Who Can Find a Faithful Man?

Proverbs 20:1–10
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

No other vice has so cursed the world and caused as much misery and suffering as alcoholic beverages. It becomes a snare that destroys the will and wrecks the life (v. 1). An angry ruler is like a roaring lion. You make either one angry, and you are dead (v. 2). The warning is to not make a king angry! He might order your death. Sometimes people (and even kings) will oppose us because we are Christians. Avoiding strife with fellow men is honorable (v. 3). A confident person feels no need to prove their strength. Arguments can be avoided by overlooking insults and by dropping unimportant issues. As God’s children we must be ready to yield our rights for the sake of peace. Only a fool persists in contention. If you are too lazy to plow, don’t expect a harvest (v. 4). God provides for us, but He also expects us to be responsible. Only a wise man can get water from a deep well. So only a wise man can understand another person’s thoughts. (v. 5). People often do not want to explain our problems, but a wise person will speak gently and encourage his friend to do so. 

Many people seem honest. They say the right words, but a closer look reveals their unfaithfulness (v. 6). Our children are like mirrors, reflecting our attitudes in life (v. 7). We need to be careful then as to which ideas and opinions we pass on to them. A human judge does not allow lies or evil behavior in his court (v. 8). In the same way, God punishes all our evil actions (Rev. 20:13-15). Nobody can lie to God. He knows everything (I John 3:20). No one is without sin (v. 9). We are in constant need of cleansing, moment by moment (I John 1:9). Unequal measures testify to a lack of integrity (v. 10). 15 ounces will never make a pound. One evidence of a person’s spiritual and moral values is how honest he is in his business dealings.

Application

Lord, help me to always be honest with you and in my dealings with every man!