August 26, 2009 –Daily Journal
Proverbs 26:1 →Because even though we might like the cold, snow in summer is just bizarre. It shows something is wrong with the world. So does honoring fools, yet we see it all the time. Don't be discouraged by it. Just imagine throwing a July snowball at the fool, and go on!
Proverbs 26:2 →We spend some time worrying about curses and the forces of darkness in this world, but without a cause it doesn't hit. What's the cause? God allowing it to be used for His glory. Focus your heart on God, not on avoiding curses.
Proverbs 26:4-5 →Ok, we've seen this verse pairing before. It's on several websites that claim this shows how useless the Bible is, since it contradicts itself right here. It's not a contradiction. This is a collection of wise sayings. One of them expresses that you don't answer and argue with fools in the same manner they present themselves. The other says to answer the fool lest he thinks he's not a fool. Example? If someone is screaming, yelling, ranting, and raving, is it effective to scream back? It's not, is it? People assume your both fools for the argument. Control your response, speak the truth and let it go. Another aspect here: this isn't just about trivial things. The Fool of Proverbs is someone lacking any sense of right and wrong, of morality. This isn't about arguing with your waiter over being charged too much. It's about bigger, real issues. If you can't control your temper with the waiter, there's plenty of other verses about that, like Proverbs 25:28.
Proverbs 26:13 →Here's my lion again. I love that lion. He's a great excuse. What excuse do you use? Are you blaming your laziness on something less deadly than a prowling lion?
Proverbs 26:16 →If you read the Dilbert comic strip, this would be Wally's life verse. Why do anything if you can get away with doing nothing? It seems wise, but it's destructive to your life.
Proverbs 26:18-19 →Be careful with your sense of humor.
Romans 12:1-8 →Need a step-by-step to get started on this? #1: Keep yourself from doing evil or from enjoying it (think about the entertainment choices you make). #2: Immerse yourself in the things of God through reading, listening, and participating in the Word and in worship. #3: Then find your place of service. It's a transition, where not only are you ridding yourself of taking in evil, but you are filling yourself with God. Then the actions follow. Being the light of the world requires us to change from being burned-out bulbs to lit bulbs, and then staying connected to the power which is God Almighty.
Doug
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