Archive for the ‘Personal Growth’ Category

Spiritual Training 26 December 2014

Posted: December 26, 2014 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2 Corinthians 3:1-6 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Some false teachers had started carrying forged letters of recommendation to authenticate their authority. In no uncertain terms, Paul stated that he needed no such letters. The believers to whom Paul and his companions had preached were enough of a recommendation. Paul did use letters of introduction, however, many times. He wrote them on behalf of Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2) and Timothy (1 Corinthians 16:10-11). These letters helped Paul’s trusted companions and friends find a welcome in various churches.

Paul uses powerful imagery from famous Old Testament passages predicting the promised day of new hearts and new beginnings for God’s people (see Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). No human being can take credit for this process of conversion. It is the work of God’s Spirit. We do not become believers by following some manual or using some technique. Our conversion is a result of God’s implanting his Spirit in our hearts, giving us new power to live for him.

Paul was not boasting; he gave God the credit for all his accomplishments. While the false teachers boasted of their own power and success, Paul expressed his humility before God. No one can claim to be adequate without God’s help. No one is competent to carry out the responsibilities of God’s calling in his or her own str

“The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” means that trying to be saved by keeping the Old Testament laws will end in death. Only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ can a person receive eternal life through the Holy Spirit. No one but Jesus has ever fulfilled the law perfectly; thus, the whole world is condemned to death. The law makes people realize their sin, but it cannot give life. Under the new covenant, which means promise or agreement, eternal life comes from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives new life to all who believe in Christ. The moral law (Ten Commandments) still points out sin and shows us how to obey God, but forgiveness comes only through the grace and mercy of Christ

Lets Bring it Home: Without the Holy Spirit’s enabling, our natural talent can carry us only so far. As Christ’s witnesses, we need the character and special strength that only God gives.

Proverbs 26:18 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 26, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 26, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 26:18 As a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows.

What a wild and dangerous man! Handcuff him! Lock him up! There is a simile here, indicated by the word “as.” What kind of person resembles this crazy mad man? A man wildly throwing firebrands, arrows, and death? Anyone who deceives his neighbor and uses a jesting cover-up of his evil intentions is just like this mad man (Pr 26:19).

Imagine an insane man, like the devil-possessed Gadarene (Mark 5:1-13). He is naked, powerful, savagely wild, masochistically violent, untamed, and living among the dead. Now imagine him on your property. Imagine him in your house. In your business. Solomon created this picture of a neighbor who deceives you and lightly excuses it.

Wicked men think their actions are not very harmful. So Solomon described them in terms to get your attention and rightly classify their actions. Neighbors, due to close proximity to one another, must trust each other. They should be able to trust each other at all times. But a deceitful and ambitious neighbor is comparable to this wild enemy.

What is the lesson? Deceiving those who trust you is a horrible sin and crime. Neighbors, employers, and others trust your integrity. You live close enough to take advantage of them, so they must trust your integrity not to use that nearness against them. It is your duty as a Christian to live honestly with all men, but especially those nearest to you.

What else can you learn? Covering and excusing sin by lightly claiming it was just a joke reveals an extremely profane character. Such persons have no conscience; they laugh at sin; they do not comprehend the pain their deception causes others. You can oppose this folly by keeping a sober and serious approach to all relationships, especially neighbors.

What else can you learn? Only fools joke about sin (Pr 10:23; 14:9; 15:21). Sin is a horrible thing – it defies your Creator God, hurts your fellow man, is inconvenient for profitable relationships, and leads to eternal punishment. Only hopeless scorners and rebels laugh and jest about sin. Sin is to be avoided, hated, and repented of.

What else can you learn? God hates foolish talking and jesting. He will destroy the world for these heinous sins. He lists foolish talking and jesting with fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, three other abominable sins (Eph 5:3-7). And he describes foolish talking and jesting as He does sodomy – both are not convenient (Eph 5:4 cp Rom 1:28).

