Archive for the ‘trust in the Lord with all your heart’ Category

Spiritual Training 29 November 2012

Posted: November 29, 2012 in 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

Romans 2:12-15 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.  For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

People are condemned not for what they don’t know, but for what they do with what they know.  Those who know God’s written Word and his law will be judged by them.  Those who have never seen a bible still know right from wrong, and they will be judged because they did not keep even those standards that their own consciences dictated. Our modern-day sense of fair play and the rights of the individual often balks at God’s judgment.  But keep in mind that people violate the very standards they created for themselves.

Lets Bring it Home: We know what’s right, but we insist on doing what’s wrong.  It is not enough to know what’s right; we must also do it.  Admit to yourself and to God that you fit the human pattern and frequently fail to live up to your own standards (much more to God’s standards).  That’s the first step to forgiveness and healing.

Spiritual Training 28 November 2012

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

God’s Righteous Judgment

Romans 2:03-11  So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you thin, you will escape God’s judgment?  Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you forward repentance? 

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.  God” will give to each person according to what he has don.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.  There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  For God does not show favoritism. 

 In his kindness, God holds back his judgment giving people time to repent.  It is easy to mistake God’s patience for approval of the wrong way we are living.  Self-evaluation is difficult, and it is even more difficult to expose our conduct to God and let him tell us where we need to change.  But as Christians we must pray constantly that God will point out our sins so that he can heal them.  Unfortunately, we are more likely to be amazed at God’s patience with others than humbled at his patience with us.

Although God does not usually punish us immediately for sin, his eventual judgment is certain.  We don’t know exactly when it will happen, but we know that no one will escape that final encounter with the Creator.

Lets Bring it Home: Just look at what has been revealed with our Preachers, Political figures, Military Leaders and with in our own surroundings. Repent and asks for forgiveness while you still can.  This is nothing worst than to fall in the Hands of the Living God for Punishment.   Don’t be a Fool!

 

Proverbs 28:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable. 

How do you listen to preaching? It will affect your life. If you neglect or reject preaching, God will hate and reject your prayers. This is a sober warning for your future success.

Here is one of the most important proverbs. It involves an issue that affects every person, the consequences are severe, and the remedy is easy and simple. You can distinguish yourself in God’s sight for His blessings more quickly here than most anywhere else.

Do you attend every church service you can? Do you pray and prepare before arriving? Do you stay focused and absorb as much as possible? Do you review what you heard? Do you meditate on the subject? Do you examine yourself for changes the lesson called for?

The Bereans were noble for receiving Paul’s preaching with very ready minds and studying out what they heard (Acts 17:11), but the Jews of Jerusalem plugged their ears and rejected Stephen (Acts 7:51-60). Where do you fall between these two extremes?

Do you attend church as a Sunday habit? Do you miss whenever you feel like it? Do you watch television Saturday night instead of preparing? Do you doze during the preaching? Do you let your mind wander? Do you read your Bible or a hymnal instead of listening?

God reveals Himself and His will by preaching (Mal 2:7; I Cor 1:21). He picks the men, gives them ability to do it, convicts and leads their minds, and gives them their content – either by visions in the past or by written scripture today (II Tim 3:16-17; 4:2).

Preachers are God’s ambassadors (II Cor 5:20). He sends them with His message for your profit, if you will hear and obey. If you neglect God’s ambassador and the message he brings, you mistreat God Himself, and you will pay (Ex 16:8; Ps 105:14-15; I Sam 8:7).

What more can He say to get your attention? If you slight His words by preaching, He will reject your words in praying (Pr 1:24-30). The matter is important, for you need His wisdom through preaching for your success, and you need Him to hear your prayers.

The Lord warned that He will reject the prayers of those who do not listen submissively. In fact, He will consider their prayers to be abominations! Here is a very serious warning about your attitude toward the preaching of God’s word. He explained to the regathered Jews this was the reason for their horrific punishment by the Babylonians (Zech 7:7-14)!

Imagine your prayer being an abomination to God! While you beg Him for blessing and favor in your life, He intensely despises, hates, and loathes your efforts and words. Your prayers nauseate Him! It is one thing to have your prayers hindered by neglecting your wife (Mal 2:13-14; I Pet 3:7), but this is a far worse thing of God hating your prayers.

How were the Bereans noble? Consider Acts 17:11 closely. First, they heard Paul with very receptive minds. They did not listen scornfully, raising their own opinions, objections, or foolish questions against his preaching. They wanted to hear; they wanted to believe; they assumed he was right; they were thankful they had a man of God to declare truth to them. Their minds did not wander or wonder if perhaps Paul was wrong.

Second, they searched the Bible daily to confirm his words. They did not mock Paul’s superior knowledge by five minutes in a concordance trying to reject him. Some think they can ignore a preacher’s many hours of study on a particular subject and a lifetime in God’s word with a few minutes of weekend reading. Such is the mentality and nature of foolish and unlearned questions, which godly ministers ignore (II Tim 2:23; Titus 3:9).

Human pride is terrible, and a sermon against a sin of yours will bring it out. But pastors are to wage war against your opinions (II Cor 10:3-6)! He has studied the subject 100 times more than you; he is preaching to the varied needs of many people; he has a divine mandate to be true to Scripture alone without fear of men (Jer 1:17); he is not preaching his agenda; he is merely repeating orders from the King of kings. Remember these things.

Paul, knowing your temptation to resent such preaching, warned in I Thessalonians 5:20, “Despise not prophesyings.” God has warned in both testaments to listen attentively and submissively. The Lord Jesus Christ soberly brought his parable of the sower to a conclusion by saying, “Take heed therefore how ye hear” (Luke 8:18). His judgment is severe – He will take from the stubborn listener the little knowledge he thinks he has.

Cornelius gives one of the best examples of receptive hearers, when he assembled his family and friends to hear “all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33). And Israel held a great celebration for understanding preaching that pointed out duties they had overlooked (Neh 8:1-18). The Thessalonians heard Paul’s Bible preaching as all preaching should be heard – as if the words were the very words of God (I Thess 2:13).

No sermon is perfect, as any honest preacher will tell you. There are always small faults you can criticize, and conscientious pastors agonize over them; but the hearers who focus on them are wicked scorners (Is 29:20-21). Peter preached like an unlearned fisherman to the scornful Jews, but he had the wise words of salvation from Jesus (Acts 4:12-13).

God will defend His preachers, as forty-two disrespectful children discovered (II Kings 2:23-25). Korah and his friends wish they had respected Moses and his preaching better (Num 16:1-33). God does not appreciate men ignoring or rejecting the message of His ambassadors (Deut 1:41-44). Paul despised such men (I Cor 14:36-38), and he did not allow foolish contentions, even about matters as minor as the length of hair (I Cor 11:16).

Not all preachers are God’s messengers. Most pastors do not preach God’s word, just as the Bible warns (Amos 8:11-12). Most Christians want fables instead of truth (II Tim 4:3-4), so they find effeminate preachers that prey on vulnerable women (II Tim 3:6-7) with their false Christianity (II Tim 3:1-5). The cure is simple – preach the word (II Tim 4:2).

It is hard today to find a church where God’s word is faithfully declared, but you must, because settling for a contemporary pretender like Joel or Benny is just one more way to violate this proverb. You cannot satisfy Solomon’s warning by listening to men merely talk, tell jokes, tell stories, pretend to have visions, smile real pretty, or wear white suits.

Reject personality cults, pretend miracles, big business, or wives involved. Measure preachers by their fruit (Matt 7:15-20). What is the effect or result of the ministry? Does it redirect lives to comply with God’s word? And by all means measure it by the scriptures (Ps 119:98-100,128; Isaiah 8:20; Rom 16:17-18; Gal 1:16-17; I Tim 6:3-5).

