Secrets We Don’t Need to Know

(Pro 13:7 KJV)  There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

What is the dividing line between honesty and deceit?  I can see some real problems with filling out a credit application and exaggerating your resources.  It is probably harder to do today than it used to be, but if you can’t game the system you probably are not really trying.  

I wonder if the ones acting poor are doing the “woe is me” routine that we hear so often.  You know how often you hear from people about their lack of funds.  Usually the ones who are really in trouble don’t talk about it.

So?  Beware of people who try to convince you either way.  Be honest but realize that people around you don’t need to know how much you can pay for a car or if you had to buy the store brand of green beans for your casserole this week. 

Speaking of Character

(Pro 12:13 KJV)  The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Have you ever had the experience of someone saying you said or did something that you don’t remember?  When that happens I first consider the source.  Is the reporter someone to be believed?  Do they have an agenda?  Are you on their radar?

If the person passes muster then it is time to analyze what is reported.  One of the questions I ask myself is, “Does that sound like something I would have said?”  Often the glove just doesn’t fit the hand.  If it involves foul language or profanity then I can almost guarantee it wasn’t me.  If it is criticism of something I approve of then I doubt seriously that the truth is involved.

So?  Obviously we need to start with guarding our mouths but I think if we are building our character then we can at least be confident in how it is expressed. 

The Smart Shouldn’t Smart

(Pro 11:15 KJV)  He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
 
This is about trust.  The idea of “surety” (6148) is a recurring theme in Proverbs.  The Updated NASB uses “guarantor” as if illiterate readers would understand that any more.  One of the common elements of when this word is used is the type of person you are not to trust.  Usually it is the “stranger” (2114a).  In every case there is an obvious reason why you should be slow to commit.

This is not about helping your son get his first car, although it could be applied that way and if your son is a sluggard it would hit right home.  This is about risking your stability on someone who does not deserve it.

So?  It is always hard for us to make calls like this.  We keep thinking about “love”.  We want to be warm and friendly.  We don’t want to judge.  Keep in mind that one of the spiritual gifts is discernment. 

Hate Light

(Pro 10:12 KJV)  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

A few day ago I wrote about how God hates evil.  Here we seem to have another side of “hatred” (8153) and it got my mind going on a tangent.  Before I go down that road I realize that the point of this verse is to tell us we should love not hate.  But I started thinking, if we take seriously the thought of Proverbs 8:13 then when we speak up for righteousness people will understand that God does not approve of what is going on in their life and it will stir up “strife” (4090).  It won’t be our hatred but the reaction of the unrighteous.

So?  Prepare yourself.  We are called to be salt and light.  We are surrounded by people who have a creed of “me first” and will not respond well to the call of repentance, let along a call to righteousness. 

Target Selection

(Pro 9:8 KJV)  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

One of the things we don’t like to do is be selective.  We think it is virtuous to minster to the homeless but wrong to target the well-to-do.  In reality we should be looking for those who are receptive.  If people are happy in their sin there is little you can say to them and we need to understand that many in poverty are happy in their sin.  Part of that sin is envy of the wealthy.  Part is sloth.  You can find similar issues with the in crowd.

We need to be ready to respond to those who are open.  That is often something we cannot determine without getting to know someone.  I think that most evangelism takes place with people who are like you, know you and will listen to what you say.

So?  This is not an excuse but a reality.  Watch attitude not logos. 

Maybe a New Song

(Pro 8:13 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

We need a new song.  

“What the world needs now
Is hate, real hate.
Evil needs a comedown
If its not too late.”

This would be a song for the church because this hatred would need to be controlled by agape and not vengeance.  We are not allowed to wish bad things on people or rejoice when sinners suffer but we also are to stand up for righteousness.

When this verse says, “I hate” it is God speaking.  

So?  Make sure that your attitudes toward the things and people around you are the ones that God would have.  Remember,

(Rom 5:8 KJV)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Stir Well

(Pro 10:12 KJV)  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

A few day ago I wrote about how God hates evil.  Here we seem to have another side of “hatred” (8153) and it got my mind going on a tangent.  Before I go down that road I realize that the point of this verse is to tell us we should love not hate.  But I started thinking, if we take seriously the thought of Proverbs 8:13 then when we speak up for righteousness people will understand that God does not approve of what is going on in their life and it will stir up “strife” (4090).  It won’t be our hatred but the reaction of the unrighteous.

So?  Prepare yourself.  We are called to be salt and light.  We are surrounded by people who have a creed of “me first” and will not respond well to the call of repentance, let along a call to righteousness.