Proverbs 26:20
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”
 
A bonfire is a fun way to spend a summer evening with friends and family. In order to get a fire going there must be wood to sustain it. Without the wood there would be no fire.
 
Solomon used this same principle as a metaphor of wisdom.
 
Proverbs 26:21-22
“As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
 
Strife and contention are as devastating as fire.
They damage and destroy; yet in order for there to be flames there must be wood to burn.
 
James 3:6-8
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
 
A talebearer is one who speaks or whispers lies and gossip.
They fuel the fire of contention and strife.
 
Proverbs 11:13
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”
 
We are the wood of the metaphor of wisdom.
If we allow ourselves to become talebearers, we create and enable strife and contention; which is not wise.
 
Proverbs 20:3
“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.”
 
Our words should extinguish fires, instead of starting or continuing them.
It is wise to remove our pieces of wood from any fire that begins around us.
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 9-10  |  2 Corinthians 2  |  Proverbs 31

Proverbs 26:18-19
“As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?”
 
The name Jacob means supplanter or one who tries to trip up or over throw.
He deceived Isaac into thinking he was Esau in order to steal the birthright.
 
Genesis 27:19
“And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.”
 
Jacob gave in to the foolishness of his flesh as he followed his mother’s suggestion to deceive his father. Because of that moment of weakness, Jacob’s character will forever include that he lived up to the meaning of his name.
 
Proverbs 10:23
“It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.”
 
Later, the deceiver became the deceived. His uncle Laban deceived Jacob after he had worked for seven years for Rachel, he was given Leah for his wife.
 
Genesis 29:25
“And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?”
 
The sport of deception will always come back to where it began.
 
Galatians 6:7-8
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.“
 
If we choose to deceive we will one day be deceived, for we are sure to reap what we have sown.
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 7-8  |  2 Corinthians 1  |  Proverbs 30

Proverbs 26:17
“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”
 
We have a choice to make when we notice the strife others – to pass by or to meddle.
 
The Scriptures are quite clear of what we should do when it comes to this situation.
 
Proverbs 3:30
“Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.“
 
Proverbs 25:8
“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.”
 
It is wise to mind our own business.
Rather than concern ourselves with the affairs of others, we can choose to remain quiet and attend to our own lives.
 
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
 
We cannot walk honestly when we choose to meddle where we have no business of our own.
 
Micah 6:8
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 5-6  |  1 Corinthians 16  |  Proverbs 29

Proverbs 26:16
“The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.”
 
More often than not, those that have a high opinion of themselves are plagued with slothfulness. Many tasks seem beneath their self-proclaimed goodness and worth.
 
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
 
Rarely do the self-conceited seek advice from anyone but themselves.
The Scriptures clearly tell us that this is simply not wise.
 
Proverbs 3:7
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
 
Galatians 6:3
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”
 
The more counsel we seek, the wiser we are.
Proverbs 11:4
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
 
Proverbs 15:22
“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
 
Our opinion of ourselves is directly disproportional to our potential.
The more we think of us, the less effective we will be.
 
The less we think of us, the more we can be used by the Lord for His glory and not our own.
 
Luke 14:11
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
 
James 4:6,10
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble…Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 3-4  |  1 Corinthians 15  |  Proverbs 28

Proverbs 26:15
“The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.”
 
Slothfulness can consume us to the point that we neglect to even feed ourselves. There can come a point when even the most necessary things are seemingly not worth the effort.
 
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
 
Lack of food will only make us weary.
As much as our bodies need food to sustain us, our souls hunger even more for the Bread of Life.
 
John 6:48
“I am that bread of life.”
 
The Word of God is more necessary to the condition of our souls than anything else. Without Him we are nothing. Without spending time in the Word, our souls will hunger for Him.
 
Job 23:12
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”
 
It is vital that we read, study, and meditate upon the Word of God.
 
Psalm 119:9-16
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
 
We must not allow slothfulness to interfere with our fellowship with the Lord.
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 1-2  |  1 Corinthians 14  |  Proverbs 27

Proverbs 26:14
“As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.”
 
