4 lessons I learned from PROVERBS [free shareables!]

As we close out this month in the book of Proverbs, I’d like to ask what you learned. Did anything take you by surprise?

Every time I open the Word I discover something new, seeing the same words in a new light. True, we are always changing and growing, but I think the main reason is that the Word is alive and moving all around us, every day.

Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Amazing. No other written work can move and change us like the Bible.

When I set out to study this book at the beginning of the month, I saw Proverbs as a big jumble of unorganized truths — a “junk drawer” of wisdom, so to speak. But as the days went by, I could almost see the gaps in my own knowledge being filled and quenched. There were 4 major themes stuck out to me:

Fear of the Lord. Unless we acknowledge the sovereignty of God in our lives, we will always be stumbling along trying to live by our own faulty wisdom. “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!” (Psalm 111:10).
Humility. Humility is key to fearing God, but Proverbs also talks about humility towards our neighbor. Not only is it loving to put our neighbor before ourselves, it is commanded by Jesus. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11)
Integrity. When others see your honest dealing in all things, they will see your pure life and give glory to God. “For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ” (2 Corinthians 9:13).
Self-Discipline. In Let’s All Be Brave, Annie Downs makes a poignant observation: It takes courage to be disciplined. When we practice discipline (no matter the details) we are stepping out and saying, “Even though I don’t see the results now, I believe that my obedience to God’s Word will prove victorious”