These wicked men, like an insane man hurling fire, arrows, and death, can show up even in Jesus Christ’s churches (II Pet 2:13; Pr 6:19; Gal 5:15). Therefore, it is your solemn duty to identify them and stop them in their tracks, for such conduct is destructive to the peace and prosperity of the body. Lord, save your people from such sins and sinners!

Proverbs 25:09-10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 25, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 25, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 25:09-10 If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another mans confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation. 

Gossip can ruin your reputation. Yet gossip is incredibly easy. Wise men will know you are wicked and will rebuke you, and you will be disgraced and shamed. The lesson is simple: do not talk critically or negatively about others; do not spread news or rumors; do not slander anyone. Gossip is a heinous sin, and it can permanently stain your reputation.

This is half of a proverb. The first half says, “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another” (Pr 25:9). Good men only discuss differences or offences with the person involved, not with others. If you tell others about a conflict with someone, those others will know you are hateful, malicious, and wicked.

Jesus Christ taught the same rule of godliness and wisdom. He said, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone” (Matt 18:15). If you cannot ignore the offence of another, go tell him his fault. Instead of telling others about the problem, tell him alone. The rule is clear and definite.

When you have a problem with someone, it is cruel and malicious to tell others about it. You do so in order to defame and injure the other party and obtain sympathy for your cause. You seek to hurt another person’s reputation and exalt your own. The holy God of heaven considers such intentions and actions to be murder (Matt 5:21-26). Beware!

You should keep controversies and offences between you and your adversary. If you tell others about them, it is called gossip. In the Bible, it was called backbiting, talebearing, tattling, and whispering, if you told the truth. These are terrible sins that God hates. If you lied about the matter, then it was also called slander. It does not matter that these sins are popular today and no longer preached against: they are heinous in God’s sight.

Godly men despise this evil treatment of others, and they will despise the person doing it. They will angrily rebuke those who gossip about others. It is a duty to do so. Solomon wrote, “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue” (Pr 25:23). It is terrible that more wise men do not put backbiters, talebearers, whisperers, slanderers, and gossips to shame by angry rebukes (Lev 19:17; I Thess 5:14).

If you have a problem with someone, and you cannot gloriously overlook it, go to him alone and settle it through Christian charity. Put a guard on your heart, and do not even think about telling others. Only say complimentary and kind things about other people. Let your reputation be glorious and gracious, always edifying others (Eph 4:29; Col 4:6).

Spiritual Training 25 December 2014

Posted: December 25, 2014 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2 Corinthians 2:12-17  Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Titus was a Greek convert whom Paul greatly loved and trusted (the book of Titus is a letter that Paul wrote to him). Titus was one of the men responsible for collecting the money for the poverty-stricken Jerusalem church (8:6). Paul may also have sent Titus with the sorrowful letter. On his way to Macedonia, Paul was supposed to meet Titus in Troas. When Paul didn’t find him there, he was worried for Titus’s safety and left Troas to search for him in Macedonia. There Paul found him (7:6), and the good news that Paul received (7:8-16) led to this letter. Paul would send Titus back to Corinth with this letter (8:16-17).

In the middle of discussing his unscheduled trip to Macedonia, Paul thanked God for his ministry, his relationship with the Corinthian believers, and the way God had used him to help others wherever he went, despite difficulties (2:14–7:4). In 7:5, Paul resumed his story of his trip to Macedonia.

In a Roman triumphal procession, the Roman general would display his treasures and captives amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. To the victors, the aroma was sweet; to the captives in the parade, it was the smell of slavery and death.

Paul asks “who is equal” to the task of representing Christ? Our adequacy is always from God (1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 3:5). He has already commissioned and sent us (see Matthew 28:18-20). He has given us the Holy Spirit to enable us to speak with Christ’s power. He keeps his eye on us, protecting us as we work for him. As we realize that God has equipped us, we can overcome our feelings of inadequacy. Serving Christ, therefore, requires that we focus on what he can do through us, not on what we can’t do by ourselves.

Some preachers in Paul’s day, who “peddle” God’s word, preaching without understanding God’s message or caring about what happened to their listeners. They weren’t concerned about furthering God’s kingdom—they just wanted money.

