Postings on Proverbs 12:13

“An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

But the righteous will escape from trouble” (NASB)

The poem “Sticks and stones” naively proclaims, “words will never hurt me.” Solomon disagrees, as this proverb is about how our own mouths can hurt us, terribly.

Who?  An evil man vs. a righteous man

What?  Is ensnared vs. will escape from trouble

Where?  Anywhere

When?  Anytime

Why?  Transgression vs. [righteousness]

How?  The implication is both of their mouths are what cause one being ensnared and the other escaping from trouble

Words?  Evil, ensnared, transgression, righteous, escape, trouble

Notice, it doesn’t say the righteous man avoids trouble, but that when he’s in trouble his mouth helps him escape (see Longman 275).

Notice, your character comes out of your mouth – the lips of evil men transgress – or as Jesus put it “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45) and “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart” (Matthew 15:18).

The metaphor of a trap vividly expresses how “lethal speech [can] take a victim by surprise and…destroy him before he can deliver himself” (Waltke 530). 

When I was a kid, my mom used to tell me “if you didn’t have a mouth you’d never get in trouble” (oh, the irony that I’ve been getting paid to talk for over a decade now!).

There are so many sins that come from our mouths, and I’m sure that when you read the words “sins of your mouth” that one particular kind of sin comes to mind, whether it’s lying or gossip or ridicule or disrespect or being combative or a number of them or something else.  So, what do you do?

First, know our mouths reflect our hearts.  They convey what we really want, what we think we need.  So, what is it you wanted when you lied – a person’s respect? To protect your reputation?  To advance yourself?  Often people gossip to make themselves seem stronger or better than they actually are – is that you?  What’s behind your words?  Why did you say what you said?  Critical to know what’s driving your words?

Second, when you know what’s driving you, you’ve likely found some lie you’re telling yourself.  How?  When it comes to lying, the lie might be “Their respect is more important than my character” or “than the truth” or “than what God thinks.”

Third, if we really dig deep here we may find an idol, a functional god that controls our thoughts and our actions more than the one True God, Jesus Christ, does.  We turn from our commitment to Him as our Savior and Lord and believe / trust the lie of the idol who promises some form of rescue from something bad if we’ll do what it says.

If you’re honest, your mouths show your desperate need for a Savior who spoke perfectly, in every situation to every person for 30+ years. This Savior doesn’t promise He’ll just clean your mouth up. He promises to trade the recording of every word you’ve ever said with every word He said, His perfect, sinless, mouth-righteousness becoming yours, and at the same time, He promises to take the punishment you deserve for your sinful, imperfect, wretched recordings. Then, after that great exchange, He will begin the work of cleaning your heart, which will automatically clean your mouth.

“Out of the mouth, the heart speaks.” What does your mouth say about your heart? What does your mouth say about who you’re most committed to? Is your mouth setting traps for you – I know mine has and probably is! So, what are you going to do about it?

I hope that helps!  TII!!!

Postings on Proverbs 12:8

"A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised" (NASB)

Though I've planned to add to this blog many times in the past 3 months and just haven't done so, and though I already examined this verse and have had the notes stored in my Bible for those months, it's now time, finally!, to return to blogging through Proverbs -- just deactivated my Facebook account to give me more time :)

Now, before finding out what the verse means & how it's relevant for life, we need to know what it says, so let's start with some observations (asking Who, What, Where, When, Why and How):

1. This is about an individual, not groups of people ("a man," "one")
2. One person is praised by others while the other person is despised.
3. This is true in every location and anytime in history.
4. Public "praise" or honor is the response to a man's "insight" while public "despising" or shame  is the response to a man's "perverse mind" (lit. heart).
5. Their respective reputations are the result of interaction with the 2 kinds of people.
6. The word "but" shows "insight" is being contrasted with a "perverse mind" so these should be seen as opposites.

It seems to me that the most important word in this proverbs is "insight," which speaks of "the ability to recognize the true nature of a situation," allowing someone to navigate around the difficulties to make decisions that benefit him (Longman 273). Today, we'd say this person can "read" people or circumstances.



There are 4 other uses of the Hebrew word translated here "insight" in the book of Proverbs with 13:15 being a very close parallel to this one ("Good understanding produces favor"). Insight is the source of blessing (16:22). It is demonstrated by people who don't get angry easily (19:11) and tragically, insight is despised by fools (23:9).


