Wise Integrity

For Friday, July 8, 2005
Proverbs 11:3

The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Like the previous proverb, verse 3 presents the connection between virtue and wisdom, and between sin and foolishness. We are often taught that to think we can maintain integrity in the business world, or academics, or whatever field is to be naive. Everyone else compromises or outright cheats; we must compromise our ethics if we are to keep pace, especially such teachings as in Jesus' sermon on the mount.

David Skeel's book Icarus in the Boardroom, however, documents how the sins of greed and pride lead the brightest and most gifted astray. Men begin with startling success, only to crash, because their sins cloud their ability to see clearly the coming disaster that they set up for themselves.

When our priority is to do what is right and not "get ahead," decision making becomes easier and the results more satisfying. After all, even if our decisions cause us to lose the promotion, the sale, or the game, all we have lost is temporal success. But what we gain in this life is more enduring - peace of mind, contentment, a good name, trust, etc.

But we must take this proverb to its ultimate conclusion. The treacherous will be destroyed at the Judgment Day. Whatever "success" they may achieve in this life will only gall them all the more in their condemnation. But the one who in integrity remains faithful to Christ and his teachings will be guided along the path of eternal life.

Wise Humility

For Thursday, July 7, 2005
Proverbs 11:2

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom..

This proverb could have served as the slogan for Phil's sermon on Luke 14:7-11. The person, who out of pride, sits himself at the head of the table is disgraced when asked to take a lower seat; while the humble person ends up honored. It is interesting that the proverb connects humility with wisdom. It makes sense. Pride, by definition, is foolishness. Caught up in promoting himself before the eyes of others, the person with pride cannot see things as they really are. He misjudges how he appears to others; he is blind to others' virtues; he fails to comprehend what is of real value.

The humble person, on the other hand - because he is not caught up in himself - more clearly sees the real picture. If working with a team on a project, he is able to avail himself of the strengths of others, not worried about how he will be perceived. Sports is a good example. The teams that do best are the teams that implement the best teamwork, each player unselfish, more concerned with the goal of winning than of having the best personal statistics. That is wisdom.

Humility allows us to focus on what matters. It clears our minds so as to focus with clarity on the task at hand and in discerning the truth. All the more sense, then, in understanding why humility is essential in grasping the gospel, the most profound truth of all for us.

Pleasing God

For Wednesday, July 6, 2004
Proverbs 11:1

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is his delight.

God hates cheating; he delights in integrity. This is a good proverb to remember as we are tempted to cut corners on a job, to omit information on our taxes, to "get help" on a paper, or gain an advantage over a competitor. The end does not justify the means.

Besides the outright crooked people who cheat, many of use do the same and rationalize our actions, either justifying why cheating is needed this one time or denying that cheating is happening. "The government shouldn't be taxing me for this anyhow"; "If I fail this test in the class, which I shouldn't have to take anyhow, my future will be shot"; "Everyone in my field does the same; I won't be able to compete."

Such an attitude betrays trust in God, who set the rules for right behavior. Acting righteously matters more to him than achieving the goal, which he alone has the power to grant or take away. Thus we see why he delights in integrity. He is not a mere observer. He is the true goal of us who believe in him. Whatever may be our objectives, pleasing God is to be our one goal, and we please him by obeying his righteous laws and by trusting him with the outcome.

Instinct

For Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

We have the popular expression today "_____ knows _____." "Bo knows music." "Julia knows food." "Michael knows basketball." It means that the person credited doesn't merely know about a subject, but that he knows it, or performs it, so well that he becomes identified with it, "at one with it." He doesn't have to think about what to do because it has become an instinct for him.

So with the righteous and the wicked. The righteous know what is acceptable. It is natural for them to speak what is good and right. They know the right thing to say at the time needed. The wicked know what is perverse. They naturally make a joke of what is good and sacred. They instinctively put down others, especially those who are good.

Examine yourself in this matter. In the course of a day, do you find people encouraged by your speech? Do they walk away more thoughtful? Or do you find that for various reasons they seem to be sensitive to what you say? If the latter, then something is wrong inside, and you need to address it. You can read books on how to speak, but if the heart is not addressed, saying "right" words will only have the wrong effect. If your heart has resentment, disappointment, pride, vanity, and the like, such attitudes will come out. Get to the heart of the matter, which is your heart.

The Mouth of Wisdom

For Monday, July 4, 2004
Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

The mouth is like a tree. The mouth of the righteous is like a strong, healthy tree: it bears (brings forth) good fruit (wisdom). But like a fruit tree which bears sickly fruit or is barren, the tongue of the perverse (those who twist what is true and good) will be cut off.

Those who twist the truth (perjury, false witness, lying, deceit) may be cut off through the justice system. Others may find themselves cut off socially, as they prove themselves untrustworthy and mean. This is especially true of those who twist what is good through gossip and jokes. And then, there are many who will be made famous and popular through their perverse speech as they ridicule biblical truth and goodness. But God will not be mocked and justice will be carried out whether on earth or at Christ's return.

Meanwhile, bear the good fruit of wisdom. Cultivate wisdom so that you may bless others through wise counsel. Make it a matter of great concern how you speak and what you say to others. Today, you will either bless or disconcert others by what comes out of your mouth. How do you cultivate wisdom? Begin now by praying daily for wisdom and that God will direct your tongue. Study Scripture and especially study Christ, who is Wisdom personified.