My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof. For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12
One of the surest signs that you are maturing in the Lord and gaining wisdom is by seeing how you are resounding to discipline and correction in your life. Correction is something no one takes easily. First of all it requires that we admit that we are wrong. This requires humility. This is a character trait that is not abounding in our lives since the fall. This is why we are told here not to reject the discipline of God. We are told this because we are likely to just reject discipline automatically. One of the most important lessons I ever received from the man who disciples me was that I needed to consider it kindness when a godly man rebuked me. He taught me to take a moment and consider what was said to me rather than just rejecting it out of hand. Some of the best lessons I've ever learned were due to the rebuke of a godly person who loved me enough to speak the truth to me when I needed it most. We are also told here not to loathe God's reproof. The only reason I loathe reproof is because of the pride in my heart that makes me think I am always right. You would think I would be delighted for God, Who cannot err, to correct me and keep me from making mistakes that could harm me. Unfortunately I annuli fled with pride and foolishness to listen to Him and actually choose being wrong rather than admitting to my error and learning from Him. Solomon has the wisdom here to appeal to his son from a human standpoint. He tells his own son that God reproves and disciplines those He loves. ThenLord doesn't discipline us out of some power trip. He does this because He loves us. Remember that the next time you are being disciplined. God is working this way in your life because He loves you. This verse it quoted in Hebrews 12 and we are informed that God is disciplining us because He wants us to share in His holiness. God is incapable of acting wrongly and therefore we need to see that even His discipline is for our ultimate good. The final words that Solomon offers to his son are supposed to remind him that earthly fathers discipline thir sons because they delight in them. A father looks at his son and sees the potential of what he catn be. As he disciplines the child, it is only in hope of what his child can become if he ultimately follows the Lord with all of His heart. The father takes delight in his son or daughter as he or she walks with the Lord. Disciplne and correction is the way of life itself. If we learn how to receive it from God and from those He sends to us we will be blessed greatly. So learn to receive discipline and correction, especially from God. He loves you and only is working toward your best interests when He does.
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It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:8
It is actually healthier to your general health and to your bones to walk in wisdom and in the fear of God. God says that doing these things leads us to turning away from evil - and steering clear of evil is something we should aspire to do each and every day of our lives. This verse derives its meaning from verse 7 - which speaks of the things that will make for healing in our bodies and refreshment to our bones. The activities that encourage this boon to our health are not being wise in our own eyes, fearing God, and turning away from evil. But how can God's Word make such outrageous statements! This is not a medical journal! These are the comments I would expect from those who prefer to trust themselves and the present world system than trust the Word of God. Therefore, I'll take a few moments to comment on why walking in wisdom and the fear of God is so healthy. Peace . . . in a word the benefits of walking in wisdom and the fear of God is that we walk in peace. Study after study has been done in the medical world that trumpets the health benefits of being at peace. The peace that God gives us is far more valuable than the temporary peace achieved by some in this present world. God's peace is valuable both now - and for all eternity. If we choose not to be wise in our own eyes, we will know a peace that Scripture says passes all understanding. It is also a peace that will garrison both our heart and mind in Christ Jesus. The world's peace lasts as long as we have the world's goods - or the good fortune to not have troubles and trials. That poses and very difficult problem - because this world is filled with troubles and trials. God's peace is strong no matter what our current circumstances - because He tells us that all things are working together for our good - when we live for the transformation that He Himself works in us to make us more like Jesus Christ His Son. Sin, on the other hand, is devastating to our mental and physical well-being. David spoke of the year he was in his sin with Bathsheba as a year when he groaned under the weight of his guilt and shame. He spoke of how his bones were drying up - and his health failed due to the discipline that was upon him from the Lord. We learn from God's Law in the Old Testament an entire system of how to maintain good hygiene and good eating habits. It might fascinate you to know that studies done on the Old Testament Law regarding how one ate - how one kept themselves from disease - and how one was to act in sexual matters - is the healthiest way to live. God's wisdom always yields marvelous results when we choose to walk in it rather than walk in the stubbornness of our own hearts. Truly, we will enjoy healing in our bodies and refreshment in our bones when we do so. Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