Finding a true preacher is a great blessing from God, as Elihu told Job (Job 33:23-26). It is God’s ordained way for you to know His will, and where there is no preacher, the people perish (Pr 29:18; I Sam 3:1; II Chr 15:3). No wonder God said preachers had beautiful feet (Is 52:7; Rom 10:15). Do not neglect the blessing of hearing God’s word.

The proverb’s warning is severe, as it should be, because rebellion against God’s word is like witchcraft, and stubbornness is like idolatry (I Sam 15:22-23). If the Lord of heaven discerns you are protecting an idol in your heart and rejecting His message, He will send you lying delusions, just as He did Ahab (Ezek 14:1-11; I Kings 22:8; II Thess 2:9-12).

Consider the advice Eli gave Samuel, when the Lord called him at night. Eli told Samuel to answer, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth” (I Sam 3:39). This is the godly and humble attitude that will be blessed. He that hath ears to hear; let him hear. And let his prayers come up as a sweet savor in the nostrils of the glorious God in heaven. Amen.

 

 

Proverbs 27:22 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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This might be long, but it worth reading entirely.  
 Proverbs 27:22  Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.

 Is there hope for a fool? Not really. A few exceptions do not alter the general rule. No matter what you do to help a fool, he will stay a fool, for he has no heart for wisdom. Here is a profound proverb based on an agricultural metaphor that gives it its beauty.

There is hope for a foolish child or a temporary foolish adult, but there is no hope for an incorrigible fool. He is what he is; you cannot help him (Pr 17:10,12; 29:9). You must avoid him, not waste efforts to reform him, and learn why some people never change.

What is a fool? A fool is a person who has rejected God and true religion by either words or deeds (Ps 14:1; 53:1; Titus 1:16). He is too proud and stubborn to be instructed, so he must be corrected and motivated like a brute beast (Pr 10:8; 12:1; 14:16; 26:3).

He is arrogantly confident of himself, so he continues in his madness without caution or examination (Pr 10:23; 12:15; 15:5; 17:16; 26:11; 28:26). He is self-centered and profane, interested only in his own thoughts (Pr 14:9; 17:24; 18:2; 20:3; Eccl 10:2-3).

Children are born foolish, and folly remains bound in their hearts, if they are not trained. But corporal punishment and reproof will drive it out of children (Pr 19:18; 22:15; 29:15). Adult foolishness can be corrected by instruction, rebukes, and warnings (Pr 1:5; 9:8-9; 19:20,25; 21:11; 25:12; 26:3). There is hope in both these cases, but not with fools.

A mortar was a cup-shaped stone vessel that held grain, so it could be pulverized with a pestle, a club-like instrument used to pound the grain. Braying the grain meant to beat, bruise, and crush it to powder. The metaphor is powerful! If you were to smash a fool in a mortar with a pestle, you could not drive away his foolishness and make him wise.

How can you keep from being an incorrigible fool? Fearing God is your first step, for it is the beginning of wisdom and understanding (Pr 1:7; 9:10). You must reject your own thoughts (Pr 16:25; 26:12). Then you must love instruction and reproof to be wiser (Pr 9:8-9; 12:1). And you must avoid fools, so you do not become like them (Pr 9:6; 13:20).

A wise man will identify fools, remember they are beyond help and hope, and not waste his time or breath on them (Pr 17:10,12; 29:9). They are not worthy of honor, so do not give them any (Pr 26:1,8). They should only be answered to shut their mouths (Pr 26:4-5; Matt 7:6). If you must manage one, brute force is your best bet (Pr 26:3; Ps 32:9).

Some people never change. Fools from birth, they were never trained. Every kind of animal has been trained, but these unruly beasts are contrary to convention, truth, and wisdom. They never mature as they should; they never increase in wisdom and understanding; they are fools. Do not be frustrated or waste time. Avoid them instead.

