He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Practical Life Principles: Sin Brings Misery
(1): Proverbs 21:4-6
4) An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
5) The thoughts of the diligent [tend]
only to plenteousness; but of every one [that
is] hasty only to want.
6) The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
In
the next two devotions we will be seeing Solomon now emphasizes the end result
of sin in our lives…. misery
EXPOSITION:
4) An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
Before
Solomon centers our attention on the misery that sin brings into our life, he
shares with us a practical definition of sin.
1. Three basic indications of sin being present
in our lives are…
a. A “high look” – looking “over and beyond
others”, thinking there is nothing to gain by paying attention to them. Basically, this is an attitude of SUPREMACY
shown outwardly in our actions.
b. A “proud heart” – a “roomy, open heart”, desires
that allow anything to enter into them.
This shows an attitude of inward PRIDE, believing nothing is off
limits. We do not guard against sinful
desires, nor temptations, thinking we know what is best for our own lives and
above the law and judgment of God.
c. The “plowing of the wicked” – how can it be
that the simple act of a wicked man plowing his field can be an indication of
sin being present? This is based on a
very simple, yet for many, an unrealized Biblical principle explained in detail
in the following passages:
“Speak unto all the people of the land, and
to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh [month],
even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me? And when ye did eat, and
when ye did drink, did not ye eat [for yourselves], and drink [for yourselves]?” (Zechariah 7:5-6)
“Whether therefore ye eat,
or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“And whatsoever ye do in
word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and
the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“And whatsoever ye do, do [it]
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (Colossians 3:23)
All
of the above texts teach us that, anytime we perform ANY action that is not
done from a heart of faith, motivated out of a desire to honor the Lord, and experiencing
thankfulness for all He has done for us…. it is sin.
In
Solomon’s example of the plowing of the wicked, the idea is this:
a.
the wicked man, as he plows, is not thankful for the life and health God has
given to him that enables him to plow the field.
b.
the wicked man, as he plows, is not trusting the Lord to give him a fruitful
crop in the coming harvest season
c.
the wicked man, as he plows, is not recognizing the ground he is working in as
a marvelous creation of God, recognizing God’s wisdom and strength.
d. the wicked man, as he plows, is not doing it
as an act of obedience and honor to the Lord.
He is doing it entirely for selfish reasons.
This
list can go on and on.
This
is a very important principle for the Christian as well…
ANYTIME
we engage in an earthly activity without a heart COMPLETELY FILLED with a
spirit thankfulness to God, love for God, submission to God, and recognition of
God’s glory, while excluding all selfish motives, we are committing sin. This
is a very sobering truth and should make any Christian who believes they are
living a sinless life think twice about their beliefs. (Romans 7:16-25)
So
to summarize the marks of a sinful act, it is an act that is performed:
1. with an attitude of supremacy over others, or
2. with an attitude of pride believing they do
not answer to God,
3. with no recognition of the Lord, His blessings,
and no desire to honor and glorify Him for those blessings.
“The wicked, through the
pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his
thoughts.” (Psalms 10:4)
5) The thoughts of the diligent [tend]
only to plenteousness; but of every one [that
is] hasty only to want.
Now
Solomon turns our attention to the misery brought upon us by our sin…
1. Those who are faithful to their responsibilities
will experience success in their endeavors.
2. Those who quickly, carelessly, aimlessly deal
with their responsibilities will only suffer want.
This
principle is easily applied to the spiritual things of the Lord. When we are faithfully submissive to the will
of God and diligently seek to serve Him, we will find His blessings rained upon
us. When we are lax in those same responsibilities,
we can expect to face spiritual loss and discontentment.
“And that ye study to be
quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we
commanded you; That ye may walk honestly
toward them that are without, and [that] ye may have lack of nothing.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
6) The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
1. When earthy riches are acquired with the use
of deceiving speech it is
a.
a worthless action “carries no weight”
with the Lord. It is like any light,
insignificant object that is easily blown by the wind (examples: dust, a
feather, a dead leaf, etc etc).
b. a pursuit that leads to death. Anyone seeking earthly riches through the use
of deceit, is pursuing that which will bring death to himself. For those who are lost, they will bring
eternal spiritual death. For those who
are saved pursuing these things brings death to their testimony and usefulness
for Christ.
“But they that will be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
SUMMARY:
The
miseries that come from sin our lives include:
1. When we are lax in our spiritual responsibilities,
we can expect to face spiritual loss and discontentment.
2. Anyone seeking earthly riches through the use
of deceit, is pursuing that which will bring loss and ruin to himself.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH
Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH
Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH
Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment