(Proverbs 28:13 KJV) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
I already mentioned how the KJV was better with “covers” (3680) rather than “conceals”. I think it also does a better job by using “sins” (6588) rather than “transgressions”. Transgression could be understood as a matter of going a little too far. It could be looked at as a simple mistake. Sin gives you the proper perspective.
God does not play games. He does not expect us to make excuses. He expects confession and repentance. That means being honest with Him about what we have done and being willing to make the changes needed.
So? There are no sugar pills in the heavenly pharmacy. There is no placebo effect. Sin is sin and must be dealt with by the blood of the Lamb.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Polluted Praise
(Proverbs 27:21 KJV) As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
“Praise” (4110) can be thought of as a refining process. That is the immediate picture here. It might also be thought of as an assaying tool. When you assay something you find out the quality of the material. You determine if that necklace you found in the old trunk is really gold or just shiny metal. You test to see if that shiny stuff in the sand is fool’s gold or the real thing.
Praise lets people know what we are really made of. It can go to our heads, showing that they were empty and needed something to fill them or it can stimulate our sense of humor because we know better than anyone that hot air is just hot air.
So? Don’t take the good things people say too seriously. I guess we should also be careful about swallowing their criticism too. The Holy Spirit can help us to discern.
“Praise” (4110) can be thought of as a refining process. That is the immediate picture here. It might also be thought of as an assaying tool. When you assay something you find out the quality of the material. You determine if that necklace you found in the old trunk is really gold or just shiny metal. You test to see if that shiny stuff in the sand is fool’s gold or the real thing.
Praise lets people know what we are really made of. It can go to our heads, showing that they were empty and needed something to fill them or it can stimulate our sense of humor because we know better than anyone that hot air is just hot air.
So? Don’t take the good things people say too seriously. I guess we should also be careful about swallowing their criticism too. The Holy Spirit can help us to discern.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Homonyms and Synonyms
(Proverbs 26:24 KJV) He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
Translation is always a mystery to me. You have the NASB and the KJV using different words. The English words are close in meaning with the KJV being better because it brings out the concept of hypocrisy. At the same time my software tells me that they use different words at this point in the Hebrew. You and I would not see any difference. They appear to be homonyms. If I remember my high school English that means they sound the same but have different meanings.
The general point is to avoid hypocrisy. Honesty and openness are to be a part of the personality and practice of the believer. I imagine there is a little wiggle room, such as having your wife ask if the dress makes her look fat or expressing your joy about a birthday present, but we should keep the wiggles to a minimum and always to protect the other person.
So? Don’t beat around the bush when the bush needs to be pulled out. This is another approach to the place of truth and lies in God’s economy.
Translation is always a mystery to me. You have the NASB and the KJV using different words. The English words are close in meaning with the KJV being better because it brings out the concept of hypocrisy. At the same time my software tells me that they use different words at this point in the Hebrew. You and I would not see any difference. They appear to be homonyms. If I remember my high school English that means they sound the same but have different meanings.
The general point is to avoid hypocrisy. Honesty and openness are to be a part of the personality and practice of the believer. I imagine there is a little wiggle room, such as having your wife ask if the dress makes her look fat or expressing your joy about a birthday present, but we should keep the wiggles to a minimum and always to protect the other person.
So? Don’t beat around the bush when the bush needs to be pulled out. This is another approach to the place of truth and lies in God’s economy.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Sprained Ankles
(Proverbs 25:19 KJV) Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
I have had my share of sprained ankles. Usually they happen because of my lack of coordination. While playing basketball I would jump and when I came down my foot would turn under. I cringe just to think about it. Even after I “healed” there would be a period of time where the ankle was not 100%. It think that is the situation that Solomon is talking about here.
Why is it important to keep spiritually healthy? The disciplines of prayer, worship, study, service and such are not so much to get us into heaven as to strengthen us for the challenges of life. I can tell that I have not been walking enough when I get short of breathe going up the stairs at work.
So? Daily spiritual exercise makes a difference just like physical exercise. How is your day going?
I have had my share of sprained ankles. Usually they happen because of my lack of coordination. While playing basketball I would jump and when I came down my foot would turn under. I cringe just to think about it. Even after I “healed” there would be a period of time where the ankle was not 100%. It think that is the situation that Solomon is talking about here.
Why is it important to keep spiritually healthy? The disciplines of prayer, worship, study, service and such are not so much to get us into heaven as to strengthen us for the challenges of life. I can tell that I have not been walking enough when I get short of breathe going up the stairs at work.
So? Daily spiritual exercise makes a difference just like physical exercise. How is your day going?
