November 7, 2017
PAIN CAN BE GAIN WHEN IT LEADS TO LIFE CHANGE
Proverbs 20:16-30
Terry Kasselman
Central Truth
Solomon tells us there is wisdom here to take and choices here to make. There are usually consequences for not following wise counsel. The pain of those consequences can itself be a great catalyst for changed hearts.
Key Verse | Proverbs 20:30
Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
strokes make clean the innermost parts.
(Proverbs 20:30)
Proverbs 20:16-30
16
Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.
1
20:16
Or for an adulteress (compare 27:13)
17
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
18
Plans are established by counsel;
by wise guidance wage war.
19
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
2
20:19
Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips
20
If one curses his father or his mother,
his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
21
An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
will not be blessed in the end.
22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
23
Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD,
and false scales are not good.
24
A man's steps are from the LORD;
how then can man understand his way?
25
It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
and to reflect only after making vows.
26
A wise king winnows the wicked
and drives the wheel over them.
27
The spirit
3
20:27
Hebrew breath
of man is the lamp of the LORD,
searching all his innermost parts.
28
Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
29
The glory of young men is their strength,
but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30
Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
strokes make clean the innermost parts.
Dive Deeper | Proverbs 20:16-30
I have a confession. There were eight other passages I wanted to choose for my devotional, but they were all taken. I stumbled upon this one “randomly,” but soon discovered it described me perfectly.
Solomon dispenses wisdom with some basic principles:
Avoid certain people when lending money (verse 16) and protecting secrets (verse 19). I have lacked this discernment.
Seek out wise people when you are making big plans (verse 18). I have lacked this humility.
Do not dishonor your parents (verse 20) or conduct business dishonestly (verse 23). I have lacked this obedience.
Don’t be quick to spend a sudden inheritance (verse 21) or hastily take revenge for a wrong suffered (verse 22) or make a rash vow that you'll later regret (verse 25). I have lacked this self-control.
When you plan your future, don’t forget that God is in control, even when those plans change (verse 24). I have lacked this faith and trust.
Sometimes, plans change even when I am obedient. But my whole life changed when I was disobedient. You see, like King Solomon, I had a blessed life with a 24-year marriage, four wonderful children, a successful career as an Air Force officer, and a job I l loved as a staff pastor in a church.
But, like King David, I let my defenses down and had an affair that ended my marriage, harmed my children intensely, betrayed my friends and family, ruined my reputation, and worst of all, brought dishonor to my Savior Jesus Christ.
The stolen bread that Solomon speaks of in verse 17 was indeed sweet at first in my mouth, but it quickly turned to gravel, creating debilitating pain. I learned great lessons from that pain through re:generation, Watermark's recovery ministry. I was reminded that Jesus Christ endured heavy blows to pay for my sins once and for all, and His merciful pursuit of me is relentless. He restored the joy of my salvation.
Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
So if pain is a teaching tool, are you taking notes?
Discussion Questions
1. Can you describe the most painful consequence you have ever suffered for doing something you knew was unwise?
2. Did the pain of that consequence drive you closer to God or farther away from Him?
3. Why do you think you reacted that way?
4. What direction does pain drive you today?