Proverbs 12:1-28

We all have influences on our lives and we are all influences on the lives of others.  We must be very careful about whom we allow to influence us but we also must be very aware of the way that we influence the people God puts into our paths.  Part of being created in the image of God is that we are relational beings just like He is.  We were created to relate with God and one another so we are only truly satisfied when we are experiencing healthy and biblical relationships with God and others.  There are many ways that we influence once another described in this chapter of Proverbs so we will look at how we can be sure to be wise through these influences.

THE INFLUENCE OF OUR MENTORS: God has placed people around us that should have a positive influence on our lives.  Usually our parents are the first people in this category then professors and pastors etc…  If we are wise we will love the discipline, knowledge and even the reproofs that come from these mentors in our lives.  Those who ignore or even hate these influences end up being stupid fools.  God wants us to be strong and productive and places people in our lives that help us to get there.  Our spouses are also very big influences in our lives they can either be a crown of joy or blight on our bones.  We must be careful about the sources of our counsel because they will either establish or destroy our lives.  There are people who are wise, have good sense, walk in humility and live according to righteousness.  We must strive to have these men and women influence us.  Unfortunately there are also many twisted people who are proud, pretend to be something that they are not, cruel, foolish and greedy men who we must learn to avoid and ignore. 

THE INFLUENCE OF OUR MOUTHS: Language is one of the most important means through which we influence and are influenced.  We must guard our lips, learn to work hard with our hands and listen closely with our ears so that when we do speak we can have a positive influence on the people around us.  When others offend us we must learn to let it roll off of our backs instead of complaining or gossiping about it.  Our mouths can either be like swords that cut or like swabs that heal.  We can use our words to deceive and destroy or to disciple and delight.  We must learn to use our mouths to communicate peace and grace so that those who hear us will experience true joy because of our influence.  Lies are offensive to God and destructive of others but He takes great pleasure in the truth.  We must learn that there is time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking.  Those who are wise will often remain quiet even when they are right because they know that the truth will not be welcomed or heard.  Fools love to hear the sound of their own voice so the spout off about everything even when they don’t know anything.


THE INFLUENCE OF OUR MOTIVES: The true influence that we have on people is through our hearts.  If we are diligent hard working people who what to be productive we will transmit that to all who are around us.  Those who live for ease and comfort will end up being forced to do the things that they hate.  We can either be controlled by fear and anxiety in our hearts or spread great joy to others through words of encouragement.  When we are submissive to the Lord we can be a guide to all who are close to us; unfortunately when we are rebellious others will also follow us to destruction.  We must use all of our resources wisely, work hard and rejoice in the fruits of our labors.  We must follow the path of righteousness so that others can follow us to everlasting life.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than any of the other people of his
Read more

1 Timothy 2:11-15

Let a woman learn quietly   with all submissiveness.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.    For Adam was formed first,   then Eve;   and Adam was not deceived, but   the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.    Yet she will be saved through   childbearing—if they continue in   faith and love and holiness, with self-control. There is certainly controversy and confusion about this passage in many churches today.  The idea of a distinction between men and women and their roles in the family and church certainly goes against the flow of many cultures around the world.  Some would argue that the literal and plain teaching of this passage is no longer applicable to today’s culture.  However, it is always dangerous to discard biblical teaching or try to interpret Scripture based on the cultures in which we live.  Certainly, the Spirit who inspired this text was aware of the many changes that would occur in future cul
Read more

1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and   dignified in every way.    This is good, and   it is pleasing in the sight of   God our Savior,   who desires   all people to be saved and   to come to   the knowledge of the truth.    For   there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is   the testimony given   at the proper time.    For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying),   a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.   Prayer is one of the greatest privileges believers have and it should be one of our greatest priorities.  Too often our lives are more often marked by complaining about our circumstances and our political leaders than by prayers for them.  The government in Paul’s day
Read more