Lets bring it home: When Christians preach the gospel, it is good news to some and repulsive news to others. Believers recognize the life-giving fragrance of the message. To nonbelievers, however, it smells foul, like death—their own.

Today there are still preachers and religious teachers who care only about money and not about truth. Those who truly speak for God should teach God’s Word with sincerity and integrity and should never preach for selfish reasons (1 Timothy 6:5-10).

Proverbs 24:33 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 24, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 24, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 24:33-A little sleep, a little slumber, and little folding of the hands to rest

How much do you sleep? More than you need? Surely a little extra sleep cannot hurt! But Solomon warned that a little sleep, a little dozing, and a little cuddling in bed can cost you. Too much sleep wastes precious time and causes drowsiness, which will surely steal success away and leave you in poverty, shame, and trouble (Pr 19:15; 23:21).

Upon seeing the overgrown field and vineyard of a foolish and slothful man, Solomon considered the man’s assets and drew a conclusion – the man enjoyed sleeping too much, and laziness would certainly reduce him to poverty (Pr 6:6-11; 24:30-34). He learned a lesson by his great understanding, and he wrote this proverb to teach you that lesson.

Sleep is needed for survival, success, and your spirit. But too much steals time, dulls your drive, and creates drowsiness. If you need 7 hours, set your alarm for 7. Do not turn it off and take 8. The extra hour will waste time, start a bad habit, and may make you sleepier.

Solomon wrote Proverbs for youth (Pr 1:4,8; 4:1). They often oversleep, especially in a lazy generation. When families operated farms, they had to get up early. But now every excuse is used for rising later and later. Solomon said, “Get up!” Great youth will get up.

What does everyone do when they stay in bed longer? They fold their hands and cuddle in the warm blankets (Pr 6:10). They turn back and forth, like a door on its hinges (Pr 26:14). Their metabolism continues to drop, and they wonder why they are still so tired!

The danger is a little sleep. Those who oversleep a lot are obvious sluggards. Solomon worried about a little sleep. It is a little more sleep every morning that builds bad habits and steals time. He declared: “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread” (Pr 20:13). Do not hit the snooze button! Get up!

Ants make hills and homes, one grain of sand at a time. An extra thirty minutes in bed amounts to eight days lost each year. If you kept that up for a lifetime, you would waste a year and a half vegetating in bed. If you had worked those wasted minutes during working years and invested the earnings at 5%, in U.S. terms it comes to over $1 million!

No wonder Solomon wrote next that poverty would come as surely as a traveler gets to his destination and as surely as an armed man can rob an unarmed man. Poverty is your certain future, if you approach duties sluggishly. Poverty is an irresistible force, if you like to sleep. The lesson is a financial warning of the consequences of sleeping too much.

Great men and women get up and get to work. In agreement with this proverb, it has been said, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” The virtuous woman rose early and stayed up late, not to be a martyr, but to be productive (Pr 31:15,18). Men and women that get up early and work hard always sleep better (Ec 5:12).

Attitude is more important than hours of sleep. A contented man that fears God, loves Jesus Christ, and is thankful for his job, gets up with excitement and zeal every day. He will not live any other way. He wants to get his hands on what he has to do, and he wants to do it with all his might (Ec 9:10). Do you have the right work attitude and work ethic?

A little spiritual slumber brings spiritual poverty. Just ask Peter, who could not watch one hour with Jesus in Gethsemane. If you do not make prayer and reading a priority each day, you will be spiritually bankrupt. Paul said, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Eph 5:14-21; Rom 13:11-12; I Thess 5:6-10).33

Spiritual Training 24 December 2014

Posted: December 24, 2014 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2 Corinthians 2:5-11 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Paul explained that it was time to forgive the man who had been punished by the church and had subsequently repented. He needed forgiveness, acceptance, and comfort. Satan would gain an advantage if they permanently separated this man from the congregation rather than forgiving and restoring him. This may have been the man who had required the disciplinary action described in 1 Corinthians 5, or he may have been the chief opponent of Paul who had caused him anguish (2:1-11). The sorrowful letter had finally brought about the repentance of the Corinthians (7:8-14), and their discipline of the man had led to his repentance. Church discipline should seek restoration. Two mistakes in church discipline should be avoided: being too lenient and not correcting mistakes, or being too harsh and not forgiving the sinner. There is a time to confront and a time to comfort.

