One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:20, “Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.” God delights when we walk in holiness, and we can only do so when our crooked hearts have been made new.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:19, “Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.” Righteousness must be our compass if we want to find life. This accentuates our need for Christ and his righteousness!

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:18, “The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.” This proverbs exhorts us to work with honesty. We should deserve the payment we receive, and we should not seek to receive a payment we do not deserve.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:17, “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” We find our best in the loyal loving-kindness we show to others. May God teach us to want our best and to find it in glorifying him and loving others.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:16, “A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.” We should forsake violence and cruelty in order to embrace generosity and graciousness. This will lead to a longer-lasting, more valuable treasure than riches—namely, honor.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:15, “Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.” If we never co-sign the loan or work of others, we will rest secure. But when we do (and we should!), we should look for people we know to be trustworthy, people we can hold to some level of accountability, and people who have some personal risk in the game. May it be so.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” May God grant us the wisdom, humility, and discernment to seek advice on both macro- and micro-levels, and may we walk in success and prospering in light of that counsel.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:13, “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” May we learn to avoid drama, attention-seeking, or self-benefit at the expense of others. May we hold confidential information in a vault unless it is something wicked that needs to be exposed.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:12, “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” We need to speak the right word at the right time in the right way to accomplish our desired ends. May we be people who realize truth is best delivered in the context of a healthy relationship.

This episode looks at Proverbs 11:11, “By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.” The righteous will pray for the upbuilding of their city, whereas the wicked will contribute to the downfall of theirs. May we be in the first group.