God's Advice Column

Pick up a local paper, skip to the second or third section, you'll probably find an advice column or two. They remain popular, no matter the condition of the economy, the political situation or even the age of the reader. I've never really understood why. And yet, almost everybody likes to give (and sometimes get) advice. Whether we're qualified to do so makes little or no difference. It makes us feel important to have something to say that others pay attention to...

Why is it that we feel inclined to place value upon something that other fallible humans say, rather than the wisdom relayed to us from God?

Take a look at some of God's gems;

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Prov 1:7) kjv

-Don't think of it as "fear," simply give God the respect He deserves!

"My son, forget not my law, and let thy heart keep my commandments. For they shall add to thee length of days, and years of life and peace." (Prov 3:1-2) drv

-Obey God's rules, pure and simple.

"Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." (Prov 4:26-27) kjv

-Don't veer away from God's plan.

"Go to the ant, you hater of work; give thought to her ways and be wise: Having no chief, overseer, or ruler, She gets her meat in the summer, storing up food at the time of the grain-cutting." (Prov 6:6-8) bev

-Do the Lord's work now, while you are able! Tomorrow may be too late!

"The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance are the way of evil and perverted speech I hate."
(Prov 8:13) rsv

-God hates evil, and those who practice it. Sincerely give your all to Him.

"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." (Prov 12:22) kjv

-Satan is the prince of lies, avoid his foul influence.

"There is a glad dawn for the upright man, but the light of the sinner will be put out." (Prov 13:9) bev

-At the last judgment, those who choose evil will be condemned forever.

"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." (Prov 14:27) kjv

-Respect God. He alone will keep you from eternal death.

"A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury. The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly." (Prov 15:1-2) drv

-Keep a civil tongue in your mouth.

"The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow." (Prov 15:25) kjv

- Pride brings about a fall, remember?

"Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice." (Prov 16:8) web

-Goodness in poverty is great, foulness with wealth is deplorable.

"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." (Prov 18:22) kjv

-If you've found the perfect wife (like I did), this is patently obvious.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Prov 22:6) wet

-Kids need discipline, otherwise they turn to evil.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." (Prov 31:30) kjv

-Don't put much importance on appearance, but rather on a person's relationship with God.

There is a LOT more where all this comes from! The book of Proverbs is very much God's advice column. Read it with a willingness to accept His recommendations, especially if your heart is telling you differently. The evil one will pressure you to make the wrong choices, and give you what seem to be logical reasons for doing so. God will never force you to choose His way, but the reward is eternal.

Choose wisely, take God's advise.