All men by nature are religious fools, no matter how their parents trained them (Ep 2:1-3; 4:17-19; Rom 1:18-32). Even Paul, who had the best religious training, admitted he was sometimes foolish (Tit 3:3). How can a spiritual fool be made wise? By the regenerating power of God, Who sovereignly causes him to be born again (John 1:13; 3:8; Titus 3:5).

This powerful work of creation by God gives a man a new spiritual nature for him to see, hear, know, and do things to please God (Jn 3:3; 8:43,47; I Cor 2:14; Rom 8:7-8; Phil 2:12-13). This new nature is truly wise (I Cor 2:15). A person must be born again first to hear and obey the gospel (John 5:24; 10:26; I Cor 1:24; II Cor 4:3-4; Acts 13:48).

It is heresy to think changing the environment will make fools wise (Is 26:10). It is heresy to think that new evangelistic methods will work (Luke 16:31). It is heresy to buy decisions for Jesus with food, water, or medicine (II Cor 2:14-17). They must be born again (Jn 3:7)! Only God can make a wise man out of a fool (Pr 20:9; Job 14:4; John 3:6).

It is your duty and privilege to fear God, humble yourself before teachers and counselors, and reject the proud rebellion that enslaves the hearts and minds of fools. It is easier to learn this way than to be brayed with a pestle in a mortar, which the Lord Jesus Christ has done and will do to both foolish children and enemies (Heb 12:5-13; Matt 21:42-44).

 

Spiritual Training 27 November 2012

Posted: November 29, 2012 in 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

Romans 2:01 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at what ever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same thing. 

Whenever we find ourselves feeling justifiably angry about someone’s sin, we should be careful.  We need to speak out against sin, but we must do so in a spirit of humility.  Often the sins we notice most clearly in others are the ones that have taken root in us.

Lets Bring it Home: If we look closely at ourselves, we may find that we are committing the same sins in more socially acceptable forms.  For example, a person who gossips may be very critical of others who gossip about him or her.

Proverbs 26:4-5 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Proverbs 26:4-5

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.  Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

It is wrong to debate with fools. They do not deserve knowledge or truth. Wisdom is too precious to waste on them. Wise men have better uses of their time. And arguing is a fleshly lust. For these reasons, it is a sin to debate with men who do not clearly display godly wisdom and righteousness. By doing so, you descend to their profane level.

You should say enough to shut their mouths, but anything more is folly and sin (Proverbs 26:5)). They deserve no honor (26:1) and only a beating will truly help them (26:3). To keep them from thinking they are right, it is proper to briefly refute their idiotic notions. Truth does not back down from any, but it has no obligation to waste its time on any, either!

Jesus plainly confirmed Solomon by teaching, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matt 7:6). Jesus often rebuked the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, lawyers, and scribes of His day, but He avoided any foolish wrangling with them.

If you debate truth with a fool, he will first despise the wisdom of your words and ridicule the precious things you tell him (23:9)). You will degrade the truth by letting him mock and reproach it. He will then twist your words and use them against you, because his heart is black with hate and violence (Ish 29 20:21) Leave him alone, and let him rot!

Too harsh, you say? Jesus called them dogs and pigs – vile animals and perpetual examples of beastly cruelty and selfish greed, among other despicable traits. When told He had offended the Pharisees, He said to His apostles, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mat 15:14).

How do you spot a fool? Easy. Listen to him talk (14:7) and measure his walk (20:11). A fool talks a lot, likes his own ideas, gets angry easily, always excuses his conduct, belittles others, prefers teaching to being taught, wants to debate most everything, resents authority, disdains convention, or talks profanely. A fool also does not live according to the Bible and has no spiritual fruit, which are the absolute and final measures of wisdom.

Your flesh wants to get in the last word, or believes you can persuade him by reasoning, or thinks love will win the day, and sees no risk to your own soul (11 Tim 2:24-26); (1Cor 15:33). There is danger here, so Paul warned against the foolish questions or vain babblings of foolish men

 

Spiritual Training 26 November 2012

Posted: November 29, 2012 in 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

Romans 1:28-32 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done, they have become filed with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.  They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.  They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. 

