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Proverbs 29New Living Translation

29 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism
    will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

² When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.
    But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

³ The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
    but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

⁴ A just king gives stability to his nation,
    but one who demands bribes destroys it.

⁵ To flatter friends
    is to lay a trap for their feet.

⁶ Evil people are trapped by sin,
    but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

⁷ The godly care about the rights of the poor;
    the wicked don’t care at all.

⁸ Mockers can get a whole town agitated,
    but the wise will calm anger.

⁹ If a wise person takes a fool to court,
    there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.

¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate blameless people,
    but the upright seek to help them.^[a]

¹¹ Fools vent their anger,
    but the wise quietly hold it back.

¹² If a ruler pays attention to liars,
    all his advisers will be wicked.

¹³ The poor and the oppressor have this in common—
    the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

¹⁴ If a king judges the poor fairly,
    his throne will last forever.

¹⁵ To discipline a child produces wisdom,
    but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

¹⁶ When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,
    but the godly will live to see their downfall.

¹⁷ Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind
    and will make your heart glad.

¹⁸ When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
    But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

¹⁹ Words alone will not discipline a servant;
    the words may be understood, but they are not heeded.

²⁰ There is more hope for a fool
    than for someone who speaks without thinking.

²¹ A servant pampered from childhood
    will become a rebel.

²² An angry person starts fights;
    a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

²³ Pride ends in humiliation,
    while humility brings honor.

²⁴ If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself.
    You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.

²⁵ Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
    but trusting the Lord means safety.

²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor,
    but justice comes from the Lord.

²⁷ The righteous despise the unjust;
    the wicked despise the godly.

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Bill Elliff

Proverbs 29

THE REVERSE EFFECTS OF PRIDE

December 12, 2018

A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

(Proverbs 29:23)

What is the desire of a proud man? He only has one really. He wants to be lifted up. He longs to be known and honored, recognized and revered. His arrogance makes him believe that he deserves such acknowledgments and, like wood to a raging fire, he looks for every opportunity to feed his ego and increase his standing among men.

The paradox is that, in God’s economy, exactly the opposite of what he desires takes place.

UPSIDE DOWN

Pride lowers, humility exalts. A desire to be known will cause a man to be known for all the wrong reasons.

Pride is not a sin that hides. Its’ very nature pushes itself into view. To see a man’s pride is a vulgar thing, for God created us for the opposite. We were designed to glorify Him and anything less than that is a tragic caricature of a creature fearfully and wonderfully made by none other than God Himself. Pride pushes our features out of place and distorts the image of God we were destined to display.

HUMILITY EXALTS

But the opposite is also true. A humble man will always be lifted up—in time—in the eyes of God and men. God loves to exalt humble men because he knows they will handle such recognition properly.

A humble man has a proper view of God and himself and knows the difference. When he is acknowledged, he has enough self-awareness to know it is only by God’s grace. He gently, with no false humility, gives thanks to the Almighty and defers the credit. He does this, not out of duty or pretentious piety, but because he genuinely believes it is exactly where the recognition belongs.

Do you want to be recognized? Then realize the genesis of this desire and put the ax to the root of the tree. Ask God to show you His glory so you may properly bow before Him, vowing never to steal what He alone deserves.

Stay before God in the word and in prayer long enough to rid yourself of the ugly desire to be known. Ask trusted friends to point out pride when it rears its head. Watch what comes out of your mouth and the injection of words and phrases that draw attention to you instead of God.

Evaluate ruthlessly, for your future usefulness depends upon the elimination of this deadly trait which is the mother of all sin.

And realize that you must protect your heart from pride until you die. Unguarded moments will be seized by the enemy when you least expect it. A lifetime of humility can be undermined in a moment of unguarded pride. 

Lord, please show me the groundwork of my heart. Reveal to me every particle of pride, every subtle turn of arrogance and self-absorption. Let me be genuinely willing to take the lowest seat, reserving the highest place for others and for You. Help me grow in the grace of humility so you can be more clearly seen.

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What were five euros for students in a bar with Tyler he would. Former CEO of what were fighting. 