Giving . . . here is an area where I struggle with presenting the truth. Just a personal testimony for a moment is in order. When I became a pastor - I did not preach on giving for the first six or seven years I was at Calvary Chapel. This was not because we did not give according to Scripture - we did. It was because of a reaction I had to all the abuse of this area by the televangelists and others in the church. I grieve over how the Lord Himself is dragged through the greed and abuse that happens in this area. But it should not have surprised me - that kind of abuse has been in the church for centuries. But, I realized through the correction of a godly elder that by not teaching on the biblical basis of giving - I was in effect robbing the saints of the true blessing God brings in this area. That was a good word for me to hear - and since then I've tried to deal with this area from time to time with the saints. I love the way Solomon speaks of giving here. He does not even use that term. "Honor the LORD from your wealth . . ." What a great way to speak of giving. It is not like we're able to give God anything anyway. The Word teaches us that God owns the cattle on a thousand hillsides. He owns everything. Solomon himself said that all that he had given God had come from God's own hand anyway. So giving is not a matter of our generosity. The fact that we have anything to give is a matter of God's generosity to us. What we are doing is honoring Him from the wealth He has given us. Why do we need to honor God from the FIRST of all our produce? It is because when we do this - our honoring God will not be affected by covetousness or greed. Too often we make the Lord the last thing we do with what He's given to us. Honoring Him first means we trust Him enough to know that He will provide for us. It is a matter of faith and trust that makes us act in this way. We don't check our budget first - or check if we could use that money for something different - maybe something we really want. We choose to say, "God, I love You and want to honor You for all Your generosity to me!" We make it clear through our actions - that He is first in our lives. There is something about telling the greed that lies within the fallen human breast that God will be first that deals it a death blow. That greed and selfishness rises up so easily. Oh, what a wonderful thing it is to put it in its place - and to declare with boldness and confident faith, "God will be honored FIRST here - honored FIRST with my wealth - honored FIRST before self even enters the scene." That kind of faith statement prepares us for great blessing. What kind of blessing comes when we honor God with our wealth and the first of all our produce? That is the subject of verse 10 of this chapter of Proverbs. In dealing with it we need to see what is says - but just as importantly - what it does NOT say. First, what it says . . . when we honor God from our wealth and the first of all that we have, God promises that our barns will be filled and our vats will overflow with new wine. God promises abundance to those who honor Him. There is a blessing for those who put selfishness and covetousness in its place. There is promised abundance for us. There is no other way to look at this from the full teaching of Scripture. But there is wisdom to grasp here - for often these texts are used as a pretext for our greed. What does this verse NOT say? It does not say that it is God's will for us to be rich - to have health, wealth, and prosperity at all times and in all situations. First of all there is the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. If health, wealth, and prosperity IS God's will for everyone - why didn't Jesus embrace it? He said that He did not have a place to lay His head. Scripture teaches us that He became poor for our sakes. That poverty included physical wealth. Jesus did not go out and give Himself to make tremendous amounts of money. In His death He had no great physical inheritance to offer. Not only Jesus lived this way - but John the Baptist did as well. He chose poverty in serving the Lord. Paul spoke in Philippians of knowing how to live with much as well as with little or nothing. The famous passage, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," refers to financial contentment - as well as contentment in all circumstances. Job's setbacks and temporary financial ruin was allowed by God for a season. He lost everything - his wealth, health, and prosperity. Today's false prophets of health, wealth, and prosperity would have eagerly joined Job's three friends in condeming him for his circumstances - saying that if he had enough faith - everything would be restored instantly. Then we have the Thessalonian believers - who were heavily persecuted for their faith - as well as all those in our day who are their heirs in the persecuted church of the 20th and 21st century. Hebrews speaks of those who willingly allowed their property to be taken from them. Others have lost jobs and some lost everything including their lives to hold fast to Christ - and to honor God. The poor widow who gave everything she had - which amounted to about 2 cents - was not castigated for her poverty. She was praised for the extreme honor she gave to the Lord - trusting Him with everything she had. Oh, how it grieves me - and I believe it grieves Almighty God - when we make wealth and riches our pursuit - rather than honoring God. The twisting of Scripture that goes on when a religious huckster says that if you give God 100 dollars - He will return 1000 into your lap - is nothing more than the words of a greedy liar who would take from you the blessing of honoring God. Instead he would have you think that God is a spiritual slot machine. Insert a certain amount of giving - pull the lever - and you've hit the jackpot! God did not mean for our giving to be some religious casino experience. The Word is clear here - this is to be an experience in honoring God - not seeking honor for self in what we'll get back. That is why I love this passage in Proverbs. The whole purpose of this practice is to "honor the LORD." That is what should be driving our giving to Him. A desire to honor Him and worship Him through the experience. This mindset will guard us from the deceivers who would take giving and make something about us. Instead giving it put in the right context - the context of honoring God! Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4
