This week's article was written by a visiting guest preacher, David Phillips, who works in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
Introduction. God, who is all wise, has made His wisdom accessible to those who are willing to seek it and Him (Prov. 3:13-20). Through the instruction of the Scriptures we are able to gain knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Sometimes the simplest statements can be the most profound, and unless we stop to consider them, their value may go unnoticed. In this article we will consider just a few words of wisdom provided through God’s inspired word
Introduction. God, who is all wise, has made His wisdom accessible to those who are willing to seek it and Him (Prov. 3:13-20). Through the instruction of the Scriptures we are able to gain knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Sometimes the simplest statements can be the most profound, and unless we stop to consider them, their value may go unnoticed. In this article we will consider just a few words of wisdom provided through God’s inspired word
“If you do well, will you not be accepted?” Genesis 4:7. Spoken by the Lord to Cain after his sacrifice was rejected, there is great wisdom in these words for all men. Many of us witnessed a self-willed child in action; one that is rarely happy unless things are going his way. Sometimes people retain their self-willed tendencies even into adulthood. Sometimes, a self-willed adult will become self-willed Christian. As with the child, it is difficult to correct such people because of the level of control they allow their impulses to have over their actions. Great resentment and bitterness can arise at the thought of not being able to do what we want to do. Correction and instruction are not received well. When corrected, such a person often becomes angry, maybe even violent. They avoid and deny the idea that what they want isn’t right. Thus the wise man warns, “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you…” (Prov. 9:8). This was the problem Cain had when his sacrifice was not accepted by God.
Cain’s countenance fell when the Lord rejected his sacrifice. This indicates that his countenance was high (he was happy) and that he then became disappointed. Any person would naturally be upset, but Cain allowed his disappointment to turn into anger and to fester instead of directing his zeal to do what was right. If we are to avoid walking the same path as Cain we need to heed God’s words. If we find ourselves in the wrong—and we all do occasionally—the Lord reassures us that all we have to do to be accepted is “do well”—do what He says is right.
God is patient with those who are willing to make corrections in the interest of doing what is right. If we heed God’s word, receive His instruction, and seek to do well rather than to get our own way, then correction will bring honor and grace to our lives and we will be accepted by God. “…Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov. 9:8-9).
“The integrity of the upright will guide them.” Proverbs 11:3. Integrity is moral stability—consistency in upholding what is right. There are many who are not committed to doing what is right, who are unstable in all their ways. They often compromise God’s moral standard for convenience or instant gratification. They like the “easy way,” but such compromise comes at a price (Matt. 7:13).
When it matters most, integrity may be the most difficult thing, but in the end its rewards are greater than all the treasures on earth. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4:18-19). “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Prov. 22:4).
The upright seek God’s word and His wisdom. They walk in right paths. Their moral compass always points toward God’s righteousness. Therefore, their integrity will guide them. But such integrity must be nurtured and developed. It must begin with a healthy respect for God (Prov. 1:7), followed by an intense hunger to know His ways and a commitment to walk in them (Matt. 5:6).
Cain’s countenance fell when the Lord rejected his sacrifice. This indicates that his countenance was high (he was happy) and that he then became disappointed. Any person would naturally be upset, but Cain allowed his disappointment to turn into anger and to fester instead of directing his zeal to do what was right. If we are to avoid walking the same path as Cain we need to heed God’s words. If we find ourselves in the wrong—and we all do occasionally—the Lord reassures us that all we have to do to be accepted is “do well”—do what He says is right.
God is patient with those who are willing to make corrections in the interest of doing what is right. If we heed God’s word, receive His instruction, and seek to do well rather than to get our own way, then correction will bring honor and grace to our lives and we will be accepted by God. “…Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov. 9:8-9).
“The integrity of the upright will guide them.” Proverbs 11:3. Integrity is moral stability—consistency in upholding what is right. There are many who are not committed to doing what is right, who are unstable in all their ways. They often compromise God’s moral standard for convenience or instant gratification. They like the “easy way,” but such compromise comes at a price (Matt. 7:13).
When it matters most, integrity may be the most difficult thing, but in the end its rewards are greater than all the treasures on earth. “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4:18-19). “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Prov. 22:4).
The upright seek God’s word and His wisdom. They walk in right paths. Their moral compass always points toward God’s righteousness. Therefore, their integrity will guide them. But such integrity must be nurtured and developed. It must begin with a healthy respect for God (Prov. 1:7), followed by an intense hunger to know His ways and a commitment to walk in them (Matt. 5:6).