Today Adrian Rogers starts a brand-new series getting a handle on your emotions and I’m emotional right now right arm all play some up on down him all around. But that’s is to try to harness that. Many times Adrian Rogers would stop by the studio. 

We have the privilege of asking him questions regarding the series about getting a handle on your emotions. 

We asking the question what can our listeners learn from the series about our emotions, they can learn how to use their emotions rather than letting their emotions abuse them. 

They can learn how to have the joy in the victory. 

The piece, the satisfaction, the contentment that is our legacy in the Lord Jesus Christ carry today’s message is called God’s answer to anger. Proverbs chapter 19 verses 11 and 12 will be looking at that with Adrian Rogerssaid that unjustified anger is like an acid brings harm to anything this Portland including the very container it inhabits. And sometimes that container is our very lives. That’s true also think a righteous anger you know doing it in the right way for the right reason at the right time God cannot lie. I think that’s so true Carrie learning how to use our emotions the right way. Adrian Rogers said it this way when it comes to learning how to use our emotions the right way. Someone is wisely said the only way to be angry and sin not, is to be angry only at sin if single children abuse doesn’t make you angry of seeing dope pushers take advantage of the innocent youth doesn’t make you angry. 

If racial pride than the arrogance our prejudice doesn’t make you angry. In the something wrong with you but that anger needs to be channeled. 

It needs to be controlled. 

It needs to be righteous anger, and so this is a very important subject for us. 

You know that’s a great word. 

I think many times we have to remember that your people are looking at us almost as the pacesetter and that depends on our emotions and that depends on our reaction to the action you what I think that’s a great point Adrian Rogers makes about righteous anger. It is expected. In fact, injustice all to stir us and move us to act with Jerry. We love hearing from our lobar fighting listeners and I think you have a comment is coming recently. 

This is having been saying for over 70 years and I’ve taught Sunday school for over 30 of those years, yet I’m still learning so much from the teaching and preaching of Dr. Rogers. 

Thank you for sharing these timeless messages coming. We love to get this in mind that this is a affirmation it’s a shot in the arm. What we did well. If you been listening, you know, just for the first time are like this listener for 30 years benefiting from the ministry of lobar fighting in your Christian walk in us the ripple effect of the ministry and and that’s our prayer that it will continue to saturate Carrie as we wrap up, 20, 21, the year winds down no lover fighting really appreciates and values the prayers and the faithfulness of our friends we do in and let me say this. 

This is a critical time of year for us. This is the time of year that our supporters and friends really rise to the occasion and they just give me they give of their time. They give of their treasure. 

They give of their of their prayers and we welcome all of that because that is the livelihood of lobar funding so I just want to encourage our supporters our listeners to raise the bar no go one step higher this year. All that money goes right back into the ministry so that we can reach the world for Jesus Christ. If we do want to challenge our lobar fighting community to give at this year’s event to help share the gospel of Jesus Christ through those timeless messages of Adrian Rogers. You can call with your calendar year and gift at 1877 love God or you can give online@lwf.org/radio. Once again we appreciate so much your support will what today’s message called God’s answer to anger part one. Here’s Adrian Rogers that they were going to be. It was something that I believe I just believe may be personal important to you, but I want to check out. 

So let me ask your question while you turn Proverbs chapter 19. How many of you ever get angry, lose your temper or find it. Whatever the case is were going to be speaking today on God’s answer to anger God’s answer to anger. 

Proverbs chapter 19 in verse 11 the discretion of a man for it is aimed that is a smart fella not quick to get mad. 

The discretion of a man before his anger and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. The king’s wrath is as the roaring lion, but his favor is as good do upon the grass God’s answer to anger as somebody said that anger is an acid that destroys its container. Indeed it does and is a corrosive acid that does harm to anything that it is portal not talk about ungodly anger, unjustified anger. Not all anger is bad as we can see in a moment to modify some anger is good to see in a moment that the Bible on at least one place commands us to be angry so we going to learn about God’s answer to anger unjustified on godly anger. Now, therefore, basic thoughts and the first is this that saddening sudden anger is to be controlled. 

