This past Sunday started out like any other Sunday at our house. Ben and I got up, got ready, got baby up and ready and then headed out the door to church. We had a normal drive to church, we dropped Leilani off in the nursery as usual and then headed upstairs to the sanctuary. We had a time of worship followed by a teaching. Our pastor has been going through the book of Philippians verse by verse. Sunday's message was based on chapter 1 verse 21, the second portion of the verse. The message was about death being gain for the Christian. It wasn't until service was wrapping up that something unusual happened. Something pretty scary at that.
As our pastor began to pray, my husband leaned over to me and said "Chelle, I don't feel good," and then he laid his head on my shoulder. The last time he had said those words to me was when he had the stomach bug and he ended up jumping up shortly after and running for the bathroom. My first reaction when he said this in church was to ask if he was going to throw up. I didn't get a response. I then proceeded to ask him if we needed to leave. No response. Next thing I knew, Ben's head rolled backwards, his eyes rolled back in his head and he began to shake. No one at this point saw what was happening because we were in the middle of praying. He stopped shaking after just a few seconds but he was completely unresponsive to me. I tried patting his leg, wiggling his arm and whispering his name. No response. This is when I started to panic. What should I do? What was wrong with him? Do I yell out and draw everone's attention to us during prayer? Do I tug on the stranger sitting next to me and ask for help? Do I just keep violently shaking Ben and hope he comes to? It didn't help that the whole message we just had was based on death! I felt this pressure build on my chest which I think was fear, but then I looked over and saw my Dad sitting across the aisle from us. That's when I knew what to do. I quietly got out of my seat, sat down next to my Dad and said, "Dad, something is wrong with Ben."
This is where the beautiful lesson comes in. As soon as I passed on my fear to my Dad, I knew that someone else was involved who would know what to do. The weight of the situation was no longer just mine to bear. I felt the pressure lift off of me. Ben was still unconscious at this point and I had no idea what was happening, but as soon as I finished telling my Dad what I knew, we both looked over and Ben had snapped to and was rubbing his eyes. I was able to motion to him to walk out of the sanctuary, we got him some orange juice and water, and he ended up being alright.
(He's going to the Dr. tomorrow just to get checked out, but he hasn't had any other issues since then. We think it was related to a nose bleed he had earlier in the morning as well as some nausea over talk about Paul being beheaded at the end of his life.)
Here is the picture I got though. As soon as I took my fear and uncertainty and brought it to my Dad, a weight and pressure was taken off me. Though I was still in the midst of a scary situation, I was no longer in it alone. I realized, this is exactly what Jesus wants to do for His children.
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Jesus says to bring all of our burdens to Him. By bringing those burdens to Him, we do not get rid of the situation or the trial or the tough times, but we do allow Him to help carry our pain and our stress, allowing us the opportunity to have a clearer mind and a lighter load during those times.
I realized that so often I try and hold onto my "burdens" because I feel like they are mine to bear. I feel like they are insignificant compared to what others may be going through or in comparison to world hunger, war or natural disasters. The truth of the matter is that nothing is too small to bring to Jesus. He will never turn His children away and call them insignificant. Jesus is that loving father who WANTS to help shoulder the weight of the burden and help us through. The sooner that I release my burden to Him, the sooner I can feel free of the pressures and weariness of this life. Why wouldn't I want to do that?
Jesus, may you always be the FIRST person that I turn to in the good and the bad in my life. Thank you for being my strength when I am weak and my rest when I am weary.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Lessons I'm Learning
Once again, haven't written a blog post in a while! Life just gets so busy with a little one running around. :)
Currently, in my devotions, I have been going through the book of Jeremiah. I started in Genesis and have been working my way through. When I got to Isaiah I started feeling like I needed a little more to go along with what I was reading, so I started reading Matthew Henry's commentary alongside my daily reading. I cannot even begin to say how blessed I have been by doing that. Back to Jeremiah though, I am about half way through the book. I am being ministered to on SO many levels in this book! I think that current circumstances in life as well as the election we just had have made my reading all the more applicable.
I have never really spent a lot of time in the book of Jeremiah before because it's pretty much all about Jeremiah declaring God's judgement on Judah for their continual sin and unrepentance. The main sin that Judah struggled with was idolatry, although there were many more including adultery, lying, defiance, false teaching, etc. Honestly, all of the things that are so prevalent in today's society were happening back then. This is where I start to get frustrated and God speaks to me.
I am not frustrated by the unsaved people in this world. They do what they think is good and right in their own eyes and don't interfere with others who do the same. Those people I continually pray for and share the love of Christ with as opportunity arises, but I know that they are blind and lost and don't know any better. This makes it easier to explain away what scripture would portray as "bad" or "evil" behaviors.
I am frustrated with the modern day church, fellow "believers." The church today has gotten to a very dangerous place where everything is all talk about love and forgiveness. I am in no way arguing that these are very key characterisitics that a Christian should have, but that is where people are drawing the line. There is no such thing as conviction anymore. There is no more black and white, there is no more sharing the truth in love. There is no more need to live a life set apart.
If you try and share with someone that something they are doing is wrong scripturally, you are the bad guy, you are rejected and called unloving. If you do not cater to the sin in someones life, then you are unforgiving, bitter and angry. How did we get to this place? What happened to 2 Timothy 4:2?
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
I guess if you keep reading the following verses in 2 Timothy it explains itself.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
It has been said that if you believe a lie long enough, it becomes your truth. That is what I see happening today. No one wants to be told that they are wrong. They tell themselves that something is ok and right long enough and then there is no changing their mind. Scripture that you share with them gets twisted or manipulated or completely dismissed for one reason or another. People justify their actions in whatever way they can and don't care who they hurt in the process. Pastor's are catering to sinful lifestyles, telling people that no one has a right to judge you and God is love and grace and therefore, no matter what you do, as long as you believe that Jesus is who He said He was, you're good.
This is exactly what was happening in Jeremiah's time. The priests, who were supposed to be the voice of the Lord to the people, were telling the people what they wanted to hear. They were proclaiming peace upon the land. In reality, God was not speaking to these priests, but He WAS speaking to Jeremiah. What was Jeremiah's message? Repent and turn from your ways, God is not pleased by your actions, and if you don't repent and change then there is judgement coming. The crazy thing is that some of Jeremiah's greatest opposition came from the priests and his closest family and friends. They were actually plotting against him to kill him simply because he spoke the truth. The truth just so happened to be what they didn't want to hear. It was not loving or catering to their sin. These people claimed to be close to God. These people were some of the most visible and prominent in the temple, yet they failed to heed or recognize God's word.
"Those shall be made to know how much they deceive themselves who say that they have not offended God, that they are innocent, though they have been guilty of the grossest enormities. Who expect that God will be reconciled to them though they do not repent and reform. They own that they had been under the tokens of God's anger, but they think that it was causeless, and that they by pleading innocency had proved it to be so, and therefore they conclude that God will immediately let fall His action and His anger shall be turned from them. This is very provoking and God will plead with them, and convince them that His anger is just, for they have sinned and He will never cease His controversy till they, instead of justifying themselves thus, humble and judge and condemn themselves." -Matthew Henry
This is so scary! The way that Christians down play sin! We do have a gracious and loving God, but we also have a just and righteous God who will not wink at sin in our lives.
