Do not speak like them, for their lips talk of their mischief. All they say has an ill tendency, to dishonor God, reproach religion, or wrong their neighbor; but it will be mischief to themselves at last. It is therefore thy wisdom to have nothing to do with them. Nor hast thou any reason to look upon them with envy, but with pity rather, or a just indignation at their wicked practices. “We see that we are not to want the way or the rewards of the evil man. We discussed before that fellowship with evil brings us guilt of their sin by association. Their ways are wicked ways. Their desires are to destroy someone else and build themselves up by the hurt of others. They speak slanders and lies. Stay away from them before you learn their evil ways. A family or home is built upon faith in God. A family with God as its center is established and is not easy shaken. Pleasant and precious riches and are not necessarily money, but are the wealth of love, happiness, joy, and peace. Wisdom from God helps us in all circumstances. Wisdom, (advice from God) would be especially useful in war. When the Israelites fought their wars, they won when the Lord led them in battle; but when they fought the battles in their own strength without his help, they failed and lost many lives. God must guide us in everything or we, too, will fail. Wisdom and wise counsel are associated with strength. A fool is so busy being foolish that he does not even pray and seek wisdom. The wise could even counsel the fool, and the fool would not realize that it was good counsel. The wise follow after God and his teaching, and the fool goes the way of the flesh. Wisdom is a gift from God. Wisdom and Godliness go hand in hand. Plotting to destroy the dwelling place of the righteous and plotting this for evil gain. God warns against this type of endeavor. A man’s home is his castle. A man fights harder to protect his home than anything else he has besides his God and his family. To attack a man at home is a dangerous thing to try. The “seven times” simply means “often” or “many”. The plots of the wicked against the righteous though partially and temporarily successful shall not be ultimately successful; while the wicked will fall under God’s eternal judgment and find no help or deliverance. We are told also, to feed our enemies when they are hungry. We are not to get even when someone does us wrong. Vengeance is mine says the Lord.
Proverbs Chapter 24:1-34
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studies’ destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opened not his mouth in the gate. He that devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou says, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondered the heart consider it? and he that keeps thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Rejoice not when thine enemy falls, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbles: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both? These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. He that says unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travels; and thy want as an armed man.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for the many words of wisdom that are contained in the book of Proverbs. I believing to put in to practice everything new that I have learned, that I may accept Your Word with all readiness and store it up in my heart. I thank You and praise You that You guide and provide the willingness to keep away from evil and evil people. I thank You and praise You for all Your warnings and Precepts that will keep us safe if we stay on Your path. I thank You and praise You that I can pray for evil people so that You can work in their lives through others encouragement. Watch as they change by repenting, and I may not see but You know everything. If their is any evil in me that You will purify me and let me see and change my heart also. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established: Proverbs 24:3
"Only Life Changes" 