14:1 Every wise woman builds her household, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. 

 

A wise woman is one who has mastered Bible doctrine. She knows how to run a godly household. A foolish woman is one who is devoid of Bible doctrine. Her lack of wisdom tears down the house and produces godless children.

 

14:2 The one who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but the one who is perverted in his ways despises him.

 

The one who respects the Lord will walk in His ways. The one who hates the Lord will walk in his own evil ways.

 

14:3 In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back, but the words of  the wise protect them.

 

The foolish person will say words that cause him to be punished. Those who possess strong Bible doctrine will say words which will protect them from their enemies.

 

14:4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen.

 

A farmer must invest in his oxen in order to grow an abundance of crops.

 

14:5 A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

 

Solomon was the King and Judge of Israel, so he knew a thing or two about court cases. False witnessing in court was denounced.

 

14:6 The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person.

 

Those who hate God look for wisdom in the wrong places. Those who love God will find wisdom easily through the mastery of Bible doctrine.

 

14:7 Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. 

 

A foolish person is one who is devoid of Bible doctrine. Do not associate with someone who has nothing worthwhile to say.

 

14:8 The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception. 

 

The shrewd person is the one who has mastered Bible doctrine. He will not be deceived. The fool is the one who is devoid of Bible doctrine. He will be deceived, but he will think that he is right.

 

14:9 Fools mock at reparation, but among the upright there is favor. 

 

When a fool sins, he does not take serious the confession of that sin. He may even boast about his sin. Those with strong Bible doctrine will confess their sins.

 

14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and with its joy no one else can share. 

 

A person can only understand his own bitter and joyful experiences. It is biblically wrong to say “I know how you feel.”

 

14:11 The household of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 

 

The family members of the wicked will be destroyed and sent to hell. The family members of the righteous will live forever with the Lord.

 

14:12 There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

 

Those without Bible doctrine think they are on the path to salvation, but it is actually a path of destruction. According to the Apostle Paul, one must “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.” Notice that the requirements do not include repentance, saying a sinner’s prayer, walking down an aisle, asking for forgiveness, asking Christ to come into one’s heart, asking Christ to forgive one of their sins, water baptism, taking communion, or doing any good works. The only condition of salvation is faith in Christ alone. .

 

Many cults and isms think that they are on the right path, but if this path teaches that Jesus is less than God in the flesh or in a works salvation system, then this person is anathema (Galatians 1:8). Anathema means that one is going to hell.

 

14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

 

Those without strong Bible doctrine will laugh on the outside but cry on the inside. They will pay a comedian millions of dollars to make them outwardly laugh. No one in this world will ever become internally happy unless they are doing God’s will. 

 

14:14 The backslider will be paid back from his own ways, but a good person will be rewarded for his.

 

When a believer slides backwards, then God will spank him and lead him back to the right path. Those who master and apply Bible doctrine will be rewarded with eternal crowns which will never erode away.

 

14:15 A naive person believes everything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps.

 

Those who do not master Bible doctrine will believe that nothing exploded into everything and that lifeless dirt became alive. Those who master Bible doctrine will not be deceived by these arguments of the satanic world system.

 

14:16 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident. 

 

The person with strong Bible doctrine will not turn to the dark side. The person who is devoid of Bible doctrine will become overconfident in his ability to resist sin and then become trapped in it. Alcohol, drugs, sex, and evil will capture them with their snares.

 

14:17 A person who has a quick temper does foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes is hated.

 

Those who do not possess strong Bible doctrine will quickly fly off the handle and say foolish things which will get them in trouble. It is difficult to work with schemers, because one can never trust in what they may do.

 

14:18 The naive inherit folly, but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge.

 

Those who are void of Bible doctrine will be gullible enough to believe in foolish ideas of the satanic world system (such as evolution, secular humanism, pantheism, and cultism). Those who possess sound Bible doctrine will not be deceived by these philosophies of the satanic world system.

 

14:19 Those who are evil will bow before those who are good, and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous.

 

Evil men will bow down in the presence of good men if it helps them gain peer, fame, or material wealth in their life. Eventually, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that “Jesus is Lord.”

 

14:20 A poor person is disliked even by his neighbors, but those who love the rich are many. 

 

Poor people are not respected. The Hindu place them in an untouchable caste system and allow them to suffer. The rich are given the best places at banquets. They also have buildings named after them. This is because America worships the “Almighty Dollar.”

 

14:21 The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed.

 

The poor are to be honored and supported. Whoever does not help the poor is living in sin. Whoever helps the poor is blessed.

 

14:22 Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love. 

 

Those who plan out evil travel down the broad road to destruction. Those who study and apply Bible doctrine are demonstrating their love for God. 

 

14:23 In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty.

 

There is profit in hard work, but talk is cheap.

 

14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly.

