Dump the List

(Proverbs 31:26 KJV)  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

There are times in which I wish we would have more frequent transliteration in our Bibles.  For instance, I think it would be better communication to translate agape as agape, not love.  Here we have an entire phrase.  In our English it is “teaching” (8451) of “kindness” (2617a).  The Hebrew transliteration would be “Torah of chesed (lovingkindness).”  I mentioned this phrase before.

The thing that hit me today was that the Torah is not just a teaching, it is the law.  Out of the 219 times the word appears in the Old Testement, the KJV translates it “law” 219 times and the NASB 199 times.  Yes, it is taught.  No, it is not an option.

We are talking about the law of love.  This is the Christian standard.  It is the product of a heart transformed by the power of God.

So?  There is an unending list of attitudes and actions that we can’t keep track of.  Every time we turn around there is something else we are to not do.  It impossible to keep track.  It is all summed up in what the Hebrew calls chesed and the Greek calls agape.  Dump the list, live the law.

Outstanding

(Proverbs 30:13 KJV)  There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

The KJV uses a much more descriptive word than the NASB, “generation” (1755) rather than “kind”.  The NASB admits in it’s marginal notes that the KJV is more accurate.  We have seen this three verses in a row and will see it in one more.  Repetition has meaning in the Bible.

There are real differences in generations.  We have names for them now.  We have the Baby Boomers, Generation X and the Millennials.  I see it at school as narrowly defined as a year.  We fit into groups.

The group here is defined as thinking very highly of themselves.  These are not the eyes lifted up to God and worshiping in humility.  These are the eyes of the content and self-satisfied who look down on others and don’t really feel a need for God.  In modern terms these are those with self esteem and self actualization.  The thing we need to understand it that they are the ones bound for Hell.

So?  Beware if you are identified too much with your generation.  The kids at school are always telling me, “But the other teachers.....”  I remind them that I am not the other teachers.  Stand out for Jesus. 

What Abounds?

(Proverbs 29:22 KJV)  An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Anger and fury are not the problem here.  They are emotions that come and go.  The problem is people who allow themselves to be controlled by these reactions.  It is the man who is known for his temper or the woman who is treated like delicate china because of her short fuse.

Allowing your emotions to control you leads to sin.  When they determine the behavior and response they are “transgression” (6588).  The unsaved can control their responses.  Even more, children of God can do so, and must.

So?  Temperance of behavior is not an option.  When you lose it, repentance is not an option.  Walk in righteousness.  Sometimes that means self control, sometimes confession. 

Heart Switch

(Proverbs 28:26 KJV)  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Modern romantic thought is telling us to follow our hearts.  The idea is that if we reach down inside and listen to our inner self we will find true happiness.  That is only true in people who have had their “heart” (3820) remade by the Holy Spirit.  The real truth about our inner nature is stated early in scripture.

(Genesis 6:5 KJV)  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

But we also find the promise of redemption of the core.

(Ezekiel 36:26 KJV)  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

The Spirit makes that change.  With that change we seek wisdom.  Life is no longer futile.

So?  Start at the right place.  Finish at the right place. 

Ouch!

(Proverbs 27:6 KJV)  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

The definition of “faithful” (539) has a lot of interesting branches.  Among them are “nurse” and “nourish”.  We are looking at the part of love’s definition that has been discarded by the culture in which we live.  In the world around us love means “never having to say you are sorry.”  To God, that is a sorry definition.

Think about going to the doctor and needing a shot of some medication.  Often the doctor or nurse will say, “I’m sorry.  This is going to hurt a little.”  Would you go back to a doctor who said, “I have a treatment that will cure you but I am not going to use it because it might make you uncomfortable.”

So?  We are to do what is best for others, not what they want.  In a perfect world the two would always be the same.  I don’t live in a perfect world. 

The Mouths of Fools

(Proverbs 26:9 KJV)  As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

What used to be the most quoted verse in the Bible?  When I was growing up it would have been John 3:16, no question.

(John 3:16 KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Things have changed.  The fools are taking over the pulpits and classrooms of America.  Now the most quoted verse is Matthew 7:1.

(Matthew 7:1 KJV)  Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Why do I say fools?  The current crop of leaders and church attenders have chosen the verse that serves their purposes and allows them to live in rebellion and sin but feel righteous about it.  You can quote John 3:16 out of context and the depth of meaning is still there.  So is the conviction and need for real faith.  Matthew 7:1 usually is quoted out of context and warped to fit the occasion.  No one keeps reading and sees the demand for personal accountability and the call to confront others in their sin.

(Matthew 7:5 KJV)  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

So?  Don’t be a fool.  Use the word with care as it was intended to be used.  God will not be mocked. 

Dross Alert

(Proverbs 25:4 KJV)  Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

Who is responsible for the demand to “take away” (1898) the “dross” (5509)?  If you are going to walk with Jesus, this is a two barreled job.  It demands action by both God and man.

We cannot save ourselves.  Only the blood of Jesus is enough to pay for our sin.  That is a universal truth that all Christians embrace.  We are saved by grace, through faith.  We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  The dross is dealt with by God.  In the words of Martin Luther,

“When thro' fi'ry trials they pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”

In addition to that, we are expected to remove from our lives anything that might hold us back.  We cannot continue to indulge ourselves in sin believing that God will look the other way.  He has done the heavy lifting, now we are expected to dust and tune.

So?  Get serious.  Daily.  Hourly.  Moment by moment.  Honor Him by obedience.  Walk in righteousness because He makes it possible.