Wednesday, August 28, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 6:16-19


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Responsible Living: Do Not Have A Sinful Lifestyle: Prov 6:16-19
16) These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him:
17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19) A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

INTRODUCTION:
This set of Proverbs presents to us those things which God hates, and therefore we should hate as well. 

EXPOSITION:

16) These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him:
These proverbs give us a list of seven sins that are set apart from others.  What sets these seven apart from the many other sins that God also hates?  The Bible does not tell us…  PERHAPS He separates these out because they involve harming others for personal gain.  The list basically describes someone who possesses arrogance, selfishness, a belief that they are above God’s commands which leads to abuse, defrauding and illicitly profiting from others. 
God hates ALL sin, but these seem to describe a special type of hatred when the innocent are mistreated. (Deut 27:25)

The Lord’s attitude about the mistreatment of the innocent is described as ….
1. hate – to PERSONALLY hate something, to count as one’s enemy (when the innocent are abused the Lord takes it personally.)
2. abomination – to be totally disgusted, filled to the limit, to loath.  (Again, we can see a personal aspect to the hatred that is being described.  It is almost as if the Lord is saying that “I have had enough of this…. I can take no more.”)

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.”   (Matthew 25:35-45)


17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
We begin here a list of sins involved in the abuse against others. 
1. An exalted, supreme attitude must be necessary for a person to willfully rebel against God’s commands (feeling they are invincible) and believe they are better than others (justified in profiting through the misuse of another).
2. Speaking untruths with the intent of defrauding
3. Spilling the blood of the blameless

“For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.  None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.  They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.  Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works [are] works of iniquity, and the act of violence [is] in their hands.”  (Isaiah 59:3-6)


18) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
4. Desires and plans rooted in sinful, worthless thoughts
5. Quickly acting to commit sin against others and harm to others  

“Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.  And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.  Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time [is] evil.”   (Micah 2:1-3)


19) A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
6.  Giving untrue testimony to justify the wicked and condemn the innocent
7.  To spread arguments, disagreements and disunity among those standing for the truth in opposition to their deceit.

“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”   (Exodus 23:1)

“He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”   (1 Timothy 6:4-5)


SUMMARY:
The above proverbs bring to us a clear declaration that we are to despise those things that lead to pride, arrogance and the abuse of others for personal gain.  It is only through the grace of God and the working of the Holy Spirit within us that we are able to bear the Godly fruits which put forth humility, and respect for others.  These same fruits enhance our testimony and bring glory to Christ. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”   (Galatians 5:22-25)

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

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 6:12-15”


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Responsible Living: Do Not Be Dishonest: Prov 6:12-15
Responsible Living: Do not be dishonest
12) A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13) He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14) Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15) Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.


INTRODUCTION:
Transparency and honesty are two of the most difficult qualities to find in the world today.  And, yet, throughout the Scriptures we have emphasized the need for those who have trusted in Christ to be unambiguous, authentic and truthful in all of their dealings with others.  In this section of the Scriptures, we find Solomon sharing with us proverbs that describe the end result of the dishonest and insincere lifestyle ….

EXPOSITION:

12) A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
In these proverbs a dishonest and ambiguous person is described using two titles:
1. naughty – Belial, one that is worthless, destructive
2. wicked – vain, one that causes mischief and trouble
Please notice that both titles describe the deceitful one as one that does no work of lasting value, only cuasing trouble and distress.   Any Christian, who has any concern over their testimony, should abhor deception in their lives.

The actions of the deceitful man include:
1. a lifestyle of speech that distorts, twists and misrepresents the truth

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”   (James 1:21)

“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.”   (Titus 1:10-11)


13) He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
2.  he winks knowingly at others, revealing that his speech is less than candid
3.  the places he goes, his lifestyle also reveals his deceiving speech
4.  the works that he performs is another indicator of his dishonest words

“Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,  That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest [such] words go out of thy mouth?”   (Job 15:12-13)


14) Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
5.  his heart contains desires to defraud (profit from others through deception)
6.  his mind is ever planning how and when to break others into pieces and gain from the destruction
7.  his words, actions, and example spreads the sin of fighting, disunity and selfishness

“The instruments also of the churl [are] evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.”   (Isaiah 32:7)


15) Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
Because of their lifestyle of deception and the destruction that results they are condemned to face judgment for the sinful path they have chosen to follow…
1.  their judgment shall come unexpectedly and swiftly
2.  their judgment will result in oppression, ruin and loss of previous gains
3.  their judgment will end with their bursting or crushing (being broken in small pieces and revealed to all).  In other words all their deception will be brought into public and they will be facing Divine examination and deserved wrath.

“Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.” (Isaiah 30:13)


SUMMARY:

Dishonesty, “twisting” the truth, and fraud has no place in the life of those who have Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  It is these very things that stand in direct opposition to the example and attributes of our Lord.  May we all see the need to reflect Christ to the world by living lives of honesty, openness, and absolute sincerity.

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



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Monday, August 26, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 6:6-11


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Responsible Living: Do Not Be Lazy: Prov 6:6-11
6) Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7) Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8) Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.
9) How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10) [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11) So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.


INTRODUCTION:

Our second section of teaching on responsible living will touch on the subject of being lazy.  This is what is meant by the Bible term “sluggard”.  It involves the ideas of “to lean idly” or “to stand back and not participate” or “to be lax and careless”.  If we come to understand this term properly, we can see it can mean to lay around, not being productive, but it can also mean to not be diligent and careful in our labors that are being performed. 

Also we should keep in mind, that these principles apply to our earthly labors and our spiritual labors for Christ.
Let’s look at the need for a Christian to be productive and careful in all his labors.

EXPOSITION:

6) Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
For those who struggle with the need to be living productive, diligent lives…
1.  consider – They are to observe and closely examine the actions, and lifestyle, of the ant. 
2.  be wise - They are to learn from it and then apply the principles they have learned to their life.   

“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:  Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.  Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?  In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”   (Job 12:7-10)


7) Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,  8) Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.
The great lessons that can be learned from the life of the ant include:
1.  Works without need of oversight
2.  Works for not only current, but future needs as well
3.  Works for the benefit of self AND OTHERS
4.  Does not rest until the job is accomplished

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”   (2 Thessalonians 3:10)


9) How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Seeing the great temporal and spiritual needs in the world, and having such a wonderful example of productivity and diligence given by the ant…..
How long can people ignore what is going on around them and be lazy, careless and asleep?

“And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].”
 (Romans 13:11-14)


0) [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Their attitude is one of procrastination, always putting off what so desperately needs to be accomplished…
1.  continue on comfortably, not rising up to work to fulfill their responsibilities
2.  continue to doze off, uncaring, in the midst of all the needs about them
3.  refusal to labor with hands, preferring to recline instead of being fruitful and constructive

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”   (Ephesians 5:14)


11) So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
It is this type of lax, slothful attitude that will result in…
1.   Much one that travels to a far country, gradually consistently approaching and finally arriving at their destination… the destitution and deprivation will gradually, inevitably come upon those who are lazy and lax
2.   Just as an armed man comes upon others silently and deliberately to rob and harm their victims, so too poverty and want will come upon those who choose to be inactive and apathetic.

“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.”   (Proverbs 20:4)


SUMMARY:

In this proverb we can see the ant being used as an example of an industrious, diligent laborer.  Ants are known for their constant productivity, preparation for future needs and willingness to sacrifice for the good of others.  All of these are very important qualities for those who desire to be laborers for Christ. 

May none of us be lazy in our service for Christ.  Let us all be found doing our given task when He comes to take us home….

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”
 (Matthew 24:45-47)


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



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