We use church discipline to help keep the church pure and to help wayward people repent. But Satan tries to harm the church by tempting it to use discipline in an unforgiving way. This causes those exercising discipline to become proud of their purity, and it causes the person who is being disciplined to become bitter and perhaps leave the church entirely.

Lets bring it home: We must remember that our purpose in discipline is to restore a person to the fellowship, not to destroy him or her. We must be cautious that personal anger is not vented under the guise of church discipline.

Proverbs 23:21 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 23, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 23, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkards and gluttons become poor and drowsiness clothes them in rags

Overdrinking or overeating will make you poor. Young men are especially vulnerable to these temptations, as most any American college fraternity will prove. Solomon, the wise king and father, warned his nation and son against these two evils and their destructive effects on a man’s career and finances. America, the land of plenty and then some, is a prime breeding ground for these corrupting excesses. Let every young man beware!

Consider the context. Solomon asked his son to hear, be wise, and choose what is right (Pr 23:19). He warned him against drunkards and gluttons (Pr 23:20). He also exhorted his son to honor both parents (Pr 23:22), put a priority on wisdom (Pr 23:23), and to consider the great joy a wise life could give parents (Pr 23:24-25). The danger of these two foolish, youthful lusts is great, so he forbad association with such sinners (Pr 23:20).

Young men think drunkenness is cool – because they are childish, foolish, and ignorant (Pr 22:15). They actually boast about getting sick and puking on themselves. They revel in how long their hangovers last. But a holy God considers it sinful and stupid. Drinking until you are drunk is a sin against heaven (I Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:18), and it is stupid for the painful consequences such drinking brings (Pr 23:29-35; 31:4-5).

Young men think gorging themselves is cool – because they are childish, foolish, and ignorant (Pr 22:15). They actually boast about eating enough to vomit. They revel in how much they can consume beyond what they need. But the great God considers it sinful and stupid. Excessive eating and carousing is a sin against heaven (Luke 21:34; Rom 13:13; I Pet 4:3), and it is stupid for its painful consequences (Pr 23:1-8; 25:16; 28:7; Luk 15:13).

Drunkenness and gluttony can ruin you economically. Remember the prodigal son! They create drowsiness through hangovers, digestive difficulties, diverted blood flow, and excess weight. The combination will reduce a man to wearing rags. “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich” (Pr 21:17). To succeed, a young man needs his full wits and strength – there is no room for drowsiness.

Drowsiness is a sin itself, when due to oversleeping, overdrinking, or overeating. You are not to love sleep, or you will get up late and not get going in the morning (Pr 20:13). Overdrinking causes hangovers and a lethargic person unable to perform with full wits and coordination. Overeating creates a similar drowsy effect and packs on pounds in the wrong places that hinder performance. They are all closely connected here, so you should know the two clauses identify drowsiness as the result of overdrinking and overeating.

Solomon did not see that today’s young men would be more foolish than his generation, but his proverb condemns them anyway. How could he know they would smoke marijuana, snort cocaine, take amphetamines, and inject heroin. The number of such fools languishing in poverty and prison through violating this simple proverb is Legion. The lesson is simple – God has condemned any abuse of his creation, and He demands our full minds and energies in all our pursuits (Pr 4:23; 10:4; 18:9; Eccl 9:10; Rom 12:11).

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), the renowned Puritan theologian and pastor, the third president of Princeton, and a spiritual man, wrote 70 resolutions at age 20 to guide his life. They are valuable reading. Consider his thoughts on food and drink. “Resolution 20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.” “Resolution 40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking.” He knew the danger of these lusts.

