The Bryce Crawford Podcast - Proverbs Series Chapter 21 (EP 121)

Episode Date: July 21, 2025

Proverbs 21

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fall. What's going on, guys? Welcome back to another episode of the Bryce Crawford podcast. I'm Bryson. Today, we're on Proverbs 21 out of 31 proverbs. Guys, we've got 10 more episodes left in this. So everyone lock in. Let's dive into Proverbs 21. First one, the king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. God doesn't look at the outward appearance. He weighs the heart. What's going on in the heart? So the question of, is Jeffrey Dahmer in heaven? Well, I don't know. I don't know if Jeffrey Dahmer in his heart submitted himself to the will of God, repented, and put his faith in Christ. That's why God judges the heart. Isn't it crazy how our outward actions and our outward words,

the things that build our reputation, good or bad, can be forgiven of in the eyes of the Lord. Verse three, to do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. The way we treat people is important to God. Animal sacrifice back in this time period was a way to walk and write relationship with God. And what Proverbs is saying is how we treat other people is more important than how we perform religious ceremonies. Tradition is great unto the Lord, right? But Proverbs is saying the way we treat people is more important than how we perform religious ceremonies.

First four, haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. the violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.

It is better to live in a corner of a house top. Listen this. We're going to revisit this phrase. It is better to live in a corner of a house stop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. The corner of a house stop is not a great place to live, all right? It's small, it's confined, and it's exposed to the elements because it's at the top corner of the house. but to have a whole house but live in constant tension

with a woman is misery is what Proverbs is saying. So he's saying it's better to be in a physical discomfort a small, confined, undesirable area of the house than to have an entire house but live with a quarrelsome wife. That is wild. Verse 10, the soul of the wicked desires evil

his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. Verse 11, when a scoffer is punished the simple becomes wise. we said that a few proverbs ago. When a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. A simple man can learn wisdom when they see the hard, hearted scoffer punished. Verse 12, the righteous one observes the house of the wicked.

He throws the wicked down to ruin. Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. That is a hint and a direct relationship to Matthew 25. What we do to the least of these we do unto the Lord. A gift in secret averts anger in a concealed bribe, strong wrath. When justice is done,

it is a joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers. One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. The one who wanders from the way of good sense, the one who strays away from the wisdom of God, will rest in the assembly of the dead. If one wanders from the way of understanding,

if you steer away from the wisdom of God, you might as well invite death on your doorstep, like we said, a proverb ago. verse 17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man He who loves wine and oil Will not be rich

Now what does wine and oil represent in this passage It represents the luxuries of life And Proverbs 17 is saying The person who loves pleasure lacks discipline in their life There's an appropriate way To enjoin wine and oil

The luxuries of life For that is describing Without setting one's heart on them Don't let the luxuries of life matter more than what matters most Verse 18, the wicked is a ransom for the righteous and the traitor for the upright. It is better to live in a desert land.

Listen to this. Correlation back, 10 verses earlier. It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome wife. Sorry, with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. So he's now completely removed saying Scratch existing in the same house than being confined to a corner.

It is better for you to live in the absolute wilderness than be in the same confined space. as a quarrelsome and fretful woman. Precious, it is showing the damage that that can have on a man's soul. Verse 20. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man swelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

The walls of a city are obstacles that we face in life, right? But with wisdom, you and I can overcome these such goals. these such obstacles. And what is the wisdom that we receive? The wisdom of God. We have to lean and rely on his wisdom. Whoever keeps his mouth in his tongue, keeps himself out of trouble. Sometimes we just need to stop talking as much or we wind ourselves in more trouble than we should be in. Scoffer is the name of arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refused to labor. All the day long he craves and craves what the righteous gives and does not hold back. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. How much more

when he brings it with evil intent. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. God is against all liars, but a false witness is a special type. This is like in the court of law. A false witness happens in court. Where else in scripture do we see false witnesses

and false testimonies at the trial of Jesus? We're throwing these accusations that never existed at God, but he defeats death. Jesus won that court case by defeating death and the grave. Verse 29 to close. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Guys, I pray, Proverbs 21. It was a blessing to you guys, and I'll see you guys tomorrow for Proverbs chapter 22. Guys, thank you so much for watching and listen to this episode. If you guys like it, subscribe to us on YouTube, follow us on Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok. Bless you guys and see you guys next week for the next episode.