The people in Jeremiah's time were not willing to own anything as the word of God that went against anything that they were doing. They would rather make God out to be a liar, than simply confess and forsake their sin. Jeremiah 7:8 "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit."
"Those that think to excuse themselves in unchristian practices with the Christian name, and sin the more boldly and securely because there is a sin offering provided, do, in effect, make God's house of prayer a den of thieves, as the priests in Christ's time." -Matthew Henry
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" -Romans 6:1-2
I know that we will never be perfect this side of heaven, but if we are truly following the Lord and seeking Him and His will for our lives, then we will not be able to live in continual sin. There will be conviction for wrong actions, which should lead to repentance and change. Change will always be the result of true repentance. It doesn't matter how many times you speak the words "I'm sorry" if you never do anything to show it. If someone goes out and kills someone and then says "I'm sorry" and goes out and kills again, do you think that person is truly sorry? Of course not! Your actions will back up your words. Your fruit will bear witness of who you belong to. It is not unloving to call something as it is.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits... A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." -Matthew 7:16, 18-21
All that being said, I guess what I really want to do is just encourage all of my brothers and sisters out there to really dig into the Word of God, know what it says, and grow in the knowledge and truth of it, applying it's principles to your life. Do not be so prideful as to not be able to receive a word spoken in truth to you. Do not allow the lukewarm attitude of this world to take root in your heart. That is not of the Lord! He has called us to live lives set apart, different from the rest of the world, yet being an example IN the world.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces. -Jeremiah 23:29
One last thing, to the people of Judah who would not repent and turn from their idolatry, adultery, lying and wickedness, this is the message God gave to them:
"And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten." -Jeremiah 23:40
Please don't let this happen to you! Be encouraged, check your heart and encourage and edify your brothers and sisters in the Lord to do the same. Hold one another accountable. This is what love looks like.
Currently, in my devotions, I have been going through the book of Jeremiah. I started in Genesis and have been working my way through. When I got to Isaiah I started feeling like I needed a little more to go along with what I was reading, so I started reading Matthew Henry's commentary alongside my daily reading. I cannot even begin to say how blessed I have been by doing that. Back to Jeremiah though, I am about half way through the book. I am being ministered to on SO many levels in this book! I think that current circumstances in life as well as the election we just had have made my reading all the more applicable.
I have never really spent a lot of time in the book of Jeremiah before because it's pretty much all about Jeremiah declaring God's judgement on Judah for their continual sin and unrepentance. The main sin that Judah struggled with was idolatry, although there were many more including adultery, lying, defiance, false teaching, etc. Honestly, all of the things that are so prevalent in today's society were happening back then. This is where I start to get frustrated and God speaks to me.
I am not frustrated by the unsaved people in this world. They do what they think is good and right in their own eyes and don't interfere with others who do the same. Those people I continually pray for and share the love of Christ with as opportunity arises, but I know that they are blind and lost and don't know any better. This makes it easier to explain away what scripture would portray as "bad" or "evil" behaviors.
I am frustrated with the modern day church, fellow "believers." The church today has gotten to a very dangerous place where everything is all talk about love and forgiveness. I am in no way arguing that these are very key characterisitics that a Christian should have, but that is where people are drawing the line. There is no such thing as conviction anymore. There is no more black and white, there is no more sharing the truth in love. There is no more need to live a life set apart.
If you try and share with someone that something they are doing is wrong scripturally, you are the bad guy, you are rejected and called unloving. If you do not cater to the sin in someones life, then you are unforgiving, bitter and angry. How did we get to this place? What happened to 2 Timothy 4:2?
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
I guess if you keep reading the following verses in 2 Timothy it explains itself.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
It has been said that if you believe a lie long enough, it becomes your truth. That is what I see happening today. No one wants to be told that they are wrong. They tell themselves that something is ok and right long enough and then there is no changing their mind. Scripture that you share with them gets twisted or manipulated or completely dismissed for one reason or another. People justify their actions in whatever way they can and don't care who they hurt in the process. Pastor's are catering to sinful lifestyles, telling people that no one has a right to judge you and God is love and grace and therefore, no matter what you do, as long as you believe that Jesus is who He said He was, you're good.
This is exactly what was happening in Jeremiah's time. The priests, who were supposed to be the voice of the Lord to the people, were telling the people what they wanted to hear. They were proclaiming peace upon the land. In reality, God was not speaking to these priests, but He WAS speaking to Jeremiah. What was Jeremiah's message? Repent and turn from your ways, God is not pleased by your actions, and if you don't repent and change then there is judgement coming. The crazy thing is that some of Jeremiah's greatest opposition came from the priests and his closest family and friends. They were actually plotting against him to kill him simply because he spoke the truth. The truth just so happened to be what they didn't want to hear. It was not loving or catering to their sin. These people claimed to be close to God. These people were some of the most visible and prominent in the temple, yet they failed to heed or recognize God's word.
"Those shall be made to know how much they deceive themselves who say that they have not offended God, that they are innocent, though they have been guilty of the grossest enormities. Who expect that God will be reconciled to them though they do not repent and reform. They own that they had been under the tokens of God's anger, but they think that it was causeless, and that they by pleading innocency had proved it to be so, and therefore they conclude that God will immediately let fall His action and His anger shall be turned from them. This is very provoking and God will plead with them, and convince them that His anger is just, for they have sinned and He will never cease His controversy till they, instead of justifying themselves thus, humble and judge and condemn themselves." -Matthew Henry
This is so scary! The way that Christians down play sin! We do have a gracious and loving God, but we also have a just and righteous God who will not wink at sin in our lives.
The people in Jeremiah's time were not willing to own anything as the word of God that went against anything that they were doing. They would rather make God out to be a liar, than simply confess and forsake their sin. Jeremiah 7:8 "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit."
"Those that think to excuse themselves in unchristian practices with the Christian name, and sin the more boldly and securely because there is a sin offering provided, do, in effect, make God's house of prayer a den of thieves, as the priests in Christ's time." -Matthew Henry
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" -Romans 6:1-2
I know that we will never be perfect this side of heaven, but if we are truly following the Lord and seeking Him and His will for our lives, then we will not be able to live in continual sin. There will be conviction for wrong actions, which should lead to repentance and change. Change will always be the result of true repentance. It doesn't matter how many times you speak the words "I'm sorry" if you never do anything to show it. If someone goes out and kills someone and then says "I'm sorry" and goes out and kills again, do you think that person is truly sorry? Of course not! Your actions will back up your words. Your fruit will bear witness of who you belong to. It is not unloving to call something as it is.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits... A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." -Matthew 7:16, 18-21
All that being said, I guess what I really want to do is just encourage all of my brothers and sisters out there to really dig into the Word of God, know what it says, and grow in the knowledge and truth of it, applying it's principles to your life. Do not be so prideful as to not be able to receive a word spoken in truth to you. Do not allow the lukewarm attitude of this world to take root in your heart. That is not of the Lord! He has called us to live lives set apart, different from the rest of the world, yet being an example IN the world.
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces. -Jeremiah 23:29
One last thing, to the people of Judah who would not repent and turn from their idolatry, adultery, lying and wickedness, this is the message God gave to them:
"And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten." -Jeremiah 23:40
Please don't let this happen to you! Be encouraged, check your heart and encourage and edify your brothers and sisters in the Lord to do the same. Hold one another accountable. This is what love looks like.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Did I Say That?
