December 14, 2017

I AM THE MOST HUMBLE PERSON I KNOW

Proverbs 30:21–33

Reid Griffin
Thursday's Devo

December 14, 2017

Thursday's Devo

December 14, 2017

Central Truth

Christians engage in self-promotion and entertain immoral thoughts. But we don't have to. Instead, we can choose to walk by the Spirit and let our minds be transformed to know His will.

Key Verse | Proverbs 30:32

If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth.
(Proverbs 30:32) 

Proverbs 30:21–33

21  Under three things the earth trembles;
    under four it cannot bear up:
22  a slave when he becomes king,
    and a fool when he is filled with food;
23  an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
    and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.

24  Four things on earth are small,
    but they are exceedingly wise:
25  the ants are a people not strong,
    yet they provide their food in the summer;
26  the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
    yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27  the locusts have no king,
    yet all of them march in rank;
28  the lizard you can take in your hands,
    yet it is in kings' palaces.

29  Three things are stately in their tread;
    four are stately in their stride:
30  the lion, which is mightiest among beasts
    and does not turn back before any;
31  the strutting rooster, 1 30:31 Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins the he-goat,
    and a king whose army is with him. 2 30:31 Or against whom there is no rising up

32  If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
    or if you have been devising evil,
    put your hand on your mouth.
33  For pressing milk produces curds,
    pressing the nose produces blood,
    and pressing anger produces strife.

Footnotes

[1] 30:31 Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins
[2] 30:31 Or against whom there is no rising up

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 30:21–33

A paradox is a self-contradictory statement. The title to this devotional is a paradox. Obviously, if I boast about being the most humble person I know, I am not. I am definitely not the most humble person I know. I often exalt myself and fill myself with pride, exactly the same way the world promotes. I also devise evil in my thoughts. This is my sin nature. The Apostle Paul even wrote that nothing good dwelled in him, and by himself he did not have the ability to suppress it (see Romans 7:18). So how do we wage war against our sin nature? 

The answer is Jesus. He died so He might redeem us who were spiritually dead. When we accept Christ as our Savior, our old selves are put to death. We become resurrected with Christ and are indwelled and filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces a new nature that desires to know, love, and obey God. This does not mean we will never sin again, but it does mean we are freed from the compulsion to serve sin. That makes the sin less attractive, which brings repentance. The Holy Spirit transforms us into new people who recognize our sinful tendencies and can turn away from sin with His leading.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, our lives are altered, and we have the One to lean on who can sustain us in all aspects of life. We must remember that when we trust in worldly things, we get only temporary support. But when we trust in the Holy Spirit, we can enjoy what God wants us to enjoy. So do not depend on the support system the world promotes, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Keep Christ on the throne, and you will live a life of assurance.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you exalted yourself or devised evil recently? Read 1 John 1:9 and take action.

2. What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? Read Galatians 5:16-24 for the answers.

3. In your life, do others see tangible evidence that you are filled with the Holy Spirit? Read Ephesians 5:18-21 for guidance.

4. When we fall, what leads us to repentance? Read 2 Peter 3:9 and Romans 2:4 for clues.