Sunday, January 24, 2016
A Special Place in Hell
(Proverbs 24:28 KJV) Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
To “deceive” (6601b) is to lie. We may think we are being clever with out little games, but in God’s eyes it is still deceit.
Here again we see God condemning false witness. God has a special hell for liars. A liar is flaunting behavior that defies everything that a Holy God stands for. Lying makes a mockery of Jesus claim to be the Way, the Truth and the Life. God’s people are to be above reproach.
We don’t like that. We want to be able to slip out of situations. We have all kinds of excuses for the ways in which we avoid the truth. Often the truth hurts. Deal with it.
So? God’s people are not liars. Do you know anyone who is a liar? They are not one of God’s people. Harsh but true.
To “deceive” (6601b) is to lie. We may think we are being clever with out little games, but in God’s eyes it is still deceit.
Here again we see God condemning false witness. God has a special hell for liars. A liar is flaunting behavior that defies everything that a Holy God stands for. Lying makes a mockery of Jesus claim to be the Way, the Truth and the Life. God’s people are to be above reproach.
We don’t like that. We want to be able to slip out of situations. We have all kinds of excuses for the ways in which we avoid the truth. Often the truth hurts. Deal with it.
So? God’s people are not liars. Do you know anyone who is a liar? They are not one of God’s people. Harsh but true.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
RSVP
(Proverbs 23:1 KJV) When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
Did you ever stop to think about why your were invited? Or maybe you should consider why you were not invited? Years ago some friends were invited to a special dinner at our church. The main course was to be Chateaubriand. It was a very high brow affair. It was the kick off to a fund raising campaign. They were invited because they dressed very well and drove new cars. We were ignored because we drove old cars and obviously were not wealthy. In reality our net worth was much higher because we drove old cars and such.
I was glad to not be invited. It doesn’t hurt to be alert to why people are suddenly so nice. How long does it take you to realize the phone call is a telemarketer and not someone who really cares about your opinion on the cost of electricity? How long does it take before you realize the person you are talking to does not really believe in the deity of Christ?
So? We are to be courteous to all. We are to be careful whom we trust. Proverbs has a lot to say about fools and wisdom. Work at being on the right side of the issue.
Did you ever stop to think about why your were invited? Or maybe you should consider why you were not invited? Years ago some friends were invited to a special dinner at our church. The main course was to be Chateaubriand. It was a very high brow affair. It was the kick off to a fund raising campaign. They were invited because they dressed very well and drove new cars. We were ignored because we drove old cars and obviously were not wealthy. In reality our net worth was much higher because we drove old cars and such.
I was glad to not be invited. It doesn’t hurt to be alert to why people are suddenly so nice. How long does it take you to realize the phone call is a telemarketer and not someone who really cares about your opinion on the cost of electricity? How long does it take before you realize the person you are talking to does not really believe in the deity of Christ?
So? We are to be courteous to all. We are to be careful whom we trust. Proverbs has a lot to say about fools and wisdom. Work at being on the right side of the issue.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Block Those Pop-Ups
(Proverbs 22:5 KJV) Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
How do you “keep” (guard NASB) (8104) yourself against pop-ups? I notice that on my school computer they are coming up all the time at certain sites. It doesn’t happen at home. Why? A couple of reasons. First, my home computer was set up by someone I trust to keep out such things. Many people see the problem in their lives. They may try everything else but eventually turn to Jesus. He forgives. He cleanses. He offers the fullness of the Spirit. But often people don’t want to give up all the things that are destroying them. They balk. They backpedal. They reject the presence of the Living God. How does Satan respond?
So? What is the desire of your heart? Do you want to be what the KJV called “froward” or do you want to stay far away from anything that will drag you down. It makes a difference.
How do you “keep” (guard NASB) (8104) yourself against pop-ups? I notice that on my school computer they are coming up all the time at certain sites. It doesn’t happen at home. Why? A couple of reasons. First, my home computer was set up by someone I trust to keep out such things. Many people see the problem in their lives. They may try everything else but eventually turn to Jesus. He forgives. He cleanses. He offers the fullness of the Spirit. But often people don’t want to give up all the things that are destroying them. They balk. They backpedal. They reject the presence of the Living God. How does Satan respond?
(Luke 11:26 KJV) Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.When we make it a point to live in righteousness and invite the Holy Spirit to fill us, our steps are guided in such a way that we stay away from many potential spiritual infections. Sometimes God allows us to be tested and strengthened but He keeps us away from what we cannot handle.
So? What is the desire of your heart? Do you want to be what the KJV called “froward” or do you want to stay far away from anything that will drag you down. It makes a difference.
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