Tossing and turning in the middle of the night from restlessness is never enjoyable; especially when it continues through the day.
 
Slothfulness increases depression.
Proverbs 19:15
“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”
 
A door moves back and forth without going anywhere – stationary, yet moveable. When we are consumed with slothfulness, we eventually lose our desire to do anything. This is neither productive nor wise.
 
Isolation to avoid reality is dangerous to our spiritual health.
Proverbs 6:9-11
“How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”
 
When our slothfulness becomes so great that it takes over not only our physical but spiritual lives, we are in desperate need of a change.
 
Ecclesiastes 10:18
“By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.”
 
Through the Word of God, we can begin to exchange our excuses of idleness for a life of serving and knowing Him.
 
Proverbs 13:4
“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
 
Turn from any slothful desires, and choose today to change your spiritual health by diligently seeking to know the Wisdom of the Word.
 
Psalm 119:2
“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
 
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 23-24  |  1 Corinthians 13  |  Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:13
“The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.”
 
When asked or told by his master to do something, a slothful man begins to come up with reasons as to why it should not or cannot be done.
 
Slothfulness brings excuses.
Proverbs 22:13
“The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.”
 
Lions are usually in their own habitat, yet sometimes they begin to roam about where they have no home.
 
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
 
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
 
The only Way to fight against our enemy is to use the Sword.
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
 
It is not wise to continually make excuses about why we did not do something we know is right.
 
James 4:17
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 21-22  |  1 Corinthians 12  |  Proverbs 25

Proverbs 26:12
“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
 
Before there was a king in Israel, the people were ruled by judges. During this period of time, although they had a ruler, the people did whatever they thought was best.
 
Judges 17:6
“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
 
Self-Conceit was a common practice then much like it is today.
The demeanor of the people displeased the Lord then just as much as it does now. The Lord desired to be their Ruler, yet the people refused to acknowledge His authority.
 
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
 
Pride, one of the six things that the Lord hates, often expresses a lack of wisdom.
We cannot be prideful while humbly seeking Biblical advice.
 
Proverbs 13:10
“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
 
Proverbs 11:14
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
 
Only when we acknowledge our need for help, Wisdom, and understanding can we truly begin to be wise.
 
1 Corinthians 3:18
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.”

There is hope in humility.
We must be teachable to be able to reach people.
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 19-20  |  1 Corinthians 11  |  Proverbs 24

Proverbs 26:11
“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”
 
The Apostle Paul struggled with repeatedly finding himself in sin; even though he desired to do what he knew was right. If he wrestled with his flesh, we must expect to find ourselves in the same battle.
 
Romans 7:15,18-19
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I…For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
 
Our flesh desires to return to sin while our spirit desires to refrain from sin. There is a constant battle raging within a child of God.
 
Galatians 5:16-17
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
 
God sends clear evidence of salvation when His children fall into sin.
Hebrews 12:6-7
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
 
God chastens His children in love.
If there is no chastisement, there is no salvation.
 
Hebrews 12:8
“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”
 
A fool returns to his sin over and over again.
A righteous person cannot return to sin without repercussion.
 
Proverbs 3:11-12
“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
 
Thank the Lord for His chastening hand today for it reminds us that we are His children.
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 17-18  |  1 Corinthians 10  |  Proverbs 23

Proverbs 26:10
“The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.”
 
God created the earth and everything in it in six short days. He alone is the only thing or person that does not have a creator.
 
Colossians 1:16-17
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
 
He is the Creator of everything; therefore He is the only One Who is worthy of our praise.
 
Revelation 4:11
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
 
In His Almighty power, He alone will judge each transgression that is not covered by the Blood of His only begotten Son, and the just punishment will be rewarded.
 
Galatians 6:7
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
 
We reap what we sow.
It is our choice to decide what we will sow with our lives. The result of our choice determines the eternal state of our rewards. God promises that whatsoever is sown in our flesh will reap corruption; and likewise, what is sown to the Spirit shall result in life everlasting.
 
Galatians 6:8
“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
 
What are you choosing to reap?
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 15-16  |  1 Corinthians 9  |  Proverbs 22