Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 10:5, This Book is Alive

by Marilynn Chadwick

“Every word of God is flawless.”

Proverbs 30:5a NIV

I was around fifteen when I concluded God did not exist. I was not angry or rebellious. I simply no longer believed God was real. I had grown up in the church, attending Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools. I was “confirmed” as a twelve-year-old. I even went on a couple of high school retreats. But over the years, I gradually stopped believing, and by college, I had stopped going to church altogether. I would occasionally attend our family’s church out of respect for my parents when I was home from college. Out of curiosity one day, I picked up the Bible to try and read a few words. Nothing made sense. From then on, I saw the Bible as nothing more than a “dead book.”

I had a dramatic encounter with Jesus as a 21-year-old college student while reading C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity. I accepted him as my Savior and have never looked back. Suddenly, when I began to read the Bible, it was as if words jumped off the page. They were true, and they were speaking directly to me. This book is alive!

I began to seek the Lord wholeheartedly, engaging in Bible studies and learning from Christian mentors. One thing became clear: God’s Word is the truth and every word in the Bible is true. Or as Proverbs 30:5 puts it, “Every word of God is flawless.” Other versions say “tried,” “tested,” or “pure.”

A friend wisely encouraged me. You can’t believe one part of Scripture but throw out the parts you don’t like. If you do that, you’ll never be able to confidently stand on God’s promises when you need them.

I began to lead a group of young wives in a Bible study, all recent college graduates like me. They knew even less about the Bible than I did but were eager to learn. “Hey girls,” I said, “it says we are supposed to tithe, so let’s do it!” Or “the Bible tells us to respect our husbands as spiritual leaders of our home.” “Well, if the Bible says it,” they chimed in, “let’s do it.”

Thus began a life-changing Bible journey. I’ve learned firsthand Paul got it right when he instructed young Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Friend, it takes time to become “fluent” in Scripture. But let’s remember, once we accept Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit as our indwelling teacher who promises to make all things clear (1 John 2:27).

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 13:20

by David Chadwick

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but if you walk with fools, you will become foolish. 1 Corinthians 15:33 has a similar teaching, which says, “Bad company ruins good morals.” If you have never heard this principle before, hear it today: who you choose to work with, spend time with, marry, and be influenced by really, really matters.

Once again, I have to give a nod back to my dad, who said it this way, “Your friends are like elevators; they will either take you up or bring you down.” What a profound truth this is!

It is so important to be discerning and careful as you choose companions. The book of Proverbs is so clear. One option will make you wiser, and the other brings destruction and harm.

The people you keep company with will either propel you toward greatness or tear you down. Your friends and your companions will either make you foolish or wise. There really is not an in-between, lukewarm option to this principle.

For those of you who are parents, you should seek to implement this truth with your kids and teens. Peer pressure is real, and you, as parents, have every right and responsibility to guide your children in choosing their friends. Intervene when necessary! Talk to them. Be honest with them about what you notice in other people. Use Proverbs 13:20 as a guide to help teach your children this very important life lesson so that they can lead lives of wisdom.

Too often, parents hesitate to interfere with their children’s decision-making because they don’t know how it will be received. But healthy stewardship of the children God has given you is not control. Remember you have been called to lead your children in the wisdom and instruction of the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:19).

No matter what age you are, walk with wise people. Avoid fools. And encourage others to do the same. This principle will keep all of us safe and growing in wisdom.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 13:15

by David Chadwick

“Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”

Proverbs 13:15

Common sense is severely lacking in our current culture. One of the most dangerous parts of our modern society is that everyone is a self-proclaimed expert, but many lack common sense. There are lots of opinions, little wisdom. Many voices, few sages.

If you spend 5 minutes on social media of any kind, you quickly see that there is no shortage of thoughts circulating. In fact, so many that I think many people are always internalizing, never applying.

The practical wisdom found in the book of Proverbs is imperative to learn and implement; one of those truths being that it is highly valuable to know the right thing to do simply because it’s obvious. Good sense, or common sense, is not just a good skill; it’s a biblical skill. Treachery, on the other hand, is a destructive habit, full of deception with an aim to betray.

Where common sense wins favor and grants advancement, treachery eventually brings ruin. One of my favorite quotes says, “Time and truth travel together.” With enough patience and time, deception will be revealed. The truth always wins! And good sense is one of the best ways to see truth come to light.

I’m once again reminded of some of my dad’s wise words when he said that he often thought that great prayer was really just good old common sense. Knowing what makes sense in a situation and partnering with God to pray it into reality. I can see why he said this. When you have good common sense, you know what to pray for, and will see God’s mighty answers.

Therefore, see common sense. Seek to understand what the obvious right thing to do is. Then pray for that. And watch God work.

After all, good sense wins favor and, I think, the blessing of God.