Wise Reflections

(Proverbs 14:3 KJV)  In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Have you ever heard someone say, “He is his own worst enemy.”  It is often used about people who just cannot keep their “mouth” (6310) shut.  We can talk our way into problems more often than we can talk our way out.

Think of the words used to express this weakness.  Here we have “mouth” (6310) and “lips” (8193).  Other places we read about the tongue.  Voice is a common word.  All of these take what is in our minds and hearts and expresses it to the world.  If we are “foolish” (191) people soon notice.  If we are “wise” (2450), that will eventually come across also.  Jesus put it this way,

(Matthew 15:18 KJV)  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

So?  Get your heart right.  Train your mind.  Discipline your habits.  People are listening and watching.  What do you reflect?

Dips Ahead

(Proverbs 13:14 KJV)  The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Sometimes teaching seems an exercise in futility.  I will announce the page to turn to.  I will write it on the white board.  I will project it on the screen in letters a foot high.  I will announce it again.  The people at all points of the compass will be on the page and the student in the center will ask, “What page are we on?” 

Often we are this way with the “law” (teaching NASB) (8451) [torah] of God.  He has announced repeatedly what He expects.  He gives us examples of what it means to ignore His laws, written in ruined lives around us.  In our hearts there is a quiet witness of right and wrong.  And we act like we didn’t know. 

I travel down a certain stretch of road on occasion.  I know the road and there is a sign which says “Dip.”  Too often I ignore the sign and hit the low spot at a speed that punishes the suspension of my car and rattles my teeth.  Whose fault it is?

So?  God has given us plenty of warning.  What do you need to pay attention to today?  It will be different for you than me, but the signs are posted.

The Net of Evil

(Proverbs 12:12 KJV)  The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

I marvel at the liberties taken by translators.  Here is another place where the modern scholars are stretching.  The KJV has “net” for the “booty” (485b) of the NASB.  The literal meaning is “net.”  If you leave that, it is not much of a jump to the meaning of the verse.  Of course, “booty” works as a lesson but it is a different lesson.

“Booty” speaks of results.  “Net” speaks of methods.  This is a warning to us about using the methods of the evil.  The world, the culture, possibly your employer are putting pressure on you to compromise your ethical standards.  They want you to cut corners and make the sale.  They are concerned with winning, not how you win.  We cannot get caught in that “net.”

So?  Truth is truth.  Spin is a lie.  Honest is honest.  Exaggeration is a lie.  “Finders keepers, losers weepers” is not a philosophy that God’s children can live with. 

Don’t Buy the Chips

(Proverbs 11:15 KJV)  He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

In my campaign to keep off the weight I have lost, I find that I am much more tempted by salty foods than sweet foods.  That is because I like salt more than sugar.  Thus, dessert is not a big problem for me but snacking on chips is a killer.

I am never tempted to overeat on liver and onions.  Why?  Because I hate liver.  Just the smell makes me gag and want to vomit. 

The believer is safest who “hates” (8130) certain types of behavior.  Here the emphasis is on loaning money or guaranteeing the loans of others.  If you are like me you find it easier to avoid the things we hate than the things we enjoy.  For new Christians the temptations are different than for stolid believers but the temptations are still there.

So?  Know your weaknesses and plan on avoiding them.  I try not to buy potato chips.  If I have a bag, I eat the bag.  Solution:  don’t buy a bag.  I am sure you can find an application.

Life or Violence

(Proverbs 10:11 KJV)  The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Notice the contrast between this verse and the last verse.  Here we have the “mouth” (6310) of the “righteous” (6662).  In the previous verse we have a “prating fool.”  In the previous verse we have someone who is ignoring evil.  Here we have someone who is speaking out for righteousness. 

Is it any surprise that the products of different behaviors are totally opposite.  On one side you have sorrow and violence.  On the side of righteousness you have a “well” (fountain NASB) (4726) of “life” (2425b).

So which result do you want from your life?  If you are reading this on purpose I know where you stand.  If you are on this site by accident, give it a thought.  Ask yourself, “How can I learn to speak with a righteous mouth?” 

Soul Hygiene

(Proverbs 9:15 KJV)  To call passengers who go right on their ways:

There is some confusion in the KJV because of the word “passenger” (5674/1870) (those who pass by NASB) (5674).  This is another archaic usage.  According to my computer’s dictionary the word “passenger” originally comes from a French word  meaning “passing, transitory.”

Evil thrives on the short term contact.  Think of it as a disease.  It doesn’t take long to get infected if someone is carrying the wrong, or right, bacteria or virus.  It only takes one non-washing of hands to transmit contamination.  We know how to wash our hands.  Do we know how to wash our minds and souls?

We can withdraw from contact.  We can avoid the presence of evil, up to a point.  Ultimately it is the work of the Holy Spirit to cleanse and restore.  Our part is confession and repentance.

So?  I visited a hospital this week.  I immediately washed my hands.  Make it a habit to ask the Holy Spirit to renew His presence and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Getting Buff

(Proverbs 8:32 KJV)  Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

Such a simple statement.  So often ignored.  Wisdom is rewarding but it is also demanding.  Too many people look at wisdom as a gym membership.  You see the promises.  You sign up.  You have them withdraw funds automatically each month.  They have branches all across the country.  You have a card to carry.  You are in.  Are you in good shape physically?

Notice the requirement to “keep” (8104) the ways of wisdom.  This is the application of what we know.  This is obedience.  This is what John was talking about.

(1 John 5:2 KJV)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

This is what James could see clearly.

(James 2:19 KJV)  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We are saved by grace through faith but we are saved for obedience.

So?  Put feet to your faith.  Get to the spiritual gym and start building up the spiritual muscle.  Be a buff believer.