Slow Enough to Stop

(Proverbs 14:29 KJV)  He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Most of us would admit that we should be patient in most circumstances.  We are aware that being “quick-tempered” (7116/7307) is a mistake.  The problem is that we are often just looking at giving the badge of legitimacy to an eventual lashing out.  The point is not that we should put off our anger and not go off half-cocked.  The point is that by putting off our anger it gives the Holy Spirit time to work so we don’t get cocked at all.

Yes there are times for anger.  There are times when a vibrant response is the right thing.  Most of the time, however, it is simply us forgetting that we are to be servants not lords.  The disciples did not get it.

(Luke 9:54 KJV)  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

We don’t get it.  Patience is not a virtue because it makes us look good.  It is a virtue because it allows us to serve.

So?  Work on allowing the Holy Spirit to douse you anger and have a healthy love rule in your heart.  I don’t know about you but I need to be reminded about this every day after I drive to work. 

Schedule Your Departures

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

In my first reading it seemed a bad thing to “depart” (turn aside NASB) (5493).  Then I looked again.  What it is saying is that if we are listening to the things God is trying to say to us, we will probably need to change direction. 

I don’t know about you but I have my default modes.  My alarm clock is set to the same time unless there is a special event.  I have a routine and order to my morning preparations.  I drive to work by the same route.  I have a 1-2-3 list at work.  In much of life that is a great tool for accomplishment.  At times it can be a “snare” (4170) of “death” (4194).  When we follow the standards and expectations of the world around us be can be compromised and doomed.  Keep in mind that the majority of people around you are serving Satan by serving themselves.  There is a reason for the written word being available to us.

So?  If they tell you everyone is doing it there are some possibilities you need to consider.  Everyone could be wrong.  They could be lying to you.  Either way, if you know the truth, you can stay on track. 

The Problem with Desire

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

Our “desires” (2530) can really get us in trouble.  Too often they are the desires of our flesh, not of the Spirit.  This is a verb.  It is a word you are familiar with in other contexts.

You see it in the Garden of Eden.

(Genesis 3:6 KJV)  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired (2530) to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Forbidden fruit suddenly had a luster to it. 

Then we come across it in the Ten Commandments.

(Exodus 20:17 KJV)  Thou shalt not covet (2530) thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Original sin and coveting are the dangers that drag us down.  Instead we should have the desires of a heart in tune with the God of the Universe.  It brings to mind a chorus we used to sing in the dinosaur days.

My desire, to be like Jesus.
My desire, to be like Him.
His Spirit fill me,
His love o’erwhelm me.
In deed and word,
To be like Him.

So?  Walk in righteousness as the Holy Spirit empowers you and you practice the discipline of obedience. 

Do You Have a Trust?

(Proverbs 11:28 KJV)  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Is America in decline?  I don’t mean that as a political question based on criticism of our current leaders.  I mean that as a question that people have been wondering about at least since the 60's.  Part of the picture is based on the political picture but it is bigger than that.  I don’t think I will live to see the definite answer but I see the trend.

We are following a similar curve to the fall of Rome.  Many people try to blame the end of Rome on the barbarian invasions.  Some blame Christianity.  The core factor was that the power that Rome exercised began to be the object of “trust” (982).  Rome was already in a nose dive when the church was made legal.  Rome had become totally materialistic.  All was based of wealth and power.  The traditions of truth and law that had been around during the Republic had been replaced by bribery and licentiousness. 

Americans are almost totally materialistic today.  By that I don’t mean that they love their luxury.  I mean that they put there focus and search for meaning on those luxuries.  Americans truly believe that “He who dies with the most toys, wins.”  The real tragedy is that the church, which should be trying to correct that, has become so “seeker friendly” that we are not willing to tell the king he is naked.

So?  What gives you a sense of hope?  What are you striving for?  Would God approve?  You are to be salt and light not just a well managed mutual fund of spiritual values. 

2/3 Spock

(Proverbs 10:4 KJV)  He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

If you get out much you have heard people talk trash about American “middle class values” and how this is an archaic way of looking at the world.  The idea is that we are the slaves of capitalism and greed.  While there are certainly aspects of American culture that need criticism we need to be careful of taking the bait offered so freely by academic culture.  Many of their criticisms are designed to remove the salt of Bible teaching from society.

Here we have reference to work and it is clearly stated that hard, or “diligent” (2742) work is a good thing.  Many of America’s “middle class values” are an extension of the influence that Christians have had on our country.  One of those values it what is sometimes called the Puritan Work Ethic.  It is called that as an insult when we should accept it as a compliment.  Hard work is the expectation that the Bible has for the people of God.  Sloth and laziness is a product of sin and a cause of poverty. 

So?  As Christians we need to be alert for the dangers of materialism.  As Christians we are to be even more alert for sloth in our lives.  To add to Mr. Spock’s formula so that it is more Christian, “Live long, work hard, and prosper.”

Simple Wisdom

(Proverbs 9:4 KJV)  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Are you “simple” (naive NASB) (6612a)?  Let’s face it.  Most of us consider being naive a sign of immaturity.  Sometimes the Bible would go with that.  But here there is a different slant that we need to consider.  Here it is saying the danger is not in being naive but in denying that you are naive.  If you don’t admit that you need gas and keep living in denial, you will run out and possibly be stranded.  If you do not admit that you are spending too much you will eventually reach bankruptcy. 

The prescription for naivety is not denial but wisdom.  God is saying, “Come in here.”  He is offering to provide a solution.  But first we need to admit the need.  If someone yells, “Hey, handsome” I either ignore it or look around to see who they are talking to.  If they say, “Hey, old man” I answer “Yes.”

So.  So we always need to start with acknowledging our need.  This applies whether the need is wisdom or forgiveness.

Wisdom and Popular Culture

(Proverbs 8:12 KJV)  I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

One of the nagging questions I have is how people can be so smart and yet so foolish.  How can they know so much and be so ignorant.  Yes, sometime I call disagreeing with me “ignorance”.  After all, I am always right.  But let's allow for that and get to the real issue.  Recently there has been a scandal about an organization called Planned Parenthood planning their abortions in such a way that the procedure produces the largest quantity of human body parts suitable for sale.  I can understand when I ask my 8th grade students about it and they don’t know what I am talking about.  Their ignorance is genuine.  But to be a senior member of Planned Parenthood you would have seen the sonograms of living babies.  You would know the research on fetal pain and understand that many of the babies being killed would survive if delivered by genuine doctors and nurses.  You would know and still celebrate the harvest.

What is missing?  Here we mention “prudence” (6195) and “discretion” (4209).  Other places it points out another lack.

(Proverbs 9:10 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Not only do they not fear God, but they also do not fear a government and a judicial system that looks the other way.

So?  Part of wisdom is facing truth even if it is not politically correct and part of the current social standard.  Stand tall for righteousness.