In contrast, the "mind" (the place where everyone's thoughts, emotions, words and deeds are determined) of the second man is "perverse," meaning "bent" or "warped" (Waltke 515, 525), "distressed, disturbed" (NIDOTTE 3:340-1).

This defect in his soul will cause him to unwittingly head into difficulties rather than away from them because he is unable to see the truth about people or situations. Because this clueless person keeps making suicidal decisions, the best case scenario for him is that he "amuses people and becomes the butt of [their] jokes" (Waltke 525), but this proverb warns that people will eventually refuse to put up with him and view him with contempt. No wonder Proverbs 13:15 describes this man's life has hard and headed for ruin.

Much of Proverbs is about avoiding punishment, discipline and ultimately destruction while at the same time maximizing blessing in life, so when Proverbs 22:1 says "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches" and one might ask, "How do I gain the blessing of a good reputation?"

Proverbs 12:8 comes along and answers "With insight." That sounds good to me! I want me some of that, but "How do I grow in insight?" The answer from Proverbs is keep wanting, keep praying for, keep learning, keep meditating on and keep loving the wisdom of Proverbs 10-31, which we will return to tomorrow. So, the question this proverbs leaves you with is what do people admire you for?  Is it your insight?

Hope that helps!!! TII!!!

Hello Again!!!

After thinking about it on my own for months now and having a friend last night, completely out of the blue, say "I think you should start writing," I've decided to blog again.

I'm not writing, ultimately, for others, but for the glory of God and to hone this skill that He's given me. At the same time, I am not oblivious to the fact that this is a public blog so others can find it (how, I have no idea), so if people find it and read it, fine. If, with the literally billions of webpages out there, it remains hidden no one reads it, that's fine too.

With that in mind, I think I'm going to focus on a couple things in this blog: (1) The passion of my heart is to see Christians and non-Christians transformed by the Gospel, (2) After preaching through Proverbs twice (2008-10) in the college and singles' ministries I used to pastor in Aliso Viejo, CA I've been struck by my need for wisdom so I'll spend a lot of time looking at Proverbs 10-31, and (3) I'm working on a book idea that I'll be fleshing out here as well.

To start, I just came home from a leadership meeting at my church, Redemption Church Gateway, where the pastor asked a random person to give their testimony. It was a moving story of God's grace that moved the grown man speaking to cry in front of a room of around 100 leaders. God saved him over a decade ago, and it wasn't old news to him! It was still really good news! What struck me as I watched was how emotional he still was about being saved, something I realized I've lost the wonder of in recent days, remembering that just today I shared my testimony with a friend and didn't have that response at all.

What also hit me was how many leaders in our day are taking the obvious work of God in people's lives -- as seen in my friend who I just rejoiced with -- and using it to build their own personal kingdoms. In the lives and ministries of many, the sovereign miracle of conversion is not an end in itself to be marveled at and rejoiced in. Instead, it's used to market a man or his ministry, which is about as ridiculous as the paint brush taking credit for the Mona Lisa.

Now, this distorted and wicked motive is often hidden behind slogans like "I just want to get God's Word to more of God's people" or "More people means more exposure to the Gospel" when deep down it's about prestige, money, security, proving oneself to doubters, book deals, acclaim and bragging rights. Now, I know the obvious comeback is "You don't know their hearts" and you're right. I don't. However, according to Jeremiah 17:9-10, they don't know their own hearts either.

So, after watching my friend my thought was beware all of us who love the "Good job" after serving God's people. The sacrifice being made may not be our time and effort. The sacrifice being made may be the Gospel on the altar of our own personal ambitions.

Truth is Immortal!!!

Nothing More Unnatural Than Pride?

On page 62 of Wayne Mack's, Humility (the best book I've read on the subject), we quotes Charles Spurgeon who said: "Pride is a thing which should be unnatural to us because we have nothing to be proud of."

Isn't that so true!?!

Self-Promotion

I'm doing research for my sermons coming up this week and came across this quote from A.W. Tozer: "...egotism, exhibitionism, self-promotion, are strangely tolerated in Christian leaders even in circles of impeccable orthodoxy. ... Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice" (italics mine; from The Pursuit of God, 45-46).

God, give me the discernment I need for my own sin-filled heart so as to keep me from such an egregious sin (as I post on a blog that millions could read).

Thoughts from the Valley

I wanted to share this part of a prayer called "Spiritual Growth" in The Valley of Vision:

"Give me a tender, wakeful conscience
that can smite and torment me when I sin.
May I be consistent in conversation and conduct,
the same alone as in company,
in prosperity and adversity,
accepting all thy commandments as right,
and hating every false way.
May I never be satisfied with my present spiritual progress..."

