Sunday, September 26, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 13:1-4, we learned about the importance of hearing instruction, guarding our tongue, and being diligent. As Christians, we should be listeners and hearers, not just talkers and noisemakers. To that end, Solomon pointed out that we should not just listen to what is being said but that we should also hear. Hearing means to internalize or receive the message or instruction. Instruction comes from the Hebrew word that means discipline, chastening, or correction. Solomon wrote that we should be attentive to our father's chastening. We should also be attentive to our heavenly Father's instruction and chastening. Proverbs 8:33-34 says, "Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." Those who scorn are also those who do not listen. So, they cannot hear. The word "scorner" comes from the Hebrew word that means being boastful or arrogant. Proverbs 15:12 says, "A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise." Proverbs 22:10 says, "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease."
In these verses, Solomon also wrote about the use of our tongue. He said that a righteous tongue would keep us in the right way. As we control our tongue, so we also control our life. Therefore, one of the first steps towards self-control is tongue-control. We should try to speak only words that are beneficial and uplifting, not words that are destructive and tear down. Matthew 15:10-11 says, "And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." According to Solomon, those who try to destroy with their words shall eat violence, and their life will be unstable. In II Samuel 22:3, King David said, "The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence." The Lord will keep those who are trusting in Him. He will also carry them over the rough spots in life. It is not good to speak harshly or unkindly. It is also not good to tell everything. When Mary learned about her Immaculate Conception, she pondered the matter in her heart but said nothing to anyone. Proverbs 17:27-28 says, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Lastly, Solomon taught that we should be hard workers. The expression, "easy come, easy go," is true, so we must guard against craving the easy life. Our desire should be to serve the Lord and to be the person that He wants us to be. Then, we shall be made fat with His blessings.
Living for the Lord is sometimes difficult, and we often do not know what to do. Other times, we know what to do, but we simply fall short of the mark. As you go through the coming week, try to keep your focus on Christ, try to guard your tongue and your life, and try to be the person that God would have you be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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