Passage of the Day:
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b] 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction.8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. 10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them, Proverbs 1:1-10.
Reflection:
I was introduced to the term temperance by C.S. Lewis. This Cardinal Virtue available to anyone who seeks this spiritual discipline is expounded upon within the book Mere Christianity. Prior to reading this classic, I thought temperance was referring to your temper. Yet, the spiritual definition is going the right difference and no further. While King Solomon is known as one of the wisest individuals to walk the face of the earth, this doesn’t mean that Solomon was immune to making poor decisions. Likely thinking about poor choices, he made in his past, Solomon writes the first chapter of Proverbs to a specific son. As I reread today’s featured passage it appears that Solomon is urging readers to go the right distance and no further.
Prayerful Action:
Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22.
Setting Clear Boundaries to Live By:
Perception is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through your senses. Life experiences like the ones which inspired the book of Proverbs, Solomon seeks to persuade his son from making similar errors, mistakes and transgressions. While writing to the Church of Thessalonica, the apostle Paul provides a series of steps to help Christians go the right distance and no further. Don’t just believe whatever you hear, read or see. Rather, test this information with the Bible like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-12. Although this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll do the right thing all the time, testing what you hear should keep you on the straight and narrow, Matthew 7:13-14.
Passage of the Day:
The lyrics to Feel the Nails transformed my life in college during a retreat my junior year. The next time you go the wrong distance and fail, may this song turn into a prayer to bring you back to God’s grace and mercy.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 