That is if you’re a person who pride yourself and having a short few, you better be careful. Bible has a lot to say about you. Rather, some people you know I just I was my Irish. It just runs in the family. Whatever it is and there like a loaded shotgun with a hairtrigger time they jostle they blast away last little while, will so did that tornado I want to see what the Bible has to say about getting angry in a hurry about being to be angry. Now our verse. Our text says here the discretion of man before his design. That is a man who is a wise man does not fly off the handle some of the Scriptures and by the way, the book of Proverbs has things that go all the way through it, so you must will just lick your fingers. We’ll look at a lot of passages in Proverbs Proverbs chapter 14 and verse 17 look at it. He that is so great deal of foolishly friend in plain, unvarnished language, you are a fool if you quit getting is I don’t call me a fool I didn’t God. He that is so angry foolishly like again if you will, in chapter 15 and verse 18 are wrathful man startups try but he that is slow to anger a piece of strife you want to get in trouble. I mean if you want somebody to rearrange your face that you be one of these kind of fellas who is quick to anger and somebody’s going to explain something to you that you don’t explain one of these days. That’s what God is saying right here in Proverbs 15, verse 18 Proverbs chapter 25 in verse eight does not hastily describe. That is, don’t jump into an argument quickly less. I will not want to do in the end thereof that is you start something you can’t finish and when thy neighbor had put me to shame. You put your mouth in action before you brains in gear and you go to find out that you’re not going to be able to finish what you started is what God’s words is what you will hear in Proverbs chapter 29 and verse 20 says now a man that is hasty in his words, there is more hope of a fool than of him. You come up being you got improve your food. 

Now when you get angry, dear friend. There is so much that you you can lose your job you can lose your friends lose you children English a while you lose your health may lose a few teeth you can lose your testimony is nothing more debilitating your Christian testimony of the fact that you just fly off the handle. Now the Bible tells us here that we are to deferring. 

That is, sudden anger is to be control how you control over all you have to confess now that a lot of us who just would like to admit. We getting a Christian and I am not mad with sweet little bear little us that we can get angry because we can. And so the very first thing we must do is confess by the way, if you repress it rather than confessedly all kinds of damage you may say that you not angry, but your stomach keeps the school not apply to be surprise what kind of physiological, psychological and spiritual problems take place when you have repressed anger are in for that matter even expressed anger that is not handled properly football your body responds begins to pump that adrenaline into your bloodstream and then your blood pressure rises and then your muscles get tense and ready for flight or flight are both in your heart beat your hands become sweaty your eyes dilate and up. One man said my life is at the mercy of any rascal who can make me angry. My life is at the mercy of any rascal who can make me angry. And every time you get needlessly unjustifiably angry, drive another nail in the coffin. So first thing when you find these feelings coming confess. 

Confess don’t repress contestant to the Lord bring them to the Lord say Lord is some movement in the Ottoman line and tell Lord about someone as well said that if you repress anger is like lighting a wastebasket and putting it in the closet and closing the door. It may burn itself out or it may burn the house is burning. There is very first thing you need to do is just open the closet door and say there is Lord in the here has my wastebasket and I set it on fire. Now is the very first thing you need to do is to confess, and then the second thing you need to do. You need to consider. You say I’m getting upset that you need to consider and say what is it, Lord. That is making me upset, looking you in Proverbs chapter 14 and verse 29 here for moment. Chapter 14 verse 29 he that is slow to wrath is of great understanding you see when you don’t get angry right away or when you feel his anger coming you just kind of confess it to the Lord and say now, Lord, show me he will show he that is slow to wrath is of great understanding you need to analyze what it is this making a they don’t all have to confess it, consider control is I can’t control yes you can. This something comes over me. 

I can’t control myself yes you can. 

Yes you can. Sometimes husband widely and when these family discussions can be heard. About two blocks away and they will just be at one another’s throat and the phone will ring hello, don’t tell me you can’t turn it on and turn it off. You can write, you know, don’t surpass you and I know to telling you folks, I’m telling you that all is just a lot of excuses to say that we can control we can control what we can control and we better learn out of control in Proverbs chapter 29 and verse 11. Letter of his mind. 

