Verse 1
-
Do not let alcohol lead you astray. If you cannot drink wine, for example, without it causing you to be tempted, to become drunk, or to depend on it, then avoid it entirely.
Verse 2
-
People in authority have greater power to do harm. Especially do not anger such people.
Verse 3
-
It's easy to start a fight. It's harder to prevent or stop one, as preventing one requires self-control. Always remember that it shows greater strength to refrain from an outburst. Choose self-control and you will be respected far more than someone who merely wins fights.
Verse 4
-
It is laziness to use unfavorable or uncomfortable conditions as an excuse for inactivity.
-
If you are diligent, you will be productive no matter your environment. Do not make excuses for laziness. Excuses show laziness and they are worthless.
-
Verse 5
-
When you want to know the counsel of a person's heart, ask questions to gradually draw it out of the person. Whether you want to uncover hidden motives or simply gain good advice from a person, wise questions will do the trick.
Verse 6
-
Don't be someone that talks about the good in their life. Show good by your actions.
Verse 8
-
This applies to us, not only to kings. Be known as someone who is righteous, hates evil, and will correct sin; then even your presence and gaze will make others want to repent. Living your own life uprightly will give you influence that words alone could never bring.
Verse 9
-
This is simple. Everyone has sinned. And if we ever become perfected in this life, like Paul hoped for (Philippians 3:11-13), it is not because we made our heart clean by our own efforts. It is God who makes holy, and by His grace we are able to be clean! Always give God glory to the extent that you are obedient to Him.
Verse 11
-
Even children can be good or evil, just like adults. Children are not as innocent as people like to think.
-
If you're a parent of young children, remember that they have a sinful nature too! Do not ignore it, and be careful to bring discipline!
-
Verse 12
-
The ability to see and hear physically, or to discern and listen spiritually, comes from God and is to be seen as a great gift to be stewarded well. Our entire experience of life depends on what we focus on, think about, and what or who we listen to. Be careful!
Verse 13
-
Don't enjoy sleep too much.
-
Diligent and godly people will want to get the minimum amount of sleep that's needed to be healthy, so that they bring the most gain out of their time awake.
-
The average adult with great diet and exercise won't need more than 6 1/2 hours of sleep each night. Build a healthy life, and go for the sleep-minimum!
-
Verse 17
-
Don't lend money to someone you don't know without gaining security from them, to ensure they are held responsible and motivated to keep their word.
-
It would be better to choose not to lend at all in this case.
-
Verse 18
-
If you want to make plans that will succeed, involve several wise people in the process of making those plans.
-
Remember that “without counsel, plans go awry” (Proverbs 15:22).
-
Verse 19
-
Take excessive flattery from a person as a warning sign that they have bad intentions. The enemy uses flattery to deceive people (Romans 16:18).
Verse 24
-
Nothing is out of God's control; even your own life is under His power. God is directing your steps in ways you do not understand. So, don't think that you can fully understand or predict everything that will happen in your life. Stay humble by trusting God's power over things not in your control, and make wise decisions in the areas that you can control.
Verse 25
-
Consider the cost before you say you're going to do something. Make sure you are prepared to follow through on your word. Otherwise, your words will have caused sin.
Verse 26
-
For most of us, we can understand this verse this way: Be thorough in getting rid of sin in your own life.
Verse 27
-
The human spirit that God has given you searches and knows how you're doing. It knows your thoughts and actions, what is hurting you, whether you are walking in obedience or not (1 Corinthians 2:11), since it knows right from wrong. Your spirit also gives you understanding (Job 32:8), and it can teach your mind if you know how to draw on it.
-
First of all, follow the convictions that you feel to change your actions in a certain area. These convictions are often your spirit giving you insight on how to be godly in a situation.
-
Secondly, desire to learn, and approach life and study with the motive to serve others and walk in love, and this will open your mind to receive more understanding from your spirit and God's Spirit.
-
Verse 30
-
Remember that the pain of correction is good for cleaning sin out of your life and making you more godly (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). Do not avoid this pain; welcome it!