Edwards on Demonic Faith

I'm preaching a couple hours on lies people believe about salvation to our junior high group here at Compass. The sermon has been done for a while, but for last minute input I just finished reading Jonathan Edwards', True Grace Distinguished from the Experience of Devils, a sermon he preached in 1752 on James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."

It was a very good sermon that contrasts false marks of saving faith that a person can have from true ones. While there is a lot I want to reproduce here, I'll just leave you this gem:

"[Seeing the beauty of Christ] is a special gift of God, which he gives only to his special favorites. Gold, silver, diamonds, and earthly kingdoms are given by God to people who the Bible calls dogs and pigs. But this great gift of beholding Christ's beauty, is the special blessing of God to His dearest children. Flesh and blood cannot give this gift: only God can bestow it. This was the special gift which Christ died to obtain for his elect. It is the highest token of his everlasting love, the best fruit of his labours, and the most precious purchase of his blood."

Seeing the beauty of Christ is what Edwards gives as the main mark of true conversion (cf. 2 Cor 4:3-6). If you liked this quote and would like to read the whole sermon, click here.

Sovereignty & Suffering

Thank you to Between Two Worlds for posting this convicting and inspiring video. Take 7 minutes and watch it.

I get angry when there's traffic, or my order isn't right at a restaurant, or there's too much noise in the office. I fail to see all of these things as the gracious hand of sovereign providence in my life for my good and to advance God's glory.

I am so convinced by this man's testimony, and so grateful for the Savior who saved me from this constant sin in me.

Clear Your Schedule & Listen

UPDATE: I've now listed to all four of Dr. Tripp's message, and will do so again and again. They are so good at diagnosing the difficulties we face in sanctification, in growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and becoming more like him and how to find victory in our battles. Please listen to them.

While passing out flyers today for my dad's business I've been walking from house to house listening to the message below by Dr. Paul Tripp (author of Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary's 2007 Theology Driven Ministry Conference.

I told my friend just now that listening to them has been like having someone cut open my chest to allow the light of God's Word to shine on my heart and I've been getting filleted.

1. Your Walk with God is a Community Project (Tripp)
2. Progressive Sanctification and the Anti-Social Nature of Sin (Tripp)
3. The Pastor's Role in Sanctification (Ferguson)
4. Colossians 3:1-17 (Ferguson)
5. Sanctification in the Middle of the Messiness of Relationships (Tripp)
6. Looking in the Mirror: James 1 (Ferguson)
7. Playing in the Box: Romans 7 (Tripp)

If you click on the message's name you can listen instantly, and if you press Control and click your mouse on the link (or Right click if you have a PC), you should be able to start downloading it (if it doesn't, let me know). If that doesn't work, click here to subscribe to the podcast, or click here and scroll down to March 26th and you'll see the conference audio.

I've listened to the first two of Dr. Tripp's four messages so far, and I've also included the messages from Dr. Sinclair Ferguson to have the full conference. The last two were given in the same venue at the same time, but for a reason I don't know they weren't part of the conference.

I hope you're as challenged and rebuked and encouraged and grateful for the Savior as a result of these as I have been.

Sex-change at 12 Years-Old!?!

UPDATE: Right after posting, I read this:

"If you [erroneously] exalt the individual and make emotions the path to truth, then whatever you feel most strongly will be considered both good and necessary for growth. ... That is why the unpardonable sin in today's culture is to either 'deny' or suppress your emotions. Emotions point to needs, and to deny your needs is to deny something God-given and God-like." [But] "just because I feel a 'need'...doesn't mean that this desire is really a 'God-given need,' a 'legitimate need,' or a 'primal need.' Perhaps what I am calling 'need' is really disappointment or grief, or perhaps it is my demandingness and lust" (Ed Welch, When People are Big and God is Small, 87, 89).

*******

Check out this story of a 14 year-old German boy named Tim who convinced his parents he was really a girl, pictured above, named Kim trapped in a boy's body.

Thanks to $40,000 in treatments this boy now has the parts of a girl. If you read the story, did you notice that the pronouns in the article changed after the therapy is described?

What happened to parents who say "No," or "Are you nuts?" What happened to psychiatrists who say "What do you watch on TV?" or "How is your home life?" So much for "He's a teenager. He'll grow out of it."