A wise man keep the land you keep just about everything, all wise man can control it if you will know it� Way, help to welcome with. So what I’m trying to say is that if you find that first class of anger over and over and over again in the book of Proverbs and in other places in the Bible. 

The Bible says that we are to control something we have a chance confess considerate and contain all right now look. Sudden anger is to be control. Secondly, sinful anger is to be condemned. 

Why do we defer anger as our text tells us to do. Why is it that we are slow, so we might find out whether it is righteous anger sampling if it is sinful anger is to be condemned is to be dealt with harshly. 

It is to be repudiated is to be repented. I don’t treat anger, unjustified anger, sinful anger as weakness is not weakness. It is wickedness. One thing that God will not accept percentages in alibi by the way, what is sinful anger well number one is anger without a call when Jesus said, except to be angry with his brother without a cause to be in danger of hell fire. 

Anger without a call. Many times the problem is not what somebody is done with the problem is within us is our own frustration. It’s our own lack of peace with God and sinners in our lives. By the way, nobody outwardly can control your motion. You do that anger without a call that a something else that is sampling is anger that is centered in a person rather than anger that is centered on an offense when you get angry so that your anger makes you hate a person rather than hate what that person is done will say more about that in a moment that sampling sinful anger is anger that burns and desires remain. That is sampling sinful anger is anger that is cherished up and stored up in the hard way not to stir up anger and when not to start paying some people love their anger they hold onto sinful anger is anger that has an unforgiving spirit that will not refuses to forgive. Now we must deal with sinful anger as we would be with any other sin. 

It must be condemned. 

It must be repented of God will not accept an alibi. All right. Sudden anger is to be control sinful anger is to be condemned now. Stubborn anger is to be conquered now. The Bible goes on to say in our textbook at again if you will hear in Proverbs chapter 19 the discretion of Amanda Firth is anger and it is his glory to pass over transgression. What a glorious victory. 

It is when we learn the Passover transgression. That is to forgive and to get some people don’t seem to be able to do that you not to be copied by anger God wants you to be victorious. Now how you going to do it. I going to get rid of the stubborn anger welling the book of Proverbs, in turn, if you will for moment to Ephesians chapter 4, and I’m sure you some amazing scriptures here on anger in the book of Ephesians and will use Proverbs as a steppingstone to the New Testament, Ephesians chapter 4 verse 26 be angry and sin not let not the sun go down upon your wrath not here to talk about stubborn anger again when you let the sun go down upon your ring. That is when you live with during their husbands or wives get into an argument and then rather than meeting by the bed and getting right with God. 

Get right with one another. You go to bed. 

Back to back and let the sun go down upon your knee what you’ve done. 

You open the door whole slew foot what you’ve done is this you said that will come in and write my home that will come in and destroy my family that will come in and write my testimony. You have given the devil place. 

The Bible says let not the sun go down upon your wrath need to give a place to watch of God as you give the devil a beachhead a foothold abound asked and believe you me, he’s ready to come in and it is that anger that’s stubborn pain. That’s stubborn anger that the devil loves to have the campground now let me show you how the devil works when you open the door, you let the sun go down upon your wrath and you come in. The devil has six this is going to destroy you with this matter of stubborn anger that I’m talking about beginning verse 31 when Ephesians 431 let all bitterness, one, and wrath to an angry three and clamor for an evil speaking. Five. Be put away from you, with all malice. Six those are the six steps six the number remain. And when you open the door to the devil you let the sun go down upon your wrath. Sudden anger becomes stubborn anger sure what happens. First of all he talked about bitterness here. 

What is bitterness bitterness is that feeling of resentment when somebody does your wrong or you think they’ve done your wrong and you get better in your heart. 

Now the Bible in the book of Hebrews calls this a root of bitterness trying to ban a lineup. So Jim dealt with at rascal because the room is down there and there is that root of bitterness and it gets in their and you began to feel hurt somehow you feel that your rights have been trampled on. Somehow you been overlooked. 

