Proverbs 30:5 "Every word of God is pure"

“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

Falsehood exists in the words of man, but the words of God are pure, without deficiency. They are as silver purified seven times. We can trust them wholly, without reservation, knowing that by so doing, we place ourselves under His protection. Knowing and walking in His Word is where the believer finds happiness and security.

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Related Scripture: Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:140; Romans 7:12; James 3:17

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“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” – John Sammis

Proverbs 29:15 "The rod and reproof"

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”

The key to effective child training is not just the ‘rod’ nor just ‘reproofs’, but both. When the rod is used, a rational, appropriate reproof should be given. This reproof clarifies the exact transgression, distinguishing good from evil. The reproof also provides instruction from the parent to the child. In this way, the child gains wisdom. The purpose of the rod is to administer required punishment for the transgression, bring the child to repentance, and provide opportunity for the reproof. One word of caution: Do not discipline your child in anger or express disgust with him. The unwise parent who displays these attitudes will prevent an environment for proper training and will not win the heart of their child.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 22:6, 15; 23:13-15; 29:17; Hebrews 12:10-11

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“My mother had a lot of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” – Mark Twain

Proverbs 28:6 "Character is the issue"

“Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.”

The issue is not wealth, but rather character. Because he has better character, the poor man has a clear conscience, blesses the world with his integrity, and should be esteemed higher than the wicked. Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus also demonstrates that the rich are easily blinded by their wealth from the knowledge of God and His Kingdom, which makes the poor better not only in this life, but in all eternity.
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Related scriptures: Proverbs 16:8; 28:18; 19:1; Luke 16:19-23
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“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” – William Shakespeare “All’s Well That Ends Well”

Proverbs 27:17 "A litmus test for good friendships"

“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

This verse is a litmus test for good friendships. Friendships are usually developed haphazardly from being placed in the same proximity with another person over a period of time. A good friendship will sharpen both people and they will be the better for it. If the other person does not improve you or exhort you to Christlikeness, be wary of spending to much time with them. We should no doubt seek to save their soul with the gospel and exhort them to Christian living, but we must reserve our true friendships to those who exhort us to uphold Biblical standards.

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Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. – George Washington

Proverbs 26:27 "Actions have consequences"

“Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.”

Actions have consequences. The sacred Scriptures are the best resource to make one wise and thereby avoiding a painful fall into a self made pit. A wise man learns the Scriptures that they may be a light unto his path.

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“I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.” –John Locke

Proverbs 25:28 “Self-Control: Protector & Defender”

“Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”

A man with no self control is in extreme danger. Self control is like a strong wall built around a city which serves a two-fold purpose: protection by limitation and defense from outside marauders.

In ancient times, walls around cities limited the people from coming and going. In this way, self-control protects you by giving you the ability to limit yourself to that which is right and wise. As an example, in the financial world, this will allow you to limit your spending, permitting you to accumulate money and invest it wisely (e.g. in the spreading of the gospel).

The second purpose of the city’s wall was to provide a defense from enemies. Self-control defends you from outside marauders who would take advantage of you from giving into your passions (anger, love, etc.), appetites (food, sex, etc.), and will (impulsive spending, etc). Again, in the area of finance, there are plenty of people who will take your money if you lack self control. These are not limited to obvious scams and get-rich-quick schemes, but also debt institutions (e.g. credit card companies) which will be glad to put you in bondage.

As Christians, we are fortunate to have self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. By faithful growth in the Scriptures and walking in the Spirit, we can have the wonderful protection and defense.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 16:32; 22:24; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Galatians 5:23; Titus 2:2

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“What makes resisting temptation difficult for many people is they don't want to discourage it completely.”  - Franklin P. Jones 

Proverbs 24:17-18 "When enemies fall"

“Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles: lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.”

Our vile human nature takes such delight to see our adversary stumble and fall. We can hardly wait to tell others of our rival’s demise. O, what a wretched lot we are! Instead of thinking of their good and seeking to win them to the Kingdom of God, we think only of our petty interests and differences. What an opportunity to show kindness to them, to help them, to lift them up, to show them unconditional love.
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“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” –Matthew 5:44