Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

This verse gives a key fact about women, and how to look for a wife.  As a single guy, this is a verse I would do well to remember.  Too often, we men look at superficial things, like attractiveness and charming behavior.

However, these are worthless unless she also is a strong believer.  It is better to love a woman who believes in God and Christ, but may not be the most attractive, than to fall for a woman who is beautiful, but has no desire to serve God.  It's a lesson I should focus more on.

Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30:9

That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?"
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

The risk of the rich believer is arrogance and pride.  When you have everything you want, it's easy to forget about God.  You did all this hard work to get here; you are now reaping the rewards.  Where does God enter into that, until you need him?

For the poor, it's easy to rely on God, because He can be all you have.  But when He doesn't seem to be answering, the risk is to do something to take your fate into your own hands, and become a bad testimony in the process.

Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29:23

A man's pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

I'm in the middle of a...disagreement with my pastors about some things at my church.  I think some changes need to take place in order for their stated objectives to be possible, but I've come to doubt their willingness and/or vision to do so.

I find myself uncertain about who's on which side of this verse.  I like to think that I'm the objective one who's stepped back and sees things as they truly are.  But I worry that maybe they're right, and my bitterness at the current state has caused pride to overcome rationality.

I continue to pray for guidance.

Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:13

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

This is a rather tough verse for me.  My default is to keep things bottled up.  It's not someone else's fault that I mess up.  It's not their problem when I sin; that's between me and God.  And besides, even if I were to confess, they wouldn't understand; they'd just ridicule me, or at least look at me different from then on.

This verse says that's not true.  I admit I wonder if this is how it's supposed to be, but not how it is?  Or is it just my pride, or fear, that keeps me from talking about my failures?  Something for me to pray about more.

Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27:2

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.

Yet another verse that gives a clue how to find the truth in one's heart.  Lots of people "toot their own horn," as the old saying goes.  They declare themselves good, or right, or superior.  But self-affirmation is often the most unreliable form there is.

At the same time, this doesn't say to belittle oneself.  It says to let someone else praise you, not you yourself.  It doesn't say that instead you should criticize or downplay yourself.  I've heard that humility is thinking of yourself less, not less of yourself.  This verse, I believe, matches with that.

Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:24

He who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he lays up deceit in his heart.

Maybe because it's election season, but this one caught my attention.  There's been a lot of discussion about whether Donald Trump hates Mexicans, Muslims, etc.  Most of the reason for this is because of the things he says, which can be insinuated to show his bigotry.

But I worry more about the ones who seem to gloss over everything, and explain away things they shouldn't.  Those, I have to wonder if this verse applies to.  Are they saying what they think they need to say, to get elected/keep their positions?  If so, what do they really think?

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:28

Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

This is the third time today that something along this thought has come up for me.  First in this morning's sermon, the pastor talked about how we need to avoid living strictly in the now.  Then in the Sunday School lesson, we were talking about how your speech reveals your heart.  Now this.

The point I take away from it is that having control over yourself is critical.  You can't let your emotions rule you, because they only care about what feels good now.  If you're going to look long-term, which also means looking at what God wants from you, you will have to control yourself.