Somebody wrong and you feel that you are justified and that’s what the Bible calls bitterness that step number one bitterness now what happens to bitterness. Well the next thing is the next word he uses here is that step number two. The word wrath come from the Greek word that means you get all hot about you get all hot and bothered as a slow burn start and the bitterness turns the burning you just feel at fire starting and its mole smokers, you know, I feel it’s an ugly feeling that bitterness I felt that business becomes that hotness that burning that smoldering thing. Look at the third step here. 

The third word is anger now wrath speaks of that which is on the inside. 

But anger speaks of that which is only outside and the Greek word for anger here means that which is open and outward. It is outward hostility. Now, as the smoldering rags that are in the attic of the mind now burst into playing we may been better for quite a while. We may be doing the slow burn for quite a while and then just the right catalyst happened and that is anger. That’s the third step. This is outward now and is active now and then. 

That’s followed by number four clamor. Now the word clamor as the idea being vocal being live and maybe tears, but most often it is shouting you ever notice when people get angry and begin their divorce rises and saying you talk to the person is that when I you don’t have to shout and clamor comes in but I want Paul is when we start we lift our voices that way. That clamor turns to evil speaking, then when we hear ourselves talking that way and open hostility breaks out. Then we start to say things we never really meant we began to speak evil is evil speaking, slander, I hate you. I wish you’d never been born. A stupid shop person I ever knew, and we began to say thing that we know not true but will the role I’m doing good now me and telling this and you start to say those things you know me, but you verbalize because that bitterness turned up burning and burning to anger and that anger turned to clamor and I clamor turns an evil speaking men that evil speaking, does one turns to malice, no analysis as when you hurt somebody you can hurt them with the official hurt, with words can hurt them with words you hurt them with money get hurt with Mike. That’s when a mother will slap as when a husband will that’s when somebody goes for go on a ghost or sticker are just some foolish, silly thing about just sitting over there grinning and having a time and you’re the one who open the door, only write my home right my life write my help destroy the whole thing your you gave a place that because you let the sun go down upon your wrath. And that’s great anger. 

They begins to take its toll. Terrible and awful. It is not is not one of his had been at one time another pastor is exactly the way work you only some psychologist dictate God’s word is already here to tell us exactly what the devil wants to do the harm is the hardest to rightist directors to destroy us to destroy testimony, listen to you, not going be able to conquer anger, or anything else of the Christ on the inside is not victory over the devil you need. It is the victor of the devil, the Lord Jesus Christ and having Christ on the inside and you know whatever you feel with Watts Bills Ave., Jocelyn the right you will know what you feel with this. He Was Bills Ave., Jocelyn you feel with Jesus, somebody just as Jesus your part to this message coming up tomorrow on love worth finding today. If you have questions about who Jesus is what he means to you. How to begin a relationship with God through Christ were discovered. 

Jesus page@lwf.org/radio you find resources and materials there that will answer questions you may have about your faith again go to LWF.org/radio and click Discover Jesus, so glad you joined us for today studying God’s word start receiving daily devotions and links to our program sign up for our daily emails LWF.org/radio and join us tomorrow for the conclusion of God’s answer to Hank right here on love

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Proverbs 28 New Living Translation

Proverbs 28New Living Translation

28 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
    but the godly are as bold as lions.

² When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
    But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

³ A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

⁴ To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

⁵ Evil people don’t understand justice,
    but those who follow the Lordunderstand completely.

⁶ Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

⁷ Young people who obey the law are wise;
    those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.^[a]

⁸ Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

⁹ God detests the prayers
    of a person who ignores the law.

¹⁰ Those who lead good people along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the honest will inherit good things.

¹¹ Rich people may think they are wise,
    but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

¹² When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
    When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

¹³ People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

¹⁴ Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,^[b]
    but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

¹⁵ A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
    as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

¹⁶ A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
    but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

¹⁷ A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
    Don’t protect him!

¹⁸ The blameless will be rescued from harm,
    but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

¹⁹ A hard worker has plenty of food,
    but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

²⁰ The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
    but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

²¹ Showing partiality is never good,
    yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

²² Greedy people try to get rich quick
    but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

²³ In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

²⁴ Anyone who steals from his father and mother
    and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
    is no better than a murderer.

