King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, June 09, 2025
Chapters: Proverbs 19-21
Message: Proverbs: Walking In Integrity
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of Proverbs we learn that those who walk in their integrity are more likely to value their lives and time while the wicked are more likely to become slothful and wasteful with their time. When you think about it, the wicked do waste their time as they will spend a lifetime deceiving people into getting what they want only to destroy themselves in the end. Is that not what Satan is doing? I mean, he is slothful, using his minions to do his dirty work and will spend his lifetime deceiving people to get what he wants, but it will all lead to his own destruction, [Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.]
[Integrity; the entire, unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; moral soundness or purity; uncorruptness; uprightness; honesty.] If we are honest with ourselves we have all had some lapses of judgment and have done things that were not of moral soundness. Nevertheless, with the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us we overcame those acts that impaired us.
[Proverbs 19:1-7 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. 6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.]
Integrity, is not something that seems to be what people are willing to hold onto anymore. The world, and sadly, a growing number of Christians, take no pride in living by a moral, Godly character anymore. This is the only kind pride that every saved, born again Christian ought to have, the kind that says that we will not defile ourselves before God no matter what the cost, [Job 27:5-6 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.]
We can learn a lot from Job’s experience, and while he was by far perfect, God actually did see him as being perfect and upright and do you know why? Job, was faithful to God. Think about, Job, did not have the Bible like we have today, in fact, he had no Scriptures whatsoever, but what he did have was his faith in God, [Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?]
Much like Job had become an outcast and separated from his neighbor, meaning friends and family, when he had lost everything, the Proverb relates to those who struggle with poverty and how they are treated differently when they lose everything. We learn quickly who our true friends are when we nothing to give them. Jesus, who came here in the flesh as a poor man, said it this way, [Luke 9:58-59 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.]
It does not take money, fame, or possessions to live a life that is prosperous nor does it live one of integrity, we just need a willing heart that loves Jesus. Those of the entire Old Testament may not have known Christ’s name, but they definitely knew Him as the LORD and looked forward to the day that He would come here in the flesh to save their soul. We do not want to mess with Jesus on this, He did not give His life for us to remain the same as we were before we received Him.
[Proverbs 19:15-21 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.]
[Slothful; Inactive; effeminate (soft); sluggish; lazy; indolent (inactive); waster; idle.] It is no wonder why Jesus said, [Matthew 12:35-36 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.]
Satanic evil is all that one may expect from an idle soul that wants nothing more than to take what the innocent and vulnerable possess, only they are too lazy to do it themselves. We must be careful of where and what we study as not every version of the Bible is actually God’s and not every person teaching it is true either. It will be quite sad if we are following Jesus only to find out that what we were doing was wrong because we received the wrong information.
[Proverbs 19:22-24,27-29 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.]
While no one wants to end up in hell the slothful wait for everything to be handed to them and end up in hell because they refuse to follow the simple instruction of the Gospel, [Matthew 25:26-28 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.]
If you ever hear anyone preaching or teaching anything that goes against God’s Word run. It is one thing to have a difference of opinion when it comes to certain things, but integrity is integrity, and those who walk with Christ long enough ought to know that some things are just wrong regardless of having the Word of God with them.
[Proverbs 20:1-3,6-9 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?]
Think about it, since Christ is king, He really is like a lion, in fact, He will return here like a lion, and those who provoke Him really do sin against their own soul because they deny Him, [Matthew 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.]
This is another way of saying that we all come short of the glory of God, [Romans 3:22-24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
By grace, through our faith in Christ, our soul is pure from sin, that does not mean that our hearts are always clean. A cleaner heart actually comes as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and purge us from our sins.
[Proverbs 20:11-15,17-18 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. 13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.]
This is referring to spiritual warfare, as Christians, we are at war, Satan, and his world are out to get us because we have the power within us to lead souls to Christ. We should seek advice from experienced soldiers of Christ, and especially from God and His word, on what weapons to take, and how to use them, [Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.]
The first thing people will tell you in their foolish pride when you talk to them about their sin is not to judge them or make some claim that you think you are better than them. All I have to say is that whatever it is that we think is right or wrong, God is the one who is the deciding factor, and whatever He says, goes otherwise we will suffer until we repent.
[Proverbs 20:22-24,27-30 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. 23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. 24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? 27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. 29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. 30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.]
Bruises are the only way we learn that perhaps the thing we thought was good may not be so good for us after all. We cannot use salvation to justify sin, and we are to never rebuke or retaliate against God or anyone else who shows us the errors of our ways. Righteous judgment is the key to true integrity, it takes a few bruises for us to learn that some things are wrong, and we need to walk away from them, [1 Corinthians 10:11-12 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.]
Forget the fact that billions of people will die and end up in hell through the ignorance of their religion for a second. Do you realize how many people walk around in ignorance to the fact that they are living in sin? We all proclaim our own goodness, but that does not mean that God sees it as good.
[Proverbs 21:1-8 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. 6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. 8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.]
We can expect chastening from our Father when we do. However, a person who never yields to the Word of God or has no desire to apply it to their lives will quickly wander from their salvation.
[Proverbs 21:12-17 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. 13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. 14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. 15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. 17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.]
Okay, we must admit it, we all have something that we desire in life, and the longer we go without getting it the more trying it is on our spirit, and that causes our heart to desire it more. And in some cases, we have done things less desirable in an attempt to get them. Let me tell you, not everything we desire is good for us nor is it something God wants for us because of what He sees that it would do to us, [Isaiah 55:7-8 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.]
[Proverbs 21:25-31 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. 26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? 28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. 29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.]
Those who follow righteousness are led right to Jesus, who is our righteousness, and our mercy. Sin always leads to death, it does not matter if we are saved or not, we are one day closer to the grave because that is the curse God placed on all mankind. Jesus broke that curse, when He resurrected, and when we accept Him as our Saviour, He removes that curse of death from our soul as long as we believe that. One day all the bodies of the saved souls will resurrect also, and death will be gone forever, [1 Corinthians 15:52-54 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and the peace You give us when we turn to Jesus for the things we need, desire, and to remove the sinful things from our lives as we learn Your Word and apply it to our walk with You. Lord, We all have needs and desires, lead us and guide us so that we can obtain them in Your will. Give us patience to wait on Your timing and let us not become weary in doing what is right. Nothing is impossible with You on our side, in fact, Your grace is sufficient enough to see us through. Give us Your strength and power to remain faithful and remove any sin that befalls us. Let us not be tempted to seek help from the world, but seek You, who will give us all we want and need simply by trusting You. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright (c) 2025 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.