 

Those who study and apply Bible doctrine will be crowned with wealth. Under the Mosaic Law, those who kept the Law were promised material and spiritual wealth. Under the Law of Christ, believers are promised spiritual wealth and happiness (even though it may be through suffering). Those who are void of Bible doctrine will commit foolish acts.

 

14:25 A truthful witness rescues lives, but the one who breathes lies brings deception.

 

Telling the truth in a court of law can save innocent lives from the death penalty. False witnesses may send an innocent man to his death. It is important to note that people who witness in court cases are in a strategic position where they can have a great influence over other people’s lives.

 

14:26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children. 

 

Those who respect the Lord will teach their children these same values. This instruction will become a fortress of security for the children.

 

14:27 The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares.

 

Those who respect the Lord will receive refreshing springs of water for life. Those who master Bible doctrine will be able to avoid the traps and snares of the satanic world system.

 

14:28 A king’s glory is the abundance of people, but the lack of subjects is the ruin of a ruler.

 

There is safety in numbers. A king keeps his crown by the size of his army. If a king has no one to rule, then his high position and title is worthless. He will be ruined (usually by assassination or conquest).

 

14:29 The one who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

 

Those with strong Bible doctrine are slow to anger. Those void of Bible doctrine are quick to anger. Controlling one’s temper and holding one’s tongue is always wise, but losing one’s temper and unleashing the tongue is never wise.

 

14:30 A tranquil spirit revives the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.

 

Modern psychologists agree with Solomon when they teach that a person’s emotions affect his physical condition. A peaceful heart produces a healthy body. Peace comes from the study and application of Bible doctrine. 

 

Envy is desiring the fame, power, or material wealth of others. Those who are not at peace with God fill their souls with envy. Envy causes stress on the mind and body. Stress kills, but doing the will of God gives one happiness and a healthy life. Exercise is important, but it is not as important as the peace of mind which comes from mastering Bible doctrine.

 

14:31 The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator, but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him. 

 

Since God is the Creator of all people (including their social classes), then those who take advantage of the poor are sinning against God. Those void of Bible doctrine will insult the poor. Those with strong Bible doctrine will help the poor. Under the Mosaic Law, Israel was to provide food for the poor. They were to administer capital punishment to the blasphemers.

 

It is important to note that the poor are supposed to go to their local church for support. The local church is responsible for taking care of their widows, orphans, and poor in their own congregation. It is not the responsibility of the local church to feed the poor of other churches. Neither is the local church to set up social programs to feed the poor in different urban communities. If the church feeds the unchurched poor, then they are feeding the devil’s children. The devil’s children will use this substance to battle against the Kingdom of Christ. If the poor decide not to seek help from their local church, then they must seek the help from the satanic world system.

 

Unless God chooses a believer for martyrdom, then He has promised all of his children food, shelter and clothing. Therefore, the modern church does not have to spend their resources in supplying the enemy. Allow Satan to feed his own. If Satan’s army does not like the food, then they are invited to switch to the winning side.

 

14:32 The wicked will be thrown down in his trouble, but the righteous have refuge even in the threat of death. 

 

Those who are void of Bible doctrine have no hope when they fall into trouble. Their father, the devil, will not help them unless it is to his own advantage. Those who possess strong Bible doctrine should never fear trouble, because the Creator God of the universe is always with them. He is their refuge. He is their provider. He is their protector. He is their shield. He is their hedge. He is their security. He is their only hope.

 

14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; it is known even in the heart of fools.

 

There is some wisdom in fools, but they refuse to acknowledge it. According to Romans 1, creation and conscience give testimony to everyone about God. However, this knowledge is suppressed. There is no such thing as an atheist or an agnostic. They are just simply suppressing the knowledge which was given to them. They deceive themselves, because they do not look forward to an eternal life in a Lake of Fire. They are scared of eternity, so they must attempt to wish away an eternal God who will judge them for their sin. The ungodly love their sin, but they hate God.

 

14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 

 

When a nation is filled with men of strong Bible doctrine, then the nation will be exalted above all other nations. Israel was a world power until they fell into idolatry. England was a world power until they lost their Bible doctrine. America has followed suit.

 

A lack of Bible doctrine will eventually lead a nation into sin, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality. Once homosexuality is accepted, then the nation will fall. 

 

The America of the future will eventually be like the days of Noah. They will become a nation of satanists who flirt with demons and worship the devil. Homosexuality and lesbianism will be the norm. The church will be persecuted. 

 

Just as Rome crucified the Creator God of the universe naked on a cross for all to see, America will follow suit. They will not be interested in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, they will fear it, because this future day means judgment day for them.

 

14:35 The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. 

 

The king will show favor to those who faithfully serve him, but his wrath will fall upon those who oppose him. This same philosophy is also current in the work force today. Bosses take care of those who are loyal to them, but they destroy their enemies.