Proverbs Chapter 13

• Proverbs 13:1 A wise son hears his father's instruction: but a scorner hears not rebuke. 

Some people will not receive correction and they neither repent by turning around to walk in the right direction. Those that are wise will receive instruction and live by it. 

• Proverbs 13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 

Those that live by violence usually end up being destroyed by violence.

• Proverbs 13:3 He that keeps his mouth keeps his life: but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Watch what we say, write and get involved in. Our tongues can get us into worse trouble than we could ever imagine. Here is one of my favorite verses on that subject. 

• Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 

What a victory in our life if we could speak by the Holy Spirit instead of our gut reactions.

• Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 

We can want, desire and crave but if we are like the sluggards who do not work or take responsibility, we shall have nothing in the long run. He that is diligent and careful does not end up in poverty. 

• Proverbs 13:5 A righteous man hates lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 

This is true in every sense of the word. We reap what we sow in life. 

• Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness keeps him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 

Right living keeps us from getting into trouble and suffering ruin. 

• Proverbs 13:7 There is that makes himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet hath great riches. 

I like this verse for it reminds us that true riches are not what the world thinks are riches. We can be rich in this world's goods and have nothing that really counts. We can be poor as far as the things in this life but be rich spiritually and right with God. In the long run, we are rich and the rich are actually the poor. 

• Proverbs 13:8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke. 

The spiritually poor does not hear correction and rebuke. 

• Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 

In the end when Christ sets up His kingdom, the wicked will perish. Evil, death and suffering will cease. 

• Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 

Most of our dissatisfaction, strife and trouble actually comes from pride. 

• Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase. 

If we work hard for a living we will prosper but if we get rich by deception, cheating and schemes  that are questionable, we will suffer loss. 

• Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. 
• 13 Whoso despises the word shall be destroyed: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded. 

It grieves my heart to see so many despise the word. I see it constantly. Here is a few examples. 

1. Taking the word lightly. Making light of the word by acknowledging that there is good in it but its not the final authority. They may see it as a book of good advice but not necessary for everyday living. 
2. Making fun of the word. Some go so far as to poke fun at those that believe in the word as the word of God. They call us fundamentalists with an attitude that to be fundamental is some evil thing to be avoided. 
3. Ignoring the word. Some just take the word lightly also by ignoring the word. They don't read, they don't listen and don't take the time to find out what God has to say to us. 

We are warned that the godly in Christ will suffer persecution. The name of Jesus brings offense. That is why there is a blessing given by Jesus Himself, "Blessed are they that are not offended in me." He warned that His name would cause many to be offended. It is an offense to tell someone that they are sinners in need of salvation. The death on the cross offends many also. The death on the cross was a horrible humiliating way to die. 

If we had a pot of gold buried in our back yard and knew about it, I doubt that we would ignore it yet the word of God is of more value than that pot of gold. In fact the gold is not worthy to be compared to God's word. 

• Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

I could also say, "What profit is it to gain the highest education and obtain the best paying job if you lose your soul?" 

We strive to see our children get good grades, go to the best colleges, and seek the highest paying jobs but do we stress the greatest need and that is to get our souls right with God? What profit is it to go to college, earn a degree, get that perfect job, buy a beautiful home, and drive a fancy car; if we neglect the salvation offered to us through faith in Jesus Christ. All the above will be lost at the point of death and all will go to someone else. The only thing that really counts in this life is the thing we neglect the most. The word of God. 

• Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 
• 15 Good understanding gives favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. 

Actually to live a life of sin and live in ignorance of God's word is a hard life to live. Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. 

• Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly. 
• 17 A wicked messenger falls into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 

Don't trust someone who is unreliable with an important message.

• Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored. 

If we are doing something wrong and receive correction when someone points it out, we are wise but to those that refuse correction, it leads to poverty, loss of salvation. 

We warn so much to our kids about the peril of dropping out of school but in reality, it would be better to be known as a high school drop out than one who loses the soul for eternity. Think about it. We stress education more than the word of God. 

• Proverbs 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 
• 20 He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 

We become like those we associate with. 

• Proverbs 13:21 Evil pursues sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid. 

The law of reaping and sowing affects everyone whether Christian of not.

• Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 

Those that gain by greed or deceit will end up leaving it all to the just. In eternity the sinner will have nothing. All will belong to the righteous. 

• Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 
• 24 He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him quickly. 

We must correct children to guide them on the right path. To allow them to make their own way is a mistake. We are all born into rebellion and need to be shown the right way. 

• Proverbs 13:25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. 

The whole message is the those that pursue evil will lose in the long run. There is no way they can win.