How can a person maintain a good reputation as well as the favor of those around him or her? Even more important to us as believers is the thought of how we can have these things in the sight of God. The answer may be different than you think. Two things you must have to enjoy favor and a good reputation among men and with God are kindness and truth. These two things are a perfect team. Some people are geared toward kindness more than anything else. They are very merciful people who can commiserate with anyone around them. They are a perfect shoulder to cry on - and they will always join with you in feeling your pain. When going through difficulties they will listen and love you no matter what. It is a blessing to be geared toward kindness - but there a liabilities as well. When you are geared toward kindness at all times, you will find it very difficult to share tough truths with people who really need to hear them. One of the pitfalls of being filled with kindness alone is that you can become someone who enables people to stay where they are when they desperately need change in their lives. For someone with a deep problem this can lead to an enabling relationship that allows them to continue with lifestyle choices like alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or sexual problems. There are also those who are geared toward truth. They will speak the truth to you in all situations. In fact they have a difficult time with those who won't take a stand on an issue. These people are wonderful to have around when you need to have a confrontation in regard to sin - or s situation where only truth can remedy things. These people are people of integrity and honor. But, a problem can develop when only truth is spoken. The problem is not the truth verbalized, but the spirit in which is it spoken. Those given to truth sometimes lack the personal touch - the ability to speak the truth in love and with kindness. They can offend - not because of the truth they speak - but because of the way that they speak it. This is why Proverbs tells us that we need to have both kindness and truth. There is a balance here. Both are needed to truly be a person who knows the blessing of having a good reputation and favor of both God and man. When these things are combined you have someone who speaks the truth in love. You have the person, who according to Proverbs, can speak the truth gently, and who can with a gentle word break a bone. These two things need to be bound around our neck and written uon our hearts. What you have when you have this is the character of Jesus Himself working and speaking through you. He had the ability to speak the truth in incredibly difficult situations. He did not back away from truth - but spoke the truth with kindness. One of the most amazing examples of this was in John 8 when Jesus was tested by hypocritical men who brought a woman caught in adultery to Him. These men did not truly want justice - because they did not bring the man as well. They only wanted to have something with which to trap Jesus and give rise to criticism and the ability to destroy Him. The humiliated adultress was thrown right in front of Him, along with the question of whether He was going to agree with the Law that such a woman should be stoned for her offense. Jesus stated anyone without sin could cast the first stone. Here He spoke truth dealing with the hypocrisy of His accusers. Eventually they all left, knowing as they did their own sinfulness and hypocrisy. Jesus made His comments gently and graciously, the bent over to draw with a stick in the sand. Then after they all had left - He dealt with the woman. Offering her His love - and no condemnation for her sin - He spoke with great kindness to her. He asked where her accusers were - where those who sought to condemn here. She stated that none of them were left to condemn her. He then revealed that He was not going to condemn her either. But He did not stop with kindness only, there was the issue of her adultery. To this issue He spoke truth when He told her to go her way and sin no more. There it is perfectly demonstrated - kindness and truth bound together in one difficult situation. When we do this - we won't be popular with everyone. But will will have favor and a good reputation with men because they know we will be fair and gracious with them. We will also know God's favor because we show both His love and His justice. It is a difficult balance to maintain. This is especially true with those bent in one direction or another - toward far more kindness or far more truth. We can thank God that in His Son He showed us what the perfect balance of the two looks like when walking among men. So if you want to have these two things, kindness and truth bound perfectly together, there is only one real source where you can have them. They only exist in perfect balance in Jesus Christ. Embrace Him and you will find that they are yours as well. For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:2