How were these people aware of God’s death penalty?  Human beings, created in God’s image, have a basis moral nature and conscience.  This truth is understood beyond religious circles.  Psychologists, for example, say that the rare person who has no conscience has a serious personality disorder that is extremely difficult to treat.  Most people instinctively know when they do wrong-but they may not care.  Some people will even risk an early death for the freedom to indulge their desires now.  “I know it’s wrong, but I really want it,” they say; or, “I know it’s dangerous, but it’s’ worth the risk.” For such people, part of the “fun” is going against God’s law, the community’s moral standards, common sense, or their own sense of right and wrong.  But deep down inside they know that sin deserves the punishment of death (6:23).

Lets Bring it Home:  In which way do we play with fire?  Let’s asks ourselves, do we fit into any of these areas?  How do we handle our sinful desires, verses deep down inside knowing that sin deserves the punishment of death? No ifs, ands or buts about it.  Does God really hand us over to our foolish ways after numerous attempts to get our attention? Why is there so much hell in my life we say?

 

Spiritual Training 21 November 2012

Posted: November 29, 2012 in 1 Timothy, 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

Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

When Jesus died for the sins of humanity, the curtain was torn open, permitting anyone to enter the holiest of all-God’s presence.  The high priest was no longer required for believers to be forgiven.  By a “new and living way”, believers can go directly to God through faith in Christ.

Lets Bring it home: When was the last time you really went to God to ask forgiveness for your sins.  Remember, you can’t get yourself ready for Christ.  I hear people say that I have to get right before going to Church.  No, that is not the case.  You are ready right now.  God already knew you, even before you was form in your mothers womb.  Go to him now, Pastor Jimmy once said, this is not a Job where qualifications are required for the position.  In Gods house it’s our dis-qualifications that qualifies us for a position in the Kingdom.

Spiritual Training 20 November 2012

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Romans, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Part 4

Homosexuality was a widespread in Paul’s day as it is in ours.  Many pagan practices encouraged it.  God is willing to receive anyone who comes to him in faith, and Christians should love and accept who comes to him in faith, and Christians should love and accept who comes to him in faith, and Christians should love and accept others no matter what their background.  Yet, homosexuality is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Leviticus 18:22).  Homosexuality is considered an acceptable practice by many in our world today-even by some churches.  But society does not set the standard for God’s law.  Many homosexuals believe that their desires are normal and that they have a right to express them.  But God does not obligate nor encourage us to fulfill all our desires (even normal ones).  Those desires that violate his laws must be controlled.

Lets Bring it Home: If you have these desires, you can and must resist acting upon them.  Consciously avoid places or activities you know will kindle temptations of this kind.  Don’t underestimate the power of Satan to tempt you, nor the potential for serious harm if you yield to these temptations.  Remember, God can and will forgive sexual sins just as he forgives other sins.  Surrender yourself to the grace and mercy of God, asking him to show you the way out of sin and into the light of his freedom and his love.  Prayer, Bible study, and strong support in a Christian church can help you to gain strength to resist these powerful temptations.  If you are already deeply involved in homosexual behavior, seek help from a trustworthy, professional, pastoral counselor.

Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans: 1:24-25 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised.  Amen.   

Romans 1:26-27 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.  In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.  Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 

 

Proverbs 20:30 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 29, 2012 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 20:30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being. 

Corporal punishment works. Pain is an efficient deterrent and effective instructor. Do you believe both rules in spite of what effeminate fools and social do-gooders say today?

Why are you careful with fire? By studying the laws and theories of fuels, heat, oxidation, combustion, and thermodynamics? By theorizing why fire hurts and destroys? Or because you felt the biting sting of fire when you were young! Ah, yes, fire hurts!

If you want to be wise, and Proverbs was written for that, then submit to God’s word. Let God be true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4; Ps 119:128). God and Solomon had more wisdom about modifying behavior than any man, group of men, institution, or theory on earth! Freely given without charge, they wrote it down for your great profit and success.

