What God Gives Us

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Many of you are familiar with this passage when you have been in the grips of fear. It’s a great reassurance that God has not set us up for fear in this world. With many things we are trying to take out of our lives, we must replace those things with something else; the same is true here. God tells us what He wants us to put in place of fear: power, love and self-control.

Reflect on the kinds of power (strength, authority and rights) God has given you:

• Power to become a child of God: John 1:12
• Power to share Jesus with others: Acts 1:8
• Power to be joyful while enduring with patience: Colossians 1:11-12
• Power to Build Up the Brethren: 2 Corinthians 13:10
• Power to Work Beyond our Comprehension: Ephesians 3:20
• Power to Resist the Devil: Ephesians 6:10-18
• Power to be Secure in God: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Reflect on the Love He has given us:

• A Love to Redeem Us: John 3:16, Romans 5:8
• The Ability to Love: 1 John 4:19
• Love by Obedience: 1 John 5:3; John 14:15, 23; John 15:10
• The Love Commanded: Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:34-35; John 15:12,17; Romans 12:10; Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:14-15, 23; 1 John 4:7-13, 21

We looked at Power and Love as what God has given us to push out fear, but what about Self-Control? Before we go on, let’s look at some of the other translations given for self-control: sound mind; sound judgment; discipline; self-discipline; the Greek sofronismos can be translated discipline, sound mind or self control. Now think of times fear or anxiousness has gripped you – would self-control or a sound mind put the situation in a better light? Personally, I sometimes let the possible results of my actions grip me: “what if” what I say do offends or causes hurt? How do I avoid that? Is it possible to watch my every step so I don’t offend a brother in Christ? It’s a type of fear. The reality is that I have no control over someone’s reaction and actions resulting from that reaction. A sound mind tells me to rely on Titus 1:15-16 and try to act in purity in everything I do and say.

Did you notice what to use to have a sound mind or self-control? Applying the Word of God to the situation and try to look at it with God’s wisdom (James 3:17). What fear has a grip on you?

Remember the power given to you. Apply the love that has been given to you. Let the Word of God discipline you in your perception of the situation. Let fear disappear because God has equipped you to overcome it.

Avoiding Knowledge

1 Timothy 6:20 (ESV)
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge.”

One thing I notice that all of us do to some point is “look at God’s word through our experience, wisdom and culture instead of looking at our experiences, wisdom and culture through God’s word.” I’m not really trying to come up with a catchy phrase, but in my opinion we are so egocentric as a people we believe the Bible has to fit into our worldview instead of our worldview being made by the Bible.

A Call to Pray

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2]for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. [3]This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4]who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I believe this portion is very important to Americans right now. Some are pleased with our new president and some are not. I seem to receive an email every day, and many times from well-meaning Christians, that in one way or another slam our president. As Christians we forget WHO really is in power and shout “end times!!!” The barometer of the “end times” may not be the type of leader our country has, but our lack of prayer for the leader. Remember, the church does become lazy in the end times. Just food for thought.

We are not to murmur and complain about our leader, but to lift him up in prayer. Who knows, if we spend more time praying for him than sticking daggers in his back and slandering his name God just may bless our prayers and soften our hearts and those who have authority over us in this present world.

Setting Your Priorities

Psalm 67:5-7 (KJV)
[5]Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
[6]Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
[7]God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

It’s interesting to note here that “PRAISE” comes before the “Earth yielding her increase.” To an agrarian society this was probably very important. The farmer is being told to put God first, to praise God before working the field. Once the priority is set, then the increase comes.

Most of us are not farmers. The principle still remains: put God before work. Remember who it is who supplies you with what you need (Phil 4:19). Also remember that being able to work is a good thing (1 Thes 4:11-12; 1 Tim 5:8; Eph 4:28). Do you remember the lesson with Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)? Work is good, but God is best.

Matthew 6:31-34 (ESV)
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' [32]For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33]But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
[34]“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Are You Learned Right?

