November 10, 2017

WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO CONVINCE, ME OR YOU?

Proverbs 21:23–31

Bobby Johns
Friday's Devo

November 10, 2017

Friday's Devo

November 10, 2017

Central Truth

Often we use our talents to convince people that we are "right," though we are actually trying to rationalize our own bad behavior and give ourselves permission to ignore God.

Key Verse | Proverbs 21:24

"Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man 
who acts with arrogant pride.
(Proverbs 21:24)

Proverbs 21:23–31

23  Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself out of trouble.
24  “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
    who acts with arrogant pride.
25  The desire of the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
26  All day long he craves and craves,
    but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28  A false witness will perish,
    but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29  A wicked man puts on a bold face,
    but the upright gives thought to 1 21:29 Or establishes his ways.
30  No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the LORD.
31  The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Footnotes

[1] 21:29 Or establishes

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 21:23–31

Anyone who knew me 25 years ago would not recognize me today. I was the “scoffer” from today’s study. I was far from God and still actively running away. I made jokes on everything about church, and my responses to the faithful were filled with wit, venom, and ridicule. No one is more surprised than I am by who I am now: a fully devoted Christ-follower. What still amazes me is how God loves us even when we are far from Him. He loves us and pursues us even when we are actively denying Him and His will. 

I was convinced I could find life and happiness on my own terms without God. I was pursuing worldly success, women, and anything that was pleasurable. I tried to pretend I had all the answers, but it was all a front, hiding the emptiness I felt and the longing to be loved and to feel like I mattered. Despite my passion, arrogance, and wisdom (in my own eyes), I knew there had to be something more. Since I knew myself and my brokenness, I was convinced God didn’t want anything to do with me and that I didn’t matter to Him.

The primary problem was that I was believing a lie. The lie told by a thief and destroyer who intended to distract me from God’s truth (John 10:10). The thing I had forgotten was that God loves me—He loves all of us—and He wants the best for us (Jeremiah 29:11). As men smarter than I have put it, “God’s not trying to rip you off; He’s trying to set you free.”

This section of Proverbs gives practical advice to help you spot some of the behaviors that will lead to ultimate ruin. But the first step toward change is inviting God into your life through faith in Jesus Christ. I look back at myself then and realize that God was looking out for me and had a plan to save me—to save all of us—all along (John 3:16). I just didn’t recognize God’s love for what it was: unbreakable, unchangeable, and unfathomable.

Discussion Questions

1. If God's Word is true, can any amount of scrutiny or ridicule make it become untrue?

2. What "cravings" do you have? Where do you think those cravings came from?

3. Do you ever try to defend or rationalize your cravings to anyone?

4. How do these cravings line up with God's Word?

5. What things in your life would need to change if God's Word is true?