Author: admin

Living in a land with readily accessibly tap water, we cannot fathom how critical wells are for people living in the desert. Water means life. Powerful armies can be quickly brought to ruin if their water supply runs short. Entire communities will be abandoned if the water source evaporates. Likewise, nothing was more pleasing to the eye of a weary, desert traveler than the sight of an oasis built around a water source. There might be parched desert all around but the ground by the well would be lush and green.

We live in a dry, thirsty land that parches our souls. The carnal temptations, worldly values, evil people, tragic occurrences, and pain and suffering that surrounds us can sap our soul of its spiritual vitality. The world is filled with “takers” who draw from us whatever they can.

In such a spiritually dehydrating world, it is refreshing to spend time near a righteous person whose mouth is a well of life. These are people who restore your soul through their words. They speak life into you and encourage you. Their words are seasoned with grace that helps you become more like Christ. Forgiveness freely flows from their lips. Their conversations are often interrupted with peels of laughter and joy. What an oasis to meet someone like this in a sea of negative, critical, carnal voices!

The wicked, on the other hand, speak evil of others. They constantly tear people down. They speak words of death rather than life. To be in a conversation with such people drains the life out of you and robs you of your joy.

So what kind of person are you? Do people view conversations with you as an oasis in a parched land? Or, do they come away from conversations with you feeling worse and more negative than they did before? Jesus said what came out of our mouth revealed what was in our heart. Presently, is life or death, proceeding from your lips?

Mark Twain once quipped that the benefit of always being honest was that you did not have to remember what you had said previously! Conversely, liars are constantly in danger of tripping over their words. A life that is inconsistent invariably comes unraveled.

Having integrity means that something is consistent throughout. What you see on the outside is what is on the inside. Something with integrity is not contaminated with impurities. When you relate to someone with integrity, you know what to expect, every time.

Having integrity does not insulate you from difficulties, but it does protect you from problems that result from a lack of integrity! Employers are looking for people they can trust. They fire those they cannot. People befriend those who are honest and reliable. People remain aloof from those who are not. Enemies quickly pounce on our inconsistencies. Those who live consistent lives have nothing to fear. Living with integrity means you can sleep peacefully at night!

Others, however, have perverted their way. Perhaps in an effort to get ahead they lied on their resume or on their expense report. They may have misrepresented themselves to a client. Now they must live in constant fear of being found out. They must remember the lies they told. They must cover their tracks. They must live with the tumultuous relationships that result from living inconsistently with others.

Are you living your life with integrity? If you are, no surprise visit, sudden audit, annual job review, phone call, or pop quiz will unsettle you. If you are not living with integrity, this may be the day your evil deeds are uncovered.

Despite the advances of technology and the sophistication of computers, there is still no substitute for hard work. When we work hard and with integrity, we honor our Creator. We were created to work. We are meant to make a contribution and to better ourselves. Yet sin causes us to live at a level beneath what God intends. Sin entices us to find another way to get what we want without investing our labor into it.

While there is nothing wrong with an entrepreneurial spirit that seeks creative, new ways to accomplish our tasks, it is disgraceful to wile away our days vainly searching for ways to avoid breaking a sweat. Some avoid labor by depending on others to provide for them. Others do as little as they can get away with without being fired. Some people are dreamers who are continually searching for someone who will enable their dreams to become a reality. Others settle for mediocre effort, unconcerned with how their shoddy performance costs others. Some will not give their best effort unless constantly goaded by their supervisors. Such an attitude and character is a disgrace to us and dishonors our Creator.

Others, however, are diligent in all they do. They do nothing in half measures. They regularly go the extra mile. They strive for excellence in everything they put their hand to. They give their best and take pride in a job well done. They constantly are learning and studying and practicing so they can enhance their job performance. These people rarely lack for work to do! Managers are always looking to employ such people. There is no secret to success in life. A key ingredient is hard work. Just because you tire easily does not mean you work hard! Would your employer, supervisor, children, spouse, parents consider you to be a hard worker?

Children are a gift from God. Unfortunately, not all children bring joy to their parents! Wise children live their lives with discretion. They choose their words carefully. They recognize what is important and what is trivial. They conduct their relationships prudently. They are quick to forgive wrongs done to them so they keep their relationships well tended and healthy. They work hard. They steer clear of hasty and foolish decisions. They do not spend their time associating with fools. Such people can make their parents proud!

