Solomon’s Proverbs: Vices
What vices control and corrupt you? A vice is an evil, immoral, or wicked habit or practice. Solomon wanted a wise son and nation, so he defined and condemned various vices that enslave men and ruin their lives. Though modern society no longer cares and most pulpits ignore them, learn to hate these forgotten or slighted sins.
Vices Proverbs of Solomon: Audio Commentaries
Proverbs 25:28
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like
a city that is broken down,
and without walls.”
Vices catch those who do not rule their spirits, for your spirit strongly influences your actions. If you do not rule your passions, you are weak and vulnerable to folly and sin. You can be taken over at most any time and led to ruin.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goeth before destruction,
and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Pride will destroy you. God guarantees it. The sin of the devil, it is a sure sign a person is going down, no matter how powerful or successful they appear. Choose humility, and it will bring you honor. You have been warned.
Proverbs 11:13
“A talebearer revealeth secrets:
but he that is of a faithful spirit
concealeth the matter.”
Talebearing proves you a scoundrel. It is gossip, backbiting, whispering, and tattling. Slander is telling lies about another person, but telling truth that hurts them is just as bad. If you cannot say anything good, then be silent!
Proverbs 14:6
“A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not:
but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.”
Scorning marks you worse than a fool! A fool is mostly stupid, a scorner wickedly arrogant. A person that assumes he is right is worse than one seldom right. Do you love correction and those who give it? If not, you are a scorner.
Proverbs 29:1
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck,
shall suddenly be destroyed,
and that without remedy.”
Stubbornness is part of the sin of rebellion. Against human authority, it is bad enough; but against God’s instruction and warnings, it is fatal. It is a heinous crime that God will judge without warning and without recovery.
Proverbs 5:19
“Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe;
let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;
and be thou ravished always with her love.”
Pornography is an addicting and damning vice. God sees every act and thought of lustful discontentment, whether pictures of naked women for men or romance novels for women. Hate this vice and regain sexual happiness.
Proverbs 16:32
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
and he that ruleth his spirit
than he that taketh a city.”
Anger will ruin you, or you can be great on earth by ruling your anger! The choice is yours. A great measure of your virtue and glory is the ability to defer anger and control your spirit. Are you angry about getting angry?
Proverbs 27:4
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous;
but who is able to stand before envy?”
Envy is about as bad it gets. You hide it in your heart, but it eats at you day and night, and does nothing to the person you hate! It is rottenness in your bones and will corrupt your spirit and body. Be glad for others’ advantages.
Proverbs 14:14
“The backslider in heart
shall be filled with his own ways:
and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.”
Backsliding will bite you, because God will not let you get away with it. Wisdom includes keeping your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. If you let your heart slip to seriously consider any sin, judgment is near.
Proverbs 19:24
“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom,
and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.”
Slothfulness is like a sloth – slow and resting! The sin of laziness makes a person a sluggard. The diligent shall be rich and bear rule, but slothful men will be poor and under tribute. Lazy men do not deserve to even be fed.
Proverbs 14:15
“The simple believeth every word:
but the prudent man
looketh well to his going.”
Gullibility is a trait of fools – they will believe most anything. Wise and prudent men are skeptics, because they want proof before they accept information. Fools are optimists, believing or hoping without certain evidence.
Proverbs 15:15
“All the days of the afflicted are evil:
but he that is of a merry heart
hath a continual feast.”
Depression is often a choice – the choice to view things critically and negatively. Such an attitude colors and clouds a person’s life into a troubled mess. Others choose to be happy, and they have a continual feast! Read it. Believe it!