God's Truth In Love

Posts Tagged ‘Wise’

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 12:15 Willingness to Listen

In Advice, Attitude, Behavior, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Change, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Correction, Counsel, Decision Making, Decisions, Discernment, Discretion, Disobedience, Fool, Foolishness, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Guidance, Learning, Listening, Pride, Proverbs, Stupid, Truth, Uncategorized, Unwise, Wisdom on June 9, 2024 at 7:43 am

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Willingness to Listen

This is going to be a long one but well worth the read as it hits the snake dead on the head.

As the readers know this is written in order verse by verse through the Book of Proverbs. Wow, what a powerful verse and a timely one, as I have had some recent encounters with various people who showed some were “a fool” and some “wise” in their actions and responses. I will get into some examples later in this piece.

We have all met those people who know everything they need to know. They need no help or counsel from other people and certainly not unsolicited counsel, counsel they cannot control, even if that counsel speaks directly to their situations. Such has been the case recently. It is sad to see people so steeped in their own spiritual, intellectual, and emotional ignorance or denial or self-deception that they cannot or refuse to see Truth when it is brought to them. ‘They perish for a lack of knowledge.’ (Hos. 4:6) However, the fool always thinks they are right, that their way is right.

What is a fool according to the Hebrew language. When thoroughly researched it has great and in-depth meaning.

“fool” in the Hebrew language means all of the following, with author’s notes:

aphrōn ἄφρων Strong’s Greek #878

mindless, i.e. stupid, (by impl.) ignorant, (spec.) egotistic, (practically) rash, or (mor.) unbelieving:— fool (-ish), unwise.

191 אֱוִיל [ʾeviyl /ev·eel/] adj m. From an unused root (meaning to be perverse); one who despises wisdom. 1a2 of one who mocks when guilty. 1a3 of one who is quarrelsome. 1a4 of one who is licentious.

ESL

Note:

A fool has a perverse view of life, of how things should be done. Their views and actions do not line up with God’s Ways, God’s Truth, or God’s Will. I recently encountered a “spiritual leader” who though warned by not one but two unconnected, unrelated, servants of God that he should not allow a man steeped in sin to lead worship at his congregation, has chosen instead to do so. How perverse is such a thing! Disgustingly so! Leading worship of all things. Then again, at one time Satan was the worship leader in heaven.

And yet another person whose life is literally being destroyed day after day, while she celebrates her ignorance as enlightenment, and tries to persuade others to do the same; their life blood will be on her hands, and she will answer to God for it one day; as will the earlier mentioned “pastor” for his choice.

Yet another, who is missing out on what God has for her because she has chosen to allow a sinful man to bring her down to sin and dictate her life. This one is horribly sad. Some people long for love so much they are too easily controlled.

FOOL ˒ewil (אֱוִיל, 191), “fool.” This word appears primarily in the wisdom literature. A person described by ˒ewil generally lacks wisdom; indeed, wisdom is beyond his grasp (Prov. 24:7). In another nuance, “fool” is a morally undesirable individual who despises wisdom and discipline (Prov. 1:7; 15:5). He mocks guilt (Prov. 14:9), and is quarrelsome (Prov. 20:3) and licentious (Prov. 7:22). Trying to give him instruction is futile (Prov. 16:22).

VCEDONTW

Note:

People should not be given leadership roles when they lack the ability to understand True Wisdom when it is presented to them. God must remove these people when they reach the point that giving sound wisdom and “instruction is futile” due to their lack of willingness to listen. Why should they listen after all, they know it all…right. How pathetic.

˒ĕvı̂yl אֱֱוִיל Strong’s Hebrew #190

to be perverse); (fig.) silly:— fool (-ish) (man).

hâlal הָלַל Strong’s Hebrew #1984

to celebrate; also to stultify:— (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool (-ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine.

keçı̂yl כְּסִיל Strong’s Hebrew #3684

fat, i.e. (fig.) stupid or silly:— fool (-ish).

Note:

These people revel in their wisdom ignorance. Yet, in reality they show just how silly or down right stupid they truly are.

nâbâl נָבָל Strong’s Hebrew #5036

impious):— fool (-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person.

