2008 Top Posts Numbers 25 and 26
The 25th most read post is a set of sermon notes from an old sermon of mine on finding the will of God for your life.
As I return to blogging, I cannot help but think of a verse in Proverbs which haunts a chatterbox and prolific blogger like me. What implications does it have for us? Does it mean we should write less and think more? I suspect so!
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." (Proverbs 10:19)
I preached the next sermon in our series on proverbs this morning. The message can be downloaded on the Jubilee Church London website or listened to right here in this embedded player thanks to odeoLabels: Counselling, Proverbs, Sermons
Labels: Counselling, Ephesians, John Piper, Proverbs
"Psychologists now say that this is a dangerous myth. Some people use this theory as a license to hurt others. Research has found that "letting it rip" with anger actually escalates anger and aggression, and does nothing to help you (or the person you're angry with) resolve the situation.Over on the Desiring God website, there is a great article, "Is It Ever Right to Be Angry at God?, which says:
It's best to find out what it is that triggers your anger, and then to develop strategies to keep those triggers from tipping you over the edge.
This is why being angry at God is never right. It is wrong — always wrong — to disapprove of God for what He does and permits. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" (Genesis 18:25). It is arrogant for finite, sinful creatures to disapprove of God for what He does and permits. We may weep over the pain. We may be angry at sin and Satan. But God does only what is right. "Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments" (Revelation 16:7)."Because of this definition of anger from Piper above, it becomes immediately clear why even our anger with other people is rarely anything other than sinful. Who are WE to say that we strongly disapprove of what someone has done? Are we God? Are we their Judge? If they have said something we found hurtful, how can we be so sure that they meant it the way we thought they did? What if they had said it innocently? How can we read their hearts? If they sinned, who are we to judge the severity of that sin given the upbringing they may have had? And most of all, what about the log in our own eyes? What gave sinners the right to suddenly be the judge and determine the guilt of another and so to disapprove of them strongly and angrily?
Piper also says: "harbored anger is the one thing the Bible explicitly says opens a door and invites the devil in." We must make sure that even if our anger really is justified, we do not nurse it, as that will destroy us. Elsewhere in the same article Piper says: "In marriage, anger rivals lust as a killer. My guess is that anger is a worse enemy than lust. It also destroys other kinds of camaraderie. Some people have more anger than they think, because it has disguises.I will let you read the rest of the article for his biblical weapons. But I do want to leave you with one more thought of my own. Are we angry because God's honor has been slighted? Even then that righteous anger should be tempered by the realisation that we, too, have angered God by our own sin.
When willpower hinders rage, anger smolders beneath the surface, and the teeth of the soul grind with frustration. It can come out in tears that look more like hurt. But the heart has learned that this may be the only way to hurt back. It may come out as silence because we have resolved not to fight. It may show up in picky criticism and relentless correction. It may strike out at persons that have nothing to do with its origin. It will often feel warranted by the wrongness of the cause. After all, Jesus got angry (Mark 3:5), and Paul says, "Be angry and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26).
However, good anger among fallen people is rare. That's why James says, "Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:19-20). And Paul says, "Men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling" (1 Timothy 2:8). "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you" (Ephesians 4:31).
Therefore, one of the greatest battles of life is the battle to "put away anger," not just control its expressions. To help you fight this battle, here are nine biblical weapons . . ."
Labels: Counselling, Ephesians, Proverbs, Relationships, Sermons
Prov 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov 1:22
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
Prov 1:32
For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.
Prov 3:35
The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
Prov 8:5
O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
Prov 10:8
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Prov 10:10
Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Prov 10:14
The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
Prov 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
Prov 10:21
The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
Prov 10:23
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
Prov 11:29
Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
Prov 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Prov 12:16
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
Prov 12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
Prov 13:16
In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Prov 13:19
A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
Prov 13:20
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Prov 14:3
By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
Prov 14:7
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Prov 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
Prov 14:9
Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.
Prov 14:16
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
Prov 14:24
The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
Prov 14:33
Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
Prov 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Prov 15:5
A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
Prov 15:7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
Prov 15:14
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
Prov 16:22
Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
Prov 17:7
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
Prov 17:10
A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
Prov 17:12
Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.
