I was recently reading through my devotions when a certain Proverb seemed to point directly at me. It was one of those cool convictions of the Holy Spirit that comes from something you’ve read several times. For those of you who don’t know me, I am an extremely funny guy. This, unfortunately, carries with it a fair share of awkward times and stupid slip ups. It has been a huge problem for me in my life. So, I opened my Bible and read this:
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Proverbs 12:18-20
How convicting. I cannot explain to you the myriad of times and ways that my rash words have been as sword thrust. And bring healing? Only on the rarest occasions, if I am honest, do my lips bring healing. Not only that, but the Proverb says that he who lies, his tongue last for but a moment. No one remembers or likes a liar. Yet truthful lips endure forever. When the truth is said, it last forever. Why am I not more concerned with telling truthful things that heal than lying sword thrust that cause laughter?
This Bible reading was also coupled with my memorization of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Another verse full of challenge that Christians hardly take at face value. The verse clearly says that all of your words ought to build others up. Think of that. A person who, when they leaves your presence, always leaves you better than when they came. No matter what kind of day they are having, what movies they have been watching, or the kind of mood they are in, they are building up. Proverbs 12 also points this out in verse 25, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” That would surely give grace to those who hear. Why am I not that person?
Not only did Proverbs 12 give me a goal to shoot for, it also gave me the means to meet that goal:
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid”
Proverbs 12:1
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but the wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 12:15
It seems obvious that advice from others is the way to better ourselves. We must listen to those who give us advice, and reproof. I have a pride problem, and as a result, most times regard advice as misplaced, or just flat out wrong. Yet the Bible says that is stupid! The wis man listens to advice, they are not right in their own eyes. Yet I think this almost overtime someone tries to offer me practical advice. I think to myself, They don’t know what I am thinking, they don’t get it. I am my own moral and social compass. How foolish.
Yet, we must be careful of those we seek for reproof and advice:
“The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.”
Proverbs 12:5
“One who is righteous is a guide to the neighbor...”
Proverbs 12:26a
So, from these passages I have resolved to be more deliberate in building other up with my speech. That initials also watching my jokes, even if others laugh, that they are not hurtful or demeaning. To do this I will seek reproof and advice from those who are righteous and wise. And of course pray like mad that I might achieve this.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Greatest Enemy
What are the distinguishing qualities of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to His eternal rewards? A great question, and, according to Jonathan Edwards, “there is no question whatsoever that is of greater importance to mankind” (Edwards 15). Today I began Edwards’s great treatise “The Religious Affections”. The book is essentially Edwards’s attempt to give an answer to this most important question.
Why is this question so important? Edwards proposes, and I agree, that it is important because the greatest enemy of Christ’s Gospel is false religion. Edwards says it like this: “It is by the mixture of counterfeit religion with true, not disconcerted and distinguished, that the devil has had his greatest advantage against the cause and kingdom of Christ all along hitherto.” (Edwards 17) We must know what true religion (what Edwards calls religious affection) is, so we may refute this great enemy of false religion. This enemy also does not come banging on our door. It comes slowly and does not show itself. It infects and slowly spreads. This disease is a slow killer, not a sword thrust. We cannot see false religion until we know true religion, so this brings us back to our original question; what is the qualities of those that are in favor with God? Is it a dramatic conversion? A passion for the church? Authentic praise? A changed life? A more joyful life? Willingness to serve? What does the true Christian manifest? This is the importance of what Edwards is writing.
The reason that the devil has so used this strategy of false religion is that it has a duel purpose. Firstly, it will make some believe they are saved, when in fact they are not. Think of the tragedy. A life believed to be lived on the narrow way, reaches eternity only to realize that they had been infected with the disease of false religion all their lives. As Edwards says, “making them think they are something when they are nothing” (19). The second purpose is to empower the outward enemies of God in their fight. To empower those who would scream “Hypocrite” at all opportunities. Those who hate Christianity find their advantage in those who do not realize that their proclamation to follow Christ is false. Those who try to live the Christian life without the help of God will fail, and so these are paraded by those who hate the Christian life.
I wish to find these answers and many more as I continue to dive into my Bible and “The Religious Affections”. I believe as Edwards does that “we shall never be in the way of truth” (16), and consequently there must be those who find the truth. I pray to Christ Jesus that I might be one who finds the truth, and that I may live with true religious affection. I pray that God will guide me as I read and study on the topic. I also pray that I remember to examine my own eyes before examining the eyes of others (Matt 7:1-6). I invite you on my journey.
Why is this question so important? Edwards proposes, and I agree, that it is important because the greatest enemy of Christ’s Gospel is false religion. Edwards says it like this: “It is by the mixture of counterfeit religion with true, not disconcerted and distinguished, that the devil has had his greatest advantage against the cause and kingdom of Christ all along hitherto.” (Edwards 17) We must know what true religion (what Edwards calls religious affection) is, so we may refute this great enemy of false religion. This enemy also does not come banging on our door. It comes slowly and does not show itself. It infects and slowly spreads. This disease is a slow killer, not a sword thrust. We cannot see false religion until we know true religion, so this brings us back to our original question; what is the qualities of those that are in favor with God? Is it a dramatic conversion? A passion for the church? Authentic praise? A changed life? A more joyful life? Willingness to serve? What does the true Christian manifest? This is the importance of what Edwards is writing.
The reason that the devil has so used this strategy of false religion is that it has a duel purpose. Firstly, it will make some believe they are saved, when in fact they are not. Think of the tragedy. A life believed to be lived on the narrow way, reaches eternity only to realize that they had been infected with the disease of false religion all their lives. As Edwards says, “making them think they are something when they are nothing” (19). The second purpose is to empower the outward enemies of God in their fight. To empower those who would scream “Hypocrite” at all opportunities. Those who hate Christianity find their advantage in those who do not realize that their proclamation to follow Christ is false. Those who try to live the Christian life without the help of God will fail, and so these are paraded by those who hate the Christian life.
I wish to find these answers and many more as I continue to dive into my Bible and “The Religious Affections”. I believe as Edwards does that “we shall never be in the way of truth” (16), and consequently there must be those who find the truth. I pray to Christ Jesus that I might be one who finds the truth, and that I may live with true religious affection. I pray that God will guide me as I read and study on the topic. I also pray that I remember to examine my own eyes before examining the eyes of others (Matt 7:1-6). I invite you on my journey.
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