1 Timothy 1:3-7 (ESV)
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, [4]nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. [5]The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6]Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, [7]desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

This is going to be a very short illumination of this portion of scripture. The reason why this hit me so much is that I was sort of into the camp of the folks in verses 6 & 7. There was a point that I loved “the learning” about God more than I loved God. Don’t take this statement the wrong way; anything can become an idol in our lives, and mine was learning.

I loved church history and how it intertwined with art history. I loved studying cultures and being challenged with how to present the Gospel in those different cultures. I loved being challenged in the higher education setting. The “love” was in the wrong place.

Verse 5 asserts the kind of “love” I should have had. I still study and study much. But it isn’t for the purpose of having debates and winning folks over with my intelligence. I study to learn how to improve the way I love. The Lord gave us The Great Commandment which is all about love:

Matthew 22:37-40 (HCSB)
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. [38] This is the greatest and most important commandment. [39] The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. [40] All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Learning is great, but it needs to be paired with “do.” Scripture tells us this too:

James 1:22-25 (HCSB)
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror; [24] for he looks at himself, goes away, and right away forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts — this person will be blessed in what he does.

Continue to diligently learn God’s word. Have the right motive. Not to become puffed-up in your knowledge of the Lord, but to become more equipped to act, and act in love. The reward: to be blessed in what you do.

Not All Warriors are Destined to Fight

1 Chronicles 12:23-37 (ESV)
[23]These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the LORD. [24]The men of Judah bearing shield and spear were 6,800 armed troops. [25]Of the Simeonites, mighty men of valor for war, 7,100. [26]Of the Levites 4,600. [27]The prince Jehoiada, of the house of Aaron, and with him 3,700. [28]Zadok, a young man mighty in valor, and twenty-two commanders from his own fathers' house. [29]Of the Benjaminites, the kinsmen of Saul, 3,000, of whom the majority had to that point kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. [30]Of the Ephraimites 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses. [31]Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were expressly named to come and make David king. [32]Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. [33]Of Zebulun 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose. [34]Of Naphtali 1,000 commanders with whom were 37,000 men armed with shield and spear. [35]Of the Danites 28,600 men equipped for battle. [36]Of Asher 40,000 seasoned troops ready for battle. [37]Of the Reubenites and Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh from beyond the Jordan, 120,000 men armed with all the weapons of war.

Verses 31-33 list two tribes neither of which were named neither for valor nor fighting. Not that they were not warriors, but they had other purposes they had to put before physical battle. I wonder if they felt less important because their purpose was not physical battle. Or did they have “big-heads” because they had a different purpose?

We, who have believed in Jesus, are all on level ground as believers. We have all been equipped for different purposes in the body. “Different” is what Satan likes to pervert so that there is discord among us. Either it is with envy (comes out as a false humility – “everybody else in the church has a more important function than me”) or with pride (“I’m the man because I have this function”). We are all needed in the parts that we are equipped for to make a complete body.

When a jigsaw puzzle is complete you look at the finished picture. You don’t fixate on the corner piece when the puzzle is complete: “It is all because you, Mr. Corner Piece, that this puzzle exists.” Yes, we do look for the corner pieces and straight edges when we put together a puzzle – but if that is all we have, we have an incomplete picture with a hollow inside. If we are missing the piece that is just part of “blue sky” and nothing else, we are still disappointed because the puzzle is not complete. Every piece is important for the puzzle to be complete; EVERY BELIEVER IS IMPORTANT FOR THE BODY TO COMPLETE.

How many of you who have done jigsaw puzzles have put the special glue on top to preserve the integrity of picture? We can do that as believers in the body as well:

Ephesians 4:3 (KJV)
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We all have different purposes, let’s not let envy or pride get in the way of completion but seek to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Don’t Be Idle

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (ESV)
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. [7]For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, [8]nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. [9]It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. [10]For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. [11]For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. [12]Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. [13]As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. [14]If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. [15]Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Paul’s warning against idleness has much wisdom in it. In context, Paul is telling all those who were working and taking care of one another not to have anything to do with those who were able to work but instead were taking from the community and stirring up trouble. A group of believers like this were sharing all they had, but there were those taking advantage of the sharing. Paul didn’t say to condemn this person, nor judge them, but to take note and have nothing to do with them. Don’t treat him like an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

I see two immediate applications of this passage. The first one is to show wisdom in helping out a fellow Christian financially: either personally or on the church body level. There will always be those who take advantage of generosity. Is the person idle or in genuine need? Are you not able to determine this? Then lean towards grace and help the brother. Is the person actually being idle? Don’t treat the person like an enemy. Don’t condemn the person. Help the person find employment. Give the person a job around the church or the house so they are putting back into the community.

