Beware! Prooftext Ahead!

(Pro 16:4 KJV)  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

This is a good example of the dangers of proof texting.  If you take this verse in isolation and want to build a doctrine on it, you could come up with the idea that God is the source of evil.  That leads down the road to such things as Gnosticism and New Age thinking and who knows what else.

Of course, one of the things we hear is that God cannot be in the presence of evil or wickedness.  That also doesn’t wash very well because,

(Psa 139:8 KJV)  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

So? Keep reading.  Keep thinking.  God will help you put it together. 

Keep Reading

(Psa 15:1-2 KJV)  A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

In mid-week Bible study we were discussing the favorite topics of grace, faith, salvation and so forth.  What generally happens in these situations is that you get the eternal security people who believe that no matter what you do, you cannot lose your salvation, and they start talking about grace alone, faith alone, and so forth.

Part of this thinking is how none of us can ever live righteously.  We are doomed to be sinners.  And they talk about how we are all sinners.  OK.  There is some truth to that because the Bible tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but it doesn’t stop there.

If you have been reading Psalm 14 and are feeling down in the dumps about the potential in your life to live above sin then what you need to do is keep reading because chapter 15 tells a different story.  It talks about how we can walk uprightly and work righteousness.

So?  Keep reading.  Put it all together.  The message of the Bible is one of hope not of desperation.

Deception

(Pro 14:8 KJV)  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

At first this seems like a contrast of two personalities, and it is, but that’s not the point.  You notice that one has “understanding” (995), and the other focuses on “deceit” (4820).  As I read this, I found myself wondering just who is being deceived?  I found the answer earlier in the same verse.

Another word I noticed that stood out when I began asking myself this question was that word in the first half of the verse “his”.  It says the prudent understands his way, but the fool deceives himself about what he’s doing.

The most insidious and prevalent form of deceit is in fooling yourself.  We have different words for it, such as “rationalization”.  We explain it away, because we feel that we are locked into our own perceptions and can’t see things from the other persons point of view.  We have a million excuses, but it ultimately comes down to deceiving ourselves.

So?  God has much to say to us.  If we listen, we learn.  If we ignore, then it is much easier to deceive ourselves.  Again I say, read, listen, contemplate, think, and grow in your understanding of God, and what He has for you. 

Source of Righteousness

(Luk 18:9 KJV)  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

(Proverbs 13 also read)

I believe that it is possible to live in an upright, righteous life.  Having said that, I think this verse brings the balance that we need an understanding that concept.  Notice the Jesus is not saying we can’t live a righteous life, He’s saying that trusting in ourselves for our righteousness is futile.

We can live morally.  In fact, it is required.  But what makes it possible is that we have trust in Jesus, we have been filled with the Holy Spirit, and we desire to walk in obedience.  It’s just a side effect of that which keeps us from looking down on others.

So?  Again I say, I didn’t make this up, I read it in the Bible.

Ouch

Proverbs 12:1 (KJV) Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

As I read this morning in the NASB it had “discipline” (4148) for “instruction”.  Since I have a hard time focusing at times on what I’m supposed to be studying, I need a constant reminder.  My mind is a hive of rabbit trails.

So?  Focus.  Keep reminding yourself that you have a reason that you sat down in that chair and opened your Bible.  It’s not just a paperweight.  Blessings. 

I Didn’t Say It

(Psa 7:8 KJV)  The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

We need to continue to examine what it means to be righteous.  This is one of those cases where we need to look to the word instead of the theologians.  

This verse is part of a discussion that goes on in this chapter, having to do with righteousness, and with God, recognizing the integrity that is in our hearts.  This chapter refutes much of the nonsense we hear, and the confusion that goes on with the idea of works versus faith.

If all you had was this verse, you might think that David is claiming to be righteous in his own strength.  If you’ve read the rest of the Psalms, remember read with gestalt, you know there are other places where David fills out the balance.  He calls on God to give him a clean heart.  He calls upon his trust in God’s love and righteousness.  There are many other places where David gives us the balance.

The point that is made repeatedly in this chapter is that we can live righteous lives, and that God expects us to live that way.

So?  Don’t be hiding behind your theological theories.  Don’t believe that you can live in righteousness because I say so.  Believe it because the Bible says so. 

Beware Statistics

Proverbs 10:27 (KJV) The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

I believe there is a tongue-in-cheek quote that goes like this, “There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.”  We live in an age where we almost have a religious awe of statistics and research results and so-called scientific knowledge.  We hear all kinds of marvelous things.  Sometimes they’re true.  Sometimes they’re fabrications.  One of the things that I’ve heard I believe is that religious people tend to be happier and live longer lives.  That has many trails to follow.  But that’s a brief summary.

