Daily Bible Devotionals

“Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; for it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips, so that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?” Proverbs 22:17-21 (NKJV)

It is the father’s duty to impart Biblical values to his children, so they would imitate him and allow God’s Word to guide every aspect of their lives: all day, every day.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

Not only should our pursuit of God’s Word (and the application of it) be for our personal worship, but also so that we may be prepared to “answer words of truth to those who send to you.” (Proverbs 22:21)

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NKJV)

If we make obedience to God’s Word our highest priority, our children will too.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

Often interpreted that children will depart from Biblical values during their teenage years, yet return when they are older, Proverbs 22:6 is actually saying that children who properly learn Biblical values will continue in them, even into their old age.

“But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites - from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.  For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David.” 1 Kings 11:1-6 (NKJV)

“A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears him will speak endlessly.” Proverbs 21:28 (NKJV)

There have always been false teachers, people who claim to speak on behalf of God yet preach ideas that contradict God’s Word and character.  Jeremiah dealt with them.

“For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.  For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:8-9 (NKJV)

Jesus dealt with them.

“‘Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”’ When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, ‘Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.’ Then His disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.’” Matthew 15:6b-14 (NKJV)

The early church dealt with them and predicted they would increase in the last days.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)

What is destructive about false teaching is that heresy spreads like pigment in a can of white paint.  It cannot be un-stirred and must be completely thrown out.  Long after the false teacher is gone, the “man who hears him” continues to apply the false theology, thus teaching it to a new generation.  Heresy gets passed down as Biblical truth and affects future generations to the extent that they believe the actual truth as a lie, to the point of mocking and persecuting Bible-believing Christians. (Psalm1:1-3)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)

“A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24 (NKJV)

On July 4, 1776, the American colonies formally declared their independence from British rule.  Their letter of declaration contains a rather iconic statement: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”  The ideas of personal independence and the freedom to pursue whatever makes us happy are deeply embedded into the value system of most American citizens, even to this day.  But is that notion Biblical?  While God’s Name (their Creator) is used, and it is undeniable that every human deserves a fair shot, are we truly free to do whatever we want?  In short, no.  We are free to choose, but we do not have the right to choose wrongly.  While our fellow citizens may say, “Live and let live!” God says, “Live for Me, and Me alone!”

God has a plan for each of our lives.  While we may believe we have the freedom to choose our own destiny, we are accountable to God for the choices we make.  He has created all mankind with both the intent and capacity to know Him in a saving way.  And for those of us who have surrendered our lives to His Lordship, He has a plan for you, a job in His Kingdom.  

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Many people (including many Christians) find that notion offensive.  They do resist a God to Whom we must be accountable.  They assume God is more like an all-loving genie who exists to fulfill our wishes.  Well, we may choose to go our own way, but God always brings us back to the place where we are forced to choose between our fleshly desires and His perfect plan for us.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

Just as Abraham faithfully chose to follow God’s call to follow Him “to the place where I will show you” (Genesis 12:1), we, too, must choose to follow God through Messiah Jesus.  As Abraham did, let Jesus lead you to the place He is preparing.  Do not resist His leading or question His character!  There is no other Way to heaven.

“‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.’”  Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:1-6 (NKJV)

“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet. The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the Lord.” Proverbs 19:1-3 (NKJV)

Our generation values people who are successful more than ones who are not.  Today’s proverb touches on the differences between how people treat the rich and the poor.  The world exalts the rich and famous, but God looks deeper into a person’s soul.  Recall how the Lord instructed Samuel when he showed up at Jesse’s home to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king of Israel, replacing the people’s choice for King Saul.  

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; or man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

Even though a person may obtain celebrity or riches, they do not guarantee that person will be happy.  King Solomon wrote a whole book of the Bible (Ecclesiastes) about that very topic.  Even King Saul (who had the kingdom, power, money, and good looks) was tormented because he lacked a personal relationship with God.

“But the Spirit of the Lord [Yahweh] departed from Saul, and a distressing [evil] spirit from the Lord [Yahweh] troubled [tormented] him.” 1 Samuel 16:14 (NKJV)

It is not as though God is saying that there is any glory, strictly in being poor, per se.  There are many rich people who love the Lord and use their money to build God’s kingdom.  And there are many poor people who rebel against the Lord.  The whole point of distinguishing between the poor and the rich in today’s proverb is to address the deep cultural prejudice against a person simply because of their lack of resources.  Equally prejudiced is to ascribe value to a person merely because they are wealthy.  BOTH are sin because they judge the inner man (a person’s character) solely by observing the outer man.