Note:

These types of people’s actions (the foolish and unwise) are both heartbreaking and disgusting at the same time. I feel so sorry for them and their lack of understanding but at the same time I am appalled at their ungodly behavior. Both feelings are normal as God both loves the sinner and hates their sin.

çâkal סָכַל Strong’s Hebrew #5528

5528. סָכַל çâkal, saw-kal’; for 3688; to be silly:— do (make, play the, turn into) fool (-ish, -ishly, -ishness).

çâkâl סָכָל Strong’s Hebrew #5530

5530. סָכָל çâkâl, saw-kawl’; from 5528; silly:— fool (-ish), sottish.

anŏētŏs ἀνόητος Strong’s Greek #453

sensual:— fool (-ish), unwise.

asŏphŏs ἄσοφος Strong’s Greek #781

particle) and 4680; unwise:— fool.

mōrainō μωραίνω Strong’s Greek #3471

act) as a simpleton:— become fool, make foolish, lose savour.

mōrŏs μωρός Strong’s Greek #3474

from the base of 3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (mor.) blockhead, (appar.) absurd:— fool (-ish, × -ishness).

Pamphulia Παμφυλία Strong’s Greek #3828

Note:

I often think about the fact that these people, along with so many in our society, sound so ridiculous when they speak about their beliefs, and at times I am amazed by how skillfully Satan can blind so many people to Truth.

3828. Παμφυλία Pamphulia, pam-fool-ee´-ah; from a compound of 3956 and 5443; every-tribal, i.e. heterogeneous (5561 being impl.);

Note:

As you think about our society today, I will let that aspect of the definition speak for itself.

paraphrŏnĕō παραφρονέω Strong’s Greek #3912

3912. παραφρονέω paraphrŏnĕō, par-af-ron-eh´-o; from 3844 and 5426; to misthink, i.e. be insane (silly):— as a fool.

Note:

As I have listened to these types of people, their ideas, their beliefs, their intended action, I have often thought to myself, ‘Are these people completely insane?’ and in a spiritual sense, intellectual sense, and emotional sense they are.

phullŏn φύλλον Strong’s Greek #5444

5444. φύλλον phullŏn, fool´-lon; from the same as 5443; a sprout i.e. leaf:— leaf.

Note:

They, as a young “sprout” of a plant, certainly display their spiritual immaturity, intellectual immaturity, and emotional immaturity. All of which they shall never recover from until they are ready to listen to true godly wisdom and counsel.

I am going to repeat the following aspect of the definition of “fool” as it is the core of the problem with foolish people.

aphrōn ἄφρων Strong’s Greek #878

mindless, i.e. stupid, (by impl.) ignorant, (spec.) egotistic, (practically) rash, or (mor.) unbelieving:— fool (-ish), unwise.

These people often absolutely believe they are right, even when everything they believe is right goes against what God has established as right. God’s RIGHT is the only right! But let’s look at why they like their “right” instead of God’s right.

“right” in the Hebrew language, in this verse, from the unwise person’s perspective of right, meaning with author’s notes:

3477. יָשָׁר yâshâr, yaw-shawr’; from 3474; straight (lit. or fig.):— convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet (-est), + pleased well right (-eous), straight, (most) upright (-ly, -ness}.

3474. יָשַׁר yâshar, yaw-shar’; a prim. root; to be straight or even; fig. to be (caus. to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:— direct, fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right (on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be upright (-ly}.

Note:

They believe it is the “straight” or the right way for many reasons; among them it is often the “convenient” way, and might also produces a perverse form of what they view as “equity” among people. They believe it right because it is “pleasant” to them; if it feels right do it or if you think it is right for you then it is, both of which are simply garbage. However, to them their actions “seem good” so they view themselves as “upright” in their behavior. And we cannot forget that people think their actions are right because it makes them “prosperous” – we cannot dismiss the greed factor. It is not only greed for monetary gain or possessions but it can often be greed for power, position, praise, etc. This frequently ensnares spiritual leaders.

