Pondering the Principles of Proverbs
There are probably numerous believers who have already turned me off, based on the graphic to the left. Some have continued reading to find something to correct me on. YOU, however, are attracted by the truth of this statement, even if you don't fully comprehend it. So, read on.
In its simplest form, this is merely a statement of the universal principle of sowing and reaping.
Why, then would people be found in opposition?
I believe there may be more than one reason.
Now here is where it really gets sticky--I'm going to quote scripture: What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. (Pro. 10:24 ESV)
Hmmm...
Where does "dread" reside? Where does desire live? Is it not in the thoughts?
Of course.
Dread is the fear of something negative taking place. Desire is the hope of something positive taking place.
Can't get much plainer than that.
So, it is said again: Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting.
Why, then would people be found in opposition?
I believe there may be more than one reason.
- It sounds too "New Age." That is only because the New Age group has been expounding this truth for years, while the church is content to sit back and criticize anything that is not in their camp.
- The truth of this statement would require that one accept responsibility for their life. It is so much easier to blame fate or "God's mysterious will."
Now here is where it really gets sticky--I'm going to quote scripture: What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. (Pro. 10:24 ESV)
Hmmm...
Where does "dread" reside? Where does desire live? Is it not in the thoughts?
Of course.
Dread is the fear of something negative taking place. Desire is the hope of something positive taking place.
Can't get much plainer than that.
So, it is said again: Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting.
But the proverb contrasts the thoughts of the wicked and the righteous.
Can the wicked person have positive, hope-filled thoughts? Can the righteous person have negative, fear-filled thoughts?
And, of course, the answer is a resounding YES.
What then? What is the outcome of such thinking?
The law of sowing and reaping is not negated simply because one has confessed Jesus as Lord. Even after the new life in Christ is begun, there must still be a watchfulness over the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The verse uses the terms "wicked" and "righteous." Some would take this to be the contrast between believers and any others.
However, the word "wicked" here simply means an evil person. It does not refer to a good person who does not know the Lord. It refers to a person guilty of criminal activity.
And the word "righteous" here used does not necessarily refer to spiritual righteousness, i.e., having been justified by grace through Jesus.
These facts will give us greater illumination as to the intent of the verse under consideration.
It is widely known that people who commit evil acts are, for the most part, people of fear. DREAD.
It is also known that people who are basically good are, for the most part, positive people. DESIRE.
DREAD is just negative Desire.
No matter how we slice this, it still comes down to the simple--yet profound--truth that we get what we believe.
Life just seems to be intent on making sure of that.
Therefore, a good place to begin trying to understand your life is to start with the question, What do I believe?
All comments, questions, and/or criticisms are welcome. They will be posted immediately without the necessity of approval.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. The link is just above the picture of the ugly guy who writes this stuff. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to opt out of receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
Can the wicked person have positive, hope-filled thoughts? Can the righteous person have negative, fear-filled thoughts?
And, of course, the answer is a resounding YES.
What then? What is the outcome of such thinking?
The law of sowing and reaping is not negated simply because one has confessed Jesus as Lord. Even after the new life in Christ is begun, there must still be a watchfulness over the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The verse uses the terms "wicked" and "righteous." Some would take this to be the contrast between believers and any others.
However, the word "wicked" here simply means an evil person. It does not refer to a good person who does not know the Lord. It refers to a person guilty of criminal activity.
And the word "righteous" here used does not necessarily refer to spiritual righteousness, i.e., having been justified by grace through Jesus.
These facts will give us greater illumination as to the intent of the verse under consideration.
It is widely known that people who commit evil acts are, for the most part, people of fear. DREAD.
It is also known that people who are basically good are, for the most part, positive people. DESIRE.
DREAD is just negative Desire.
No matter how we slice this, it still comes down to the simple--yet profound--truth that we get what we believe.
Life just seems to be intent on making sure of that.
Therefore, a good place to begin trying to understand your life is to start with the question, What do I believe?
All comments, questions, and/or criticisms are welcome. They will be posted immediately without the necessity of approval.
If you haven't already, sign up to have these studies FREELY delivered directly to your inbox. The link is just above the picture of the ugly guy who writes this stuff. Your e-mail address is safe with me, and will NEVER be given, sold, rented, or otherwise distributed to anyone else. Nor will I use it to solicit you by any other means. You will have the option to opt out of receiving the e-mails with each and every posting.
RSS Feed