Tag Archives: Proverbs

The Kiss of Truth

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Cartoon 3816, based on Proverbs 24:26

Cartoon of two guys. One has lipstick on his face. The other says, “You mean all you did was tell the truth? And she kissed you?” The cartoon is based on Proverbs 24:26.

It’s refreshing when someone tells the truth. That isn’t emphasized today. Even in Solomon’s time, a truthful answer was hard to come by.

When you’re faced with a situation where you are tempted to hide the truth, think about how refreshing the truth can be.

Cartoon: Home Among the Wise

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Cartoon of Dad napping on a couch with the dog. A child is about to drop a cat onto Dad. He says, “I’d think twice before you do what you’re about to do!”

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31

My dad is a guy of few words. But he makes his words count. Whenever he’s had some constructive criticism, I could usually count on it being solid advice. Many times, that sage advice came out about the time I was going to do something I’d later regret. 
You know, he was right. Dogs and cats don’t make a good combination on a couch. In most cases, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth! 

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Criticism for Bullies

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Cartoon of a bully threatening a boy. The boy says, “The problem with you bullies is you don’t know how to take constructive criticism.”

Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery Proverbs 29:1 (NLT)

It seems the more stubborn and inflexible someone is, the harder it is for them to take criticism. We need to be flexible and take the good along with the criticisms in life. 
God made trees to be flexible. When the wind blows, a tree sways in the wind. Dead branches on a tree don’t have the same flexibility. They are the first to go in any strong wind storm. 
Engineers took a lesson from nature and learned long ago tall structures need to be flexible. A rigid skyscraper wouldn’t stand the pressures of the wind anymore than a large tree. The best defense against the storms of life is flexibility.
When criticism comes our way, we need to be flexible as well. If the criticism has merit, let’s learn from it. If the criticism is unfair, roll with it and wait until the wind dies down. 
I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Proverbs 1:7 Beginning of Wisdom

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Cartoon of  two boys in school. One says, “We must be getting knowledge. It smells a lot like fear.”
This cartoon is based on Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

I used to wonder what it meant to fear the Lord. When I thought of fear, I thought of scary movies. Usually, some evil force would terrorize the hero in those movies. It didn’t make sense to fear God if he was good.

Now I see that the fear comes from knowing God is all powerful, all knowing and yes, He’s all good. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. It is by his mercy I am on earth in the first place. 

It’s too easy for me to forget that in a world where modern conveniences make me comfortable and science attempts to explain everything away. I may think I have an answer for everything and a way to take care of myself in any situation.
I need to remember God controls my life. By his will, he placed me at this time and place in the world. Just that fact is enough to make me fear Him and be thankful for what he’s done for me.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Proverbs 26:12-Wise in Our Eyes

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Cartoon of  two boys. One wears a robe and mortar board. He says, “You wouldn’t believe how much smarter I feel since I changed my wardrobe.”

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12

There have been times in my life when I thought I had all the answers. When I was six, I was convinced I knew how to get to the moon. All I needed was a rocket. I began building one in our backyard. It looked a lot like a tree house. I tried to convince my dad to get me rocket fuel. When that didn’t work, I tried to “borrow” the lawn mower gas. Luckily, it was too heavy for me to carry. Mom wasn’t any help either. She refused to get me a space suit for Christmas. I abandoned my plans in the fall when it started getting cold and the leaves fell from my rocket.

Nobody could convince me that I should leave the space exploration to NASA. They made it look so easy, I was sure a six-year old like me could blast off to the moon too.

There have been other times when I’ve caught myself acting like I knew it all. Pride can convince me I have all the answers and anyone who has a different opinion must be a space cadet.

I put on my robe and mortar board and act like the scholar I’m convinced I am. It’s during those times I need to get a grip and realize I don’t have all the answers. I may be able to learn from someone. It’s okay for someone to have a different opinion. Today, I will act like a student and learn a few things instead of fool myself into thinking I’m Mr. Know-it-all.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Running From Mice

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Cartoon of  two mice and a fleeing elephant. A mouse says, “I don’t know about you, but I feel empowered.”

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:2 (NIV)

Have you ever noticed when you have something to hide, you get nervous? When I’ve done something wrong, everyone looks like a threat. It doesn’t matter if the person knows what I did or even if it had anything to do with him. The guilt will cause me to act like a coward.
When I know I have done the right thing, I feel strong even when someone may oppose me. There is something empowering about doing the right thing, being kind to someone and showing God’s love and mercy.
Today, let’s work on doing God’s work and become bold as lions.
I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Tested by Praise

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Cartoon of three boys. One is acting cool. Another boy says, “He’s been that way ever since the teacher praised him for his clean desk.”

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
       but man is tested by the praise he receives. Proverbs 27:28 (NIV)

Some people like to puff up when they get some praise, don’t they? You can complement someone on the way they look or something they just did, and the next thing you know, their head won’t fit through a doorway.

I have the opposite problem. I have to be careful not to give off a false sense of humility. Someone can praise me, and I’ll say, “Oh, it’s nothing. In fact, it’s pretty lousy. Why a kindergartner can do that! Think nothing of it!”
What am I doing? The guy just told me I did a great job and then I insult his judgment? A simple “thank you” would have been better.
I’m working on being humbly grateful for praise. I don’t need my head to become the size of a hot air balloon, nor should I pop the balloon of the person giving me a complement. Somewhere in the middle is just fine, thank you.
I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Proverbs 26:27-The Trap You Set

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Cartoon of a boy in a trap and another boy. Trapped boy says, “OK! I admit the trap was meant for you. Now will you please let me out?”


If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. Proverbs 26:27


I used to love to watch the Warner Brothers’ “Roadrunner” cartoons with my dad and brother. Every time, Wile E. Coyote would set a trap for the roadrunner. And every time, the poor coyote would trap himself. It didn’t matter if it was a sophisticated contraption fit for Einstein, the coyote would always taste defeat, but never taste that succulent, elusive bird.


I’ve found in life I have to be careful about traps. Many times, I’d like to get even when I feel wronged. But the trap I’d like to set for someone could end up snaring me. It’s best I let God deal with the other critter!


Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. Romans 12:19