"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WISDOM"
Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
As we know, the Book of Proverbs is God's Book of wisdom for us, teaching us His wisdom for daily living.
These verses deal with the relative value of wisdom and gold, understanding and silver. And the road that God has for those who walk up-rightly. And, finally, the danger of pride, what it will lead to.
1. There is something better than money.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Here, God tells us how much better one thing is over another. This is not what the world tells us, but, it is the truth of God, and it can be depended on. The two things that are better are wisdom and understanding.
Both of these are better. One can get wisdom, and one can get understanding. They are both a better choice.
We can live for money, or we can place the priorities of God above all else, and we will be the better off. Let's make God's wisdom and understanding what we choose over living for things that will eventually perish, and do not bring the satisfaction that wisdom and understanding can bring.
2. God's highway ( or path ) brings blessings to the upright.
Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
God says there are two roads in life, one is wide, and one is narrow. All men are on one or the other. One leads to life and one leads to destruction. God wants you and I to choose the one that leads to life. It's the King's highway, it's His path for you and I to walk on. We make our choice to do so, and in making that choice we will find it bringing great blessings. By going God's way, we will find ourselves safe and sound in the Lord. By going that way, we will find ourselves being led away from the evil within, and the evil around us. One last thing, going on God's highway also is a road that leads to the preserving of our souls. The other road leads to destruction and evil.
3. There is a warning here for us about the dangers of pride.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
The word or concept of pride here means, pomp, swelling, arrogance, to exalt oneself, to lift oneself up in a bad sense. It's a sin of the flesh. It's resident within our flesh, and we need to be aware of it, and repent of it when we become aware of it rising up in us.
Why? Because look at what the verse says. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
When we choose to live in arrogance, rather than humility, we are sure to find destruction just around the corner. What does a haughty spirit mean? It comes from a word meaning, to be exalted, lofty, tall, and to be arrogant. Not unlike pride. This is a sinful tendency that every man has to battle his entire life. It's worth fighting the battle against it. For, if haughtiness takes over, we are headed for a fall.
The Lord promises otherwise to the humble.
James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
1Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Some questions:
1. Do you find yourself dealing with pride and arrogance from time to time?
2. What are the situations that you find yourself in, that seem to bring these sins out in your life?
3. Have you found these verse true in your life?
4. How would you describe the blessings of humility versus the dangers of pride?
5. Do you believe the promise of God to bless your humility?
6. Is there something You need to do today to take heed to the wisdom in these verses?
A prayer:
Father, there has never been anyone as humble as Jesus Christ to walk this earth. His humility has led to our salvation by our trusting in His death for our sins. Yet Lord, we still have to deal with the tendency to pride and arrogance. Lead us not into these things Lord, but away from them. Fill us with grace as we seek to humble ourselves before You. We want Your blessings, not the consequences of our own foolish choices. Make us those who receive and put into practice the wisdom You provide for us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