Foolish unwise people simply do not want to listen to wise godly counsel. Additionally, listening to that counsel involves much more than hearing with your ears, as you will see from our review of the definition.

“hearkeneth” in the Hebrew language, meaning with author’s notes:

8085. שָׁמַע shâma˓, shaw-mah’; a prim. root; to hear intelligently (often with impl. of attention, obedience, etc.

Note:

When a person does not act on what has been spoken to them, they have not heard in a godly sense.

We should all know what “counsel” is but we will review the definition, and we know this speaks only of godly counsel.

“counsel” in the Hebrew language means:

6098. עֵצָה ˓êtsâh, ay-tsaw’; from 3289; advice; by impl. plan; also prudence:— advice, advisement, counsel ([-lor]), purpose.

3289. יָעַץ yâ˓ats, yaw-ats’; a prim. root; to advise; refl. to deliberate or resolve:— advertise, take advice, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel (-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.

A person can be a fool for a day, a year, or a lifetime and still come back from this characteristic, if they are willing to turn from their ways (repent), listen to and act on wise godly counsel – then they too can one day become wise.

“wise” in the Hebrew language means:

2450. חָכָם châkâm, khaw-kawm’; from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful):— cunning (man), subtil, ([un-])wise ([hearted], man}.

2449. חָכַם châkam, khaw-kam’; a prim. root, to be wise (in mind, word or act):— × exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiser.

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All content generated by a human being, 100%, no AI. 

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 12:4 Crown His Head or Rot His Bones

In Agape Love, Behavior, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Couples, Discernment, Discretion, Disunity, Divorce, Femininity, Feminism, Godliness, Honor, Husbands, Lifestyle, Love, Marriage, Proverbs, Renewal, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Truth, Wisdom, Wives, Women on September 14, 2023 at 1:32 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Crown His Head or Rot His Bones

Okay ladies buckle up, as this is probably one of the toughest verses in Scripture for a woman, aside from ‘submit to your own husband as unto the Lord’ Ephesians 5:22 and Colossians 3:18.

Author Note:

You really have to connect the meaning of each of the words in the writing below to truly understand the impact of what this verse means. My recommendation would be to skip ahead and read the Hebrew meanings listed below then come back and read the piece in its entirety, including the word meanings a second time.

“virtuous” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

2428. חַיִל chayil, khah’-yil; from 2342; prob. a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength:— able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).

“virtue” the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary first definition is as follows:

1 a : conformity to a standard of right : MORALITY b : a particular moral excellence

To be virtuous as a woman is to be a godly woman, and a godly woman follows the Standard set by God, seeking and following the Will, Ways, and Purposes of God. There is no way around the Truth of what it means to be a virtuous woman. She is “a force, a means or resource of strength” both for her husband and herself. She conducts her actions with “valor” for “good” using her “might, power, riches, strength, and substance” in the pursuit of what is “worthy” in God’s eyes. She has a “standard of right” and “morality” and she lives with “excellence” by that standard, God’s Standard. In so doing this she becomes a great asset in life to her husband.

“crown” is defined as the following in the Hebrew language: .

5850. עֲטָרָה ˓ăṭârâh, at-aw-raw’; from 5849; a crown:— crown.

5849. עָטַר ˓âṭar, aw-tar’; a prim. root; to encircle (for attack or protection); espec. to crown (lit. or fig.):— compass, crown

That asset that she becomes to her husband is a “crown” that they both wear. It is what brings the respect of his peers and business associates to him. A woman’s virtue is an actual “figurative crown” that “encircles” her husband, which gives him the strength when needed “for attack” from their enemies, and at other times provides “protection” from attack, disgrace, shame, embarrassment, trouble, etc.

An unvirtuous woman is the exact opposite, She brings trouble, stress, embarrassment, disgrace, attack, shame, hardship, etc. on her husband.

“ashamed” in the Hebrew is defined as:

954. בּוּשׁ bûwsh, boosh; a prim. root; prop. to pale, i.e. by impl. to be ashamed; also (by impl.) to be disappointed, or delayed:— (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed (-d), be (put to) confounded (-fusion), become dry, delay, be long.