Wise people also recognize the value of maintaining a healthy relationship with their parents. At times this requires immense wisdom. Not all parents are good, or loving, or lovable. Some parents have been negligent or self-centered or abusive. The easiest thing to do in such cases would appear to be to reject such disgraceful parents. But wise children choose to be a blessing to their parents regardless of how they treated them. Such people bring joy to their elders. Wise children may have to take the high road and give to those from whom they have received little. But this is the path of wisdom.

Other children live only for themselves. They act as if their actions affect no one but them. As a result they bring grief to their parents. Such people may reject the values that were passed on to them. They may live in a manner that tarnishes their family’s reputation and good name. Many tears have been shed by mothers whose offspring are fools. How tragic to live one’s life with no regard to the pain we cause those who love us the most. So how do your parents currently view the way you are living? Have you brought a smile or a tear to their faces today?

It can often seem like the best policy is to mind our own business! Who wants to hear what we think anyway? Better to simply worry about yourself and allow others to make their own decisions, and mistakes. However, the reality is that God made us to be interdependent. We need one another. Furthermore, God gave us wisdom, not solely for ourselves, but also so we could share it. Our challenge is to discern which people want to receive what we have to offer and which ones are better left to their own folly.

Some people scoff at the presumption that you know something that they do not. They consider it demeaning for you to suggest an alternative to what they already are thinking or doing. Some people are so insecure that any helpful suggestion is viewed as a threat to their self-worth. Others prefer talking to listening.They cannot stop speaking long enough to listen and learn something new. What’s worse, if you offer these people sound advice, you will make them your enemy. They feel that you insulted them or looked down upon them. To them, this is the greatest of sins. So now they will seek every opportunity to criticize you or to demonstrate that you do not know as much as you let on. Rather than heeding your counsel, they steel themselves to adamantly refute the truth of what you said.

If everyone were like this, it would be wise to never proffer advice to anyone. But there are those who truly want to better themselves. These people are humble enough to seek counsel. They desire a mentor. They know they have much to learn and they do not want to make mistakes in the areas of their life that matter most. It is a joy to walk with such people! So don’t become selfish with your accumulated wisdom and hoard it for yourself. But neither waste it on those who will only be offended by what you say. Seek those with open and wise hearts and invest generously in them.

Wisdom is not a luxury! It is not merely something you pursue in your spare time. It can be a matter of life and death! God’s wisdom leads to doing things God’s ways. It brings us to the tree of life. It positions us to receive God’s blessing. It protects us from our enemies. It brings good to our children and grandchildren.

Many a person has known what the wisdom of God advised but then chosen to do the opposite nonetheless. No one who commits adultery truly believes that it is the wise thing to do! No one who lies or cheats or defrauds others sincerely assumes that it is the best course of action. Yet people regularly reject the wisdom of God.

Every time we reject God’s counsel and choose our own path, we are acting like those who hate their own life. It is as if we wanted to invite our own humiliation and destruction upon ourselves. It is as if we brazenly dared God to punish us. God will not make an exception on our behalf. He will not temporarily suspend the laws of His kingdom to accommodate our sin. Those who reject God’s ways will face the full consequences of their actions. God is not lukewarm on this matter! To reject His way is to hate Him. It is not that you were merely neglectful or that you chose to amiably disagree with the God of the universe on a particular matter concerning your life. To reject God’s word is to position yourself as His enemy. And, to hate God, is to love death.

Do you hate what God hates? It seems unusual for us to think about God hating anything,because we know Him as a God of love (1 John 4:8). In our hearts, hatred is usually associated with evil. But when God is said to “hate” something, it is because He feels strongly against it. God despises anything that diminishes His perfect creation. God created us to reflect His image. He intends for us to live in such a way that we bring glory to Him. God detests it when we allow sin to tarnish His image in us. Sin robs us of God’s blessing and it dishonors His name rather than exalting it.

