Proverbs Chapter 16

1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Proberbs Chapter 16 talks a lot about the 'heart' of man. This isn't the muscle that pumps blood around in our bodies; it's the very center of our being. It's our soul. We were made in the likeness of God: Spirit, Soul, and body. We are spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. Our souls are our thoughts and intents, our emotions. It's more than just our minds. The bible tells us that they (our minds) have to be renewed. They are renewed by the Word of God. Almost like a computer our minds are programed by what we see, read, and speak. That's why the 'mouth' and 'lips' are so prominent throughout the book of Proverbs. If what they speak (programming) is contrary to the Word of God our whole being gets off course. That's why you'll see so much about 'paths' and 'directions'.

Again in this Proverb we see in verse 11 that "just" weights and balances "are the Lord's": "all the weights of the bag are his work." (concern). This is everything we do in our dealings with others. When we know this and "commit" it to the Lord, verse 3, He will "establish" our thoughts. Our minds are like a battle field. They race from one thing to the next. We read something that may be contrary to the Bible. We watch something perhaps we shouldn't. Then we add what we say sometimes that's negative and wow the mind doesn't know what to think! (I'm smiling at that one.)

This 're-programming' (renewing our minds) , if you will, takes work. But it's of untold value as pointed out in verse 16... "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" We have to place our "trust in the Lord", verse 20. The result of that is happiness. Let's get on the road to 'happy'...

See you tomorrow, Pastor Herb

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