Seek Knowledge

For Friday, July 7, 2006
Proverbs 18:15

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Note the precondition of the person who gains knowledge. He is already intelligent, already wise. It is his intelligence and wisdom that spurs him on to attain knowledge. He becomes knowledgeable because he values knowledge. Unlike the student who raises his hand in class and asks the teacher, "Is this going to be on the test," the intelligent person inquires deeper into the subject. He is interested in what he is learning; he wants to learn.

As principal of a school, I observed quickly that it is this attitude towards knowledge that separated the students who performed well from those who did not. The difference had little to do with ability; it had everything to do with desire.

But even then there is a distinction between the wise and the mere hard worker. The latter will gain knowledge merely as a means to gain a goal such as good grades or a promotion. The wise person seeks knowledge because of true love for knowledge. The result is that the "hard worker" only obtains his particular goal; the wise person becomes wiser; his intelligence is enhanced. Thus his very quality of life and usefulness is magnified.

Seek knowledge. Do not be content with learning as little as needed. Strive to know as much as you can. Strive to know God as deeply as you can. Desire to know the knowledge of his Word. Seek the knowledge of the gospel and of the grace found in Christ. For there is true wisdom and intelligence.

The Crushed Spirit

For Thursday, July 6, 2006
Proverbs 18:14

A man's spirit will endure sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Undoubtedly many of you reading this proverb will sadly nod in agreement because of your own crushed spirit. The weight of depression, of anxiety, of feeling unloved feels unbearable and you focus on merely surviving each day. This proverb lets you already know that God understands. It is placed in Scripture for you to know that you do not suffer alone. God is with you and even now is bearing your great weight. You are not alone as a sufferer. Many others throughout the ages and in the present have known the "crushed spirit." Stop at this very moment and offer a prayer for those whose spirits are crushed.

But I want everyone to understand through this proverb why it is so important to be about the business of encouraging others. Husbands are told not to be harsh with their wives and do not discourage their children (Colossians 3:19, 21). Why? Because such behavior crushes their spirits. So it is in all relationships. Venting anger and criticising freely crushes. And we willingly crush the spirits of our brothers and sisters all the while claiming to do so for their good because telling the truth is what matters most. We are to speak the truth, but we are to speak the truth in love with the intent to build up one another in Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16). And if we must correct a brother or sister of sin then we are to do so in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1).

Examine your heart today especially in your relationship with those closest to you. Are you building up those closest to you or crushing their spirit? Remember your Lord of whom it was said "a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench" (Isaiah 42:3). Surely he had cause to crush you for your sin and yet chose to become crushed himself (Isaiah 53:5) that your spirit might live.

The Foolish Answer

For Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Proverbs 18:13

If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

Strong but true words. We do this on different levels. There is the surface level in which we actually begin answering before the person has completed the question, only to find that we wrongly anticipated what the question would be. "No, that is not what I was trying to ask."

We give unasked for answers, such as when a person is sharing a concern, and we take it upon ourselves to give solutions when all the person wanted was a listening ear. "Thank you, but I already know what to do."

And there there is the level in which a question has been asked, and we miss the target in our response. "No, you don't understand." And the reason we don't understand is that we did not hear well. This might be for a number of reasons. The person did not articulate himself well, thus misleading us. But we could have dealt with that by asking good questions first that helped the person communicate better. Quite often the reason is that we are formulating an answer while the person is still communicating. We don't want to be caught without a wise answer, so we begin thinking through a reply.

Don't worry about having answers. It is better not to have an answer than to have a wrong one. If you must disappointed your inquirer, it is better to disappoint by confessing that you do not know the answer, rather than disappointed by leading the person astray and making the matter more befuddling and leading to greater shame.

But you are more likely to have a wise answer if your primary concern is to listen well. Take the time to listen. Ask good questions. Do not be in a hurry to reply. And most importantly, pray for wisdom. You will be surprised by the answers that you did not have the wisdom for but was given at the right time by the Holy Spirit.

The Haughty Fool

For Monday, July 3, 2006
Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.

There are several reasons why this proverb bears out, but consider one reason today. Haughtiness is foolishness; humility is wisdom. To be haughty is to be "scornfully and condescendingly proud." It is not merely to recognize your own skill to be better than others, but to actually consider others as lesser beings. You despise them merely because they are not as adept in some particular skill that you are or because they have backgrounds that seem beneath you.

This is a poor attitude for a number of reasons, but again, it actually makes you foolish and thus more likely to take a spill. You will overestimate your ability and take foolish risks. You will deny yourself the benefit of other persons' skills. You will cut yourself off from good relationships and partnerships. You will not prepare for the future, failing to see that you are likely to lose whatever great gift it is that you possess. Thus, you are setting up your own destruction.

Humility is wisdom because it frees you up to see clearly what are and what are not your strengths. It allows for you to seek the help of others. You forge strong relationships and partnerships; you thinks now how to prepare for the future. You win the respect of others, and, thus, you are likely to receive honor.

But where foolishness and wisdom are most realized is in one's standing before God. Scripture makes plain that he will destroy the proud and raise up the humble. This may play out in one's earthly life (which it often does); it certainly will occur in the day of judgment, at which time there will be no opportunity for repentance. Thus we see the greatest folly of the haughty person who thinks that he can actually outwit God.