Increase Your Faith

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. Proverbs 19:23 (ESV)

The fear of the Lord leads to life; one will sleep at night without danger. Proverbs 19:23 (HCSB)

The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. Proverbs 19:23 (NASB)

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. Proverbs 19:23 (NLT)

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and such a person will rest easy without suffering harm. Proverbs 19:23 (GWT)

Pastor’s Commentary:

The fear of the Lord, also known as reverential fear, is complete and utter honor, respect, and reverence for God and for His Word. A person who fears the Lord is one who refuses to veer from the commandments, statutes, and ordinances of God no matter what the earthly consequences may be. Such a person has more reverential fear of God than he or she has fear of man.

Proverbs tells us over and over that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge. This means it is impossible to even begin a study of the Word of God without first establishing that whatever we discover in it, we must do; we are obligated to perform every Word without question. Then and only then can we begin to understand God’s Holy Word.

Sadly, one of the things most lacking today is a fear of God. I personally believe that is why so many Christians can sin readily without the ability to discern between that which is holy and that which is defiled. Some folks think nothing of going days without rendering prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord. I also believe one of the key reasons we don’t experience the move of God as frequently as we see in Scripture is due to a lack of reverential fear for God, His Word, and for His set men or women. Consequently, contemporary Christians understand less and less about Scripture and as a result have little confidence and trust in God’s Word.

Today’s Wisdom verse says, “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.” In other words, whoever possesses reverential fear for God will be satisfied in their life and will be able to rest without any concerns for their safety. They know and understand how much God loves them and rest assured that all of Heaven’s might and authority is available to them. No evil shall befall them!

Without reverence for God, however, such confidence is impossible to develop. Where the fear of God is lacking, natural and spiritual fear fills that void. Learning to honor God gives us the ability to boldly withstand every onslaught of darkness.

Make it your primary purpose today and everyday to honor God from your heart. When natural fear ceases to control you, you’ll know you have achieved the correct honor and reverence for the Lord in your life.

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The fear of the Lord leads to life, and such a person will rest easy without suffering harm. Proverbs 19:23 (GWT)

Pastor’s Commentary:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 (GWT)

When incorporating Proverbs 1:7 into today’s Wisdom verse, one could read it like this:

(The beginning of) Knowledge leads to life, and such a person will rest easy without suffering harm.

Intimate knowledge of the Word of God is always the difference between personal success and failure! In Hosea 4:6, the Lord says matter-of-factly, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (HCSB)

People say, “What you don’t know, can’t hurt you!” Beloved, what you don’t know can kill you! Make the time to study God’s Word everyday; there are no side effects or possibility of overdosing.

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Discipline is a terrible burden to anyone who leaves the right path. Anyone who hates a warning will die. Proverbs 15:10 (GWT)

Pastor’s Commentary:

For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden. 1 John 5:3 (HCSB)

Many verses of Holy Scripture are diagnostic in nature, meaning they are designed by God to give us indicators as to whether we are going in the right direction or in the wrong. Today’s Wisdom verse is just such a tool. In essence, it tells us that the Lord’s discipline or His correction only becomes a burden to the person who is no longer traveling on the right path. The Bible clearly tells us that God’s commandments are NOT burdensome.

If God’s requirements ever seem grievous, irksome, or oppressive, this should be deemed as an indicator that you are going the wrong direction. Don’t ignore the signs; simply repent or change direction. God’s way always produces life, joy, and happiness, so embrace it!

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Don’t talk to fools— they will just make fun. Proverbs 23:9 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

One of the identifying characteristics of fools is that they frequently ridicule the Word and the way of God. They not only see little value in frequent church attendance, tithing, or prayer, for example; they make fun of these essential mandates. To people like that, what you believe is absolute foolishness to be lambasted.

The Bible constantly urges us to separate ourselves from such people. Whether those folks know it or not, they are being used by satan to discourage you and thwart the plan that God has for your life. Who you associate with has a lot to do with what you believe and how you think.

Were you once on fire for God and prospering as a result, but now you’re less than enthusiastic about the things of God? Check for foolish influences around you. There may be a fool or two in the mix and regardless of their relationship to you, a fool is a fool. Remember: a companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:29 (HCSB).

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Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools. Proverbs 13:20 (CEV)

Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer. Proverbs 13:20 (NCV)

The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 (HCSB)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Association is a very powerful force among human beings. It may even be the most potent determinant as to how we think, act, and behave. The old adage says, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Many of us thought it was just a good saying; we had no idea it was steeped in God’s Word.