God hates evil. Evil destroys His creation. It causes us to rebel against our Creator. It compelled God to send His only Son to redeem us. It places us in bondage. God also hates pride. Pride is the ultimate expression of self-centeredness. It exalts self above everyone else, including God. Arrogance is being so filled with pride that we disdain others whom we feel are beneath us. How far from the attitude of Christ who humbled Himself so we might have life.

God also hates the evil way. God’s way and the evil way always lie before us. We must choose which one we will take. The evil way often purports to get us to where God wants us to be, but by a different path. Yet its end is never God’s will but our destruction. God also despises the perverse mouth. God is truth. He delights in truth. Those who speak falsehood or who use their mouth to tear people down rather than building them up will have God as their opponent, rather than their support. It is a foolish and fearful thing to engage in activity that God hates.

Those foolish people who destroy their reputations, marriages, families, and careers, do so despite having been duly, and repeatedly warned. Scripture leaves no room for doubt concerning the consequences of moral impurity and adultery. Why do we constantly hear of people who were caught being unfaithful to their spouse? The anguish experienced in marital betrayal is horrendous. People have suffered the pain of being deceived, lied to, and betrayed for the remainder of their lives. Children who were walking with the Lord, become disillusioned and angry at the hypocrisy of their immoral parents. Unbelieving friends and colleagues have their suspicions confirmed that Christianity makes no difference in peoples’ lives, and they reject the Gospel they had been considering. The world mocks the Christian claims of purity and its denunciation of sin, when its own members prove they are as depraved as is the society at large.

Scripture is clear: to indulge in sexual immorality is akin to taking fire and holding it close to you. You will be burned! So why do people do it? Some convince themselves that this is not a universal principle, that somehow they are exempt. Others believe they are the first people to find a way to sin without ever being caught or facing the consequences. Others don’t care any more, at least until they are exposed. Still others are blinded into believing they “deserve” what they are doing and that somehow people will not be hurt by their actions. But there are always casualties.

Have you been toying with immoral thoughts or actions? Flee from them before you and those around you are severely burned.

One thing that can be confidently said of God is that He is not indifferent. He feels strongly. That which He approves, He loves. That with which He disapproves, He hates. You are either His friend or you are His enemy. You are either for Him or against Him. There is no fence sitting with God.

There is also no guesswork when it comes to relating to God. He clearly tells you what He loves and what He hates, so you are without excuse in your behavior toward Him. To love what He hates is to place yourself as His enemy.

God has many things He opposes but in this passage, He identifies seven of the most despicable. Leading the list is a “proud look.” Few things anger God more than when His creatures allow pride into their lives. Also, a “lying tongue.” God who is truth, detests falsehood of any kind. “Hands that shed innocent blood” angers the One who cares for the downtrodden and oppressed. God also despises a “heart that devises wicked plans” and “feet that are swift in running to evil.” Some people are naturally drawn to wickedness. They should realize they have God as their determined foe. God also hates a “false witness” and “one who sows discord among brethren.” God hates troublemakers!

Too often God’s people silently endure ungodly behavior. People divide the Body of Christ and sow discord, yet no one says anything. We assume we are to love people and to thereby silently endure their wicked behavior. Not so! God hates evil and He does not remain indifferent to it. Can people tell how you feel about evil behavior? Do you endure it? Applaud it? Fear it? Excuse it? Or hate and oppose it?

Historically, lazy people have exercised little or no influence on society. There have always been those who wanted to benefit from the labor of others. These indolent people have a litany of excuses why things should be given to them and why they should not be expected to make any sacrifice. Such people want to make the minimal effort but often desire maximum benefit.

Society measures success by the amount of leisure time people enjoy. People can strive to achieve early retirement so they no longer have to work and can spend their days golfing and taking exotic vacations. It is as if the less work you do, the better your life is! But that is not the way God designed people. God created us to work. Even Adam was given work to do in the perfect Garden of Eden. We express the nature of God when we labor and are productive.

Ants are not heralded as noble beasts in the animal kingdom. In fact, they largely go unnoticed. But take time to observe an ant some day. Notice that they are constantly active. Busily working for a larger purpose than themselves. Each ant does not focus on its own interests but on the greater good for its colony. An ant’s life is fleeting, so there is no time to be idle.

Have you learned anything from this tiny insect? Is your labor as honoring to your Creator as the ant’s is? Is your life as productive? As selfless? As noble?