Thoughts on Proverbs 23

 

Some thoughts on this chapter:

Verses 1-3 are a good reminder that it may be time to fast when I'm finding myself unable or unwilling to resist that second helping of my favorite food. Because fasting prayerfully, seeking the Lord is teaching my flesh to sit down and shut up. Because I know that my flesh wants to dominate but my mother once said, "If you cannot accept the word 'no', you will never be able to say 'no'." I didn't understand that at the time but I am getting a clue.  Also reading some commentaries it is good to realize that this can apply to anything that keeps us from seeking Jesus. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't enjoy our food or hobbies or entertainment, it just means Jesus first!

I noticed something else this time around the command words, "Do Not" are mentioned 11 times! That must mean it is important. But since we already have our minds made up that God is not a big bully who just wants to say "No" there must be an important reason. So then I am reminded about how often I crave things that are not good for me like salt and sugar but how I rarely crave broccoli or water melon.  It doesn't mean one cookie or a serving of a salty food is bad but if it is out of balance it can reek havoc with the bodies systems. 

Those commands are not designed to harm us but to make us realize how much we need saving from the dictator of the flesh. Don't know about you but when my body decides she wants a cookie she can be really bossy! Then by realizing I can't resist her I can ask for help and make the choice to follow the Helper. Those "do-nots" remind me what a natural born rebel I am. 

 

I love what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8-9 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

Some important take aways from today's reading:

1. A common problem that I see is that many in today is that many who claim to be Christians have a view that the Bible is old fashioned and out of date. They have their own unbiblical views of what sin and sexuality are.  But we have to remember that Jesus said that in the end times that people would not be able to endure sound teaching.   We shouldn't be shocked or surprised by that.

2. Another important thing to remember is that sanctification is personal and we can never force our convictions on others. Diamonds speak only in the language of shinning. How we live matters.  

After we read Proverbs we began Philippians

How comforting to know that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it! 

An important take away is it was He who began the good work and if He did the work He will bring growth.  He implants the seed of His word. But there are some who are deceived because they never received the love of the truth.

Father I pray for the ones who will read this that they have a love for the truth and that love will abound more and more in the knowledge and discernment of your will. In Jesus name, Amen!