Television and movies today, popularizing and promoting the fraternity lifestyle, teach young men that drunkenness and gluttony are acceptable, intelligent, normal, and not detrimental to a successful and prosperous life. But the blessed God of heaven and the wisest man ever have spoken together – both are sins and will destroy young men. Let every reader take heed to reject these sins himself and to save others from them as well.

As America, with the world following her example, degenerates from its once structured, disciplined, and conservative lifestyle, the temptation to both sins increase greatly. The availability of cheap drink and food of great variety is greater than ever. The size of servings at fast-food, casual, or formal restaurants is much larger than before. The sedentary and easy job requirements of most workers allow a dull mind or unfit body.

Not only are these foolish and destructive sins to be avoided, but those persons who engage in them are to be avoided as well (Pr 23:20). Peer pressure is nearly an irresistible force against young people, and the only sure protection is to avoid all such sinners with careful and diligent efforts (Pr 4:14-17; I Cor 15:33). Drinking buddies, no matter how friendly, will ruin your life; and gorging with gluttons will lead to poverty and trouble.

Much overdrinking and overeating occurs at gatherings, where the party atmosphere and abundance of food supplied for a group create a lascivious mood and base peer pressure. Peter warned against lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, and banquetings (I Pet 4:3). Christians should not live this way, no matter what the world thinks of them (I Pet 4:1-5). These five sins or categories of sins are exactly what this proverb condemns.

There is also drunkenness and gluttony at home, as retail accessibility to cheap alcohol and much food in many varieties tempts to the same two sins. Instead of drinking for a merry heart with wits intact (Ps 104:14-15; Pr 31:6-7), wine and strong drink are used excessively to drunkenness (Pr 23:29-35). Instead of eating for strength and activity (Eccl 10:16-17), many calories are consumed that create a whale’s blubber and lack of energy.

Wise men will obey the warning of this proverb from the pen of a king that had free and full access to any quantity and a great variety of both food and drink. Which of these two lusts and sins do you have the greatest problem with? Repent, and implement strict rules to keep you from violating godly temperance in either one. Are your motives consistent with God’s creation of each? Are the results of your drinking and eating both positive?

But there is a far worse poverty and nakedness! Drunkenness and gluttony will also steal your soul – they show a profane heart that has neither life now nor the hope of life in the world to come. They create spiritual drowsiness that causes men to forget and neglect their souls. O cruel appetites! What does the apostle of the Gentiles say, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness … But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom 13:13-14).

The LORD Jehovah, creator of heaven and earth, and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, has offered seven glorious promises to men (II Cor 6:14-18). They are obtained by cleansing yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Cor 7:1). The greatest success and wealth in the universe has no room for drowsiness – the utmost of mind, soul, heart, and strength should be applied to this offer.

 

 

Spiritual Training 23 December 2014

Posted: December 23, 2014 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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2 Corinthians 2:1-4 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the

Paul’s phrase “another painful visit” indicates that he had already made one difficult trip to Corinth (see the notes on 1:1; 1:15-17) since founding the church. Paul had gone there to deal with those in the church who had been attacking and undermining his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ, thus confusing other believers.

Paul’s last letter, referred to here, was not the book of 1 Corinthians, but a letter written between 1 and 2 Corinthians, just after his unplanned, painful visit (2:1). Paul refers to this letter again in 7:8.

Paul did not enjoy reprimanding his friends and fellow believers, but he cared enough about the Corinthians to confront them with their wrongdoing. Proverbs 27:6 says: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

Lets Bring it Home: Sometimes our friends make choices that we know are wrong. If we ignore their behavior and let them continue in it, we won’t be showing love to them. We show love by honestly sharing our concerns in order to help these friends do and be their very best for God. When we don’t make any move to help, we show that we are more concerned about being well liked than about what will happen to them.

Proverbs 22:24-25 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 22, 2014 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs 22, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

Sin is contagious, but not virtue. You transfer sickness to others, but not health. Evil friends will corrupt you; but you will not convert evil friends. This is a law of wisdom and nature. Man defaults to sin, but never to virtue. Friendship and association with evil persons teach you wicked habits and trap your soul. You are the company you keep.