The other application to this that stands out is towards the body of believers. Ephesians 4:11-15 comes to mind here:

Ephesians 4:11-15 (HCSB)
[11] And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, [12] for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. [14] Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. [15] But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.

We have leaders to train all Christians in the work of the ministry to build up the body of Christ (all Christians) to bring us into unity with one another in faith in Jesus Christ. Our growth is measured by Jesus as the standard, not each other. We then have stability and we speak to each other in love.

The early Christians had a community in which they were expected to work and contribute to the church body physically. There was a warning against the idle who didn’t work but stirred up trouble. I believe today’s church body should be expected to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and trained so they can build up the body of Christ (others in the church body). Those who aren’t willing to do this should not be treated as enemies, but warned. If we are to speak in love, then it is to be a warning – not a threat. That person could be given the opportunity to give back to the body (through training) so that they are no longer idle and stirring up trouble, but building up the body of Christ.

Nothing is ever this easy I know, but Paul is speaking to us and our attitude. “Warn as a brother” and “don’t treat like an enemy” is telling us to heal and not amputate when part of our body is not up to par. Choose grace and healing.

Stay Out of the Way of Trouble

Proverbs 22:3 (ESV)
The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

This is a lesson I am constantly learning over and over. Recently it has been with activity on an online community (which this will be posted to). With many of the online communities come quizzes, lists, games and such. And like many, though I began to get in contact with people from school and churches from my past, I started doing the “farming” and the “20 bizarre things about me” applications. All in fun – but at a cost.

First of all, I find some of the games to be time-consuming. And I know that I need to be a good steward of my time because if I don’t I could be spending it foolishly:

Ephesians 5:15-21 (HCSB)
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk -not as unwise people but as wise- [16] making the most of the time, because the days are evil. [17] So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. [18] And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:
[19] speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart, [20] giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21] submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

Am I saying that growing virtual asparagus is wrong? No. I’m saying that the pursuit of a virtual conquest for me can become consuming if not intoxicating (Eph 5:18). So, I had to eliminate such diversions.

Why won’t I do the “20 Things that I Like to Soak My Feet In” lists anymore? Because I found that by not including somebody in this list I could possibly hurt them. We do these things all for a couple of chuckles, but we have to remember that any form of “partiality” can be hurtful to some. I don’t want to take that chance anymore. (James 3:17)

And why would I stay away from the “Which ‘Mork & Mindy’ Character Are You?” quiz? It’s just for fun. I don’t think there is anything “wrong” with these. I have received comments on these that could be considered hurtful. So once again, I don’t want to put something up (that could have easily been avoided) that will cause sin or the appearance of sin.

Personally, I can see some “danger” in all these diversions. Why did I sign up for an online community? It wasn’t for these diversions - it was so I can see what’s going on in the lives of friends and families; to see pictures of their kids graduating or their trips to Orlando. So please, don’t see me as being legalistic or a stick in the mud, I just want to put aside anything that hinders (danger) and have a little part of the lives of my friends and family. (Hebrews 12:1)

Where Are You?

2 Corinthians 5:8-9 (KJV)
[8] We are confident, I say , and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

2 Corinthians 5:8-9 (HCSB)
[8] yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. [9] Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.

While speaking with someone this week about the Lord’s return I was asked if I was ready. Funny thing is, I didn’t find this a strange question to ask a Christian. This is one of those deep, self-probing questions. Are you ready to let go of this world?

