Proverbs 10:9-12 says,...

Today's verses are Proverbs 10:9-12, which read,

v.9 - He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

Other words for integrity are completeness or maturity as to ripen.  The wise walk, notice again another active movement, in total surrender and submission to God's wisdom and that produces security or safety or trust.  Security or safety or trust in what?  The answer is the wisdom of God.  Many times it looks like those who are perverted their ways, playing the system, or shading the truth are getting ahead but they will be found out.  Who will they be found out by?  They will be found out by the God of wisdom who is watching how they are walking.  The Hebrew word for "found out" is "yada" so when you use that expression "yada, yada" you are saying "I know, I know."  

What are we walking in the security of is the question.  If we are walking in the security of the world's provisions then we will pervert our ways to keep in graces with it as it ever changes.  If we are walking in the security of the Lord's provisions then will will walk in integrity in relationship to Him which is stable throughout the world's changes.

v.10, 11 - He who winks the eyes causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined.  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

When someone winks it can mean so many things, that is the whole purpose of the wink.  The one who winks has you guessing what is really going on.  It is a signal that all is not as it appears and you have to guess what is really happening here or being said between the lines.  God doesn't wink and God doesn't babble.

God gives the righteous His direct commands and words to follow after and those bring life.  The fool rambles about him or herself and uses tools to hide the purpose of their involvement in your life.  The wise continues to speak not of themselves but of the One who gives eternal life.  

Maybe this is a great place to throw in John 10:10 as a New Testament example of this contrast between the two.  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."  What Christ gives doesn't need a wink or non-ending talk but He calls us to walk in integrity for Him and to the glory of Him to be a witness to the world of His clear mission.  

v.12 - Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.

Satan's efforts are to bring more discord among others.  God's efforts are to deal with discord so it can resolved to repentance and reconciliation.  Who are you mirroring today?  Is what you are doing and what you are saying creating strife?  Is what you are doing and what you are saying creating holiness?  When we live the life of the fool we will live a life that ultimately hates others and God because our focus of love is on ourselves solely.  When we live the life of the wise we will live a life that ultimately loves others and God because our actions reflect a righteous life for Christ.

Peter quotes this verse in 1 Peter 4:8, which says, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."  When I live a life of love in relationship to God then my actions will direct me away from foolish sinful practices.  It will also help me to respond in a God honoring way to sin directed toward me.  Because of my love for the other, I will keep my eyes on the person rather than the offense.  It is not that the offense or sin shouldn't be dealt with for it should but with God's instructions and not our methods that mirror the world.  

When you look out your eyes at others, do you really think about them and love them or are you selfishly looking at how you can use them to fulfill a desire within you to get something from them?  Let's pray.

"Lord, what a powerful proverb today.  You are slicing through my actions to the true motives that I have when I don't follow Your lead.  Forgive me for winking and babbling about things that bring ruin and help me to focus on giving a clear message about Your love and eternal life.  I pray my life will reflect You and therefore show peace and love rather than strife.  Amen."

Pastor Adam 
A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Galatians #15 - Galatians 6:11-18 - "On The Road Again..."

Image
  Another week closer and it involves some more travel for the Wolfgangs.  I feel like the Willy Nelson song, " On the road again... "  I don't know if I agree with the next line though. " ...I can't wait to get on the road again. " One of the members of the church in Wisconsin calculated that I will travel well over 10,000 miles to make this transition.  Traveling mercies prayers please. Last Sunday we will look at Paul's final words to the churches in Galatia.  He brought them the gospel (good news) message of Jesus and what resulted were churches forming throughout the region.  The letter is to defend that message that our salvation comes from and is in Christ alone.  Christ's sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for the forgiveness of our sins.  The summary statement of the letter is found in  Galatians 6:15 (LSB) .  " For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. "  Translated another way earlier in  Ga
Read more

God gave us a good weather window to travel...yeah God!!!

Image
  Berthoud Pass Here we are at the top of Berthoud Pass.  It was a whirlwind week to conduct a " hand off " service in Wisconsin on 3/17 and then preach a Palm Sunday sermon in Colorado on 3/24.  We give God all the glory for this happening.  So there are two video links at the bottom of this blog.  One is for the Wisconsin service and the other is for the Colorado service.  I racked up over 12,000 in the last 7 weeks.   I love to take these pictures sitting from the front row of chairs and listening to the one God has provided for the church I had been serving for 20 months.  I now have 3 and I am so thankful for the opportunity God gave us to serve Him in this type of ministry over the last 5 years.  It has been great to add to our daily prayer list Zach in Maine, Chris in Ohio and now Stephen in Wisconsin. This was our set up for the 2000+ mile trip.  No " hiccups " except for the strong eastern winds in Kansas.  Of course everything was quite a bit dirtier when
Read more

Resurrection Sunday in a new space...Matthew 27.62-28.20

Image
  Resurrection Sunday has come and gone but it was a sweet day to be with the gathered saints of the Stillwater Community Chapel .  We are venturing through the Gospel of Matthew and this Sunday will take us back to Matthew 1.1 but last Sunday we were in Matthew 27.62-28.20.  It was a lot to cover so the white board was truly a help to keep me on track.  This year in my Resurrection Sunday message, I focused on the contrast of the cover-up story of the disciples stealing the body of Jesus fueled by a bride and the commission of speaking of a risen Lord fueled by boldness . After the service upstairs, we ventured downstairs to the lower level and had a great meal together.  The conversations around the tables allowed us to continue to talk about the passage of Scripture we covered upstairs.  Maybe this is a very informal picture of what happens at the  Waushara Community Church called the " Going Deeper " classes of the Come For More hour following the Sunday morning worshi
Read more