"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." -Proverbs 13:3
I came across this verse in my daily reading this morning and almost immediately I knew it was something I needed to blog about, not for anyone's good except my own (although I do hope it blesses YOU too!). I have experienced this verse in many different ways. I have been on the receiving end of someone who just couldn't keep their mouth shut and spread gossip and rumors about me or my family, some true and some just complete lies. I have had secrets confided to close friends blurted out to precisely who I didn't want to hear (their fault or mine?), and I know that I have also at times been the one doing the talking to others regarding things I have no right to share.
I know that talking is one of those things that women do best and gossip makes for good talk! I also know that VENTING is another thing us women do well! We think that if we are talking to a friend (or two or three or four...) under the context of venting, then by all means, talk and bash and ridicule and judge away! Think about it though, who in their right mind says "Hey, I really need to just talk to you and gossip about somebody right now. Let me tell you how awful they are." BUT something worded more like this, well... "Hey, I really need to vent to you right now about something going on with so and so. I don't want to be judgemental, but I just really need to get something off my chest..." And then they get "it" off their chest with another 5 or 6 people. Gossip under the context of venting.
Can I just say first off that I AM GUILTY!!! Like I said, this blog is directed to myself more than to anyone else. When I am extremely frustrated with someone or a situation I feel the need to talk about it and talk about it and then maybe talk about it a little more, and to anyone that is willing to listen. So, before I say more, let me just clarify something. I do believe that it is GOOD to share or vent with someone who is a close friend if it is to receive Godly counsel and prayer, not to bash or gain "haters" for your cause. I do think it is so important though to think about what you are saying before you speak. This is a lesson that God is currently teaching me and has been working in me for quite a while now! I think it's rather ironic that the first thing I want to do when I hear about someone spreading falsehoods about me or my family is in turn go and start talking about how awful that person is for doing so. Doesn't that make me just as guilty? The cycle just goes on and on!
One of my absolute favorite passages that I always come back to is Philippians 4:8 which says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
They say that what you put in is what comes out. When I am filling my mind with matters that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report, then that is what I will be pouring out to others. This is also the type of person that other people usually prefer to be around, rather than someone who is always complaining and bringing the group down with a poor attitude.
I love the example that David sets in Psalm 39:1-8. "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou has made my days as an hand breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surly they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. "
As I read this, I get to the part where David is saying that his heart is hot within him, and that as he thinks on what's going on, there is a fire burning within him (he's obviously angry) and then fire and brimstone!... wait... no... LORD MAKE ME TO KNOW MINE END... He starts praying to the Lord that God would show him just how small he (David) is compared to how BIG He (God) is. He expresses to God that he finds his hope in HIM alone. He asks to be delivered from his own transgressions and just asks that God allow him to be blameless among the foolish. (fool - a person who lacks judgement or sense; a weak minded or idiodic person) Doesn't the fool sound EXACTLY like the person you would automatically start talking about? Don't stoop to that level!
"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble." -Proverbs 21:23
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed if mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similtude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." -James 3:5-12
I guess that my biggest encouragement through this blog would be to really think twice about what you say, to who you say it and the motive behind saying it. Our words are an example and they can be used for good, to direct others to God and to show love, or they can be used for evil, to destroy another person in an attempt to make us feel better about ourselves. When we choose the latter we are also completely misrepresenting Christ. We as Christians should not be able to bless God and curse another so freely. This just cannot be.
Lord, please help me in this area! It is so hard at times when I feel so frustrated or hurt by another person to not fall into the same things I hate in them. When I have thoughts of anger or hate or bitterness, please replace them with thoughts of love, truth, and purity. When I do have something negative to say about another, help me direct it to you and pray for that person, rather than treat them as they have treated me. I know that I have a lot of growing to do in this area, but please continue to convict me when I slip up. Keep me from judging others and allow me to love with a love that could only come from you.
I came across this verse in my daily reading this morning and almost immediately I knew it was something I needed to blog about, not for anyone's good except my own (although I do hope it blesses YOU too!). I have experienced this verse in many different ways. I have been on the receiving end of someone who just couldn't keep their mouth shut and spread gossip and rumors about me or my family, some true and some just complete lies. I have had secrets confided to close friends blurted out to precisely who I didn't want to hear (their fault or mine?), and I know that I have also at times been the one doing the talking to others regarding things I have no right to share.
I know that talking is one of those things that women do best and gossip makes for good talk! I also know that VENTING is another thing us women do well! We think that if we are talking to a friend (or two or three or four...) under the context of venting, then by all means, talk and bash and ridicule and judge away! Think about it though, who in their right mind says "Hey, I really need to just talk to you and gossip about somebody right now. Let me tell you how awful they are." BUT something worded more like this, well... "Hey, I really need to vent to you right now about something going on with so and so. I don't want to be judgemental, but I just really need to get something off my chest..." And then they get "it" off their chest with another 5 or 6 people. Gossip under the context of venting.
Can I just say first off that I AM GUILTY!!! Like I said, this blog is directed to myself more than to anyone else. When I am extremely frustrated with someone or a situation I feel the need to talk about it and talk about it and then maybe talk about it a little more, and to anyone that is willing to listen. So, before I say more, let me just clarify something. I do believe that it is GOOD to share or vent with someone who is a close friend if it is to receive Godly counsel and prayer, not to bash or gain "haters" for your cause. I do think it is so important though to think about what you are saying before you speak. This is a lesson that God is currently teaching me and has been working in me for quite a while now! I think it's rather ironic that the first thing I want to do when I hear about someone spreading falsehoods about me or my family is in turn go and start talking about how awful that person is for doing so. Doesn't that make me just as guilty? The cycle just goes on and on!
One of my absolute favorite passages that I always come back to is Philippians 4:8 which says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
They say that what you put in is what comes out. When I am filling my mind with matters that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report, then that is what I will be pouring out to others. This is also the type of person that other people usually prefer to be around, rather than someone who is always complaining and bringing the group down with a poor attitude.
I love the example that David sets in Psalm 39:1-8. "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou has made my days as an hand breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surly they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. "
As I read this, I get to the part where David is saying that his heart is hot within him, and that as he thinks on what's going on, there is a fire burning within him (he's obviously angry) and then fire and brimstone!... wait... no... LORD MAKE ME TO KNOW MINE END... He starts praying to the Lord that God would show him just how small he (David) is compared to how BIG He (God) is. He expresses to God that he finds his hope in HIM alone. He asks to be delivered from his own transgressions and just asks that God allow him to be blameless among the foolish. (fool - a person who lacks judgement or sense; a weak minded or idiodic person) Doesn't the fool sound EXACTLY like the person you would automatically start talking about? Don't stoop to that level!
"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble." -Proverbs 21:23
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed if mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similtude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." -James 3:5-12
I guess that my biggest encouragement through this blog would be to really think twice about what you say, to who you say it and the motive behind saying it. Our words are an example and they can be used for good, to direct others to God and to show love, or they can be used for evil, to destroy another person in an attempt to make us feel better about ourselves. When we choose the latter we are also completely misrepresenting Christ. We as Christians should not be able to bless God and curse another so freely. This just cannot be.