Her unvirtuous conduct causes him “to pale”(lose respect) in the sight of his peers. She will cause her husband “to be ashamed” of her, himself, and even the fact that he married her. She will cause him “to be disappointed” in her and having married her. She may well be the cause of why his career or advancement in life has been “delayed” or halted altogether. A woman’s sinful behavior causes her husband to become “confounded” and brings “confusion” on so many levels for her husband. A woman’s conduct greatly effects and affects the life, health, and wellbeing of her husband.

Thus, she becomes a “rottenness” to his life (bones).

“rottenness” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

7538. רָקָב râqâb, raw-kawb’; from 7537; decay (by caries):— rottenness (thing).

7537. רָקַב râqab, raw-kab’; a prim. root; to decay (as by worm-eating):— rot.

“caries” means cavities of decay.

This “rottenness” will eat away at every aspect of a man’s life like “worm-eating” until its “decay” has ruined him in almost every conceivable way; mentally, vocationally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Men put up a very strong front but a wife has such a substantial impact on her husband whether he allows it to show or not.

“bones” is defined in the Hebrew as:

6106. עֶצֶם ˓etsem, eh’tsem; from 6105; a bone (as strong); by extens. the body; fig. the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame:— body, bone, × life, (self-) same, strength, × very.

6105. עָצַם ˓âtsam, aw-tsam’; a prim. root; to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intr. to be (caus. make) powerful or numerous; denom. (from 6106) to crunch the bones:— break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be (wax) mighty (-ier), be more, shut, be (-come, make) strong (-er).

Her unvirtuous conduct eats away at the very ‘strength of his bones’ while at the same time eating away at “the substance of his self (selfsame)” and his “strength” in every area. Left unchecked it destroys his “life” and sense of “self” it is an incredibly “powerful” force.

Women, you have incredible power. Will you use it for good or evil where your husband is concerned? Will you be virtuous and bring life to both of you or will you be unvirtuous and bring death to both of you?

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All content generated by a human being, 100%, no AI. 

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Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 12:3 Roots Only Grow In One Soil

In Behavior, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Decision Making, Decisions, Disobedience, Evil, Proverbs, Repentance, Righteous Living, Righteousness, Sanctification, Spiritual Change, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized, Wickedness, Wisdom on September 6, 2023 at 3:10 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

Roots Only Grow In One Soil

When we think of trying to secure ourselves, our life, our reputation, etc., we are thinking about something that in the long run of life only God can do. Security that we produce is only an illusion, then one day it is gone. Security God produces holds. We do however play a part in allowing God to secure our life for us, and that part is what we will explore here.

“established” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

3559. כּוּן kûwn, koon; a prim. root; prop. to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence, (caus.) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether lit. (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or fig. (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous):— certain (-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable , (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, × very deed.

Wow, right! What incredible and in-depth meaning there is to the word established. It literally covers every aspect of human life. It is no wonder man cannot do it himself/herself but instead it requires an act of God in concert with an individual.

No form of wickedness will ever help a person truly reach a point of this type of security, as found in what it means to be “established” by God’s standard. We have seen this played out in society time and time again. A person is riding high by the world’s standards, has fame, plenty of fortune, then one day it is all gone, seemingly overnight. In almost all of these cases there is one common thread, the fame and fortune was almost always acquired through ungodly means, wickedness.

“wickedness” in the Hebrew is defined as:

7562. רֶשַׁע resha˓, reh’-shah; from 7561; a wrong (espec. moral):— iniquity, wicked (-ness).

7561. רָשַׁע râsha˓, raw-shah’; a prim. root; to be (caus. do or declare) wrong; by impl. to disturb, violate:— condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked (-ly, -ness).

Wickedness is only temporary security, at best. God will never allow it to be anything else. Righteousness on the other hand is another thing.

“righteousness” is defined in the Hebrew language as:

6662. צַדִּיק tsaddı̂yq, tsad-deek’; from 6663; just:— just, lawful, righteous (man).

צִדֹנִי° Tsı̂dônı̂y. See 6722.

