Contending Without Cause

Do not contend with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.

Proverbs 3:30

When I read this verse, I tend to think of it in terms of Exodus 21:24, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." That is, if someone physically assaults you, you are able to defend yourself. But, a man of God should never be the aggressor without cause. However, not all contending is physical. How many times do we contend verbally with someone, regardless of which party began the dispute?

One of my theological contentions is that the New Testament does not introduce any new doctrine, it simply expands and explains that which was already been taught.

Peter speaks of this issue in his first letter. 1 Peter 3:9 says "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless. for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." In verse 20, Peter tells us to have "a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

The real point is this: if someone makes a false accusation against you, don't contend with them. If you are blameless, God knows the truth, and it honors Him when you do not revile them. Pray for them. Bless them. Your godly character will show that the statements are false. 

Never get in a mud wrestling contest with a pig, he's better and more experienced at it than you are, and besides, he LIKES getting dirty.

Do You Treat The Bible Like Twitter?

I have a decent presence on Twitter, and receive interaction notifications almost every day. They typically say something like "@FairICBaptist followed you" or "@BackRowBaptist favorited one of your Tweets".

In case you are not on Twitter, when you see a Tweet that you like, you can "favorite" it so that you can find it again easily. It could be compared to bookmarking a verse in your Bible, so that you can read it again in the future. Psalm 119:11 tells us "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."

However, there is another option when you find a great Tweet. You can Re-Tweet it to YOUR followers. That is, you have a different circle of influence than the person who originally made the statement. The only way someone may hear that wisdom (or joke) is if you share it with them. Reading the Bible is the exact same. You may be the only way that your co-workers, neighbors or friends ever get biblical wisdom poured into their lives.

There are multiple verses that state this, but one of my favorites is my life-verse, Ezra 7:10 "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." In Psalm 51:13, David tells us "Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You."

So, are you being selfish with God's word, or are you sharing it? Remember, you may be the messenger God desires to use to speak Truth into someone's life.

Run, Forrest, Run

My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,

Have given a pledge for a stranger,

If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,

Have been caught with the words of your mouth,

Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;

Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,

Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.

Give no sleep to your eyes,

Nor slumber to your eyelids;

Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter's hand

And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Proverbs 6:1-5

Ever reconsidered an interaction with another person and realized that you were in the wrong? Maybe even just in part, but that you have lied or misrepresented yourself? Maybe that you assumed wrongly about the actions of another or simply responded in anger, fear or jealousy?

Did you go back and seek to rectify the situation? Or did you just keep silent and hope that the other person would either not realize or confront you about what you did wrong? Solomon tells us that we should immediately seek to make amends with that person, and to free ourselves from the snare of our own actions.

Jesus tells us exactly the same thing in Matthew 5:21-26. In verses 23 & 24, He tells us Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Let us keep our hands clean and our feet clear of snares. Let us live in a way that honors Christ. Realizing that we will sin, but refusing to ignore or sweep our sins under the rug.

What Are You Drinking?

Drink water from your own cistern,

And fresh water from your own well.

Proverbs 5:15 (NASB)

Proverbs chapter 5 continues Solomon's entreaty to value wisdom. However, he focuses exclusively on the wisdom of avoiding adultery and the adulteress woman. 

As an American, we are blessed beyond measure that we have almost universal access to clean, safe water. Most stores have a water fountain. Most businesses have a water fountain. I can turn on a faucet in my house and get all the clean water I need to bathe, wash or drink.

However, we've gotten so spoiled lately, that just plain tap water isn't good enough. We've gotten bored with the good, clean water and we've convinced ourselves that we need fancy bottled water. 

Marriages can be the same. We see images of beautiful, sexy women on TV, movies and print. Air-brushed and edited to perfection, the idea is constantly displayed that "there's something BETTER out there for you". And we've convinced ourselves that "it's okay to look at the menu, just as long as you don't order".

Jesus, however, tells us that this is NOT true. "but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28  Just to look at a woman and desire her means that you are dissatisfied with the bride that you have already. It means that you are telling God "I know that you made this woman just for me, and that I've vowed to You to keep myself only to her, but she's not good enough anymore". 

Personal Treasure

If you seek her (wisdom) as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Proverbs 2:4

I'm a fan of the National Treasure movies. I enjoy the way that they intertwine true historical facts with their embellishments to create a story. But the real driving force behind the movies is the search for TREASURE! How many of us have toyed with purchasing a metal detector, or seen someone wandering the beach early in the morning just swinging his back and forth over the sand? As a child, how many of us dug holes in the back yard or fields because we hoped to find gold?

There is a natural drive in the human soul to seek and gather valuable things. To a scholar, this could be information. To a prospector, this could be gold or silver. To a politician, this could be power or influence.

However, God offers His wisdom equally to everyone. Regardless of position, financial status or profession, His wisdom is available for discovery. BUT, discovery requires searching and seeking. Are you seeking to gain His wisdom and grow in knowledge about Him?

First and foremost, have you discovered the most valuable thing in all the world? A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is worth more than all the knowledge, power and riches of the world. Jesus Himself said in Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Seek Him. Seek His wisdom. Gather that which cannot be lost, rusted or decayed.

Are You A Fool?

A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 1:5

A fool never learns from his mistake, he continues to do it over and over. A popular definition of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting different results.

A foolish man makes the same mistake many, many times before he learns from it and changes his behavior.

A smart man makes a mistake, immediately realizes that it WAS a mistake, changes his behavior and never repeats it.

BUT, a wise man sees the fool, the foolish man and even the smart man make their mistakes and he learns from them without ever making the mistake and suffering the consequences himself.

God has given us the Book of Proverbs so that we might listen and become wise! What about you? Are you listening? Are you seeking wisdom, or just enjoying life in the asylum?