Good Advice

                                                                   Sunday School lesson
                                                                  Week of September 18th

Lesson Scripture
proverbs 15:21-33


Introduction:
A fool lives without thinking,argues with those who are wise,and is impulsive.The fool enjoys going against what God says and thinks it's a joke to practice wrong behaviors.However ,a person seeking God's answers for life takes the time to ponder thoughts,attitudes,and actions.Prayer and desiring God's insight and wanting to live right before Him are that person's main priorities.The domino effect of this kind of living before God is all good.


Timely words of Advice
Proverbs 15:21-25KJV

²¹Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
   ²²Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
   ²³A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
   ²⁴The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
   ²⁵The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

Footnotes:

There is a saying "If you fail to plan ,you plan to fail" but even careful planning can end in failure if we ignore the opportunity to seek wise advice.Solomon made this observation on a national level in 11:14 and here applies the same principle in a personal setting.Sometimes we need sound words of counsel to breathe life into our plans.At other times, we may need understanding so we can provide sensible guidance to others.Solomon says that our words should be well thought out and suitable for the occasion.He also stresses a timely nature of our words,especially when giving advise or speaking at critical times in the life of another person.

Thoughful Replies

Proverbs 15:26-30KJV

 ²⁶The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

   ²⁷He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
   ²⁸The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
   ²⁹The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
   ³⁰The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

Footnotes:

Here verse 26 contrast the "thoughts of the wicked" with literally the "words of the pure".The Lord hates those who harbor thoughts that reveal themselves in hateful and hurtful speach,but those who do not harbor malice toward others as reflected by their pleasant words please Him.The "greedy" person is one who looks to cut a deal somewhere or obtain wealth in a hurry,even if it means using unjust means or accepting a bribe.The righteous provide thoughtful replies to those around them.The phrase "weighs its answer" implies consideration,study,and planning.The hearts of the blameless ponder their responses and filter their answers against God's wisdom.The wicked intend to injure others and hence "evil" flows out of their mouths.The Lord responds by staying away from those who use words to harm others while he responds to the prayers of the pure of heart.

Words of Correction
Proverbs 15:31-33KJV

 ³¹The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
   ³²He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
   ³³The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Footnotes:

While the Lord detests those who angrily use words intended to hurt or even destroy others,there is a place for "speaking the truth in love" in dealings with others, particularly with fellow believers. The viewpoint of the closing verses of Proverbs 15 is that of someone receiving thoughtful words of correction spoken with sincere love.Solomon qualifies the rebuke as "life-giving".The situation here is of receiving a rebuke intended to get us back on th epath of wisdom or on a path leading to a fuller life.Those who respond favorably to timely admonishment show both a healty fear of the Lord and humility.Humbly submitting to the Lord and His word,even in cases where it rebukes our behavior,eventually leads to both wisdom and honor for us.