Lord, please help me in this area! It is so hard at times when I feel so frustrated or hurt by another person to not fall into the same things I hate in them. When I have thoughts of anger or hate or bitterness, please replace them with thoughts of love, truth, and purity. When I do have something negative to say about another, help me direct it to you and pray for that person, rather than treat them as they have treated me. I know that I have a lot of growing to do in this area, but please continue to convict me when I slip up. Keep me from judging others and allow me to love with a love that could only come from you.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
What to Pray?
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:26-28
It is currently 1:00am and I am having trouble falling asleep. It's funny because I have felt completely exhausted all day, but for some reason I am unable to shut off my mind and rest tonight. Usually when this happens it is because there is a lot that I am thinking about, processing and praying about. While this is the case tonight, I have found that the situation that keeps replaying over and over in my head is something that I have been praying in regards to for a while now, but have only seen things go from bad to worse. Or have they? That being said, I have reached the point where I just don't know what to pray anymore. Which led me to the above verses. It's kind of funny, but I know these verses like the back of my hand, but for some reason when I looked up verse 26 I didn't realize that these verses went together. The part about the Spirit making intercession for us and everything working together for good. When I think about it though, doesn't it just make sense?!
Right now, I have no idea what God would have me pray in this situation. I obviously pray for HIS will to be done, but I don't know what His will is going to look like. I know that right now as I am typing this, praying that the Spirit would pray on my behalf, He is praying to the Father for me in ways that I could never pray for myself. That being the case, doesn't it only make sense that the outcome would be good? This doesn't mean it will end the way I want it to end or even in any of the ways that different scenarios have played out in my head. Actually, most likely it will not.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Knowing this, I really just wanted to break down Romans 8:26 for myself. Even though the verse is pretty clear just as it is written, I am always blessed by looking deeper into different verses and gaining a clearer understanding.
Spirit (Greek = pneuma) - a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze
Spirit (Dictionary) - the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul or a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character
Helpeth (Greek = sunantilambanomai) - to take hold of opposite together, i.e. co-operate (assist)
Help (Dictionary) - to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist or to make easier or less difficult; contribute to; facilitate
Infirmities (Greek = astheneia) - feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty: disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.
Infirmities (Dictionary) - a physical weakness or ailment: the infirmities of age; or quality or state of being infirm; lack of strength; or a moral weakness or failing
Intercession (Greek = huperentugchano) - to intercede in behalf of
Groanings (Greek = stenagmos) - a sigh
Uttered (Greek = alaletos) - unspeakable
It is currently 1:00am and I am having trouble falling asleep. It's funny because I have felt completely exhausted all day, but for some reason I am unable to shut off my mind and rest tonight. Usually when this happens it is because there is a lot that I am thinking about, processing and praying about. While this is the case tonight, I have found that the situation that keeps replaying over and over in my head is something that I have been praying in regards to for a while now, but have only seen things go from bad to worse. Or have they? That being said, I have reached the point where I just don't know what to pray anymore. Which led me to the above verses. It's kind of funny, but I know these verses like the back of my hand, but for some reason when I looked up verse 26 I didn't realize that these verses went together. The part about the Spirit making intercession for us and everything working together for good. When I think about it though, doesn't it just make sense?!
Right now, I have no idea what God would have me pray in this situation. I obviously pray for HIS will to be done, but I don't know what His will is going to look like. I know that right now as I am typing this, praying that the Spirit would pray on my behalf, He is praying to the Father for me in ways that I could never pray for myself. That being the case, doesn't it only make sense that the outcome would be good? This doesn't mean it will end the way I want it to end or even in any of the ways that different scenarios have played out in my head. Actually, most likely it will not.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Knowing this, I really just wanted to break down Romans 8:26 for myself. Even though the verse is pretty clear just as it is written, I am always blessed by looking deeper into different verses and gaining a clearer understanding.
Spirit (Greek = pneuma) - a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze
Spirit (Dictionary) - the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul or a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character
Helpeth (Greek = sunantilambanomai) - to take hold of opposite together, i.e. co-operate (assist)
Help (Dictionary) - to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist or to make easier or less difficult; contribute to; facilitate
Infirmities (Greek = astheneia) - feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty: disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.
Infirmities (Dictionary) - a physical weakness or ailment: the infirmities of age; or quality or state of being infirm; lack of strength; or a moral weakness or failing
Pray (Greek = proseuchomai) - to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship: pray (earnestly, for), make prayer.
Pray (Dictionary) - to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc. to God; to offer a prayer; to bring, put, etc. by praying; to make earnest petition to; to make petition or entreaty for; crave
Intercession (Greek = huperentugchano) - to intercede in behalf of
Intercession (Dictionary) - an act or instance of interceding; an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person; a prayer to God on behalf of another
Groanings (Greek = stenagmos) - a sigh
Groanings (Dictionary) - a low, mournful sound uttered in pain or grief; a deep, inarticulate sound uttered in derision, disapproval, desire, etc.; a deep grating or creaking sound due to a sudden or continued overburdening
Uttered (Greek = alaletos) - unspeakable
Uttered (Dictionary) - to give audible expression to; speak or pronounce; to give forth with the voice; to produce audibly; to express oneself, especially in words; to give forth a sound otherwise than with the voice
After looking up this information, I can basically re-phrase this verse something like this:
When I don't know what to pray, there is a breath, or incorporeal (non material) being, who contributes strength to assist me in my feebleness and weakness when I simply lack the strength to offer petition, praise or thanks to God by interceding and pleading on my behalf with an inarticulate sound that is unspeakable, and not able to even be produced audibly, that God's will would be performed in my life and that all things would work together for good for me because I am loved and called by God for HIS purpose.
Wow! Thank you Lord for keeping me awake to show me this. Help me to trust you with my life. I give complete control of the difficulties in my life to you. Your will be done to complete your purpose in my life and the lives of those around me. Amen!
After looking up this information, I can basically re-phrase this verse something like this:
When I don't know what to pray, there is a breath, or incorporeal (non material) being, who contributes strength to assist me in my feebleness and weakness when I simply lack the strength to offer petition, praise or thanks to God by interceding and pleading on my behalf with an inarticulate sound that is unspeakable, and not able to even be produced audibly, that God's will would be performed in my life and that all things would work together for good for me because I am loved and called by God for HIS purpose.
Wow! Thank you Lord for keeping me awake to show me this. Help me to trust you with my life. I give complete control of the difficulties in my life to you. Your will be done to complete your purpose in my life and the lives of those around me. Amen!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Mommy To A 1 Year Old
I am not really sure how it happened so quickly, but I am now a mommy to a 1 year old. How is it even possible that an entire year has passed by and I feel like I hardly had time to blink an eye? I have been so blessed watching Leilani grow and mature this past year. So many milestones! First smiles, first coos, first laughs, first teeth, first time rolling over, first time crawling, first time going to the zoo, first time visiting the library, first time swinging in a swing, first Christmas, first time in a swimming pool, first time climbing the stairs, first birthday party... I'm sure there are even more still! How is it even possible to accomplish so much in just one year? What an amazing blessing to have been able to be there and watch all of this happen. Leilani is the biggest joy in my life and I am so excited to continue watching her mature and add more "firsts" to her list. More importantly, I am excited to see her understand and comprehend more and more about Jesus and how much He loves her. I am excited to see her grow in the ways of the Lord. Right now, we're starting with folding her hands during prayer at meal time. It's a start, and though she doesn't quite get it yet, she will and it will be another "first."