“Many entreat the favor of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. All the brothers of the poor hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good.” Proverbs 19:6-8 (NKJV)

The key to joy has nothing to do with riches. It has EVERYTHING to do with knowing God’s Word and obeying it.  Wisdom is to fear the Lord (i.e., Hate evil – Proverbs 8:13) to the point that we have understanding (depart from evil).    

“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28 (NKJV)

“A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21 (NKJV)

Today’s proverb focuses largely on various ways that our words are a reflection of who we are on the inside.  As children, we learned the schoolyard rhyme, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”  But that isn’t really true, is it?  Words can sometimes hurt more than fists because their damaging effects strike deeper into our sense of self-worth.  Jesus taught that very lesson.  

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

Words can build up or tear down, so our highest priority should be that we know God’s Word to the extent that it controls our speech and actions.  Notice how Jesus (the Word made flesh - John 1:14) used the Bible to defend against Satan’s schemes.  Ever heard the saying, “You are what you eat”?  Well, Jesus consumed God’s Word as if it were food.  As a body draws nutrition from food, He drew it from the Bible.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4 (NKJV)

Jesus saw it as His utmost priority to obey God’s commands in the Old Testament.  Thus He lived out Job’s faithful declaration.

“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:1-3 (NKJV)

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:10-12 (NKJV)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Proverbs 17. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 16:20-25 (NKJV)

There are a dozen-or-so verses that seem to be bedrock foundations from which other Biblical ideas are weighed.  They make such undeniably straightforward declarations.  You may grow tired of my quoting them so frequently, but I assure you that my reminding you of these bedrock verses is not because I have not committed other verses to memory.  I am quoting them often because I want you to remember them!  It is not enough for us to read devotionals telling us what to think.  We must learn HOW to think.  I am not alone in my approach to learning.

“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” 2 Peter 1:12-15 (NKJV)

That being said, we must take another look at Psalm 1.  

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Yes, I quote Psalm 1 often, especially here in the Proverbs, but it acts as a key that helps to unlock understanding so we can know WHY there are such distinguishing outcomes between those who heed God’s Word vs those trying to build their lives apart from God’s blueprint.  We either align with God or fight against Him!

“The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:1-3 (NKJV)

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:33 (NJKJV)

“The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29 (NKJV)

If the Lord is far from the wicked yet hears the prayers of the righteous, we should probably explore how He defines “wicked” and “righteous”!  Let’s begin with those who are righteous; who are they, and how can we be counted among them?  The GOOD NEWS is that ANYONE who turns from his sin and receives eternal life through Jesus can be saved, i.e., considered righteous.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

So, Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of the world; does that make us all righteous?  Are there no “wicked” if Jesus has atoned for their sin?  Sadly, not everyone will receive salvation because not everyone will believe on His Name.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:18-21 (NKJV)

Notice how Jesus said, “he who does not believe is CONDEMNED ALREADY.” (emphasis mine).  Everyone (before they receive salvation) is condemned; sinners from birth and considered wicked by God, according to His standard as articulated in the Bible.  That is the human dilemma!  How can sinful men commune with Holy God if He is far from the wicked?  How can He hear our prayers if we aren’t righteous?  When we turn from our sin and receive salvation by His Grace (paid for by Jesus’ righteous works, not our own: Ephesians 2:8-9), we become righteous.  (2 Corinthians 5:21) The last prayer of the wicked is the first prayer of the righteous!

“For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NKJV)

“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27 (NKJV)

I sure love how the Bible defines itself! If we are to derive generationally-fortifying “strong confidence” from fearing the Lord (confidence that is a “fountain of life”), then God’s Word must clearly define what “fearing the Lord’ means.

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV)

Notice how hating evil (pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverse mouth) is the beginning of wisdom, and how our understanding is proportional to our knowledge of God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)

That means God’s Word (and not ungodly counsel) must be the source of my knowledge and understanding of Him if I am to expect my wisdom and understanding to lead me toward the “fountain of life,” away from the “snares of death.”

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Praise God that His Word has the power to transform not only our lives but also the generations that follow us.  If we fear the Lord, teaching and modeling faith to our children, they will honor us by not departing from Him.  (Proverbs 22:6)  Their “place of refuge” will forever be defined by their “strong confidence” that His Word never fails. Even though difficult seasons arise, they remain faithful to our teaching.

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16 (NKJV)

Hatred of evil (motivated by our knowledge of God’s Word as revealed by His Holy Spirit) turns us away from the snares of death, leading to the fountain of life.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17  (NKJV) (Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:10)