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Loving Proverbs

The approach of Valentine’s Day means a lot of people will think and hear about love in the days ahead. I recall decorating shoe boxes at school to bring home those little cards that each classmate would get for one another. Charlie Brown would hang out at his mailbox waiting for cards to come. They came, but only for Snoopy. I remember when I was single looking forward to Feb. 15. My wife and I do not make much of a deal with the red, heart-themed day. We try to show love to one another every day. Humans show love in imperfect ways. Thankfully, the love of the Lord is constant, persistent and perfect. C.S. Lewis said, “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because he loves us.” Proverbs 29 offer examples of how God’s Word is given for our benefit. Keeping on the righteous path of life offers direction and safety.

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy (Proverbs 29.1). Years ago, I worked with a really good guy who was gifted in many areas. He was well-liked by most people. He had one major shortcoming that impacted him and those around him. Those closest to him lovingly tried to point out the issue and how it was hurting his influence and bothering the people around him. It fell on deaf ears. Eventually the words from his colleagues became stronger rebukes. He dug in his heels and was unwilling to change. While he was not destroyed, he was dismissed and devastated. His wife and many others were hurt because he remained stiff-necked and refused to accept legitimate criticism. He too was wounded and the course of his life changed. My friend failed to see his downfall (16).

The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all (7). That word care means to search out a matter. Pastor Tim Keller states, “To be righteous (godly) according to Proverbs is to know the specific kinds of problems and needs the poor face in your region as well as their rights, needs, and opportunities. This is far more (though not less) than collecting food or toys for families at holidays.” That is certainly a convicting statement for me. Perhaps in America there is less injustice for the poor than in other countries. In some places, the poor have no chance to get ahead or have basic needs cared for with help from churches or the government. It is still a tendency for Americans who are better off to look down their proverbial noses to the poor. Perhaps a few bucks a year in the red kettle makes us feel as if we have done our loving part. Worse, it is easy to simply ignore the plight of the poor. While the wicked may have no concern, the righteous certainly should.

Because human nature has not changed since creation and the writing of Scripture, so much of Proverbs is timeless and applicable today as when it was written. You or someone you know may have a bit of a temper. Hopefully reading that does not make you mad. Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back (11). While venting may feel good, it seldom results in good. It is foolish to lash out when one is angry. Notice that the verse does not say that the wise deny the existence of their anger. At times it is justified. However, every time it should be quietly held back. We should seek to bring calm, even if our spirit is still worked up. That is the loving way.

Spanking children seems to have gone the way of typewriters and leisure suits in our culture. Parents who do physically discipline their kids today would probably not want anyone else to know for fear of being criticized or reported. The Bible is clear about the fact that a loving parent will appropriately and physically discipline their children for the child’s benefit. Thankfully we rarely had to spank our children; yet, there were probably some times that we should have and failed to. It is not an easy thing for the parent or child. To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child (15). A wise parent knows that discipline produces wisdom in their children. That is much better than disgrace. Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul (17).

We have seen in Proverbs that words are powerful. The Bible instructs us clearly that we must guard what we say. We have heard sayings like, “Think before you speak.” Most people do not even count to three, let alone 10 before saying something foolish. Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them (20). Speaking hastily is so bad that the writer says there is more hope for a fool! One who loves God and wants to please him will be wise and slow to speak if what is being said is not beneficial to others. Winston Churchill said, “Where there is a great deal of free speech there is always a certain amount of foolish speech.” Because God loves us, we should reflect his loving kindness by honoring him with our words. One thing we do a lot of in life is talk. Let all that you do be done in love (1 Cor. 14:14).

 

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