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3
Forgiveness
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
I am learning that this means forgiving even those who do not seek forgiveness. It means forgiving those who think they do no wrong and cast blame on anyone but themselves. I must forgive so that my heart can remain pure, but forgiveness does not always necessarily mean reconciliation...
I am learning that this means forgiving even those who do not seek forgiveness. It means forgiving those who think they do no wrong and cast blame on anyone but themselves. I must forgive so that my heart can remain pure, but forgiveness does not always necessarily mean reconciliation...
Monday, April 23, 2012
Iron Sharpens Iron...
Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpeneth iron: so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
I love the above verse. I like to base how I view my friendships off of this verse. I want to be an encouraging friend to the people God has placed in my life, but I also need friends who can encourage and "sharpen" me as well. True friendships are give AND take. If one is constantly giving, without ever receiving, they will become weary, run down and eventually feel taken advantage of. If one is constantly taking and never giving, then the friend doing the giving will most likely end up slowly separating themselves from the relationship and the taker will be left lonely. While there is a lot of truth in these words, that is not the reason that I am writing this post. The reason I am writing is to share a verse that a very dear friend shared with me to take to heart regarding a specific situation in my life right now. I am so thankful that God has placed this friend in my life "for such a time as this." The verse is this:
Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."
I read this verse and it kind of hit me between the eyes... For some reason I have never really noticed this verse before. I mainly hear the verse just following that says if a brother tresspass against you seven times a day and ask for forgiveness, then seven times are you to forgive that person. I've also always known the verse where Jesus says we are to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven. The one thing that is different about this verse though is that it gives me, the one who is hurt and upset by someone else, the command to "rebuke" the person who has done something against me. Then it says IF that person repents, THEN I am to forgive them. I am a very non-confrontational person so for me this is really hard to swallow. Maybe that is why I don't ever remember this aspect of these verses on forgiveness?
I have done a little word searching in this verse to see how the original Greek would interpret this. Here is what I came up with.
What does the word "trespass" mean here?
-"to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass
What does the word "rebuke" mean here?
- "to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid:--(straitly) charge, rebuke"
What does the word "repent" mean here?
- "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent"
What does the word "forgive" mean here?
- "to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up"
So basically this verse can read something like this:
"If your brother "misses the mark, or err's, or sins" against you, "admonish, charge, or rebuke" him; and if he "afterwards thinks differently or reconsiders or feels compunction (compunction means "A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows the doing of something bad; A pricking of the conscience) repents, "forsake, lay aside, leave, let go, omit, put away (the fault)" forgive him."
This is the same thing that God does when we sin and come to him and ask for repentance. The thing is though, when we do something wrong or when we sin, God doesn't just let it go. He gives us His word to convict us and a conscience that nudges us and the Holy Spirit who teaches us. (This is how he "rebukes" his children. Because we have a way of knowing that we having commited a sin or fault, we then have a way to make things right with God. If we weren't given that opportunity then we would never experience God's forgiveness.
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
I think it's time for me to start doing some more "rebuking" or "calling out" in my life, rather than holding secret "grudges" or frustrations. If a person is continually unrepentant of their sin and seeks to justify or explain why it is not their fault then it finally comes down to "shaking the dust off your feet." When a person is continually unrepentant I do not need to spend time with them and I definitely do not need to "coddle" them. I just need to give it to God and let HIM handle the rest.
Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
I love the above verse. I like to base how I view my friendships off of this verse. I want to be an encouraging friend to the people God has placed in my life, but I also need friends who can encourage and "sharpen" me as well. True friendships are give AND take. If one is constantly giving, without ever receiving, they will become weary, run down and eventually feel taken advantage of. If one is constantly taking and never giving, then the friend doing the giving will most likely end up slowly separating themselves from the relationship and the taker will be left lonely. While there is a lot of truth in these words, that is not the reason that I am writing this post. The reason I am writing is to share a verse that a very dear friend shared with me to take to heart regarding a specific situation in my life right now. I am so thankful that God has placed this friend in my life "for such a time as this." The verse is this:
Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."
I read this verse and it kind of hit me between the eyes... For some reason I have never really noticed this verse before. I mainly hear the verse just following that says if a brother tresspass against you seven times a day and ask for forgiveness, then seven times are you to forgive that person. I've also always known the verse where Jesus says we are to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven. The one thing that is different about this verse though is that it gives me, the one who is hurt and upset by someone else, the command to "rebuke" the person who has done something against me. Then it says IF that person repents, THEN I am to forgive them. I am a very non-confrontational person so for me this is really hard to swallow. Maybe that is why I don't ever remember this aspect of these verses on forgiveness?
I have done a little word searching in this verse to see how the original Greek would interpret this. Here is what I came up with.
What does the word "trespass" mean here?
-"to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass
What does the word "rebuke" mean here?
- "to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish; by implication, forbid:--(straitly) charge, rebuke"
What does the word "repent" mean here?
- "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent"
What does the word "forgive" mean here?
- "to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up"
So basically this verse can read something like this:
"If your brother "misses the mark, or err's, or sins" against you, "admonish, charge, or rebuke" him; and if he "afterwards thinks differently or reconsiders or feels compunction (compunction means "A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows the doing of something bad; A pricking of the conscience) repents, "forsake, lay aside, leave, let go, omit, put away (the fault)" forgive him."
This is the same thing that God does when we sin and come to him and ask for repentance. The thing is though, when we do something wrong or when we sin, God doesn't just let it go. He gives us His word to convict us and a conscience that nudges us and the Holy Spirit who teaches us. (This is how he "rebukes" his children. Because we have a way of knowing that we having commited a sin or fault, we then have a way to make things right with God. If we weren't given that opportunity then we would never experience God's forgiveness.
Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
I think it's time for me to start doing some more "rebuking" or "calling out" in my life, rather than holding secret "grudges" or frustrations. If a person is continually unrepentant of their sin and seeks to justify or explain why it is not their fault then it finally comes down to "shaking the dust off your feet." When a person is continually unrepentant I do not need to spend time with them and I definitely do not need to "coddle" them. I just need to give it to God and let HIM handle the rest.
Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thinking Spring
Well, it's that time of year again. Spring time. Everything is turning green and colorful. It is always a refreshing sight to see the buds on the trees after a colorless winter. I never realize just how much I love green trees and flowers until I haven't had them in a while and they begin to reappear. It kind of reminds me of that saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." While usually said in regards to people, it makes sense in this situation as well. The absence of color in life makes me that much fonder of it when it comes out of hiding once again.
That being said, I feel like with the springtime I am entering into a new phase of my life. I feel like I am finishing up an old chapter and starting a new one. Maybe it's because Leilani is a lot more interactive and it's easier to take her out and about. Maybe it's because we have made a change in churches and I am getting to know a new group of friends. Maybe it's because I am realizing that I don't have to live my whole life trying to be a people pleaser. Maybe it's because I'm finally seeing that it is ok to weed out toxic people and relationships in my life.