Let me throw out a few personal questions that are more specific: Are you ready to let go of graduating? Are you ready to let go of getting married? Are you ready to let go of bringing a child into the world? Are you ready to let go of that dream vacation or house you have been saving up for? Are you ready to let go of seeing the renovations on your house come to a completion? Are you ready to let go of seeing your child graduate college or getting married? Are you ready to let go of being a grandparent?

I don’t know what you have on your “life accomplishment” list; I know that I would to see my kids get married and have grandchildren. I would love to see them surrender to the ministry. I’m anxious to see where God takes Betty and myself when we have an empty nest. But am I ready to give this up?

The answer is “yes.” But, where I am today I can say it is a “yes” with a 110% guarantee. Not a “yes” because that is what I’m supposed to say. Not a “yes” with reservations because there are still things I want to experience (1 John 2:15-16). It is a “yes” with an anxiousness (Titus 2:13) to see my Lord in all His Glory.

I’m taking on the attitude of 2 Corinthians 5:8-9: though I’m looking forward to being with the Lord, I know I have this moment to labor, try my best, to be pleasing to Him. That starts with digging in His word daily and then practicing what He tells me. I know that I must serve my wife and family whole-heartedly and not use “church” as an excuse not to spend time with the family. I strive to become more involved with my neighbors and love them because they may not know the Lord and His love – this is a stretch for me, because by nature I’m an introverted hermit (Proverbs 18:1). I strive to love those in the body of believers, especially the ones who may be abrasive to me (either by aggression or just personality); and that means trying to empathize with their hurts and hang-ups (I truly believe that no believer would want to maliciously attack another believer – for they both have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It comes down to “what actions are pleasing to God?” Love God and love others; share the Gospel to a lost world; bring lost folks into a family of believers; and train them in the previous four areas through God’s word (Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 22:37-40).

As the verse says, while I’m here I will strive to make whatever I do pleasing to God (1 Corinthians 10:31), but knowing that whatever I do now will never compare to my being present with the Lord.

Blessings in Training

Galatians 5:13 (KJV)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

You are probably wondering what these two verses have with training, so I need to explain a little. Part of my morning routine is to review memory verses. Paul alluded that disciplines of godliness are similar to an athlete training to compete (1 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 9:25). But sometimes memory verse review can become “just routine” so I strive to meditate (go over and over) and put into practice the memory verses.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:15-16 (HCSB)
I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways.
[16] I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Psalm 119:27 (HCSB)
Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders.

So during my review session, two of verses really stuck out concerning a very busy season I’m going through right now – Galatians 5:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. My life is no busier than anybody else’s life, it is just becoming grueling: taking care of a homeowner’s issue that takes persistence and daily work; installing a new floor in the dining room; taking care of children out of school (more laundry and more meals); study; and my full workload at church. I don’t even think I’ve had a date with my wife (even a little one) since July 26th. It’s just busy for me. I’m not complaining – it’s good to have a full schedule. It just can get overwhelming.

Galatians 5:13 reminded me that I don’t “HAVE TO” do any of these things. The liberty I have in Christ has freed me up from all of the “HAVE TO’s” in my life. I CHOOSE to take on a full load to show love and serve. This was a reminder and an encouragement to press on.

1 Corinthians 10:31 lets me know that everything I do can and should be to the glory of God. Serving and loving my family (home and church) is a great way to give glory to God.

The blessing in the training? I have a home to take care of – that’s a blessing. I have a family to serve and love – that’s a blessing. I serve full-time in the ministry – that’s a blessing. I have time to spend with the Lord in His Word and in prayer – that’s a wonderful blessing!

1 John 5:1-5 (HCSB)
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent also loves his child. [2] This is how we know that we love God's children when we love God and obey His commands. [3] For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, [4] because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. [5] And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

The Great Commandment and the Scribe

Mark 12:28-34 (HCSB)
[28] One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”
[29] “This is the most important,” Jesus answered:
Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, The Lord is One. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
[31] “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
[32] Then the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him. [33] And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
[34] When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.

This is a great discourse between a scribe (scribe(s) - A professional group in Judaism that copied the law of Moses and interpreted it, especially in legal cases. HCSB Back Matter) and Jesus. Most of the accounts of scribes in the Gospels have them trying to entrap Jesus in some point of the law. I believe because of this the modern reader just groups all scribes with all Pharisees and all Sadducees – Jesus’ enemies. We forget that not all men from all these groups followed the mob mentality.

