June 26, 2009

CALLIN’ ALL SINNERS TO A HEALTHY HELPIN’ OF PRIDE-FREE HUMBLE PIE

Proverbs 13

Brandy Patterson
Friday's Devo

June 26, 2009

Friday's Devo

June 26, 2009

Central Truth

Let’s focus on all that Jesus has gotten right, instead of what we think we’ve gotten right on our own. As Martin Luther said, "God created the world out of nothing, and so long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us."

Key Verse | Proverbs 13:10

With pride comes only contention,
but wisdom is with the well-advised.
(Proverbs 13:10)

Proverbs 13

A wise son hears his father's instruction,
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
    he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
    while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
The righteous hates falsehood,
    but the wicked brings shame 1 13:5 Or stench and disgrace.
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
    but sin overthrows the wicked.
One pretends to be rich, 2 13:7 Or One makes himself rich yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, 3 13:7 Or another makes himself poor yet has great wealth.
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
    but a poor man hears no threat.
The light of the righteous rejoices,
    but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10  By insolence comes nothing but strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11  Wealth gained hastily 4 13:11 Or by fraud will dwindle,
    but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13  Whoever despises the word 5 13:13 Or a word brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment 6 13:13 Or a commandment will be rewarded.
14  The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15  Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. 7 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
16  Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly.
17  A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18  Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
19  A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20  Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21  Disaster 8 13:21 Or Evil pursues sinners,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
    but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23  The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.
24  Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. 9 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early
25  The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Footnotes

[1] 13:5 Or stench
[2] 13:7 Or One makes himself rich
[3] 13:7 Or another makes himself poor
[4] 13:11 Or by fraud
[5] 13:13 Or a word
[6] 13:13 Or a commandment
[7] 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
[8] 13:21 Or Evil
[9] 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 13

It’s interesting that we can see pride so easily in others and even criticize or judge them for it, but when it manifests itself in ourselves, we can be excuse-driven and blind.

Pride comes in many sour flavors. For me, I don’t like to be misunderstood, and I can force being heard or right above and before the Spirit is enabled in me or that person. I usually expect people to confront conflict in a biblical way and expect them to come to me and work out conflict in a prompt manner. I can make an issue about me when really it's not about me. This struggle stems from growing up with an alcoholic father in an unpredictable, chaotic home environment. Maybe for you pride looks like spiritual arrogance (self-righteousness), materialism (selfishness), belittling others (conceit), or just being so self-consumed that you don’t even see how your actions affect others (self-love).
How frustrating is it to have a relationship with people who only focus on themselves? A proud person is defensive, argumentative, quarrelsome, and automatically rejects advice. I’m guilty! How refreshing is it to have a relationship with someone who’s humble and serving, yet will love you enough to tell you the truth? This person loves others in word and deed in order to give glory and honor to Christ, not to glorify and honor himself or herself. 
I like Proverbs 13:10 in the Message: “Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.”
Proverbs, written by good old Solomon, who had every reason in the world to be prideful, is a book of advice and condensed truths. In it, you can find wisdom that works and insights that never expire. I’m usually convicted after I read it. How do we react to that conviction? Is it falling on deaf or defensive ears? Do you get stuck and wallow in your own depravity or imperfection? God wants us to acknowledge that His ways are The Way. Our ways stem from pride and leave us empty and hurting.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you ever find yourself hoping that others will perceive you as something more than you really are? Do you name drop, call attention to yourself through materialism or inappropriate attire, or have a self-righteous spiritual attitude about yourself or circumstances? If so, ask yourself the first question again.
 
2. Do you have any godly people in your life who love you enough to consistently tell you the truth? Are you able to love others enough to tell them the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult? If not, pray and ask God to reveal to you the reasons pride may be inhibiting this process.

3. God’s grace is greater than all of our sin. Our confession makes us clean. Do you truly believe this? Do you have any present or past unconfessed sin that could be causing you to be prideful or arrogant?