Along with a plethora of choices we make each day, one of the biggest and overall most significant decisions we will make is whether we will be constructive or destructive in life that day. To be constructive is to see life from God’s perspective and seek to be a participant in the work of righteousness—First love is Jesus! To be destructive is to see only ourselves and how things effect us and then react from that perspective—First love is Self.
The world has missed how essential understanding constructive and destructive mindsets and behavior is to life and spiritual prosperity. Without Jesus—Wisdom—we are foolish and selfish people who think the only thing that matters is our path, plans, and our pleasure. To be selfish is to destroy one’s soul and life; a matter of self-imploding (Mat 16:26). If self is on the throne, all too soon a person can find himself or herself eating from the table of destruction that leads to spiritual death by seeing things from merely a human point of view. God wants to be the Author of our plans, because he is leading us on the righteous path of denying ourselves in order to genuinely love and care for others (Mat 16:24).
In our passage from Proverbs 14, today, we have a lot to digest, because there is a great deal being covered. Yet, it is always wise to focus on just a few things in particular, because otherwise it is like trying to drink from a firehose—overwhelming! So, let’s focus on faith and how Wisdom saves us from the destructive work of envy—the opposite of God’s love, because it misrepresents Christ’s holiness and gospel of Truth. Envy involves malice, hatred, falsehood, and slander—because we want something someone else possesses. We cannot increase in love if we are feeding the unrighteous spirit of envy.
Every human being wrestles with envy; believers experience the same struggles because no one loves perfectly. We have all felt resentment and feelings of jealousy watching someone achieve more or be more successful than us. Yet, Jesus—Wisdom—condemns this attitude, because it damages our souls—minds, wills, and emotions. Internally, envy attacks our faith and left unchecked our faith can shrivel and dry up. We must be content and filled with the love of God, confidence, creative ideas, and a sense of well-being; otherwise, envy will come and cause a soul to be ungrateful to God and resentful in life. Trust in the Lord and place your confidence in him—have an eternal perspective—because God knows the plans he has for his human creation! And, they are godly and good! May we learn this as a people, as the Church, and as a nation.
Proverbs 14 NLT
1
A wise woman builds her home,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
2
Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;
those who take the wrong path despise him.
3
A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
but the words of the wise keep them safe.
4
Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
5
An honest witness does not lie;
a false witness breathes lies.
6
A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7
Stay away from fools,
for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
8
The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.
9
Fools make fun of guilt,
but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10
Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can fully share its joy.
11
The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12
There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.
13
Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14
Backsliders get what they deserve;
good people receive their reward.
15
Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16
The wise are cautious and avoid danger;
fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
17
Short-tempered people do foolish things,
and schemers are hated.
18
Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19
Evil people will bow before good people;
the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20
The poor are despised even by their neighbors,
while the rich have many “friends.”
21
It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;
blessed are those who help the poor.
22
If you plan to do evil, you will be lost;
if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
23
Work brings profit,
but mere talk leads to poverty!
24
Wealth is a crown for the wise;
the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
25
A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.
26
Those who fear the Lord are secure;
he will be a refuge for their children.
27
Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.
28
A growing population is a king’s glory;
a prince without subjects has nothing.
29
People with understanding control their anger;
a hot temper shows great foolishness.
30
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
31
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but helping the poor honors him.
32
The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33
Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
wisdom is not found among fools.
34
Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35
A king rejoices in wise servants
but is angry with those who disgrace him.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your perfect example of love, so we can identify the works of evil that come to attack and destroy it. Thank you for forgiving us and liberating us from the foolishness of envy. We believe in your selfless love, Jesus, and we place our confidence in your constructive ability to bring satisfaction and contentment to each of our lives. Thank you for inviting us to partner with you in your constructive righteous work. We place our hope in you and continue to look toward your Wisdom to keep us delivered from the destructive work of evil each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.