Foolishness and wickedness are terrible human traits, causing much pain and suffering, including ruined lives and estates and death. How can these traits be reduced? Sin is more than a bad habit; it is the inborn reaction of deceived rebels (Jer 17:9). Most men must be beaten, bruised, and wounded before they will change or improve. This is the lesson.

Do you wisely wound those who need it? Do you receive wounding well when you need it? Do not resist the wisdom taught here. Severe and wise punishment is far less painful than unrestrained self-will or obstinate rebellion. A fool not corrected will cost himself and those around him far more than the light sting of a whipping. This is the application.

Parents drive foolishness from children with the rod (Pr 22:15; 23:13-14); God scourges foolishness from His children (Pr 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-11); friends correct one another by verbal blows (Pr 27:6; Ps 141:5); and Jesus was bruised and wounded for our iniquities (Gen 3:15; Is 53:5,10). Corporal punishment greatly reduces crimes. This is the result.

Until recent decades of perverse thinking and loud talking by social engineers, everyone knew corporal punishment worked. They used to say, “Reading, writing, and arithmetic, taught to the tune of a hickory stick.” In a wise society, magistrates beat criminals (Deut 25:2-3), and employers beat offending employees (Pr 29:19; Ex 21:20-21).

Solomon’s inspired wisdom is despised today. Social dreamers and arrogant educators teach that flattery and freedom work better than corporal punishment. Read Benjamin Spock’s, Baby and Child Care. They do all they can to outlaw parental spanking of children, just as they have outlawed flogging for maintaining order and discipline in schools, the military, and society. But look at the results! They have miserably failed!

What a beautiful proverb! Here you see the nature of proverbs as clearly as anywhere.  The words are chosen and arranged to create maximum beauty, force, and rhythm; but the sense is slightly hidden for you to discover and enjoy. Can you find a few metonyms?

This beautiful and wise proverb teaches God’s ordinance of corporal punishment. But today’s enlightened world prefers the darkness of the perverted speculations of educators. They will suction a million screaming babies into pieces in their mothers’ wombs, while protecting teenagers and criminals from ever being touched! These perverse persons are the devilish corrupters of nations, and the results of their policies are visible everywhere.

With only a few proper lessons from a rod, children will grow up into mature and wise adults (Pr 22:6,15). Feed them for 17 years without this tool, and you will have a child that brings you shame, ruins his life as well, and is a burden to those around him (Pr 23:13-14; 29:15). The self-restraint needed to prosper and succeed in life is brought by the rod and reproof. Correct children, and they will give you rest and delight (Pr 29:17).

Let parents remember the rule – the rod works. Let school principals and magistrates consider – the rod works. Let friends recall – sharp reproofs work. The wise use of corporal punishment will correct fools and sinners and reform the heart. This is not fanciful advice of the ignorant: these are inspired rules of the wisest man ever! Are you wise enough to grasp who is right? God and Solomon or Ben Spock and UNICEF?

Let every man gratefully and humbly receive wounds from God and man, for they are designed for his learning (Pr 3:11-12; 9:7-9; 27:5-6; Ps 141:5). Without them, there is no evidence that either God or men love you, and there is no hope for your improvement or perfection. You should look for a church where you are wounded weekly by preaching!

Some natural men limit this proverb to foolish medical advice. They say the blue color around a wound is evidence that infection is being purged from it! And they say that developed abdominal muscles (“a six-pack” of stripes on your belly) promote the health of your lower internal organs! What an ignorant travesty of interpretation! Forget it!

God hates sin but loved His elect, so He severely bruised and wounded the Lord Jesus by the Jews and Romans. During the hours leading to His death, He turned blue from many wounds, and many stripes covered His back. Why? Because He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, chastised for our peace, and by His stripes we are healed (Is 53:5,10). His blue wounds and many stripes cleansed us from all evil!

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