6663. צָדַק tsâdaq, tsaw-dak’; a prim. root; to be (caus. make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):— cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be, turn to) righteous (-ness).

Jesus is the only one who can do that initial “cleanse” of our souls and spirit that is required. He does that through our willingness to humble ourselves to our sinfulness, believe and trust in His sacrificial death on our behalf, our seeking of forgiveness from Him, and our invitation to Him to come into our life, every area of our life, and make us what He wants us to be, what He created us to be. He makes us “morally right” with God the Father.

Jesus “clears us of self” and instead as we allow His Holy Spirit to work in us, He provides the strength needed to live in the “righteousness” He has called each and every one of his children to live in. His strength must be sought before we can “turn to righteousness” in a way that will be successful and long-lasting. What far too many Christians miss is that it is His strength through us, which equals us calling on Him to empower or strengthen us to live as He wants, coupled with us choosing what God deems morally right or “righteous” in each situation.

Jesus’ strength + our choice = righteousness.

That kind of living is a life that is rooted in a way that cannot be uprooted, “moved”, or toppled.

“moved” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

4131. מוֹט môwṭ, mote; a prim. root; to waver; by impl. to slip, shake, fall:— be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, × exceedingly, fall (-ing down), be (re-) moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip.

Unlike the life “established by wickedness” those lives whose “root of righteousness’ is Christ, and following God’s Way to live, is a life that will not “be out of course” with God’s Will or one found to “be fallen in decay exceedingly” at any point.

To truly be “established” in life, rooted in a way that cannot be toppled, God must do the establishing and you must choose righteousness, His Way over your own. Who will “establish” you in life, God (righteousness) or self (wickedness)?

Again, Jesus’ strength + our choice = righteousness. ++end++

All content generated by a human being, 100%, no AI. 

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 12:1 Correctable?

In Advice, Attitude, Biblical Principles, Choices, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Correction, Decision Making, Decisions, Knowledge, Proverbs, Wisdom on August 15, 2023 at 12:27 pm

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Correctable?

It is really tough to allow yourself to be a correctable person. Yet, if we are not teachable, we do not grow. What happens to things once they cease to grow? That’s right, they begin to die.

That stated, it is also extremely important to understand who can teach us, who we can teach, and the difference between them both. At different seasons of your Christian Life you will need different types of teachers. Just as at different seasons of our Journey with Christ we will be different types of teachers; thus, our passions and/or His instruction for our focus of teaching will vary. Nevertheless, it is important to want to continue to grow, and in order for that to happen we need to maintain a teachable spirit.

Part of having a teachable spirit is having a willingness to receive instruction.

“instruction” in the Hebrew language is defined as follows:

4148. מוּסָר mûwçâr, moo-sawr’; from 3256; prop. chastisement; fig. reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint:— bond, chastening ([-eth]), chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.

3256. יָסַר yâçar, yaw-sar’; a prim. root; to chastise, lit. (with blows) or fig. (with words); hence, to instruct:— bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore, teach.

People do not like “chastisement” but we cannot just sit by and watch our brother or sister in Christ fall further and further away from all that God means for them to be. We must give them a “warning” when needed, a word of “instruction” if the situation requires. We must call upon them to show “restraint” through a word of “rebuke” if that is what is required. “Correction” and putting a “check” on “doctrine” that is out of line is one of the greatest ways we can “reproof” our brother or sister when they have veered from the narrow path. Without “reproof” and “instruction” how can they “reform” their actions, behavior, or beliefs.

I realize that no person who is sincerely following Christ enjoys chastising or correcting their brothers and sisters. They see their own failures and think, ‘Who am I to say anything.’ However I set to you this, if we are waiting to be perfect before we open our mouths to help another, or if we will only listen to those we view as without sin, there is going to be so many wandering Christians in direr need of help – and sadly, there are.

I will tread lightly on the aspect of the definition that deals with “to chastise literally with blows” and to “punish” as this is such a serious issue in our society today. I will just say there are far too many children out there who have grown into adults who could have used a spanking or two, and a little more punishment.

