Women of Firm Faith

Verse 1,  “ He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. ”   Hardening of the neck occurs when a proud man refuses correction. If you cannot yield to the word of God and the Holy Spirit, you will eventually have a seared conscience and can be destroyed, with no chance of coming back from your wicked state.  When God turns you over, there will be no escape.  Romans 1:28-32,   “ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they  are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that...

Verse 1, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion."   Having a guilty conscience keeps you always looking over your shoulder, and paranoid that you will be found out for your wicked deeds and possibly punished.  The righteous, on the other, hand have no need to flee because their conscience is clear before God and man...and they know their eternity is secure.  Psalms 56:11, "In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"   When you have faith to know that God is your helper and fear Him alone, you realize no one can do anything to you without God's permission.  Hebrews 13:5-6, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?' ” Verse 4, "Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But such a...

Verse 1, "Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth."   Planning for your earthly future without God's guidance is foolish.  We are told to acknowledge Him in ALL of our ways, and He will guide our steps.  Boasting about your future, however, shows that you think that YOU are in control and responsible for the outcome...not God.  Jesus told this parable in Luke 12:16-21, “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.  And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’  So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’  But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lay...

Verse 20, "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases."   There is no longer fuel for strife once the one who likes to talk leaves the picture. These people have wickedness in their hearts and attempt to disguise it as concern for others, among other things. Often they will flatter you with their lips to gain advantage, and what they say is very enticing to the hearer, often even deceptive in making themselves look spiritual. Verse 22, "The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body."  Therefore, it is better better to avoid them altogether, as to not get caught up in their schemes.  Romans 16:17-18, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of ...

Verse 14, "Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain."   Boasting falsely about how spiritual you are, does no one any good.  If you have faith, than without a word, show it by your works.  An empty tin can rattles loudly...the more empty, the more noise it makes.  This can often be the case with people. Lying about giving to God is a serious offense.  Acts 5:1-5, "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of  it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.' Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell ...

Verse 10, "If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small."   You can only tell what person's faith is made of when it is put to the test. Trials are absolutely necessary in order to produce endurance in the believer.  James 1:2-4, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  The road that leads to salvation is narrow and difficult, and you will suffer persecution along the way.  II Timothy 2:3-10, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider wha...

Verse 12, "Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge."   You can either apply yourself to gaining wisdom or stiffen your neck, but the latter leads to death.  Jeremiah spoke of the people in 17:23, "But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction."   You can be instructed in the word, but it won't be effective unless it's mixed with genuine faith on your part. We have been warned in the Bible against this, so that this should not happen to us as well.  Hebrews 4:2, 11, "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it...Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience."   Pray that God would soften hearts to receive the word and the strength to actually DO what it says. Verses 1...

Verse 1, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold."  We need to be known for being a person of godly character by our actions and our speech... not by how much wealth we can accumulate on earth. Seeking righteousness is a worthwhile endeavor with eternal rewards, as opposed to seeking wealth, which will only perish or be left behind when you die.  Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Verses 3, "A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished."  A wise person will not put himself in the path of evil, knowing the temptations of man and his frailty.  Psalms 1:1-6, "Blessed is the man...

Verse 2, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts."   If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to justify it, maybe even spiritualize it, but it doesn't make it right.  The Lord will judge us accurately, without bias or partiality.  If He has dealt with you on something, you are much better off submitting sooner than later, lest He grow impatient with your hard heart and stiff neck and chasten you for your disobedience. Verse 9, "Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman."  No one wants to be around an angry person who generates strife, the least of which the one married to such a person.  A husband is bound to his wife and cannot get away.  Rather than dealing with the contention, he may just give her what she wants, regardless of whether it's right to do so, just to avoid the fight.  This is not good for either one of them.  Verse 19, "Better to dw...

Verse 11, "Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right."  Children do not get a free pass on disobedience and acting up.  Their behavior does not get overlooked because of their age.  By you overlooking their sinfulness, you are actually encouraging them to continue in it.  Proverbs 22:15, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him."   Children display their character by their deeds, whether they are righteous or not. Our job as parents is to correct their behavior, raising them to be Godly.  When you fail to discipline them promptly and give them multiple chances, you are actually giving them additional opportunities to sin.  Proverbs 13:24, "He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly." Verse 19, "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips."   The ...

