Proverbs 11:1-3 Honesty. Integrity. Humility.

Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. Proverbs 11:1-3

Dishonest: deceit, deceptive

Abomination: something disgusting, an abhorrence

Just: complete, full, perfect

Delight: goodwill, favor

Pride: insolence, presumptuousness of godlessness

Shame: ignominy, dishonor, disgrace

With: in one's possession or keeping, mental quality

Humble: modest

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Integrity: blameless, innocence

Upright: well-pleased, righteous, straight

Guide: by implication to transport, lead

Perversity: distortion, viciousness

Unfaithful: to act covertly; by implication, to pillage, deal deceitfully

Destroy: devastate, ruin

Honesty. Integrity. 

The concepts of honesty and integrity seem to be missing from our society as a whole these days. Lying is common place. Deceitfulness is considered the norm. Cheating is the standard practice. 

Yet, no matter how common place dishonesty is, is remains an abomination to the Lord! It's disgusting to Him. And if it's disgusting to Him, it should be to us as well.

It SHOULD be. Why isn't it? 

Because of Pride. We tend to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to, and to make ourselves look better in the eyes of those around us, we "enhance" our speech with lies. And soon, it then becomes the norm for us. We liked that the lie, made us "better". 

Sadly, it is only an illusion. For a life based on dishonesty and pride is just, well full of hot air. It's not good for anything. It ruins trust. And it also eats away at oneself, because no matter how many lies are told—we know the truth, even if we think we've deceived others. 

Honesty. Integrity. Humility. 

Three important traits that begin when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG) 

Proverbs 10:27-32: Positives—a far better outcome!

The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. Proverbs 10:27-32

Prolongs days. (add strength = grow stronger)

Will be gladness. (glad result, gleeful issue)

Is Strength. (figurative, of God as refuge)

Never be moved. (secure)

Brings forth wisdom. (bears the fruit of wisdom, prudence)

Know what is acceptable. (assuredly, be aware goodwill, favor)

Each of these positives is followed by a BUT showing the negatives which, sadly are often too common. The positives have a far better outcome than the negatives! 

The Question: Why when we have the opportunity to make a choice that is all positive do we chose to ignore it and follow the ways of fools? 

The Answer: Because of the first 5 words of Proverbs 10:27: "The fear of the Lord." 

Instead of having a reverence for who God is, we would rather declare ourselves god and follow the folly of our own ways leading us to misery and death. We may say we believe in God, but that doesn't mean we fear Him. The devils believe in God too—and they know what God can do! But they don't obey God. 

Belief and reverence for God MUST translate into obedience of His wisdom. We can't expect the positives to happen if we ignore the foundation of fearing God and obeying Him. 

Each attitude and action is based wether we fear God or hate God. If a heart is truly permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then the attitudes and actions will result in the positives listed in Proverbs 10:27-32. 

Positives—a far better outcome! 

Proverbs 10:23-26 Indefinite futurity!

To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom. The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy man to those who send him. Proverbs 10:23-26

Evil: wickedness in act

Understanding: the faculty, discernment

Wisdom: skillful, wisely, wit

Fear: terror, affright

Desire: a longing, lusting

Granted: to give, bestow

Whirlwind: that makes an end; judgments

Everlasting: indefinite futurity, with preposition for ever, always

Lazy: indolent, sluggard; (slothful and unprofitable servant)

As I read that first phrase, "to do evil is like a sport to a fool" it made me think of the riots and chaos we've seen in the news lately. Those taking part think stealing, burning down buildings, etc. is a sport. It's great fun. Sadly, they pay no attention to the consequences of their actions—people lose their merchandise, income, buildings, and livelihoods. All that is happening is destroying their very own communities. And soon they are left with nothing. 

The next phrase that caught my attention was, "but the righteous has an everlasting foundation". I like the definition of "everlasting": indefinite futurity. What a great security that is! Wisdom provides a foundation that is not only rock solid—but is indefinite futurity! 

As we look at what is happening in the world. The chaos and killings. No matter what happens, the righteous know that they have an indefinite futurity in Christ. Their foundation is rock solid and will last forever. 

An indefinite futurity foundation begins with a heart permitted with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And as one learns and applies wisdom that foundation only gets stronger! 

Indefinite futurity! 

Proverbs 10:22: Getting!

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

Makes one rich: to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

Sorrow: pain, hurt

Rich. Money. Things. Accumulation. Getting. 

It's amazing how quickly our eyes focus on that word, "rich". Oh, if we only had more money, our lives would be so much better. Really? How much is enough? 

What does it mean to be "rich"? Who sets the standards for how much is enough? Does being rich only involve money and things? Do money and things really bring happiness and joy? 

When we focus on "getting", rather than God, we never seem to have enough and when we lose what we gained, we become discouraged and suffer loss. 

Yes, we are to work and strive—but not to the point where the "getting" outweighs God and doing what God wants. For when we are acting in accordance with God's will, He blesses us abundantly. And that doesn't mean that we will be rich by man's standards. Rather, we will have peace and contentment in God. 

Whatever we receive in the way of providence, has God's blessing in it, and will do us good. Cares, troubles, and difficulties come with all property not acquired in this way; but God's blessing gives simple enjoyment, and levies no tax upon the comfort. 

Adam Clarke Commentary

On what do I focus? The getting or the Giver? When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then my focus will be on God and obeying His wisdom. 

Proverbs 10:18-21: That simply describes the fool.

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. Proverbs 10:18-21

Defamation.

Utter rashly and inconsiderately. 

Good for nothing.

Die prematurely, by neglect of wise moral conduct.

That simply describes the fool.

We all know someone who fits that description: one who spreads defamation speaks rashly without thought. And sadly, this is even more common today, due to Facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc. It's easy to click "like", or share, or retweet, etc. and pass along information—without verifying to see if it is true. We'd rather just assume that what is posted is true, and therefore, just pass it along. But that in actuality is the characteristic of a fool. 

How easy it is to look at others and point out which ones are fools. We spot them by their speech, behavior, and attitudes. We are disgusted by their actions! And yet, too often we too are guilty of uttering rashly and being inconsiderate in our speech. Are actions and attitudes display a good for nothing heart. 

Think before you speak. 

Wise advise. For if you stop and think before you speak, you can filter your thoughts and words though the truth wisdom has to offer. 

Think before you like, share, retweet. For if you stop and think before passing along information, you can verify whether it is true. 

A heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), will provide the filter necessary to analyze thoughts, speech, and conduct. The fear of God, the beginning of wisdom, will prevent one from being a fool!