An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Caution: Evil Ahead

(Proverbs 25:19 KJV)  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

Is it possible to discern the “unfaithful" (faithless NASB) (898) before the day of “trouble” (6869a)?  Sometimes the answer is going to be “no.”  Sometimes it will be possible.  Good decisions require a couple of things. 

First, be observant.  Our eyes and ears are capable of picking up more than we notice.  Our nervous system has built-in radars that make us duck and flinch before we are consciously aware of a problem.  Our hand will jerk away from a hot surface before we feel the pain.  If we are alert, our personal radar can do the same.  When your intuition tells you something is wrong listen with discernment.  Don’t get panicked but keep your mind plugged in.

Second, remember that evil exists, that evil people exist.  I have said it before.  I will say it again.  It doesn’t take much to recognize all of the scandals that have taken place.  The tip of the iceberg is in the priesthood and education.  Evil goes much deeper.  These issues would not be half as sensational if the perpetrators were the neighborhood pervert instead of the nice man next door.

So?  Don’t panic.  Be aware.  The Holy Spirit is willing to be active and assisting in your alertness. 

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

A lot of people like to quote "judge not lest ye be judged," often said in defense of sinful behavior. My reply is "a tree shall be known by its fruits." The trick is not to get self-righteous about it.

Pumice said...

True but the same applies. Those who don't want their sin pointed out get huffy about our "self-righteousness," those who are seeking to grow listen, consider and either accept or reject.

I personally want to be in the latter.

Grace and peace.