This proverb is connected to the one before it, which condemns friendship with angry men and association with furious men (Pr 22:24). Anger and fury are marks of folly, which reveal the wicked character of men who cannot rule their spirits (Pr 14:17; 16:32; Eccl 7:9; Jas 1:19-20). Godly men will steer a wide course away from such men.

Angry and furious men seldom have friends. They are resented, even by natural men. But friendship overlooks or excuses the error you once despised. Love is blind! The sin will then infect your conduct. You first make excuses, then become numb, and before long overreact with him, then like him! Your depraved soul can now fuel this new sinful habit.

One of Solomon’s key lessons for growing in wisdom is to avoid ungodly and wicked men (Pr 1:10-19; 4:14-17; 9:6; 13:20; 19:27). See the comments on Proverbs 13:20. His father David had taught this rule before (Ps 1:1; 26:4-5; 101:3-8; 119:63). Even rulers, with great character and authority, must avoid bad influence by evil counselors (Pr 25:5).

This lesson has been observed by prudent men throughout their lives. Unprincipled friends destroy the integrity of the righteous. Saints learn a carnal approach to life, and they trap their souls with the pressure to compromise from friends. Israel did not destroy all the pagan nations of Canaan, and it cost them dearly this very way (Ps 106:34-40).

Consider Solomon and his marriages. He made affinity with Pharaoh and married his daughter (I Kgs 3:1). And though this man was blessed with great wisdom and wrote this book and the next two books of the Bible, the evil women in his life corrupted his wisdom and ruined his soul (I Kgs 11:1-11; Eccl 7:26-29).

Marriage must be only in the Lord (I Cor 7:39; 11:11). Believers must marry believers, and these believers must both be sold-out, on-fire, totally-committed disciples of Jesus Christ as measured by Scripture. God once destroyed the earth with the Flood for the sons of God marrying the daughters of the world (Gen 6:1-3).

Paul warned, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (I Cor 15:33). Why the warning of deception? Your deceitful heart will say that you can still hold fast to your convictions with a less than perfect friend. But you cannot, and you will not. You are trying to protect foolish infatuation. Forsake the foolish, and live (Pr 9:6).

Most nations are now obsessed with ecumenical fellowship between many denominations and doctrinal beliefs, all of which are an abomination to God. It does not matter what 15,000 pagans singing “Amazing Grace” sounds like. God condemns such associations. If a man or angel does not worship according to Paul’s gospel, reject him (Gal 1:6-9). The Lord will do so very soon, so you might as well get the first lick in (I Cor 16:22).

Parents have a grave responsibility to protect their children from evil companions. They must screen their friends and eliminate any that would not pull and push their character and conduct higher. Equal friends are of no value. If many parents practiced this rule, fools would have no friends, which is safe and appropriate justice for them.

Do you want a friend who will only teach you the way of righteousness and holiness? Let the Lord Jesus Christ in for fellowship (Rev 3:20). He will provide sweet relief, constant comfort, and wise encouragement for your soul. And He will never leave or forsake you!

Spiritual Training 22 December 2014

Posted: December 22, 2014 in 2 Corinthians, Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

2 Corinthians 1:21-24 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

The Corinthian church had written to Paul with questions about their faith (see 1 Corinthians 7:1). In response, Paul had written 1 Corinthians. But the church did not follow his instructions. Paul had planned to visit them again, but instead he wrote a letter that caused sorrow (7:8, 9) but also caused them to change their ways. He had not wanted to visit and repeat the same advice for the same problems. He wrote the emotional letter to encourage them to follow the advice that he had already given in previous letters and visits.

Standing firm is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Endurance is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life. Endurance grows out of commitment to Jesus Christ. In Matthew 10:22, Jesus predicted that his followers would be severely persecuted by those who hated what he stood for. In the midst of terrible persecutions, however, they could have hope, knowing that salvation was theirs.

Lets Bring it Home: Times of trial serve to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don’t do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm and continue to live for Christ.

 

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