Verse 3, "The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord."   Your own foolishness will ruin your way, and then you have the nerve to get angry at God for it. There are consequences for our actions and promises for our obedience. If you want His blessing and protection along the way, then you must submit to His authority and not allow your sinful nature to rule over you.  Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."  It's not just knowing the word, but doing all that is written in it.  Not just the things you pick and choose.  He is either the Lord over all or not at all! Verses 13-14, "A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. Houses and riches are an inherit...

Verses 1-2, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart."  There are two types of people here.  One that won't seek Godly counsel, and the other that won't receive it.  They may seek out counsel, but they'd rather speak their own opinions and thoughts, not stopping long enough to listen and receive wisdom.  When you find yourself in a tough spot that has made you weary, there's a good chance you've already made a mess by doing what you thought was right.  It may just be time for you to close your mouth, and open your ears and heart to see what the Lord might speak to you through another. Verse 9, "He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer."   Laziness in a person is likened to one who is outright destructive.  Laziness is not an isolated characteristic, but will run throughout everything you do.  II ...

Verse 5,  “ He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. ”   When you mock those less fortunate than you, you show that you really don't understand where your provision comes from, but rather think you earned it on your own and take the credit. Furthermore, you are judging according to outward things and not looking at the heart, which is how God sees us.  I Samuel 16:7,  “ [. . .] For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”   God will judge us all according to the same righteous standard.  Romans 2:7-11,  “ [. . .]  eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but ...

Verses 1-3, 9, "The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established...A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."  God has given us free will, but we cannot underestimate His sovereignty. We can plan and prepare, but unless the Lord allows it to happen, our thoughts and preparations are futile. Therfore, we regard Him in all our decisions, committing our very lives to Him, and trust that He will guide our steps.  James 4:13-17, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will  happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we sh...

Verses 8-9, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness."   When you are not right before the Lord, your sacrifice and prayers are not accepted...it's an abomination!  You must come to Him humbly and in obedience... and in the way the He prescribes. Do not think you can go to church and serve using the name of God if you are living in disobedience. He is God, and He does not have to accept your sacrifice. Remember Cain? He was rebuked and invited to obey God, but not received.  I Samuel 15:22, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."  Cain thought he could have things his own way and was mad when his sacrifice was not accepted.  Then his jealousy of his brother, who...

Verse 1, "The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands."   A good wife is a blessing to the entire home, but those who reject their calling can wreak havoc on the home, affecting everyone inside of it. First and foremost, we need to be submitted to God and have a daily walk with Him.  If this doesn't happen, you have no chance to stand against the wiles of the devil. You may think you can hide behind your husband, but he's not around at times and you are being entrusted with the well being of the home in his absence. Why do you think the serpent approached Eve when Adam wasn't around?  Most likely because she was an easier target, and it was easier to play on her emotions to get what he wanted. You cannot resist in your own strength, you MUST rely on God's power!  Ephesians 6:11-13, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, b...

Verses 13-15, "He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard."  The law is not restricting us from participating in things that are good for us, but rather protecting us from the snares of death. Our hearts desire for things of the flesh is why we feel restricted from the things we desire.  II Corinthians 6:12-18, "You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the te...

Verse 1, "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid."   Those who despise correction, and hate you for correcting them, think they are so smart...but according to the word they are stupid. They may know a few things about how the world works, but they have no understanding of the kingdom of God, and do not realize what their eternity holds for them if they do not repent. If you truly love the Lord you will desire to know what He has to speak to you, and want to study His word for this reason. But one step further, you will actually DO according to the word and not act like you never read and were convicted in the first place.  James 1:22-25, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the pe...

Verse 2, "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom."   When you are in the spot of thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to, you often disregard God and His opinion, and reject any biblical counsel that comes your way. Remember, though, that God has ways of humbling you and getting your attention.  Romans 12:3, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."   Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."   Those who are humble will receive grace from God, not shame.  James 4:6, “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Verse 13, "A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."   When you love a person, your goal will not be to cause them damage by spreading around pers...

Verses 2-3,   “ Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. ”   When you gain money or property through wicked means, you do not profit yourself in any way that matters, and can bring harm to yourself spiritually through consequences for your sin. However, conducting yourself in righteousness will profit you by delivering your soul from death, and you will not lack what you need.  Matthew 6:31-34, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own ...