Courtesy in Listening

(Pro 18:13 KJV)  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

This is an easy trap to fall into because sometimes it is necessary to “answer” (1697) before you listen.  With discernment you will know the basics that most people ask about and give your answer in a short speech or a list of directions.  You may even be right but keep in mind that this is a two way street that can be wrong both ways.  It could also be that the person talking to you was not listening.  It could be that you already answered their question.

At other times, and here is where discernment comes in, you need to be careful not to spend your time answering questions that are not being asked.  Don’t assume that the second part of their sentence will be what you think it will be.

So?  I guess much of this is what we would call common courtesy. 

Broader than You Think

(Pro 17:15 KJV)  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.


When we see a word like “abomination” (8441) we tend to set it over on the shelf reserved for things that we don’t need to worry about.  Sunday the pastor came across the term in another chapter in Proverbs and went off on a vector that focused on homosexuality and other sexual sins.  I will concede that those are abominations but when we limit the basket contents to that you really miss the point.

God is holy.  An abomination is just about anything that violates that holiness.  In addition to the obvious sexual perversion He adds things like having dishonest scales in business and insincere prayer.  I take this as a warning or reminder that God expects His people to do more than avoid sexual sin.  God is concerned about all of life.

So?  Don’t confine God and His concern to the areas that you probably won’t get involved in anyway.  He wants to be worshiped in all that we do. 

Prep and Delivery

(Pro 16:1 NAS77) The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

I am posting today’s verse in the NASB because it speaks better to me today.  I recently had the chance to preach.  It had been about eight years.  This verse reflects what I tried to tell people before and after.  

I always start with my reading and studying.  I am looking for the word from the Lord that might be in the passage under consideration.  I put a lot of thought and effort into the search.  The writing often has many false starts and I end up with more being discarded than is used.  I end up with an outline that is shaped to fit into the time allotted.  I feel I have done my preparation.  I think I know what I am going to say.

Then comes the moment I step behind the pulpit.  I usually know where I am going to start and because I have prepared I have a plan.  I also realize that there are things I have written down that will never be said and that I will say things I don’t have written down.  That is the second part of the verse.  If I have done due diligence and prepared prayerfully then I feel I can trust the Lord to guide my tongue, and my sense of humor, to bring the ink alive.

So?  I think it is a good principle to keep in mind as we go through out days and have our conversations.  We may not be preparing a speech for the clerk at the dry cleaners but if we have been diligent in our daily worship and study we can trust the Lord to guide the conversation. 

Make Merry

(Pro 15:13 KJV)  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

The KJV talks about a “merry” (8056) as opposed to the “joyful” of the NASB.  I think the idea is to celebrate.  The bigger question is, how to you get such a happy heart?  It is amazing how many Christians don’t seem to have this.  You know the kind of people I am talking about.  You don’t have to spend much time with them before the “woe is me” stories start.  We have organ recitals, family failures and a general view of the world in a handbasket.

Since I am older I am around older people a lot and it is amazing the difference ways people respond to life.  It isn’t necessarily the circumstances as it is the heart.  I remember the pastor sharing about an elderly friend who was dying.  He was going down hill fast.  He knew the end was near.  At the same time he was a source of joy to all around him.

I think it begins with a daily encounter with the living God.  I know that each day as I begin with worship I am reminded of the big picture and that God is the artist.  

So?  Meet with the source of merry hearts.  Get yours while it is still available.  Let it shine forth in such a way that others can see it.  They may be so gloomy they are able to ignore your joy but that is on them, not you.

What Is Under the Bed?

(Pro 14:27 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

“Fear” (3374) can be a good thing.  Fear can cripple you.  Often the fear that cripples is based on illusion or some inner insecurity you have rather than reality.  I think of the fear I had of the dark as a child.  Was there a reason to be afraid of the dark?  Kind of but not the way I worked it.  I worried about what might be under my bed.  I never had this concern when the lights were on, just in the dark.  I never thought of it at the time but if my father had come in, settled down and taken a nap in the room I would not have worried about what was under the bed.  

Why?  I guess because whatever might be under the bed would be the one consumed with fear.  It would be afraid to let its presence be known when my dad was their to confront it.  The same would be true of many other moments in life.

So?  Maybe it would be good if we thought about how all our enemies have real reason to fear Almighty God.  Dwell on the reasons why they might have good reason to fear Him.  And emerge into the light of a healthy fear of God which allows us to trust in Him.  Until that time you might want to check under the bed before you retire or leave a light on. 

Reset

(Psa 46:2 KJV)  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

(Proverbs 13 also read)

One of the complaints that I have heard about video games is that they teach a false sense of reality when it comes to the nature of life.  The idea that you use up your lives and then start the game over again is not realistic, or so the line goes.  I have embraced that thought up until I read this today.  Look at what is going on here.  Is there reason to “fear” (3372a)?  I would say so.  It isn’t nap time when you see mountains sliding into the sea.  Yet there is a sense of security during those times.

A good video game can give the same contrast.  You can get tense and alert.  The adrenaline can start flowing.  You focus.  At the same time, in the back of your mind, is the security that you are still in your room and if all fails you can start again.  As Christians our starting again will not be back at the same game.  It will be in eternity.  But we have a sense of security in the midst of chaos because we know there will be a restart.

So?  A little fear sharpens our senses.  Too much will immobilize us.  Our faith in God can give us the balance for the live worth living. 

The Strong, Silent Type

(Pro 12:23 KJV)  A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

This is reminding us that we should be the strong, silent type.  It is one of those recurring themes in Proverbs.  It is recurring because it is needed.  I participate in a Zoom meeting twice a week where a bunch of old guys get together and share what is left of our minds.  Some weeks it is inspiring and invigorating.  Other weeks it is a bit dull.  

I often view the sign out screen with many unspoken thoughts in my head.  It isn’t because I am so humble I conceal my brilliance.  It is usually because some of the guys have learned to talk while they inhale so there is no civilized way to offer my insights.  Sometimes that does not bother me; sometimes it does.  In the end it benefits not only the group but me as well.

So?  Didn’t get a chance to speak?  Rejoice.  You can join me in the knowledge that we have improved the lives of everyone.