A Child's Folly

For Friday, June 22, 2007
Proverbs 22:15

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

This proverb presents a premise that corrects the idea that a child merely needs to be educated as to what is right. Education is necessary, and much of the time children do merely need to be instructed as to what is right and they will then do it. But children are also like adults in that they are sinners. Much of their folly comes from their sinful desires. And so, oftentimes without any instruction that something is wrong to do, they will nevertheless act in secret. They have a conscious, just as adults, and like adults will violate it.

This is where discipline comes in, which is necessary for children and adults. The essential difference is that discipline has a greater chance of driving out the folly in the child than the adult. If discipline is exercised wisely and consistently, the child is likely to "learn his lesson" and become a wiser person.

Even so, as much good discipline can do regarding folly, it still cannot cleanse the heart. A child may grow into a mature adult with a "good head" on his shoulders through the help of proper discipline. But he cannot be disciplined to love the Lord; he cannot be disciplined to see his need for a Savior, nor given the desire to follow his Lord. That is the work of the Spirit.

And so as parents, we need to exercise wise, consistent discipline to "drive out" the folly that is naturally inherent in our children. We are to instruct them in the Word of God and teach them the gospel. And we are to pray for the Holy Spirit to blow into them the breath of God that they may have life.

The Deep Pit

For Thursday, June 21, 2007
Proverbs 22:14

The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;
he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

A kiss is not just a kiss when the purpose is to lure into sin, and a sin that leads into the pit of destruction. Words of invitation to pleasure are words of poison when that "pleasure" is forbidden passion. The folly of men is to believe that the sin is harmless, and that they have the discernment and willpower to avoid the pit. But if money is the root of evil, then understand that sex is the root of folly. Sex makes a man foolish. An otherwise cool-thinking man becomes stupid when his sexual passion is aroused. He actually believes that illicit sex will give him satisfaction. He is actually willing to risk his reputation, his career, and his family for the sake of momentary pleasure that vanishes immediately and which leaves him craving for more, never fulfilled.

What then is the second line of the proverb saying? Is God angry with men who fall into such a pit, or does he allow men with whom he is angry to fall into it? Sometimes our punishment is to be allowed to go where our passions lead us.

Men, don't be stupid. Know your weakness when it comes to sexual temptation. Know that you cannot think straight and walk away. The best way to deal with such temptation is not to brace yourself against the temptation, but to walk away from it. The best way to avoid falling into the pit is to get away from the edge of it.

Lion in the Streets!

For Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Proverbs 22:13

The sluggard says, "There is a lion ouside!
I shall be killed in the streets!"

He does have a point. We may not worry about lions, but there are cars and trucks that could hit us. It may be best not to go outside to work. And, for that matter, there are dangers in the home - tripping down the stairs, stumbling over shoes or stepping on a ball. It may be best to remain in bed. Too bad the sluggard in Solomon's day did not have TV and a remote. Today's sluggard does not even have to come up with excuses for not doing work. The distractions of 24 hour television with literally hundreds of channels saves him from having to think up rationalizations for lying in bed or the couch. He can get by with the dull thought of "I'll get up in just a minute."

Peter tells us that there is actually a lion out there ready to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). The problem is that he is also within our home, even withing our room, even under the bedcovers! Whatever imaginary lions the sluggard has to keep him from doing something with his life, he should be taking into account this very real lion - Satan - who is devouring his very soul. Inactivity is a killer of the soul; for we were made to act, to produce, to glorify our Maker through being makers in his image.

Whether healthy or ill; whether bold or timid, do whatever God has given you the ability to do that he might be glorified. Who knows, maybe today you will meet a lion in the streets and slay him!

Words Overthrown

For Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Proverbs 22:12

The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

God watches over knowledge as a shepherd watches over his flock. Far from fearing knowledge, Christians should above all nurture it and strive to grow in knowledge, for God is the God of truth. It is good to grow in all the fields of knowledge, except for learning the ways to sin. That is really the only knowledge that Adam and Eve gained. They learned to think like Satan.

Such knowledge God despises and he will turn against the one who uses it. Let us remember this as we worry over evil men getting away with wickedness. God will overthrow them, most often in this lifetime, but with ultimate finality after death. It is that second death that Christ tells us to fear, which awaits the wicked.

The traitor thinks he is getting away with his treachery. All that he is doing is storing up God's wrath that will be carried out. God is not blind to our sin, nor will he be mocked. Do not be jealous of the traitor or anyone who uses deceit. Rather, all the more determine to speak the truth and to uphold knowledge, especially the knowledge that is of Jesus Christ.

Gracious Speech

For Monday, June 18, 2007
Proverbs 22:11

He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious,
will have the king as his friend.

Note the addition of gracious speech. Shouldn't purity of heart be enough for friendship, even with a king? It is speech that conveys what is in the heart. Speech can be used to deceive and other proverbs warn of flattery, but the point here is that one with a pure heart considers his words carefully.

Paul uses this same concept in regard to witnessing: "Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (Colossians 4:5-6).

Does graciousness characterize your speech? Are people encouraged after speaking with you? Even in disagreements, do they acknowledge that you demonstrate due respect and fairness? Do they respect you?

What is gracious speech? It lacks grumbling and sarcasm. It certainly is void of profanity. It pays sincere compliments readily. It is encouraging. Its focus is on the welfare of others. It flows from a mind that is consciously thinking of the right and good thing to say. It flows from a heart that truly cares to honor God and respect one's neighbor.

Have such a heart; speak with gracious words - you must be a friend of the King.