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What I Learned in my First Year: Prioritize Bible over Talking Points

“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,  would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices” (Proverbs 1:29–31). “If your people won’t listen to the Bible,  they won’t listen to you.” —Anonymous  I’ve served in varying ministry capacities for a while now. It’s never been in the leading seat though. I’ve seen this play out from afar, watching my leaders navigate through peril and difficulty. Some were like seasoned sailors navigating stormy waters. Some capsized. Still others chugged along trying to get to greater health, greater strength, a more committed holiness, yet still a ways off. Of the healthier “captains” that I’ve served under at the healthier churches, they prioritized Scripture as their charted course and Jesus’ fame as their great North Star. I’ve sought to do that in my first year. Not perfectly executed, of course. First years are...
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Proverb of the Day: 8/5/2024 (cont.)

HEAR Journal

Highlight: The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray (Proverbs 5:22-23).

Explain: Let’s retranslate these two verses: The guilty acts of the wicked are a trap, and he’s taken control of by his sin. He dies because of a lack of training, and he staggers to his demise because of his lack of wisdom.

It seems reasonable to read these two verses as progressive. Solomon describes the fool moving from an awful situation to an even worse one. The context? His son pursuing a sexual relationship with someone that isn’t his own wife. Solomon describes this as folly. They don’t “drink from their own cisterns…” (5:15). This man doesn’t keep far enough from her to not be snared (5:8). He doesn’t listen to the King, Father of Israel (5:7). He doesn’t pursue the excellent way of enjoying his spouse, body and soul (5:18-19). The man is swallowed up as a result, killing his relationship, and body, and soul (5:3-6). The call to action is clear: Don’t go towards her. Simple as that.

He’s talking relationships at the end of Proverbs 5. Could we apply this though to any other situation? For some, sure. Temptation and snaring shows itself in multiple areas of life: Power dynamics, personal finance and economics, food, etc. If a son of Solomon isn’t trained, and doesn’t keep his way far from what trips him up, death looms around the corner.

Sin has a great focus in the two verses called out above, but the call to action starts with addressing foolishness (אִוַּלְתּ֣וֹ) and the need for training in wisdom (מוּסָ֑ר).

Apply: Let’s pursue one of these calls to action. Being weak in an area is not the same as being a fool. To be a fool is to think without thought or care. It’s to live (willfully or not) without regarding consequence. Instead of being a fool, what if instead we asked wise questions? What if we asked “how” and “why” related questions,

The road out of foolishness moves past the mile markers of:

•Why is this a helpful way to go?
•Why is this option being entertained over others?
•How will this impact other areas of life?
•How will my decision impact other people?

Respond: Father, the fool is painfully passive. Instead, make me wise! Will you make me mindful to ask good questions?
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