| Our verse to DATE the Word on December 8 (12/8) is Proverbs 12:8 |
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| Proverbs 12:8 says, “A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. |
| Decisions can bring PROMOTION or DEMOTION Proverbs 12:8 tells of how a person’s decision to acquire and apply wisdom can bring praise and commendation, yes, PROMOTION. In contrast, the decisions of another person to practice perversity can bring disgust and be literally despised, yes, face demotion. Proverbs is so good at reminding us that our choices have consequences, both for good and for bad. We must know that we make our choices and then our choices make us. Acquiring and applying wisdom brings many advantages. Throughout Proverbs, you will find “THE WISE” being described by actions along with at times the advantages. For instance, the WISE will receive (accept as opposed to rejecting) what God commands. Proverbs 10:8 “The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.” The WISE will store up wisdom today for tomorrow Proverbs 10:14 “Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” The WISE know how to keep their tongue from getting them into trouble. Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. The WISE will choose carefully their friends and associates and companions! Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise [men] will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. The WISE will respond to a rebuke by listening and learning from it: Proverbs 9:8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Proverbs 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. These are but a few examples of what the WISE DO. Just these few actions show how they will be commended and promoted. The perverse heart is totally different. First off we learn from Proverbs 3:32 that “The perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,” Proverbs 6:12 reveals that “A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;” From Proverbs 16:28 we see that “A perverse man sows strife,” Proverbs 28:18 compares the advantages of the blameless with the perverse telling us. “Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.” One of the most important revelations of how this perverse person acts comes from Proverbs 14:2. Proverbs 14:2 says, “He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.” “But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him” tells us so very much about this man, The perverse are crooked and wicked. They do not want God to tell them anything. So if they are not willing to listen to God why would you ever think they would listen to a boss or to any other authority? No wonder they are despised. Are you a wise person? If you are you know that you don’t know all you need to know and you, therefore, seek to acquire more wisdom so that you might apply it to your life. When this is happening, you will be commended! Are you a perverse person whose heart is filled with filth and crooked actions? Do you find that you despise what God has to say? If you live this way expect to be despised. Friends, your choices have consequences! Verse to DATE the Word on December 8 (12/8) is Proverbs 12:8. It says, “A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. The wise bring delight and are promoted while the perverse are despised and demoted. Continue Strong by acquiring and applying WISDOM, And remember to DATE THE WORD |