“knowledge” in the Hebrew is defined as:

1847. דַּעַת da˓ath, dah’-ath; from 3045; knowledge:— cunning, [ig-]norantly, know (-ledge), [un-] awares (wittingly

3045. יָדַע yâda˓, yaw-dah’; a prim. root; to know (prop. to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, fig., lit., euphem. and infer. (incl. observation, care, recognition; and caus. instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

It is through this very “instruction” that we come to the “observation” or the “care” for and “recognition” of the “knowledge” we so desperately need to navigate each season of life. We must be wise, knowledgeable, and yes “cunning” in a good way in order to have the full “awareness” and “wit” needed to manage life well.

If you are someone who despises correction aka reproof, then Scripture’s view on you is that you are brutish.

“reproof” is defined in the Hebrew as:

8433. תּוֹכֵחָה tôwkêchâh, to-kay-khaw’; and

תּוֹכַחַת tôwkachath, to-kakh’-ath; from 3198; chastisement; fig. (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence):— argument, × chastened, correction, reasoning, rebuke, reproof, × be (often) reproved.

3198. יָכַח yâkach, yaw-kahh’; a prim. root; to be right (i.e. correct); recip. to argue; caus. to decide, justify or convict:— appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct (-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove (-r), surely, in any wise.

FYI – Daysman in archaic means “an arbiter, referee, mediator”

We have explored much of how correction or reproof presents, but from this definition of “reproof” I would like to point out that correction also comes in the form of one trying to be “mediator” between what is right and God verses what is evil and Satan. Often correction comes only in the form of attempting to “convince” and individual of what is the correct path, even at the point of to “plead” with that person. However, the “brutish” individual is not going to listen, to the point of their own detriment.

“brutish” is defined in the Hebrew as:

1198. בַּעַר ba˓ar, bah’-ar; from 1197; prop. food (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concr.) stupid:— brutish (person), foolish.

1197. בָּעַר bâ˓ar, baw-ar’; a prim. root; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); also (as denom. from 1198) to be (-come) brutish:— be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set ([on fire]), waste.

According to this verse of Scripture, to be unwilling to be corrected is to be “stupid” and a “foolish” person who will ultimately consume their life with nothing but “waste” in the end.

It is a choice to be a person who loves knowledge and thus embraces instruction. It is also a choice to be a person who hates reproof and instead chooses to live as a brutish, stupid, foolish person. Which type of person will you choose to be?

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Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:29 – Wisdom or Enslavement

In Anger, Attitude, Behavior, Biblical Principles, Change, Choices, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Decision Making, Enslavement, Fool, Money-management, Proverbs, Responsibility, Spiritual Change, Wisdom on June 7, 2023 at 10:10 am

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

29…and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Wisdom or Enslavement

These above mentioned individuals could fall into the category of what people might view and the Bible might refer to as a fool. A fool always ends up in subjection to the wise in some manner, which is what it means to be a servant to the wise, which is mentioned in the second half of verse twenty-nine.

“servant” in the Hebrew is defined as:

5650. עֶבֶד ˓ebed, eh’-bed; from 5647; a servant:— × bondage, bondman, [bond-] servant, (man-) servant.

5647. עָבַד ˓âbad, aw-bad’; a prim. root; to work (in any sense); by impl. to serve, till, (caus.) enslave, etc.:— × be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, + husbandman, keep, labour (-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve (-ing, self), (be, become) servant (-s), do (use) service, till (-er), transgress [from marg.], (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper.

The first part of this definition is fairly straightforward, it is easy to see the implications and applications that apply. Fools rarely are in a position of ease when it comes to physical labor. They almost always end up serving other people and in menial ways. They might be highly educated, but because they act foolishly in their life and lifestyle, they work menial jobs just to get by. Another example, they might have won the lottery but because they were foolish with the money, how they used and spent it, their lack of discretion, investing, or saving, leaves them broke within a few years and back at some form of menial work, when had they been wise, they might never have had to work again in their lifetime.

There are two other aspects to what this “servant” of the wise looks like, they will “be wrought” and a “worshipper” of some sort.

