Today my readings came from Proverbs 4, 5, 6.
The passages in Proverbs today concern wisdom in several areas; but nothing can be more predominant in the text than the area of sexuality and wisdom. Whatever the area that wisdom touches, the fact is:
For your ways are in full view of the lord, and he examines all your paths. (Proverbs 5:21 NIV)
Our ways are before the Lord. It might be bothersome to think that for some, but it need not be. What God desires for our lives is the growth of wisdom. As a Father and Mother desire to see their child "grow up" so also our Father is patient and a teacher, in terms of growing up.
One of those areas to grow up in is in terms of our sexuality. The author in Proverbs makes it clear, our moral choices don't begin in the head, but in our souls...in our heart:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)
It is a matter of much more than sexual fidelity...as important as that is. In warning about committing adultery the author frames the issue:
"Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel..." (Proverbs 5: 7 - 9 NIV)
Two words that are meant to be embraced as goals in living - honor and dignity. There is a character in living that goes beyond self-gratification. To have honor and dignity are to live on a higher road than the self-debasing road of many today. Our media is replete with images and role-models of those without dignity, without honor. It would be wise to avoid this whenever we can. It would be wise to look at our lives from the standpoint that our ways are in full view of the Lord...but that's not a bother because my life is lived with the goal of being honorable and living with dignity.
Peace
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The passages in Proverbs today concern wisdom in several areas; but nothing can be more predominant in the text than the area of sexuality and wisdom. Whatever the area that wisdom touches, the fact is:
For your ways are in full view of the lord, and he examines all your paths. (Proverbs 5:21 NIV)
Our ways are before the Lord. It might be bothersome to think that for some, but it need not be. What God desires for our lives is the growth of wisdom. As a Father and Mother desire to see their child "grow up" so also our Father is patient and a teacher, in terms of growing up.
One of those areas to grow up in is in terms of our sexuality. The author in Proverbs makes it clear, our moral choices don't begin in the head, but in our souls...in our heart:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)
It is a matter of much more than sexual fidelity...as important as that is. In warning about committing adultery the author frames the issue:
"Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel..." (Proverbs 5: 7 - 9 NIV)
Two words that are meant to be embraced as goals in living - honor and dignity. There is a character in living that goes beyond self-gratification. To have honor and dignity are to live on a higher road than the self-debasing road of many today. Our media is replete with images and role-models of those without dignity, without honor. It would be wise to avoid this whenever we can. It would be wise to look at our lives from the standpoint that our ways are in full view of the Lord...but that's not a bother because my life is lived with the goal of being honorable and living with dignity.
Peace
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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