This verse in a sense is making that statement and yet when we read it in the book of Proverbs, we kind of tilt our head, squint her eyes and say that doesn’t sound quite right.  When we read it in the media we say, “Oh. that sounds good.”  Maybe it’s just me.  The Bible makes a lot of statements that are clear and concise and we demand proof.  Scientist make statements that are clear and concise and society stands in awe.

So? Learn to trust the authentic Source.  With a little bit of thinking, some of the statements that you think are hard to swallow become very palatable.  Enjoy the feast of God’s word. 

Sound Bites

(Pro 9:13 KJV)  A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

As you read through this chapter in Proverbs, you will notice that you have the wise woman at the beginning, and the foolish woman, toward the end, starting off with exactly the same statements.  I would guess that the foolish woman was quoting the wise woman because she knew that the wise woman had the respect of the people in the community.  Although she was foolish, she knew enough to start off on the right foot.  She knew how to quote wise sayings.

But she didn’t know what she was talking about.

We are surrounded by people who know how to put out great sound bites.  We see it in politics. We see it in the church.  It’s pretty obvious in the news media and in the classroom.  The problem that we have is that often they have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about and what the words mean.

So?  Don’t be that foolish woman.  Look at the words and think about what they mean.  Spend some time contemplating and reading and, while you’re at it, listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying.  You can know. 

Fools hope

Proverbs 8:5 (KJV) O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

As I read this chapter, I noticed that it seem to offer a bit of hope for people that are branded as fools.  Many places in Proverbs it seems to imply that fools cannot learn.  This seems to imply that it is more a case of will not learn, rather than cannot learn.  That means that there is a bit of hope for people classified as fools.

I don’t know that I think of myself as a fool.  I would almost assume that you usually don’t consider yourself a fool.  If there is hope for a fool, then there’s hope for us.

So?  Never give in to despair or frustration.  If the problem is lack of understanding, or inability, to understand, God can reach you.  Usually it’s just a momentary lapse or lack of maturity.  The Holy Spirit continues to work on us. 

Seat Belts

(Pro 7:10 KJV)  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

I really don’t expect to be accosted by a harlot today or anywhere in my future.  It just doesn’t work in my world.  But there are other temptations that I may face that will pull me off the road of righteousness, or as one translation uses the phrase “the Highway of Holiness”.  I am susceptible as anyone else.  And as the KJV says, temptation can be very “subtil” (5341).

This is the purpose of something like the Law.  I believe even Paul, who is not known for his positive attitude toward the law, admitted that the reason for the law is to let us know where the boundaries are.  Those boundaries act like a safety belt designed to keep us from falling out when we go around wild corners.  There is a reason why roller coasters strap you in.  Modern rides. have these over-the-shoulder cages that come around you so you can hardly wiggle.  The purpose is to keep you from jumping out or falling out, depending on your foolishness.

If you have ever driven on a narrow, winding road, in the rain, then you know how important it is to have those reflectors along the center line, and the white lines on the edge of the road.  The actual road becomes almost impossible to see, and it is only those laws that keep you in your lane.

So?  Keep in mind they are out to get you.  It is not paranoia.  It is an understanding of life.  It is wisdom.  And that will make you embrace the difficulties of life with joy.  It will give you a freedom that you would not have without them. 

An Army of One

(Pro 6:6-7 KJV)  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

We are part of the body of Christ.  We are part of the church.  There is provision for pastors and elders and deacons.  We are to grow in the context of other believers.  That is all true.  But another aspect of this is also important.

We are each one of us supposed to be walking in lockstep with our Savior no matter what those around us are doing.  Do you have people telling you things that do not seem to be consistent with the scripture?  Are you being taught shallow nonsense?  Do you seem to be alone in wanting to obey Jesus?  This is not the first time in history this happened.  It will not be the last.  Down through history much of the church of God has been made up of individuals, isolated and alone in human terms.  But those isolated individuals are an army of one.  They are the church solo.  It may not be the best choice, but it may be your only choice.

So?  Realize that even if you are in the greatest situation with a dynamic pastor and a living church, ultimately it comes down to you and Jesus.  You may give to others; you may support others.  You will stand before God as an individual believer, and God will want to know what you did with your time.  Use it wisely. 