This is the continuation of verse one. It answers the two questions, "How long am I to be obedient to God's commandments," and "What will be the result?" We are to hold fast our parent's teaching - and obey the commandments for length of days and years of life. This is a Hebraism that means - forever. First we have the picture of days - for the length of each day - which is the unit of life that we experience - well - every day. But then as days add up they become years. We are to be obedient to God for the "years of life." We begin by choosing to follow the Lord daily - but then as we do this we wind up following Him and doing what pleases Him for years and years. This is how to build a godly lifestyle - first by walking through days - no matter how hard they are. We are to walk with God whether things are good or bad - whether they are happy or sad. What matters is doing that which pleases the Lord. Then we are to follow over the years. This is where we enter into seasons of life. There are the early years of youth where we are to be learning from those older and wiser. Then we move into marriage and early adulthood. Then we have children and begin the arduous, yet wonderful task of rearing them for Christ. Then as the children move out of the nest we refocus our lives on God's will in raising up disciples outside our home while still being a source of wisdom for our children as they move into adulthood. Finally, we move into the autumn of our lives when our strength wanes and we learn to be a wise sage toward those who need counsel and wisdom. Through the "years of life" we walk with God and live our lives according to wisdom. That is how life should be lived - may God bless us so that we will not get off course. Why should we live this way? Because not only will wisdom help in the present - but it will add peace to you. I know that every time I choose to depart from God's will peace is not the result. The devil may offer something we think is good - but trust me - it is not in the end. What he offers will not add peace to your life. It will add trouble and turmoil. Look anywhere in Scripture where men or women stepped outside of God's Word and will and you will find there is no peace there. Look at life today and you will see the same things. It is wonderful to know that God will forgive and restore - but often the consequences of our actions will linger and will not leave peace. That is why it is best for us to never leave the ways of God. Do what verse one in this chapter says. Don't forget the teaching - let your heart hold fast the commandments - and the result will be that peace will be added to your life and the grace of God will prevail in all that you do. My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; Proverbs 3:1
This is a short statement but one full of meaning for the father who desires to teach his son true wisdom. This is because the godly father wants to teach his son the things of the Lord - the Scriptures. He knows that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - and that this comes from knowing God according to His self-revelation to us, which we call the Bible. The father here is pleading with his son not to forget the teaching (torah). This word speaks of the general instruction in the way of the Lord. This is something about which every father should be deeply concerned. He does not want his sons to forget or to lay aside in their minds the teaching about the Lord. This is the key to living a happy life - a life that God can use - and a life that will not bring His discipline upon it. The father pleads with his son for this simply because one of the sins that we see most often in the hearts of God's people is simply to forget this - the simple teaching of knowing, loving, and following the Lord. The way this godly father addresses this need is by calling his son to let his "heart" keep God's commandments. Here is a key to having godly children. Speak to their hearts - not just their heads. Dad, be passionate about the things of the Lord so that when you speak, your sons and daughters will hear that passion and know you speak with them of things that are vitally important! This is not just religion that you practice for a hour or two on Sundays and Wednesdays - this is life itself. When we speak to our children's hearts - we are placing the Word in the most valuable place we can. We are stating to our kids that we want to win and maintain their hearts - not just for ourselves - but more importantly for the Lord their God. Here is wisdom, Dad. Win and keep your child's heart. Speak for this purpose and you will have a child who will grow up not just "going to church," but living for God with all that they are and all that they have. 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. Proverbs 3:5-6
Right choices and right paths - how to we make them and how do we stay on them? People always are interested in a study or a piece of wisdom that will help them know and walk in God's will. What we have before us in Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of the best nuggets of wisdom in the entire Word of God dealing with this subject. It begins with trust. We come to the Lord and trust Him with all our heart. The word trust here is the Hebrew word "batach" and it means to trust or be confident. It speaks of someone with whom you feel safe and secure. When you trust someone in this way you are saying you can rely on them. In certain places this word even means to be bold and extremely confident in someone. Note that the one we trust in this way is the Lord. Here is an interesting yet very telling question, "Do you trust God?" Do you have a great confidence in Him? Is there a sense of great safety and security in placing yourself completely at His disposal - and putting your future absolutely in His hands? Do you approach the Scriptures and the things God says with a confidence so great that you boldly walk in whatever He says? That, dear saint, is trust. In order to trust someone in this way - you have to know them. A very godly man once said, "If you truly know God, you will love Him - and if you truly love Him, you will trust Him - and if you love and trust Him, you will obey Him." Knowing and making right choices and