December 11, 2017
I ONCE WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE!
Proverbs 29:18–27
KC Cook
Central Truth
As physical blindness limits what we can see, spiritual blindness limits what we can see, hear, and do!
Key Verse | Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.
(Proverbs 29:18)
Proverbs 29:18–27
18
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
1
29:18
Or the people are discouraged
but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19
By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21
Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.
2
29:21
The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain
22
A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23
One's pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24
The partner of a thief hates his own life;
he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25
The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
26
Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.
27
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Dive Deeper | Proverbs 29:18–27
Most of us grew up singing the nursery rhyme Three Blind Mice. The song begins with the mice and their lack of sight. We are then told to “see how they run.” Why? Because without sight, they were running wild, not based on a plan, and would eventually get into trouble. We know this because the farmer’s wife “cut off their tails.”
Although this is a nursery rhyme, it was the story of my life: living for myself, having no vision or plan, being wild and out of control, and usually getting into some sort of trouble (can I get a witness?).
Proverbs is the ultimate book of wise sayings. It is full of things to do, people to avoid, words to say, and so much more. The key verse for our passage today has to do with vision. Without vision, people perish. This is not about physical sight, but spiritual insight. This insight teaches that everything visible and physical is tied to something invisible and spiritual (e.g., Ephesians 6:12).
It wasn’t until I surrendered my life to Jesus that I could see how blind I had been. Then I started living under God’s wise counsel.
Wise living means we depend on God every minute of every day, and all aspects of our lives are under His control. Our passage today covers many aspects of our lives we need to give to God:
Words (verses 19-20)
Treatment of others (verse 21)
Conflict (verse 22)
Pride (verse 23)
Friends (verse 24)
Whom to trust (verse 25)
Insecurities (verse 26)
Lifestyle (verse 27)
When we begin to spiritually "see" and give control of our life to God and to live for Him, verse 18b says we will be "blessed." If those blind mice ever do that, we might be singing a new nursery rhyme:
Three wise mice. Three wise mice.
See how they live. See how they live.
They run after Jesus with all of their might,
They live by the Word to pursue what is right,
Did you ever see such a sight in your life?
As three wise mice, three wise mice!
Discussion Questions
Each day on JTJ, I will answer the discussion questions in my head only. Maybe you're like me. Today, let's promise to share our answers with someone (spouse, friend, community group, etc.).
1. Would you say that you live more like the blind mice or the wise mice? Why?
2. Which two of the eight aspects of our lives covered by this Proverbs passage do you most need to work on giving to God? Why? How can you do that?
(Review: words, treatment of others, conflict, pride, friends, whom to trust, insecurities, and lifestyle)
3. What is your daily/weekly plan to obtain spiritual wisdom?
4. What is your vision for life, family, children, work, reaching the lost, etc.?
5. Finish this sentence: When I was spiritually “blind,” my life was characterized by ___________; but now that I can spiritually “see,” my life is characterized by ____________.