What makes a man male? His parts or his nature? In other words, just because his parts changed, does that mean he's no longer male? If a man lost his "equipment" from cancer, would he no longer be male? What if he lost it, and wore dresses and makeup? If a woman lost all of her "equipment" in an accident and wore men's clothing and talked with a deep voice, would she cease being female? I think not.

What did people do who thought like Tim before sex-change operations? They fought the thoughts in their mind with reality, or gave into them and were miserable.

My point: Just because you think or feel something, doesn't make it true not matter how strong the thought or feeling is. So much for self-control. If I feel it, it must be true?

The reality is Kim is Tim, and just because Tim took hormones to change his body's appearance, and just because he wears women's clothing, doesn't make him Kim. In fact, nothing can make Tim Kim.

Confronting Their Lord

This is a terribly insightful chapter from Augustine's Confessions. I'm constantly amazed at how insightful he on his own soul, and how eloquent he is. I understand how this is considered a classic of Western literature, let alone Christian literature. I reprint the chapter in its entirety here for your benefit. He said...

"Meanwhile my sins were being multiplied. My mistress was torn from my side as an impediment to my marriage, and my heart which clung to her was torn and wounded till it bled. And she went back to Africa, vowing to You never to know any other man and leaving with me my natural son by her. But I, unhappy as I was, and weaker than a woman, could not bear the delay of the two years that should elapse before I could obtain the bride I sought. And so, since I was not a lover of wedlock so much as a slave of lust, I procured another mistress—not a wife, of course. Thus in bondage to a lasting habit, the disease of my soul might be nursed up and kept in its vigor or even increased until it reached the realm of matrimony. Nor indeed was the wound healed that had been caused by cutting away my former mistress; only it ceased to burn and throb, and began to fester, and was more dangerous because it was less painful" (VI.15).

This is a man in bondage. He had his mistress, if I remember correctly, for over a decade, but his mother arranged a marriage for him to a very young girl--he says, two years too young.

This was not easy as it tore his heart to bleeding to leave his mistress.

He particularly focuses on her vow not to know another man. He is caught by these words because he couldn't make that kind of commitment. He was trapped by his sin, "a slave of lust." So he got another mistress whose company relieved the burning and throbbing of loosing the first.

As he looks back, he understands that a binding sin in a person's life is a disease of the soul that people "nurse" and "keep in vigor" and even "increase."

It is here that our evangelism must confront a person, as we'll see with Augustine. What is lord? What's going to control / rule their heart? This may take awhile, but we must keep this in mind whenever giving the gospel to a person.

Tradition vs. Scripture (Jer 35)

In Jeremiah 35 there is the fascinating story of the descendants of Jonadab the Rechabite who did not drink wine or build houses for themselves because "our father, commanded us, saying, 'You shall not drink wine, you or your sons, forever" (35:6).

God tells Jeremiah to bring them to the temple and give them wine (35:2). Now, God knows their oath, but He does this to visually and logically demonstrate the sin of the Jewish people at that time.

Watch how God responds when they refuse to drink wine: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Go and say the the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, "Will you not receive instruction by listening to My words?" declares the Lord. 'These words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are observed. So they do not drink wine to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. But I have spoken to you again and again; yet you have not listened to Me'" (35:13-14).

Visually, God brings this group before His people to demonstrate to them what loyalty looks like. Logically, He argues that if these can obey the one-time-given command of a dead man, why can't all His people obey the commands of the living God given "again and again."

It is called an argument from the lesser to the greater--if they can obey the lesser command from the lesser person they have no excuse for disobeying the greater command from the greater person.

And, when they refuse to drink wine they are saying "No" to a direct command from God (cf. 35:2, 5). They are saying "No" because they've elevated a human tradition above God's word, God's command. In essence, they're saying "My loyalty to my forefather trumps my loyalty to God. God's authority over my life and thought takes a backseat to my human ancestor's authority over me."

They're finding their authority, their safety, their identity, their self-understanding in the words of a mere man, which forces them at the same time against finding their authority, safety, identity and self-understanding in the words of God.

What does God think of that? "Behold, I am bringing on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them; because I spoke to them but they did not listen, and I have called them but they did not answer" (35:17).

Jesus put it this way when He, God in the flesh, gave God's opinion of elevating traditions above God when He pronounced judgment on the Pharisees by saying, "'This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:6-8).

In other words, it is no small matter to disregard God for the teachings of men. It brings His judgment when you do that.