decisions continues with distrust. I know this sounds contradictory, but it is true. The one you need to distrust is yourself. Do not lean on your own understanding. Understanding is an interesting thing to examine in the Scriptures. The word itself means the ability to have insight and discernment into things. It is derived from the base Hebrew word "bin" which means "between." Thus the idea here is to be able to distinguish between things. One example is to discern between good and evil. There is definitely a moral component to this word as it means to see the good and embrace it and shun the evil. When we truly have understanding - we will choose God's way. What is more fascinating is that in Proverbs 9:10 we read, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. So if we want understanding - we need to know God as the Holy One. It is when we see Him and look to Him as the One who gives us true understanding as to what is holy and what is not that we gain understanding and can distinguish between what we should trust (trust Him) and what we should not trust (the working of our own minds). Why should we distrust our own understanding? Scripture gives ample reasoning for this. Ephesians 4:17-19 tells us the following: "So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness." Walking in our own mind's eye is to walk in futility - to walk in a darkened understanding. We are ignorant and hardened in heart to God's ways - which results in giving ourselves over to sensuality and impurity. We are fallen, sinful creatures who have left the way of God. We will walk according to the course of this present world - according to the prince of the power of the air (a designation for Satan) and by the spirit that animates the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). Trust yourself and you are trusting a rebel who does not desire God's ways or paths. That is why we need to distrust our own understanding. Our own understanding will surely lead us astray of God's will. Right choices continue as we acknowledge God in all we do. The word "ways" here refers to our life paths - the very lifestyle choices that we make. This does not refer to isolated choices here and there, but to the entire direction of our lives. In all those life choices we are to acknowledge God. The word for acknowledge is "yada" and it means to know someone. It means not just knowing them as an acquaintence, but knowing them intimately. It is the actual word used for sexual relations between a man and woman. This is considered the height of knowing someone and there is nothing casual about it. So the command here is to know God in all our ways. In all our lifestyle choices we are to know the Lord. This leads to another interesting question for us when it comes to our choices. When we make our life choices - every decision that makes up the direction of our lives - do we know God in the midst of it? Are our decisions made in the context of knowing God? Can we honestly say that our decisions were made as a result of an intimate, close relationship with God? And here may be the ultimate thought . . . Do our decisions help us know Him more intimately - or do they push us away from such an intimate knowing of God? What is the payoff in all this? When we live this way, we have the assurance from God Himself that he will make our paths straight. The path mentioned here is the course of our lives. The word was used to describe the road taken by a traveler - the roads over which the caravans and troops travelled. There is a highway mapped out for our lives when we make our decisions in this way. That way is described as "straight." This is the word "yashar" and it means to be straight - to be smooth and pleasing. The road is a pleasing road because it brings us to our desired destination. There are some who might say, "I know those who chose God's path - and it led to persecution and trouble for them in the name of the Lord. How can you say that He makes our paths pleasing and smooth?" My answer to this person would be to ask if they would consider a road pleasing and smooth if it led to a place where they would be destroyed in the end? Reardless of how marvelous the road and how wonderful the view - they would consider that a cursed road because of where it took them in the end. Yashar does not mean a road pleasing to our flesh, but a straight road. It is a road that is a good road because of where it leads. To walk in God's will - to please Him will bring about a desired end - not a destructive one. The payoff his pleasing God here and now - it is walking in His favor and blessing - it is knowing His presence and peace now and also for all eternity in heaven. Right decisions and right paths - they are what we would all like to make daily. The way to make those right decisions is laid out for us perfectly by the writer of Proverbs. Trust God implicitly and do not trust your own darkened way of thinking and reasoning. Make it your goal in life to know God as intimately and closely as you can in everything you do and say. And as you walk in this way - realize that the destination to which you are being led is the most wonderful, pleasing, and marvelous one possible - even thought the ride there may get a little bumpy every now and then. |
Proverb a DayEach day, we'll take a look at a verse from the chapter of Proverbs for the day. Our hope is to gain wisdom each day - and from that wisdom - to have understanding to make godly decisions in the throes of everyday life. Thank you for visiting our website! Everything on this site is offered for free. If, however, you would like to make a donation to help pay for its continued presence on the internet, you can do that by clicking here. The only thing we ask is that you give first to the local church you attend. Thank you!
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