Proverbs 19 Select Verses
1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
Ever since the first man Adam sinned against God, all humans have been born into sin, with sin natures, in the image of Adam. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” in our own flesh, of our own doing. And it is only by the grace of God, via Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, that any of us are able to be made right with God, via God-gifted and God-persuaded faith in the Lord Jesus. So, it is only by the grace of God that any of us can live free from slavery to sin and now walk in obedience to our Lord.
[Rom 3:9-26; Rom 5:12-19; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Co 15:21-22,42-49; Gal 5:16-21; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-24; Titus 2:11-14; Lu 9:23-26]
With regard to the subject of integrity, this has to do with honesty, honor, and uprightness. Those who have integrity are those who have strong moral values and moral uprightness. They are those who practice what they say they believe. This does not necessitate that they be absolutely perfect all the time in every respect, but that they should be those whose practice is above reproach, who deal honestly with other people, and who are not liars and those who deliberately trick and deceive other people. They are trustworthy.
Sadly, not just in the world, as a whole, but within the gatherings of much of what is called “church” these days, integrity seems to have largely gone out the window in favor of the lies which tickle itching ears. So, if you are a person of integrity, who stands on the truths of God’s word, and who walks in the ways of righteousness, and who speaks the truth, in love, and not the lies which appease human flesh, you may not be embraced and well accepted among “God’s people,” but you may be an outcast, instead.
But those who lack integrity, who accept the lies of the enemy as truth because it lets them keep sinning without conscience or consequence, are the foolish (unwise, reckless, selfish, and thoughtless) who do not give thought to their steps and therefore their feet (walks, lifestyles) end up missing the way of the Lord, and the way of integrity and uprightness. And, although they may profess faith in Jesus Christ, they are not denying self, dying daily to sin, and following the Lord Jesus in obedience to his ways.
[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,15-17; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]
8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who breathes out lies will perish.
Nonetheless, whoever gets sense loves his own soul. And what is “sense”? It is godly wisdom, godly judgment, godly discernment and discretion, and godly insight and decision making. And this engages us in the study of the Scriptures, reading them in context, and then by the grace of God, and in his power and strength, applying those biblical principles and morals to our everyday lives. And why does this result in us loving our own souls? Because if sin is our practice, and not obedience to God, we have not eternal life.
For if sin is what we practice, which includes breathing out lies rather than us spreading the truth about God and about his gospel of salvation, we will die in our sins without God and without hope of salvation from sin. For it is not enough to just profess faith in Jesus Christ with our lips. We must die with him to sin and now walk in obedience to his commands, in practice. For that is what Jesus taught, and that is what his NT apostles taught, and so we need to take that seriously and not play “Russian roulette” with our souls.
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Now we should not listen to everyone’s advice and instruction, but only that which aligns with the teachings of God under the New Covenant and that is morally pure, honest, upright, trustworthy, and biblically sound. For there are a lot of people who are giving all sorts of advice and instructions in how we ought to live, or in what they believe doesn’t really matter to God, or in what they perceive to be “the gospel of salvation,” but not all can be trusted. Too many liars and deceivers abound. So, test everyone and everything.
The best counsel, advice, and instruction that any of us can receive comes directly from the Scriptures (in full context), as read in reliable translations, and as led by the Holy Spirit who counsels and who teaches us all things pertaining to Jesus Christ and to his gospel of salvation. For far too many people, including pastors and elders of “churches,” are not teaching the truth of the gospel, and are not following the ways of the Lord, but they are following their own purposes. So be wise. Be discerning. Believe God.
A Believer’s Prayer
An Original Work / July 31, 2012
With my whole heart, Lord, I pray
To be Yours, and Yours always.
Lead me in Your truth today.
May I love You, and obey.
Lead me in Your righteousness.
When I sin, may I confess;
Bow before You when I pray;
Live for You and You always.
Love You, Jesus, You’re my friend.
Life with You will never end.
You are with me through each day,
Giving love and peace always.
You will ne’er abandon me.
From my sin You set me free.
You died on that cruel tree,
So I’d live eternally.
Soon You’re coming back for me;
From this world to set me free;
Live with You eternally.
Oh, what joy that brings to me.
I will walk with You in white;
A pure bride, I’ve been made right
By the blood of Jesus Christ;
Pardoned by His sacrifice.
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