I am beginning to see that no matter what I do, there will always be people who disagree with me or dislike me for my convictions and standards. There will always be people looking to find fault with me and my family for one reason or another. I used to think that it was my sole purpose to make sure nobody had anything against me for any reason and to make sure that I was keeping everyone else happy, all the while living in a state of misery and depression myself. I have reached a point now, by God's grace, where I just don't care what everyone thinks. There are people who are close to me that I want to please and make happy, but there are others who are just toxic and find fault to no end with everyone. I cannot make these people happy no matter how hard I try and I'm realizing that it isn't my job to try. Pray for them I will, but I will not be manipulated by their schemes or made to feel inadequate or guilty for not giving in to their every whim and demand. It's time to weed out the manipulators in my life.
What a freeing release I now feel. I am like a new leaf budding on a tree. Ready to start this new season with beauty and hope and joy.
Thank you Jesus for revealing your wisdom to me and for providing direction to my family. Thank you for new life, for fresh life and for fresh starts.
That being said, I feel like with the springtime I am entering into a new phase of my life. I feel like I am finishing up an old chapter and starting a new one. Maybe it's because Leilani is a lot more interactive and it's easier to take her out and about. Maybe it's because we have made a change in churches and I am getting to know a new group of friends. Maybe it's because I am realizing that I don't have to live my whole life trying to be a people pleaser. Maybe it's because I'm finally seeing that it is ok to weed out toxic people and relationships in my life.
I am beginning to see that no matter what I do, there will always be people who disagree with me or dislike me for my convictions and standards. There will always be people looking to find fault with me and my family for one reason or another. I used to think that it was my sole purpose to make sure nobody had anything against me for any reason and to make sure that I was keeping everyone else happy, all the while living in a state of misery and depression myself. I have reached a point now, by God's grace, where I just don't care what everyone thinks. There are people who are close to me that I want to please and make happy, but there are others who are just toxic and find fault to no end with everyone. I cannot make these people happy no matter how hard I try and I'm realizing that it isn't my job to try. Pray for them I will, but I will not be manipulated by their schemes or made to feel inadequate or guilty for not giving in to their every whim and demand. It's time to weed out the manipulators in my life.
What a freeing release I now feel. I am like a new leaf budding on a tree. Ready to start this new season with beauty and hope and joy.
Thank you Jesus for revealing your wisdom to me and for providing direction to my family. Thank you for new life, for fresh life and for fresh starts.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Leilani Crawls
I had a great birthday present this year... Leilani started crawling for the first time! Then just today she pulled herself up to a standing position all by herself! She has also gotten her first two teeth within the past two weeks. How time is beginning to fly! I know she isn't even a year old yet, but my baby is growing up too fast. Mommy loves you, Leilani. <3
Late Night, Can't Sleep
Well, it's currently 2:03am and I cannot sleep. I have been having frequent nights of insomnia as of late and I'm not really sure why. I'm exhausted by the end of the day but for some reason cannot turn off my mind to actually fall asleep. Something that I have been struggling with lately is how to handle people that rub you the wrong way. I'm sure that no matter who you ask, everyone has at least one person in their life that just drives them crazy or irritates them in some way, shape or form. I am not trying to be negative and I am not trying to complain. I am just stating the facts.
This leads me to another topic (although regarding the same issue). How do you handle people who rub you the wrong way especially when they profess to be close to Christ with their mouth but their actions and even topics of conversation at times constantly contradict and speak otherwise? What is judgmental and what is calling fruit, fruit or a thorn a thorn?
I've been doing a lot of praying and contemplating on this lately. Based on a study I did in Proverbs I have come to the conclusion that there is such thing as a "fool" and below is an article that I found to be quite enlightening.
The Fool (Proverbs 26:1-11)
Study By: Bob Deffinbaugh
Introduction
Certain people immediately come to our minds with the mention of the word fool. The first person I thought of was the actor, Jerry Lewis, followed by the Three Stooges, Larry, Curly, and Mo, then the Marx Brothers, Maxwell Smart, Tim Conway, and Don Knotts. It is interesting to me that none of these men fit the definition which Proverbs gives us of the fool. The “fools” I thought of are all rather harmless creature, basically well-intentioned and innocent. All of them evoke a certain sense of pity, mixed with amusement. Not so with the fool in the Book of Proverbs. This is but one of the reasons why the study of “the fool” is important.
But if we take the words of our Lord seriously, we must begin by asking whether our study is sanctioned by Him in the light of His teaching in Matthew 5:22:
“But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the hell of fire.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, of which this verse is a part, our Lord was attempting to show that He did not come to reduce the requirements of the Law, but to reinforce them so that they would be interpreted even more strictly than was common in Israel. Not only was it sinful to commit murder (5:21), but it was wrong to be angry with a brother (5:2f) because anger may lead to murder, just as lust may lead to immorality (5:27-30).24 To call a brother a fool is to declare him to be worthless. If a man is but a fool, a blight on society, it would be better for all if he were dead. To conclude that one is worthless, then, is to come to the conclusion that the world would best be rid of him, which is but one short step from murder. Our Lord did not condemn the assessment of a person’s character, but the assassination of one’s character.
Just as our Lord did not forbid us from discerning the character of fools, the Book of Proverbs commends this assessment as a necessity for those who would be wise. Several reasons are given for the need to discern between those who are fools and those who are wise.
1. TO ASSOCIATE WITH FOOLS IS BOTH UNWISE AND UNPLEASANT. To some degree folly is contagious, and association with a fool tends to diminish our ability to discern truth from error and wisdom from folly.
Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge (14:7).
A fool is bound for his own destruction, and he will inevitably destroy everything in his path. Those who get in the way of the fool will get hurt.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly (17:12).
The scoffer, the worst form of fool,25 is not only to be avoided, but is to be driven away.
Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease (22:10).
If anyone needs to be able to recognize a fool it is the young man or woman who is seeking a life’s mate. There is nothing more miserable than to be married to a fool. While Proverbs takes the positive approach here, exalting the godly wife (e.g. 31:10-31), the fool should be avoided as a partner in marriage. Abigail was married to a fool (I Sam. 25), but God was gracious enough to deliver her by his death; but this is not the norm. She may not have had much to say about her marriage to Nabal, but you do, and will have to live with your mistake in a marriage partner.
2. TO EMPLOY A FOOL IS A TRAGIC MISTAKE. Those who are responsible for hiring employees will want to take special note of the warnings of Proverbs to those who would hire a fool.
He cuts off his own feet, and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool (26:6).
Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by (26:10).
3. FOOLISHNESS IS INHERENT IN CHILDREN AND THEREFORE PARENTS MUST KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH FOLLY WHEN IT OCCURS.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him (22:15).
Proverbs offers hope to parents that foolishness can be cured if detected early and disciplined diligently.
4. FOOLS MUST BE DEALT WITH DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE WHO ARE WISE. We cannot deal with all men in the same way. Our response to people must be based on the kind of character they have demonstrated.
He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, Reprove a wise man, and he will love you (9:7-8).
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, Lest he be wise in his own eyes (26:4-5).