This one scribe is mentioned; he took his job seriously and sought to interpret the Scriptures. In verse 33 the scribe adds “is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” This does not sound like a man trying to trip up Jesus, but one who studied the law and applied King David’s & the Prophet Hosea’s writings to it:

Psalms 51:16-17 (HCSB)
[16] You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering .
[17] The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

Hosea 6:6 (HCSB)
[6] For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings .

It takes an understanding that God is fully in control (i.e. “a broken spirit”) to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And it takes true humility to love your neighbor as yourself.

All this to make one point: don’t be so quick to judge an individual with the group, because Jesus would give hope to an individual within a group He wasn’t pleased with (Mark 12:28-30).

Concentrate on the Job at Hand

Proverbs 14:4 (ESV)
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

I’ve always like this verse. Today it reminds me that our desire for perfect little packages (the perfect church, the perfect pastor, the perfect congregation) may get in the way of great growth.

That’s right, if there is no animals in the barn there is no poop to clean up. But a farmer, before John Deere, needed his animals to bring in his crops. So if you wanted abundant crops you had to accept the fact there was going to be some poop to clean up.

Matthew 9:37-38 (HCSB)
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. [38] Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (HCSB)
Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. [27] Instead, God has chosen the world's foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world's weak things to shame the strong. [28] God has chosen the world's insignificant and despised things — the things viewed as nothing—so He might bring to nothing the things that are viewed as something, [29] so that no one can boast in His presence. [30] But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, [31] in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.

We are the oxen and we are needed to bring the abundant crops in. We will never be the perfect little packages that the world wants. And how dare we judge our churches, pastors and congregations on the world standards? God chose us, who have sickness, weaknesses and flaws, to work through us and do the impossible so that He gets the praise. Let God do His job (will) through us and we will see incredible things happen and we can (and will) boast in Him!

Call Me Foolish (or Stupid)

Proverbs 12:15-16 (ESV)
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
[16] The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

(another translation of the words we get “fool” and “foolish” from is “stupid”)

So many of us are like this in both areas: our way of doing things is always right (even when we are wrong) and we are easily offended. I know that I fail in both areas often, but I pray that the Lord continues to work on me.

Two scriptures come to mind right now as I look at this Proverb: Psalm 139:23-24 & James 3:17.

In my opinion, Psalm 139:23-24 should always be applied when we approach God’s word:

Psalms 139:23-24 (KJV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
[24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Do you value your own opinion too highly? Is it your way or the highway? Do you judge others by standards God has not set on them (tradition above scripture)? Are you so righteous that there is no room for correction?

Do you get offended easily? Do lost people acting like their “father” really irk you? How do you react when someone purposely hurts you or excludes you? Or how about when they do so without even knowing it?

This Proverb addresses the right paths in both instances (“…but the wise man” and “…but the prudent”). Which brings me to James 3:17. Why? Because “wise man” and “prudent” both refer to wisdom. What’s the best wisdom? The wisdom from above:

James 3:17 (KJV)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated (open to reason), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality (impartial), and without hypocrisy (sincere).
(ESV translation of phrases in parentheses)

Obviously we are going to have issues to deal with – are you willing to apply James 3:17 when tackling issues? When someone offers a different way of doing things (or advice), can you be open to reason? When someone hurts you can you be pure, peaceful, gentle and merciful when you address the issue? This is the wisdom you have been given. You have been empowered to use it. So can you take "offenses" and "hurts" and turn them into a chance to restore, grow and love? The scriptures say you can and you've got the God of heaven and earth backing you - go for it!

Who Is the Wicked One?

Who Is the Wicked One?
Proverbs 11:11-13 (ESV)
[11] By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
[12] Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
[13] Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Sometimes we get bent out of shape by the actions of a neighbor (brother). Instead of addressing it properly we end up as the one behaving wickedly by belittling and slandering. The result: our city (home/church/family) is overthrown.