August 23 / Proverbs 23 / Luke 10

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Proverbs 23:9

Don’t speak in the ears of fools; they will only ignore your wise words.

The wisest words will just bounce off the ears of fools, and many times will even bring on their hostility. Foolish people are set against wisdom, especially if that wisdom involves any kind of critique against their behavior.

At the same time, I believe we have a duty to present truth in love and in a way in which we have prayed and thought will influence the person in an authentic way. Yet in this, we do not put pressure on ourselves, but trust the Holy Spirit, not taking ourselves too seriously. If a person is closed off to truth, I’m not sure there is a way we can present it in which they will listen to it.

Remember Paul’s words that they did not present the gospel in eloquence and wise words, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. For me, how I present is more a check against myself to see if I am giving God’s truth in love or not. But the Holy Spirit can and will use whatever however whenever.

Proverbs 23:20-21

Don’t drink too much.

Don’t eat too much.

Don’t be crapulous!

Those who drink and eat too much become poor. It promotes a lethargy in you that will war against any productivity. It clouds your thinking warring against remaining sharp.

Jesus showed us so well to obey God, not your physical desires.

Luke 10:25-37

“Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”

Love God with every fiber of your being.

Love people in the manner of the parable of the good Samaritan, which I take as “Do whatever good you can to the person who is right in front of you.”

Do that and you will live.

If we truly loved God and the people He made, we would automatically obey every commandment in the Bible.

Do everything you agree to, and bring no harm upon anyone.

 

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