Proverbs 20:1-5

 

Prov 20:1 (KJB)

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

 

Mocker - Scoffer or Scorner

Raging - Making an uproar or roar

Deceived - Goes astray

 

Here the Bible gives us excellent insight to those who think that drinking is fine. This verse shows an escalation in drinking and the results. First of all, wine or beer which is low in alcohol content, when enough is drunk, can cause a person to become a mocker or scorner. This means that they will be seeing things through the eyes of alcohol which has begun to impair their thought process. It is at this stage that everything seems to be a joke or nothing matters as long as the person remains under its influence. The second stage is strong drink, which we could compare to whiskey, rum, or scotch et al. The alcohol level is elevated, anywhere from 86 to 150 proof. It is under these high alcohol level drinks when the most damage is done. There has been much domestic violence under the influence of alcohol and many crimes against people are committed when high-proof drinks are served. That is why strong drink makes an uproar because it is not contained nor controlled by anyone. The deception is that a person thinks that they can handle it, when there is no one on earth that can handle being under the influence of alcohol. It completely takes over a person as it permeates their entire personality and thinking. It is a destructive liquid in any form and Christians should have nothing whatsoever to do with any of it, beer or wine included.

 

Prov 20:2 (KJB)

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

 

In ancient times, and even in some modern countries, there are still kings and dictators. Since they have the power to sentence someone to life or death, it is better that one does not provoke the king in any way. This also has a spiritual meaning behind it. (Psa 7:11 KJV) God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. Since the verse is speaking about a person’s soul, we must look at this as having an eternal meaning. Any king can sentence a person to death but they can only kill the body. (Mat 10:28 KJV) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. God is the only King that can destroy both body and soul in Hell. Those who remain unsaved are provoking the Lord to anger everyday with their sins. The way to appease the King of Kings, is to become saved and then you go from becoming an adversary to child of God. (Rom 5:1 KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Then there is peace between God and the believer.

 

Prov 20:3 (KJB)

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

 

Strife - Lawsuit or contention

Meddling - Quarreling

 

Throughout the book of Proverbs we have been seeing that patience and forbearing is a consistent theme and it is always linked to the person who has wisdom, that is, those who are saved. The wise man will cease from furthering a quarrel because some quarrels are elevated to the point of a lawsuit and the Christian shows wisdom and gets honor for not pursuing any contention. (1 Cor 6:7 KJV) Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Paul even states that it is better to suffer loss. The things we gain or lose in this world will all be burned up on Judgment day anyway. If we are wrongfully accused and convicted, God knows the truth and all things will become evident in time. The second part of this verse teaches that a fool will always be meddling, in other words, they live to quarrel and that is why it is up to the believer to stop any contentions because then the fool has no one to argue with and will then go out and find someone else, leaving the believer in peace. This verse also has a spiritual application. Those who have ceased from strife are those who have become saved and now the war between God and them is over.

 

Prov 20:4 (KJB)

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

 

Here the lazy man will refuse to work and his excuse will be that it is too cold outside. This act of laziness will cause him to beg, but he will receive nothing. The lazy man has many excuses which he believes are valid to make his case. He sincerely believes that others will sympathize with his lame excuses. He may make a case that he is a victim of some sort but as soon as others find out that he refused to plan, they will not be so generous. There are many who will not even hand out tracts because they say they cannot afford it because times are tough. Those who will not obey the Great Commission are giving evidence that they may not be saved and that is why they will be begging for mercy when the final harvest comes on Judgment Day. Maybe they went to church or did religious things but never became saved. This is why it is so important to make sure that we have become saved and not just settled into a religious life.

 

Prov 20:5 (KJB)

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

 

When one looks at a pool of water or a well, they will only see the surface of the water and will not be able to see all the way down to see how deep it goes. It is the same with the counsel of one who possesses wisdom. A wise man is one who spares his words and is not always talking. (Prov 10:19 KJV) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The wisdom that a man has, has to be drawn out like water out of a well. It is very important to make sure you know that the person you are seeking wisdom from actually has it. If you have understanding and realize that the person you are speaking to is also saved, then you should draw the wisdom from the well and then compare what they have said to the principles found in Scripture. Do not think automatically that if a person is older that they have wisdom. (Prov 16:31 KJV) The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. They must be found in the way of righteousness, that is, they must be saved and well versed in Scripture.

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