Be Careful with Personalizing

Proverbs 5:7 (KJV) Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

God wants us to read His word.  He wants us to meditate on His word.  He wants us to apply His word to our lives.  But we need to be careful.  It is so easy for us to take a clear statement and, if we are in the wrong emotional state, twist it to mean what we want it to mean.  When our mind is made up, it is hard for the Holy Spirit to help us think things through.

Always be careful that you are not just looking to rationalize your behavior or your opinions.  It is a real risk.  I know I struggle with it.  It keeps me sometimes from listening to the wisdom of others.  It keeps me from seeing what the scriptures clearly say.

So?  God will communicate.  We need to make sure that we don’t put words in His mouth by twisting the words that came from His mouth to fit in our own. 

Patience 2

(Psa 95:10 KJV)  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

(Proverbs 4 also read)

How do you define patience?  How long do you wait for results?  We live in the day of instant gratification.  We live in the day of instant communication.  We live in the day of instant oatmeal.  How satisfying is all of that?

But God was not seeking gratification, He was seeking obedience, love.  He was waiting patiently for Israel to grow up.  40 years He waited.  At least that seems to be the way you would read this.  My thinking was that He was waiting for them to die because of their disobedience, but this puts a little bit of a different spin on it.  Is this saying that if Israel had repented in the wilderness, they would have been able to go into the promised land?  It sounds that way to me.

So?  God is patient.  He was patient with Israel.  He will be patient with us. 

Timely

Psalms 122:6 (KJV) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

If there was ever a time when we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, this is it.  Most of us are praying for our country and for the coming elections.  That is good, but we need to realize that there is more going on in the world than just in North America.

When you look at a verse like this, you need to first consider whom it is written to.  This is obviously written to the Jews of ancient times.  However, when you consider how to understand and apply a verse, today comes into consideration.  I think this applies to us today.  I think we should be praying that God’s people, whether they are obedient or disobedient, should know peace in that part of the world.

So?  Don’t forget Israel.  Don’t forget the chosen people.  What happens to them affects all of us.

Don’t Be Hopeless

(1Pe 3:15 KJV)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

(Proverbs 2 also read)

The meaning of “sanctify” (37) can be one of two different emphasis.  One means to make holy and to cleanse.  That is not the meaning here.  In this passage it is to set aside or to put in a central location.

It is vital that we set aside Jesus as Lord of our lives.  It is vital that we put Almighty God in the center of our life and our hearts.  If we do this, we have a hope to share.

If we put our trust in something else, then we have no hope.  There are many things that we can put our trust in.  There are many things we can put in the center of my life.  Examples are family, our job, sports, sex, our cars.  The list goes on.

If we do not put Jesus in the center, then we have no hope to share.  We have nothing to make it to “Make a defense of” (NASB) or “give an answer” (KJV).  We have nothing to explain.  And to be honest people may not ask what it is.  They can understand being excited about family or sports or sex.  You don’t need to explain that to them.

So?  We need something in our hearts that gives us the kind of hope that needs to be explained.  If you don’t know Him yet, might I suggest Jesus? 

Refreshing Sci Fi

James 1:2 (KJV) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

(Proverbs 1 also read)

Usually when anything having to do with Jesus is mentioned in science fiction it is a kind of a stereotype.  It is an insult.  It is some kind of condemnation of the followers of Jesus as narrowminded, bigoted, and so forth.  A book by John Ringo had a refreshing different approach. It had a pastor, who had up to that point been totally orthodox, giving the text for his sermon.  He quoted James 1:2 and talked about how this means not really temptation but tests meant as challenges to growth.

“Now, ‘temptations’ here are ‘peirasmois,’ which means ‘trials.’  The wise old bishop of Jerusalem here is not saying that we should want to be lured into sin, no.  He’s saying we should be happy to be tried.  He’s saying that there is something about the human condition that needs serious testing.  He’s telling us that we shouldn’t want life to be too easy, we should embrace life with joy precisely because it is difficult.
    “Now what on Earth is old James talking about?” p. 265

I found that coming to mind today as I was thinking about the things of God and worshiping.  In my mind it had to do with certain trials that I am facing, and made me think about the Biblical definition of love.  And that points out that love is long suffering.  That is the meaning of patience in I Corinthians 13.  It also goes on and talks about not acting unbecomingly.

So?  Life is full of challenges.  Life is full of bumps and curves.  Love is to be applied in the reality of life not just in the theory of living.

Ringo, John.  Beyond the Ranges.  Riverdale, NY:  Baen, 2024.