These considerations necessitate discerning the character of others and, in particular, that of a fool. Not only will we be able to see foolishness in others as a result of our study in Proverbs, we will also see a greater measure of it in ourselves. May God enable us to be honest with ourselves, to confess our foolishness, 2 and to forsake it as sinful and destructive, both to ourselves and to others.
Characteristics of A Fool
It is much easier to identify a fool in terms of what he is not than in terms of what he is. Notice the following characteristics of the fool as the Book of Proverbs describes him.
1. THE FOOL IS UNRIGHTEOUS. The fool hates what is holy, righteous, and good, and he loves evil.
Desire realized is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil (13:19).
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool; And so is wisdom to a man of understanding (10:23).
Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will (14:9).
2. THE FOOL IS UNWISE. Throughout Proverbs the fool is the counterpart of the wise. Wisdom is contrasted with folly. The fool does not possess wisdom, cannot obtain wisdom, and would not obtain it if he could.
- THE FOOL DOES NOT POSSESS WISDOM;
The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of understanding (10:21; cf. 1:20-33).
- THE FOOL IS NOT CAPABLE OF OBTAINING WISDOM:
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense [literally, “heart”]? (17:16).
A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds none, But knowledge is easy to him who has understanding (14:6).
Wisdom is too high for a fool, He will not open his mouth in the gate (24:7).
The fool has no capacity for wisdom. In the words of 17:16, he has “no heart” for it. He may seem to seek wisdom, but is incapable of recognizing or retaining it.
- THE FOOL HAS NO DESIRE FOR WISDOM, AND WOULD REJECT IT EVEN IF HE COULD ACQUIRE IT BECAUSE HE HATES IT:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction (1:7; cf. 1:22).
The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly (15:14).
A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind (18:2).
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words (23:9).
The fool is not neutral toward wisdom--he hates it. Wisdom is to the fool what liver is to me: as freely and frequently as it may be offered to me, I will do everything I can to avoid it.
3. THE FOOL IS UNREALISTIC. The fool fails to see things as they are. Reality is distorted by the fool’s distorted outlook on life.
- THE FOOL IS UNREALISTIC ABOUT HIMSELF in that he overestimates his knowledge and abilities:
“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride (21:24).
- THE FOOL IS UNREALISTIC ABOUT LIFE. He thinks wisdom can be obtained easily, like purchasing a candy bar at a corner drug store.
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense? (17:16).
- THE FOOL IS UNCONCERNED WITH PRESENT REALITIES, and is a wishful thinker. His “ship” is always about to “come in.”
Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth (17:24).
4. THE FOOL IS UNDISCIPLINED. The fool looks upon self-control as a needless and useless denial of present pleasure. Because of this, every area of his life lacks discipline.
- THE FOOL IS UNDISCIPLINED WITH HIS MONEY AND MATERIAL RESOURCES:
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up (21:30).
- THE FOOL IS UNDISCIPLINED WITH HIS TEMPER:
A fool’s vexation is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor (12:16).
A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back (29:11).
- THE FOOL IS UNDISCIPLINED WITH HIS MOUTH:
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly (12:23, cf. 10:14).
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly (15:2; cf. 18:2,7).
It is little wonder that the fool is referred to as a “babbling fool” (literally, the foolish of lips, 10:8,10).
5. THE FOOL IS UNRELIABLE.
- HE IS UNRELIABLE IN HIS WORK: The fool is dishonest and evil and cannot be trusted in any area.
He cuts off his own feet, and drinks violence . He sends a message by the hand of a fool (26:6).
Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by (26:10).
- HE IS UNRELIABLE IN HIS WORDS. The words of the fool are always to be questioned. He is a liar, a deceiver, and a slanderer.
He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool (10:18).
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit (14:8).
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool (19:1).
Even what the fool believes to be true may be only his worthless opinion. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly (15:2).
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so (15:7, cf. v. 14).
6. THE FOOL IS UNTEACHABLE. Try as you like, attempting to teach a fool is frustrating at best, and often painful. Whenever a fool is faced with wisdom and instruction, he will reject it.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction (1:7).
Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, And the complacency of fools shall destroy them (1:29-32).
Whenever the fool is disciplined, he resists it.
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is prudent (15:5).
He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you (9:7-8).
A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise (15:12).
A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool (17:10).
The folly of a fool is deep-seated. No matter how hard one strives to rid the fool of his folly, such efforts end in failure. A fool and his folly are seemingly inseparable.
Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his folly will not depart from him (27:22).
The fool cannot even learn from his own mistakes. Given the opportunity, he will repeat his folly:
Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly (26:11).
It is ironic, but true, that while the fool refuses to be taught, he is eager to teach others from his abundance of “wisdom.”
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly (12:23).
A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind (18:2).
7. THE FOOL IS UNPLEASANT, UNLIKED, AND UNDESIRABLE. The fool is a menace, a detriment to society. He is a pain to his parents, for he hates them (15:20) and causes them grief (10:1; 17:21,25; 19:23). He is a disaster wherever he goes (10:14; 17:12).He hinders the understanding of others (14:7).His speech is slanderous (10:18). The fool is quarrelsome (20:3), and he stirs up dissension and anger.
A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows (18:6).
Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease (22:10).
Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger (29:8).
So far as society is concerned, the fool is an abomination.
The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men (24:9).
The Causes of Folly
I believe it is possible to reduce the causes of folly to two principle choices: the decision to distrust God and the decision to trust in one’s own heart.
First, the fool is one who has willfully determined not to follow the way of wisdom. Although wisdom has sought him out, he has refused and rejected her.
Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel, And did not want my reproof; . . . Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord (1:20-25,29).
The fool is not neutral toward wisdom, he hates it, and he loves the evil of his way (cf. 10:23;13:19; 29:27).
Second, one becomes a fool by trusting in himself. If one will not trust in God (1:7,29), he must trust in himself. Proverbs tells us that the fool is self-confident, trusting in his own wisdom, rather than in God and the counsel of those who are wise.
The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel (12:15).
To the fool, no one is more trustworthy, wise, or reliable than himself. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered (28:26).
Realizing the tendency of the fool to trust in himself enriches our understanding of one of the most familiar passages in the Book of Proverbs:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil (3:5-7).
The fool, trusting in his own understanding, rejects the fear of the Lord, and chooses to walk in the way of evil.
This decision to trust in self results in arrogance (21:24) and in a rejection of all authority, including that of one’s parents (15:5; 10:8). The fool is characterized by complacency (1:32).After all, who needs instruction, if he knows it all? Who needs correction who is never wrong? Who needs improvement, who has already arrived at wisdom and maturity? As a result, the fool has an autonomous spirit, and is reckless in his living (14:16).
How to Treat a Fool
Now that we have seen the characteristics of a fool and have learned the root causes of his folly, we must direct our attention to the treatment of a fool. Proverbs has a good deal to say on this subject, and nearly all of its instruction pertains to what we should not do. Our actions with regard to fools are often more negative than positive.
1. WE SHOULD AVOID THE FOOL IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. While wisdom is not contagious to a fool, folly is to the wise; therefore, the wise man should avoid the fool.
Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge (14:7).
In addition, the fool is dangerous and harmful, and we should avoid him like a bear robbed of her cubs (17:12).
2. THE FOOL SHOULD BE DRIVEN OUT. In those cases where we cannot leave the fool, the fool may need to be sent away.
Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease (22:10).
