous “pride goes before a fall” saying! Did you know that it actually came from the BIBLE?? Well, I guess the saying with which many of us are familiar only uses part of the actual verse--but still, some of those “words of wisdom” we all grew up hearing actually come from a reliable source! Since this saying has likely been heard--and spoken--by each of us, let’s take some time to pray against spirits that are prideful. Like Kyle talked about last Sunday, let’s seek out hearts of humility, spirits that want to serve and lead, not lead so we can be proud.
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