Sunday, December 5, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 14:17-22, we learned about the importance of developing self-control, goodness, prudence, and righteousness. Becoming angry too often and too quickly is foolishness, while trusting all things to the Lord is a sign of godly wisdom. In this passage, Solomon told his readers that having self-control and controlling one's temper are important. In addition to that, he also said that we should try to stay away from those who do not. Proverbs 29:22 says, "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression." Proverbs 22:24 says, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go." He said that those who are wicked are often hated. Wicked come from the Hebrew word that means evil plot or purposes. Therefore, we should try to be kind to one another and never purpose any evil plots against others in our heart. God protects us from evil people and from those who are hateful towards us. Psalms 44:7 says, "But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us."
In these verses, Solomon wrote that we should strive to be prudent and not simple. The simple person surrounds him or herself with foolishness while the prudent person gains knowledge and is wise in the things of the Lord. Those who are evil will ultimately bow before those who are righteous, but how does one become righteous? Romans 3:10-11 says, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." We can only be righteous or have right standing in the eyes of the Lord when we place our hope and trust in Him. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Thus, we can only get there through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Concerning friendship, Solomon wrote that the surefire way to have friends is to have money. However, he also indicated that these are not the kind of friends that we should really want. The Prodigal Son had friends as long as he had money. But when his money was gone, so were his friends. Luke 15:13-14 says, "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want."
A clear Christ-like way to live is to show love to our neighbors and mercy to those in need. One of the keys to happiness is to not focus so heavily on ourselves. Happiness comes from putting others first. To have true JOY in this life, you should prioritize your actions and behaviors around Jesus (J), others (O), and yourself (Y), in that order. As you go through the coming week, try to reflect on these truths and be all that God wants you to be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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