Flourish Even More in 2024… In Righteousness – Part 4

    As we conclude our month-long study of righteousness, I would like you to consider the treasures of truth pertaining to righteousness found within two chapters of Proverbs. I hope this lesson will motivate you in your pursuit of righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22) and encourage you to continue to flourish like a palm planted in the courts of God (Psalm 92:12-15).

“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” (1 John 3:7 NKJV)

Truths About The Righteous Found In Proverbs 10 & 11

WE SPEAK ONLY GOOD WORDS:

• “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.” (10:11)
• “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little.” (10:20)
• “The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.” (10:21)
• “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.” (10:31)
• “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.” (10:32)

    ~ Consider Ephesians 4:29-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, and Romans 12:9-21

WE SEEK ONLY GOOD FOR OTHERS:

• “The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.” (11:23)

    ~ Consider 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Galatians 6:1-3; 9-10, Matthew 5:43-48, and Romans 13:8-10

WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO SEEK & SERVE GOD:

• “Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.” (11:21)

    ~ Posterity means ‘future generations’. Consider Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 4:9, Joshua 4, Psalm 71:17-18, and 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17

WE TEACH OTHERS TO SEEK & SERVE GOD:

• “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (11:30)

    ~ Consider Matthew 28:18-20, John 6:68-69 (how can we keep it to ourselves when we know this?), and James 5:19-20.

GOD'S WORD HELPS US MAKE PROPER CHOICES:

• “The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall from his own wickedness.” (11:5)

    ~Consider Proverbs 3:5-6, and Hebrews 5:12-14

 GOD WILL NOURISH US:

• “The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked.” (10:3)

    ~ Consider Matthew 5:6, John 6:35, and Isaiah 55:1-3

 GOD WILL BLESS US:

• “Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.” (10:6)
• “The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth.” (10:30)
• “If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner.” (11:31)

    ~ Recompensed means “rewarded”. Consider Matthew 5:5, Psalm 37:11, and Hebrews 11:6

 GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS:

• “The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted.” (10:24)

    ~ Consider James 1:5, Matthew 7:7-8, John 15:7-8, and James 5:16-18

GOD HELPS US IN OUR TROUBLES:

• “The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.” (11:6)
• “The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked instead.” (11:8)

    ~ Consider Haman’s actions and his demise in the book of Esther – see Esther 5:9-14 and 7:1-10, also Psalm 34

THE PROFITS OF PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS:

• “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.” (11:28)

    ~ Consider Psalm 1:1-3, Jeremiah 17:7-8, 1 Timothy 6:5-10; 17-19, Matthew 6:19-21, and Ephesians 1:3-14

WE HAVE A CONFIDENT HOPE:

• “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.” (10:2)
• “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” (11:4)
• “The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” (10:28)
• “The labour of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.” (10:16)
• “The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.” (11:18)
• “As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.” (11:19)

    ~ Consider Romans 8:12-17 and 1 Peter 1:3-9

WE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR GOOD:

• “The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.” (10:7)

    ~ Consider those noted in Hebrews 11, the woman in Mark 14:3-9, and Dorcas in Acts 9:36-42

It is worth every effort to flourish even more this year in righteousness and God will be with you every step of the way!!

You can do it! So can I!!