Proverbs__28

Scripture

Proverbs 28:13

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

 

Observation

King Solomon continues to give some phrases that wise people live by, and in this verse he somewhat speaks to community. More than that, he offers accountability as a viable solution for an area that a person may be struggling in, rather than keeping it to ourselves.

 

Understanding

Recently my mom, dad, and I decided to watch all of the Star Wars movies in chronological order. I’ve never seen them all the way through and I thought it would be a fun experience to go through together. We have gotten to the fourth movie, so by this time (MAJOR SPOILER IF YOU DON’T KNOW, but y’all should know because it’s Star Wars) Anakin had turned to the Dark Side and become Darth Vader. When he first decides to go on the path of Dark Side he’s given an assignment from his new Sith Master (Darth Sidious aka Chancellor Palpatine). Eventually, his Jedi Master (Obi Wan Kenobi) finds out and is heartbroken, but something I realized about Anakin the minute he choose a path of destruction. He hid from the Jedi Masters, the ones who were previously holding him accountable and in an upright regard. Almost as if he knew that he would be challenged in his decision, and that he didn’t want to face the consequences that awaited him. Ironically, the consequences find him and he is then resigned to a robotic body for the rest of his life, just to await the real “chosen one.”

I give this long-winded example because I think that’s the tendency of most of us when we sin or do something we know we aren’t supposed to: we hide. Rather than going to the ones that have invested so much of their lives in us, we would much rather sit with the guilt ourselves. In the end, as Anakin’s story shows we end up hurting everyone involved that much more. Anakin lost everything he cared about in one split second decision, and although our life doesn’t go to ruins, holding onto sin doesn’t help us much. There is one word in the verse above that makes confession of sin worth it: mercy. Simply put mercy holds the a powerful meaning; it means to show a person compassion especially when you have the power to punish. God grants us grace and mercy in that He sent His Son, the least we can do is confess our sins to those He’s placed around us.

 

Life Application

I fully understand that accountability is scary. But do not misplace accountability for judgement. As humans we can not pass (final) judgement on people, only God can do that. The people that God has placed around you are meant to keep you grounded no matter what you may have done. If admitting fault and sin still seems scary just remember:

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

But that’s not where the story ends :)

-Allison Khan

Proverbs_27

Scripture

Proverbs 27: 15-16-15  A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; 16 restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

Observation and Understanding-What does it say and mean?

A quarrelsome wife is torture for a husband.

We had a huge thunder rainstorm yesterday, so the leaky roof analogy that King Solomon speaks about in parallel to a quarrelsome wife, is very relevant for today. I also like his parallel to restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. Basically, he’s saying that it’s impossible to restrain a quarrelsome wife. 

Life Application

Women, we need to give our men a break. 

There was a period of time where I was being really mean to my husband and it was due to a combination of things, to the point where I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit tell me that he was not trying to hurt me, but rather help me, so I need to go easier on him.

Sometimes we need to practice more self control and submission in order for our partnership to work the way God had intended it to work. We are called to move together as one in flesh and one in Christ. The more we push our own agendas and want to live independently, instead of interdependently, the harder it will be for our marriage to work. Besides Christ, our spouse is our #1 human relationship, so let us not live as enemies living in the same home, but rather allies and partners in Christ. 

Dear Lord, I pray over marriages and specifically I pray for my sisters in Christ who are wives just like me. I pray we would work with our spouses as one flesh and love, honor, respect and listen to them more than we quarrel with them. I also pray for marriages that are struggling right now because of other behind the scenes issues. May we continue to put You first Jesus, continue to honor our vows and enjoy a marriage that is thriving, instead of just surviving. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Proverbs__26

Scripture

Proverbs 26:12

Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Observation - What does it say?

The first 11 verses of this chapter illustrate the Bible’s negative view, and ultimately God’s negative view (as the Bible’s author), of fools. In many of the proverbs, the fool is portrayed as the person on the opposite end of the spectrum from the wise and righteous. For the past 25 chapters, we’ve seen that there is no benefit to being a fool. The person who is most despised and hopeless appears to be the fool. Then comes a major insight in this verse:

There is someone more hopeless than the fool. It’s the person who is wise in their own eyes.

Understanding - What does it mean?

As I read the first 11 verses of this chapter, I found myself thinking, “Dang, good thing I’m not a fool!” Then, as if wise Solomon knew this would be the thought of some, he delivers a tremendous blow to them (and me!) in verse 12. “If you think you’re wise in your own eyes, you’re worse off than the fool.”

Ouch! I fell into the trap.

These are the same people Jesus had the hardest time with. The religious leaders and teachers of the law thought they had it all together and complained about Jesus, “Why are you and your disciples always hanging out with sinners?!” Jesus replied, “It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus avoided those who thought they were healthy, thought they were righteous and thought they were wise. And he pursued those who realized they were sick, realized they were sinful and realized they needed wisdom.

Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Life Application

Repent of pride!

God, forgive me for my pride! Humble me and remove any offensive way in me. I can't bear the thought of you keeping your distance from me! You are my only hope for this life and for eternity. I desire you above all things and long for more of your presence in my life. Destroy my pride and make me more aware of my desperation for you. Amen.

- Levi Thompson