Posts Tagged ‘theology’


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. 
 
Simple rule of wisdom is to cut your words in half. Many words and much speaking greatly raise the chance of sinning with your lips. Because of this sober risk, wisdom teaches you to reduce your number of words and hold your peace. A wise man reflects soberly after speaking very much, for he remembers the grave warning of the first half of this proverb. If he spoke quite a few words, he has probably sinned in his speech and appears a fool. In this context, silence is very golden! So the God of wisdom tells you to be faster to hear and slower to speak. If you emphasized listening and being skillful at that, you would have little time for talking. If you were slow and reluctant to speak, you would have an excellent spirit. Wisely consider your words before you speak, rather than regret them after they are out. Have you not wasted many painful hours reviewing words you spoke? Have you often said, “I wish I’d never said that,” or, “Why did I say that?” Such misery could be reduced, if you would simply refrain your lips from idle or foolish speech. If you would hold your tongue, you would not have to worry about words that escaped.

Under Gods Command
Practice what you Preach

Romans 2:17-24 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; If you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law, if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written. “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentles because of you. 

Those of us who have grown up in Christian families are the religiously privileged of today. Paul’s condemnation applies to us if we do not live up to what we know. Paul explained to the Jews that they need to teach themselves, not others, by their law. They know the law so well that they had learned how to excuse their own actions while criticizing others. We face this today in our daily walk. We need to remember that we cannot please God without a proper relationship with him. As Jesus pointed out, even withholding what rightfully belongs to someone else is stealing, and looking on another persons with lustful, adulterous intent is adultery. Before we accused others, we must look at ourselves and see if that sin, in any form, exists within us. If we claim to be one of God’s people, our life should reflect what God is like. When you disobey God, you dishonor his name. People may even blaspheme or profane God’s name because of you. What do people think about God from watching your life.


Under Gods Command
Gideon’s Death 

Judges 8:28-32 Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again.  During Gideon’s lifetime, the land enjoyed peace forty years.  Jerub-Baal son of Joash went back home to live.  He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives.  His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech.  Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  

The relationship between Gideon and a concubine produced a son who tore apart Gideon’s family and caused tragedy for the nation.  Gideon’s story illustrates the fact that heroes in battle are not always heroes in daily life.  Gideon led the nation but could not lead his family.

Let’s Bring it home: No matter whom you are, moral laxness will caused problems.  Just because you have won a single battle with temptation does not mean you will automatically win the next one.  We need to be constantly watchful against temptation.  Sometimes Satan’s strongest attacks come after a victory.


Under Gods Command
 
Judges 8:22-27 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son and your grandson – because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.” But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an ear-ring from your share of the plunder. “ (It was the custom for the Is…hmaelites to wear gold earrings. They answered, “Well be glad to give them. “So they spread out a garment and each man threw a ring from his plunder onto it. The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels, not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels neck. Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. Those who were very wealthy put ornaments on their camels as a way of displaying their riches. Women wore vast amounts of jewelry as well often up to 15 pairs of earrings, Jewelry was also worn for good luck. After Gideon’s rise to power he seems to have become carried away with this accumulation of wealth. Eventually it led the Israelites to idolatry.
 
Gideon probably had good motives for making the ephod (a visible remembrance commemorating the victory). Unfortunately, the people began to worship the ephod as an idol.
 
Let’s Bring it home: Sadly, many decisions that stem from good motives produce negative results. Perhaps no one stops to ask, “What might go in your plans and decisions, take time to anticipate how a good idea might lead to a potential problem

Proverbs 2:6-7  For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He hold victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. 

 God gives us wisdom and victory but not for drifting through life or acting irresponsibly with his gifts and resources.  If we are faithful and keep our purpose in life clearly in mind, he will keep us from pride and greed. 


 Proverbs: 1:7-9

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.  Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching, they will be a garland to grace your head and chain to adorn your neck. 

 In this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce.  Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot.  It is a basic attitude that affects every aspect of life.  The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord –to honor and respect God, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his word.  Faith in God should be the controlling principle for your understanding of the world, your attitudes and your actions.  Thrust in God-he will make you truly wise. 


Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 26:18-19  Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” 

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

Jesting (Joking) is not convenient – appropriate, proper, or suitable. It causes confusion, pain, and trouble. It destroys confidence and security. This is especially true when you joke with those who trust you. Truth is a wonderful thing, and it should not be mocked. Your neighbor trusts you – be worthy of it. King Solomon had no use for profane individuals who play tricks on others for profit or pleasure and excuse their wickedness by calling it a game or a joke.

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

Covering and excusing sin by lightly claiming it was just a joke reveals a very profane character. Such persons have no conscience; they laugh at sin; they do not comprehend the pain their deception causes others. We oppose this folly by keeping and requiring a sober and serious approach to all relationships.


Under Gods Command
 Proverbs 11:03 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 

 There is a safe way to live – do right! And there is a dangerous way to live – do what feels good and sounds good! By committing to do only what is right at all times, you will have a certain guide for every situation. But living your life by your own feelings and choices will often lead you to great perplexity, and it will certainly destroy you.

What is integrity? It is the glorious character trait of always doing what is right, regardless of difficulties or consequences. It is the upright who have integrity. What is perverseness? It is turning away from what is right to act contrary to law or nature. It is transgressors, or sinners, who are perverse, for they choose to reject moral restrictions.

The upright always do what is right – they have integrity. Their confusion in life is minimal, for they have chosen to follow what is right in every choice and dilemma. They have a constant guide. Transgressors do whatever they want – they are perverse. They have no standards or parameters for their actions, and their perversity will destroy them.

What is right? Whatever the Bible says is right! Anything to the contrary is perverse and wrong! The Bible should be exalted on every subject, and all other opinions should be hated. Such a rule defines Bible Christianity. It doesn’t matter what a pope thinks, what is socially acceptable, what is traditional, or what will win you a promotion.

Is sex up to you? No! God invented the pleasure, and He has ruled concerning it. Joseph was a man of integrity, and he never had a doubt about what to do with the seductive advances of Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:1-12). But Samson was perverse in his obsession with Philistine whores, and it cost him his eyes, his freedom, and his life.

The blessed Lord Jesus Christ always did those things that pleased His Father. He had perfect integrity and prudence in obeying the word of God and living a perfect life. For those who believe on Him, He is the Source and Means of everlasting righteousness.


Under Gods Command
Proverbs 10:09 – The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. 

A consistent course of righteousness will keep a man confident, and he will not stumble in life. But rejecting instruction and wisdom, and choosing his own way, will lead a man to trouble and pain; and this perverse rebellion will be revealed to others.

A sincere and faithful man, who walks righteously before God and men, will be secure in his conscience, in the blessings of God, and in safety from trouble  He is single minded with no fear of detection, for he has never practiced deceit or hypocrisy. He neither fears devils or wicked men, for Jesus Christ is his helper and heaven his home. He will not fear the future, for his heart and steps are fixed in God’s word. He knows that God is with him, regardless of what men may think. He knows that difficulties for other men will not defeat or destroy him. He is confident and safe.

But the man who chooses sin and perverts the way of righteousness will fall at once, and all men will know his secret perversity. To disobey is truly to be perverse, for it is corruption of, and rebellion against, God’s wisdom. Perversity is God’s word for disobedience, and we should respect the seriousness of it.


Under Gods Command

Proverbs 4:3-7 When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.  Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; lover her, and she will watch over you.  Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  You can learn from the Scriptures and then create a legacy of wisdom as you teach your own children. 

 One of the greatest responsibilities of parents is to encourage their children to become wise.  Wisdom comes from God; parents can only urge their children to turn to him.  If your parents never taught you in this way, God’s Word can function as a loving and compassionate mother or father to you.  If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it.  This will take resolve-a determination not to abandon the search once you begin no matter how difficult the road may become. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime step, but a daily process of choosing between two paths-the wicked (Proverbs 4:14-17, 19) and the righteous (Proverbs 4:18).  Nothing else is more important or more valuable.