Prov 17:16
Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
Prov 17:21
He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
Prov 17:24
The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
Prov 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Prov 18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Prov 18:6
A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
Prov 18:7
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Prov 19:1
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
Prov 19:10
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.
Prov 19:29
Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.
Prov 20:3
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.
Prov 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.
Prov 24:7
Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.
Prov 26:1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Prov 26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
Prov 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
Prov 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Prov 26:6
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
Prov 26:7
Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Prov 26:8
Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.
Prov 26:9
Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Prov 26:10
Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
Prov 26:11
Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
Prov 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Prov 27:3
A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
Prov 27:22
Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.
Prov 28:26
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Prov 29:9
If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
Prov 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Prov 29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Prov 30:22
. . . a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food.
Labels: Proverbs
Once again it would be good to see some blog posts on some of these verses! Labels: Counselling, Proverbs
Prov 1:2
To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight …
Prov 1:6
… to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Prov 1:23
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Prov 2:1
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you …
Prov 2:12
… delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech …
Prov 2:16
So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words …
Prov 4:4
He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live."
Prov 4:5
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Prov 4:10
Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
Prov 4:20
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
Prov 4:24
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
Prov 5:3
For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil …
Prov 5:7
And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
Prov 6:2
… if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth …
Prov 6:12
A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech …
Prov 6:17
… haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood …
Prov 6:24
… to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
Prov 7:1
My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you …
Prov 7:5
… to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.
Prov 7:21
With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.
Prov 7:24
And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
Prov 8:8
All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
Prov 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Prov 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Prov 10:20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
Prov 10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Prov 12:6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
Prov 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Prov 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Prov 12:25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Prov 13:13
Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
Prov 14:7
Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
Prov 14:29
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Prov 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Prov 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Prov 15:4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Prov 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
Prov 15:23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
Prov 15:26
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.
Prov 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
Prov 16:20
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
Prov 16:21
The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Prov 16:23
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Prov 16:24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Prov 16:27
A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
Prov 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Prov 17:4
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Prov 17:7
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
Prov 17:20
A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
Prov 17:27
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Prov 18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Prov 18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Prov 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Prov 19:1
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
Prov 19:7
All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.
Prov 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Prov 19:27
Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Prov 20:2
The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
Prov 21:6
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Prov 21:14
A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.
Prov 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Prov 21:28
A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
Prov 22:11
He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
Prov 22:12
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.
Prov 22:17
Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge …
Prov 22:24
Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man …
Prov 23:8
You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words.
Prov 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.
Prov 23:12
Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
Prov 24:18
… lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
Prov 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Prov 25:15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Prov 25:23
The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
Prov 26:22
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Prov 26:28
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Prov 27:4
Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
Prov 28:23
Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
Prov 29:19
By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.
Prov 29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Prov 29:22
A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
Prov 30:1
The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out.
Prov 30:5
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Prov 30:6
Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Prov 30:33
For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.
Prov 31:1
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him …
Prov 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Labels: Counselling, Proverbs, Sermons
“A simile is the comparison of A to B, and a metaphor says that A is B. Virkler describes the former as an expressed comparison and the latter as an unexpressed comparison (p. 158)
However, behind Solomon is the Spirit of God, who does still live. It would insult the truth of the sufficiency of Scripture to ask for further direct revelation, but it honors that same sufficiency to ask God to open our understanding. It is as we think hard and analytically about Scripture that the Lord gives us understanding (2 Timothy 2:7). We won't ask for new law, but we will pray that God opens our eyes to behold wonders out of the revelation already given.What Dan is telling us to ask for is essentially what I call a prophecy or a revelation with a small "r," or perhaps more acceptably to Dan, an “illumination”. Anyway, back on track . . . His second step is as follows
“A proverb communicates a truth. It does not characteristically communicate all truth. It is a sage insight; it isn't a legal contract.”We cannot interpret proverbs the same way we would a letter, or the books of the Law! Dan explains that proverbs often simply compare to things with the aim of making it clear that one of them is better than the other. This does not always mean that the better one is best or even at all times better! Some proverbs seem to contradict each other — if we understand the purpose of proverbs, this should not surprise us!
Labels: Counselling, Proverbs
Labels: Counselling, Proverbs
Labels: Blogging, Counselling, Proverbs