PROVERBS 11 - WITH HUMILITY COMES WISDOM

 

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but WITH HUMILITY COMES WISDOM."                                                                                                                           Proverbs 2:2 (NIV)

                                        1.  WISE WORDS: PRIDE CREATES PROBLEMS,                                                                                    WITH HUMILITY COMES FAITH & TRUST

God says over and over againn: "I hate hearts filled with pride". He isn't impressed with how strong we are or what we want to do ON OUR OWN. Why does God hate pride?

 Our granddaughters are growing up very fast - the oldest is 12 years old and the youngest 7 years old; but they all have one thing in common - THEY LOVE DOING THEIR OWN THING! Even if they make mistakes, they want to keep trying on their own: "No, I CAN DO IT MYSELF!" 

We often treat God this way, "out growing the need for God's help". Throughout the Proverbs we have been warned: "to keep our hearts humble and trust in Him".

Because we need JESUS - the "the WAY, THE TRUTH and the LIFE". This is how He creaeted us. When we simply understand that our TALENTS come from GOD and not us, we are filled with HUMILITY, and we are free from pride.  We need to have FAITH that God knows more than we do. 

"Good people will be GUIDED BY HONESTY, but dishonesty will destroy those who are not trustworthy"Proverbs 2:3 (ICB)

                              2. GIFTS OF LOVE & RIGHTEOUSNESS

"Doing what is RIGHT brings freedom to honest people. But those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires." Proverbs 11:6 (ICB)

GOD LOVES US and we cannot experience this LOVE and know HIM, if we are proud. When we understand GOD'S LOVE we don't  want to push Him away. We enjoy a RICH RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, as our CREATOR. 

To have this "right relationship" with God and His Son Jesus, is truly a GIFT OF FAITH. This is our only true foundation. It is not based in riches or wealth, in which we can be tempted. We can have these for a short time, but we can't take them with us to Heaven, when Jesus returns!

"RICHES will not help on the day of judgement, but RIGHT LIVING can save you from death. The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of  sin." Proverbs 11:4&5 (NLT)

Placing our hope in the resurrection of Christ is the KEY to the KINGDOM. When God's justice comes, knowing Christ is the what will help us GET TO HEAVEN. Living a life like Him in RIGHTEOUSNESS, LOVE AND HUMILITY. 

"Lord, I take possession of your GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH, Help me to live a life of HUMILITY, INTEGRITY AND LOVE". Nicky Gumbel

 

                          3. BE A BLESSING TO YOUR COMMUNITY,                                                                                     CHURCH & FAMILY

"The whole city celebrates when the GODLY SUCCEED; they shout for joy when the wicked die.......Without WISE LEADERSHIP, a nation falls; there is safety in having many ADVISORS.....a GRACIOUS WOMAN GAINS RESPECT, YOUR KINDNESS WILL REWARD YOU." Proverbs 11:10,14,16&17 (NLT)

You can have an influence in your community and Church, and even in you whole country, if you follow God's guidance and favour. 

As you've already learnt in these last Proverbs, USING YOUR TONGUE is very important, with restraint, trust and honesty. 

Conflict in your neighbourhood can cause a lot of trouble. Remember to HOLD YOUR TONGUE. Think about what you are going to say before you say it. The mouth can get us into trouble very fast. If you say something stupid, there will be consequences. Even if you say what you think is the truth by spreading gosspip, you can damage friendships. Your mouth needs to be filled with GRACE, "seasoned with salt." 

"It is foolish to belittle one's neighbour; a sensible person keeps quiet."                                                                                        Proverbs 11:12  (NLT)

 We need WISE, GODLY LEADERS to provide wise advice. an very fortunate to have woman in my Connect Group who are very godly and Biblical leaders, who not only encourage me with their words, but with their PRAYERS. They are KINDHEARTED and SOW RIGHTEOUSNESS! I know they will always be rewarded.

The leaders in our Church, including my own daughter in law who is the Children's Pastors and reaches out to young parents in their community Playgroup, are a great influence in their Connect Groups too. 

"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:27 (NLT)

"Life has difficulties, challenges and sufferings", but we are also crowned with blessings. We will find "good will", thriving like a "green leaf". Thank you Lord for giving us a righteous life in Christ, and helping us to walk in the path of "truth and kindness" that is a "light to others". Nicky Gumbel

"THE HOLY BIBLE" - 'NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" 2011, Biblica

"THE HOLY BIBLE" - "NEW LIVING TRANSLATION", 2015,                                                                                                             Tyndale House Publications

"INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S BIBLE", 2015, Tommy Nelson

GUMBEL, Nicky, "Pride Creates Problems/Humility, Integrity & Love/Blessing the Community" .One Year" 2009/2026, Alpha International/You Version