The New Testament teaches that Christians should not fellowship with professing Christians who are living in sin (I Cor. 5:9-13). The church is instructed to put out those who disregard biblical rebuke and correction (Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:5). The words of Paul to Titus seem closely related to the teaching of Proverbs that we should avoid the fool:
Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned (Titus 3:10-11).
3. WE SHOULD NOT WASTE OUR INSTRUCTION ON FOOLS. In the New Testament Jesus taught that we should not “cast our pearls before swine” (Matt. 7:6). In Proverbs, we are told not to attempt to teach fools:
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words (23:9).
4. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW THE FOOL TO DRAG US DOWN TO HIS LEVEL. The fool is exasperating; he is looking for trouble, and he often tempts us to oblige him. Since the fool will spout off and speak his mind, we are tempted to lose our temper with him as well. Proverbs instructs us not to allow him to get the best of us, lest we be lowered to his level.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you be like him (26:4).
5. WE SHOULD NOT DIGNIFY A FOOL BY GIVING HIM UNDUE HONOR, SO THAT HE WILL-BE FLATTERED AND PUFFED UP EVEN FURTHER. The fool is pompous and proud, and he will take any positive strokes as a compliment. We should avoid giving him any honor.
Like snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool (26:1).
Answer a fool as his folly deserves, Lest he be wise in his own eyes (26:5).
6. WE SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FOOL, FOR IN SO DOING WE WILL ONLY PUNISH OURSELVES. The fool is never open to rebuke or correction. Any effort to correct a fool by mere verbal rebuke is futile.
He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, Reprove a wise man, and he will love you (9:7-8).
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest (29:9).
7. WE SHOULD NOT MAKE LIFE EASY FOR THE FOOL. While verbal rebuke is not effective with fools, we should not seek to cushion the painful effects of their folly. The “way of the transgressor is hard” (13:15) and so the folly of a fool will bring about many difficulties. These painful consequences of sin may be instrumental in bringing the fool to the end of his folly, but regardless, the painful blows of sin should not be softened.
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise will preserve them (14:3).
A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul (18:6-7).
Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes (19:10).
The prodigal son did not come to his senses until he was allowed to suffer the consequences of his folly (Luke 15:11-14).We must not hinder fools from entering the pig pens of life, for it is there that they may come to recognize their folly.
8. FOOLS SHOULD BE SEVERELY DISCIPLINED. Fools do not learn from a lecture, but they cannot ignore physical pain. The only method of discipline for the fool is “the rod.”
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools (26:3).
The fool may not learn even though he is severely disciplined, but others may learn a lesson by seeing the outcome of folly.
Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge (19:25; cf. 21:11).
The preceding principles governing our treatment may incline us to draw the wrong conclusion. Are fools utterly hopeless? Should we not make any effort to turn them from their folly? What are the implications of Proverbs for evangelism? Since, in one sense, all unbelievers are fools because they have rejected the fear of the Lord, should we do nothing to win them to Christ? The answer to these questions is also found in Proverbs.
The point which Proverbs is stressing is that the fool cannot be reasoned from his folly, cannot be shamed from it, and likely cannot even be beaten from it (cf. 27:22).This should not, however, lead us to the conclusion that the fool is utterly hopeless and helpless. Everyone who does not know Christ is hopelessly lost apart from divine intervention. The reason why Proverbs teaches us not to try to reform a fool is that he must be transformed. The fool’s problem is one of the heart (3:5; 4:23).
Proverbs reminds us that if we would help deliver a fool from his folly he must be saved from his sin. Rather than working on the symptoms of folly, we must deal with the heart of the matter. Notice that in Proverbs wisdom offers herself to all men; and specifically the fool is urged to turn from his folly.
“How long, 0 naive ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you (1:22-24).
“Come, eat of my food, And drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding” (9:5-6).
The solution for the fool is to turn from his folly, from trusting in himself, to fearing God. If we would help the fool it is by proclaiming to him the way of salvation, not trying to inform him (by teaching) or reform him (by rebuke and correction). It is only the gospel which transforms men through the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
There is much for the Christian to learn from the teaching of Proverbs on the fool. Let me suggest several topics on which you might profitably meditate.
First, while we would admit that foolishness (folly) is sin, let us also be aware of the fact that sin is foolishness. Whenever we choose to sin, we are choosing to play the part of the fool. When we sin, we conclude that we are wiser than God, and that we are better able to judge matters than He. Sin is the decision to reject the wisdom of God and venture out on our own. In the Garden of Eden, Satan deceived Eve into believing that God’s prohibition was unwise and unkind, and that disobedience would make her wise, even God-like (Gen. 3:5-6). Such is always the case with sin--we cannot choose to sin without rejecting the wisdom of God. Sin is folly.
Second, let us think of Satan as the prince of fools. As I think through the characteristics of a fool, I am reminded that no one is better described than Satan himself. He chose to rebel against God and to assert his will over God’s (Isa. 14:1215).He delights in sin, and he actively seeks to lead others in his evil way. He sets himself about the task of hindering others and bringing about their destruction (I Pet. 5:8).He is a deceiver (I Tim. 2:14; Rev. 20:3), a sinner (I John 3:8), a liar and a murderer (John 8:44).He accuses the saints before God and slanders them (Rev. 12:10).He is arrogant and proud (Ezek. 28:17; I Tim. 3:6). He is a troublemaker and a nuisance. Because of this, he should be avoided, but we should not attempt to rebuke him (Jude 8-9). Satan is the prince of fools, the essence of folly.
Third, everyone must decide to be a fool in the eyes of some. The one who is wise in his own eyes is a fool to God. The one who trusts in God and walks in the way of wisdom is a fool to Satan (cf. Job 1) and to those who are without Christ. The way of the cross is a foolish way to the unsaved (I Cor. 1:18-25).To become truly wise we must forsake our own human, finite, wisdom (Prov. 3:5-6) and trust in the wisdom of God. We must become foolish to become wise:
Let no one deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE USELESS” (I Cor. 3:18-20).
Would you be wise in the eyes of God? Then you must acknowledge your sin, and trust in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary for the forgiveness of your sins. He died in your place. He bore the penalty of your sins. By trusting in Christ’s death on your behalf, you not only enter the way of wisdom, you enter the way of everlasting life.
Fourth, it is possible for a Christian to play the fool. Unfortunately we may stray from the path of wisdom into the path of folly and sin. David did when he took another man’s life, and his wife (II Sam. 11). Solomon did when he married foreign wives (I Kings 11:1-4).
As I turned once again to the passages of the New Testament which speak of putting off our old man (e.g. Eph. 4:22-32; Col. 3:9-17) I noticed that the very things which we are told to put off are the characteristics and actions of the fool. Our old nature is predisposed toward practicing folly. Those of us who are Christians need to look for the fool in us, not just in others. The enemy, so to speak, is us. The foolishness of our old nature must be diligently disciplined. We must not pamper the flesh, but crucify it. Ultimately the only solution for foolishness is the cross.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any one wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up, his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24).
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24).
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Let us seek, by the grace of God, to put to death the works of the flesh, to be wise, and to forsake folly. And let us seek the salvation of those who are fools, by proclaiming the foolishness of the cross.
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