There are multiple ways to tap into the Wisdom of God. Praying in the spirit, studying Wisdom Scriptures, asking God are some highly productive ways to do so. Today’s verse details another effective method. Proverbs 13:20 from the God’s Word Translation says, “Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer.”

The word “walk” in scripture generally speaks to habitual behavior; it doesn’t deal with occasional efforts. Therefore, we can further translate today’s verse this way: Whoever habitually spends time with wise people will be wise, but those who habitually spend time with fools will ultimately be hurt.

Who are the influences in your life? Would you characterize each person as biblically wise? If so, you can count on growing in the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation. If not, you will experience disappointment regardless of your intentions or those of your foolish associates.

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She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 (HCSB)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Some believe that the Proverbs 31 Woman represents a composite of women with excellent characteristics. Those who support this position, do so because they believe that no one person, woman or otherwise, could accomplish the amount of work detailed in this chapter alone. I’m not so sure about that.

Today, women are involved is so many activities to include work, home, personal, and church requirements. In my opinion, many accomplish all of these obligations masterfully. Sadly, some are constantly overwhelmed by life events. We find the difference of results between those who successfully manage their hectic schedules and those who do not in Proverbs 31:26.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom…” This is the key to success! Notice it doesn’t say she opens her mouth “in” wisdom; it says she does so “with” wisdom. What’s the difference? The woman who opens her mouth with Wisdom is one who places a demand on the Wisdom of God before she speaks. She has Wisdom standing by her side as she executes every decision. She has learned well to incorporate Proverbs 3:5-6 into her daily schedule, so she never leans on her own wisdom; she leans on the Wisdom of God.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 says that Wisdom brings success. We can count on God to always lead us in triumph, if we always consult Him about our decisions before we execute any. The key to success for the Proverbs 31 Woman, or any effective woman today, is Wisdom.

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“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Proverbs 30:5 (HCSB)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Psalm 119:9 asks and answers a profound question: “How can a young man (or anyone for that matter) keep his way pure? By keeping Your word.” Not only is God’s holy Word pure and beyond reproach, He (The Word) has the ability to keep each and everyone of us equally pure.

If you’re struggling with purity in any area of your life, simply place a greater demand on the Word of the Living God by spending more time studying, meditating, and confessing His Word. You will achieve God’s highest and best for your life! Amen.

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A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father… Proverbs 29:3 (HCSB)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Although Proverbs 29:3 is focused on earthly fathers, I believe the Law of Double Reference is applicable here. I believe with everything within me that the person who loves Wisdom brings joy to the Heavenly Father as well as to her biological father.

It is the Heavenly Father Who made Jesus Christ Wisdom to us according to 1 Corinthians 1:30. It was He who had Wisdom as His delight as He created the whole universe (see Proverbs 8). He is the sole source of all Wisdom, for He gives Wisdom according to Proverbs 2:6. He freely gives Wisdom to everyone who asks without reprimand (James 1:5).

Purpose to bring our gracious Heavenly Father great joy today by pursuing Wisdom above all else. Doing so will make you happy too (Proverbs 3:13). Selah!

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The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. Proverbs 28:26 (HCSB)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” Today’s verse builds upon the same premise, but goes a step further. According to Proverbs 28:26, the person who trusts in himself, or his own understanding, is a fool.

Foolishness is to Wisdom what doubt is to faith; they are mutually exclusive, meaning where one exists the other cannot. One cannot be in faith and doubt simultaneously any more than he can be in Wisdom and foolishness at the same time.

When a person trusts God with everything within himself, he is acting in Wisdom; therefore, he will be completely safe. The one who trusts in his own experiences will ultimately suffer harm. Make a declaration today that you will trust in the Lord with your whole heart.

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Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (HCSB)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Today’s verse is one of my all time favorite scriptures. The Lord used it to change my life and my understanding of the process He designed for our spiritual and personal growth. God uses people to develop other people. It’s not the only method of development, but it is one of the primary ones.

Very often, we can hear people in church say that they only need God, maybe you’ve said that yourself. But, the truth of the matter is we need other human beings as well. People are never to be our gods, nor are they to be our source, but God uses key people in our lives to sharpen us and to make us better.

As you reflect on God’s goodness today, thank Him for the folks He’s put in your life for your personal betterment. They may not always be the nicest or loveliest people, but they pull things out of us that make us more fit for the Master’s use. Can you think of anyone God has used to make you better? If so, thank God for the gift of their life.

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