Halloween Party Reminder

(Pro 31:7 KJV) Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

I have real trouble with this passage.  The first part is good.  It advises leaders not to let their minds be clouded by alcohol but this part seems counterproductive.  We need to run our minds over the other teaching in scripture to keep a balance.  We have the pro of Paul talking to Timothy.

(1Ti 5:23 KJV) Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

But make a note of the limitations and boundaries on this.  We see it listed as a contrast to righteous living.

(Rom 13:13 KJV) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

And we see the contrast that is expected of us.

(Eph 5:18 KJV) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Perhaps this is a directive to those who make the laws to not try to pass things like Prohibition.  It may be an admission that people in stress are going to numb their minds with the bottle and at least find some comfort.

So?  Walk in righteousness and discernment.  The fact that sin seems to mean being crooked and when drunk it is hard to walk straight might be a clue. 

Wisdom Starts at Home

(Proverbs 9:12 KJV)  If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

This almost seems to be saying that wisdom is selfish or narcissistic.  Taking care of yourself is not just self serving.  If done properly it can be laying the foundation for being a good influence.

Take the teaching of Jesus on the greatest commandment.  After telling us to love God with all we have He goes one more step and quotes the Old Testament.

(Leviticus 19:18 KJV)  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Notice the qualification.  You are to love as you love yourself.  That cannot be done properly unless your self love is based in wisdom.

Or take Paul’s teaching about marriage.

(Ephesians 5:28 KJV)  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Notice the standard.  Notice that in both cases it requires, or assumes, that we are starting from a healthy self image.  That self image is to be rooted in a life transformed by the power of God.  It is to be based on the values taught in the wisdom of God.

So?  Get right with yourself.  You cannot do that without the power of God.  Tap in.