To ‘be wrought” aside from the work aspect means to be deeply agitated inside. The fool has deep anger against the wise. The fool thinks they should have what the wise person has, that they are deserving, yet they have done nothing whatsoever to be deemed entitled in any manner to what a wise person might have or possess, whether material, monetary, or intangible things such as relationships, characteristics, peace, looks, contentment, etc.

The other side of the coin is the fool who looks up to the wise to such an intense degree that they begin to enter a form of worship of that person, and more importantly what that person has in life. A fool can covet the life, lifestyle, relationships, money, etc. of the wise person so much that they become a ‘worshipper” of that person. For a worshipper reveres, looks up to, admires the person who has what they want. They seek to be like the wise in respect to having all that they possess, yet most fools are not willing to turn their lives around and become wise in order to have what the wise people have…hence, they stay fools trapped in a bondage of their own creation, while they blame other people for their situation. How terribly sad and unnecessary.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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How Do We Make Godly Decisions? – Study of Proverbs 11:29 – The Ungodly Agitator

In Anger, Attitude, Behavior, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Enslavement, Fool, Hate, Hatred, Money-management, Proverbs, Responsibility, Spiritual Change, Wisdom on May 25, 2023 at 10:07 am

The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.

Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

The Ungodly Agitator

Some Synonyms for you:

Agitator or Campaigner, Protestor, Dissenter, Activist

Agitate or stir, disturb, shake, mix, trouble, excite, disquiet, rouse, shake up

A person can actually agitate for good, to promote righteousness, freedom from sin, repentance, bring God’s Will into being, etc., that is not the type of agitator we will be addressing here. We will be examining the trouble maker, that person who just cannot seem to allow peace to reign in any situation. A person whose actions bring nothing but trouble for themselves and the other people of their household.

The word “troubleth” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

5916. עָכַר ˓âkar, aw-kar’; a prim. root; prop. to roil water; fig. to disturb or afflict:— trouble, stir.

There are people who do not view their actions as actions that create trouble for other people. I had one of those people in my home for a long time. They could clearly see the faults of the other people around them, but seemed oblivious to the fact that their actions created such turmoil, pain, distress, and unrest in their orbit that they actually created the other people’s problems. You can spot these people because they have no rest even when on their own, running and living their own life, they still cannot find true peace.

Troublemakers are not always overt. Some of the most sinister ones are very covert about the way they do it; they lie, they con people, they manipulate, they portray themselves as a victim, they seek to control and dominate people by mental and emotional abuse, these are the ones who are much harder to detect and much more dishonest in their character regarding who they are. These people are extremely dangerous, not because of the direct assault they will make on a person but because of the destruction of lives they will cause by all of their manipulation and lies; in essence destroying other people and at times making them, the other person, look like the troublemakers.

These individuals have a reward for all of the trouble they cause. They inherit the “wind” according to this verse of Scripture. Inheriting the wind does not sound to bad until you find out what the “wind” actually consist of and how it manifest.

The word “wind” in the Hebrew language is defined as:

Figuratively it means to “anticipate” or “enjoy” the following, but it also means to actually have these things present in your life.

7307. רוּחַ rûwach, roo’-akh; from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; fig. life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extens. a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (incl. its expression and functions):— air, anger, blast, breath, × cool, courage, mind, × quarter, × side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, × vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).

Yes, they inherit the “anger” and the wrath of the people around them. They also inherit the inner anger that causes so many of them to distort who they are as people, to hurt themselves, to hide from God, to become mentally disturbed, and I could go on and on, as the outpouring of what they reap is extensive. Their life is never solid, “life is unsubstantial” for them in so many ways, it lacks any substance or firm foundation. The definition from the Hebrew language even touches on the fact that, a ‘spirit that appears to be a rational being influences their expressions and functions’ but the spirit is a counterfeit, not rational as we know rational but a deceptive spirit, which speaks to distorted mental thinking or disturbed emotional life, yet they will be the first to class other people as mentally ill. Inside of themselves they are never alright, they never feel right or solid.

Throughout this study, if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.