What practical steps can prevent "trouble" from entering our homes, per Proverbs 15:6? The Treasure and the Trouble “ ‘The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.’ ” (Proverbs 15:6) In God’s economy, righteousness invites blessing; wickedness opens the door to turmoil. Below are practical steps to keep trouble from crossing your threshold. Lay a Foundation of Everyday Righteousness • Start and end the day in Scripture (Psalm 1:2). • Let each family member see genuine obedience, not mere talk (James 1:22). • Regularly evaluate choices by asking, “Will this keep us aligned with Christ’s commands?” Guard the Heart—Guard the Home • “Above all else, guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23); what enters hearts soon enters halls. • Filter entertainment, online content, and music; refuse anything that normalizes sin (Psalm 101:3). • Post Scripture in visible places (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) to redirect attention toward truth. Practice Financial Integrity • Budget with prayer; avoid debt that enslaves (Proverbs 22:7). • Give the firstfruits to the Lord (Proverbs 3:9-10) to declare that money is servant, not master. • Conduct business honestly—dishonesty funds future trouble (Proverbs 11:1). Choose Companions Carefully • “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:33) • Welcome friends who strengthen faith; limit time with those who diminish it. • Teach children how to identify and flee ungodly influences (Proverbs 13:20). Keep a Tight Rein on the Tongue • “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). • Establish house rules for speech: no gossip, sarcasm, or harshness (Ephesians 4:29). • Make repentance quick—say “I was wrong, please forgive me” to halt trouble at the door. Cultivate a Spirit of Hospitality and Generosity • Open your home for fellowship; shared meals foster unity (Hebrews 13:2). • Meet needs you notice; generosity disarms greed and envy (Acts 20:35). • Pray together for neighbors and leaders, turning the focus outward, not inward. Stand Watch Together in Prayer and Worship • Set a regular family time for worship—sing, read, bless (Colossians 3:16). • Unite in intercession; “do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27). • Celebrate answered prayer, reinforcing trust that God safeguards those who seek Him. Anchor Every Day in the Fear of the Lord • “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” (Proverbs 14:27) • Remind each other that God sees, God cares, and God rewards. • Choose actions that honor Him; trouble has no place where holy reverence reigns. Living out these steps turns a house into “the house of the righteous,” a place of peace, stability, and “great treasure” that no thief—spiritual or physical—can steal. |
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