²⁵ Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

²⁶ Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
    but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

²⁸ When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
    When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

The Problem With Pride

February 11, 2016 Save Article

“

Proverbs 16:18 (Program: 2223, Air date: 11.9.2014)

1. WHAT PRIDE IS NOT: 
   1. Pride is not a good self-image.
      1. Humility is not thinking lowly of ourselves; it is not thinking of ourselves.
         1. Luke 18:9-14
         2. John 13:3-5
   2. Pride is not gratefulness for a job well done.
2. WHAT IS PRIDE? 
   1. An attitude of independence from God
   2. A spirit of ungratefulness to God
   3. Esteeming ourselves better than others
3. INDICATORS OF A PROUD PERSON
   1. A proud person becomes irritated when corrected for mistakes.
   2. A proud person accepts praise for things over which he or she has no control (i.e. beauty, talents, abilities).
   3. A proud person has an ungrateful spirit for all that God has done.
   4. A proud person often finds himself in competition with others.
4. PRIDE DEFIES GOD. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
   1. Proverbs 16:5
      1. Why does God hate pride?
         1. It was pride that made the devil the devil.
            1. Isaiah 14:13-16
            2. 1 Timothy 3:6
         2. Pride ruined the human race.
            1. Genesis 3:5
            2. 1 Peter 5:5
5. PRIDE DEFILES MAN. (Proverbs 16:5)
   1. Proverbs 21:4
   2. Mark 7:21-22
      1. Pride comes from within our human nature.
6. PRIDE DIVIDES SOCIETY. (Proverbs 13:10)
   1. There’s never been a war, argument, divorce or church split in which pride was not a major factor.
   2. Proverbs 28:25
      1. Pride puts us out of fellowship with God and others.
7. PRIDE DISHONORS LIFE. (Proverbs 11:2)
   1. A proud person wants honor and esteem, but pride only brings dishonor.
      1. Proverbs 15:33
      2. Proverbs 18:12
      3. Proverbs 29:23
   2. Pride turned the devil into the devil.
      1. Isaiah 14:13-16
         1. Satan is going to be brought down, and Jesus will be exalted.
            1. Philippians 2:5-9
8. PRIDE DESTROYS SOULS. (Proverbs 15:25)
   1. Pride is the road to ruin and destruction.
      1. Proverbs 16:18-19
      2. Proverbs 18:12
         1. National ruin
            1. 2 Chronicles 7:14
         2. Domestic ruin
         3. Financial ruin
         4. Emotional ruin
         5. Spiritual ruin
   2. There is no one too bad that they can’t be saved. 
   3. There is no one too good that they don’t need to be saved.

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Bill Elliff

Proverbs 27

THE PRICELESS VALUE OF GENUINE FRIENDS

December 27, 2014

“”Faithful are the wounds of a friend…””

“”A man’s counsel is sweet to a friend…””

“”Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend…””

“”Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.””

(Proverbs 27:6,9-10,17)

In 1993, after I watched a godly man close to me take a serious moral fall, I realized that if he could fall, so could I. I needed some friends who knew me deeply, would look me in the eye regularly and ask me the hard questions, and who would persevere in holding me accountable. 

I called three men who were pastor buddies. To be honest, my purpose in inviting these men together that first year was actually more utilitarian than relational. I needed them. We were close, but I never dreamed what would develop over the next 20 years. They would become my most treasured friends.

OUR FIRST RETREAT

…lasted for three days that first year and we got completely honest with each other. I designed a simple self-evaluation tool that looked at each area of our lives. We filled this sheet out privately and then openly shared about each area. We realized that if this was to work we must be completely transparent. And…we ate together and played a little, very poor golf together.

Over the last 20+ years we have met annually for this 3-day retreat.  And increasingly more and more often during the years we have gathered to check each other’s spiritual, emotional, and physical health. We have pushed each other, rebuked each other, challenged each other and counseled with biblical counsel. 

We have cried together and laughed together. We have prayed together and played together. What started with a single round of golf evolved to three days of golf and hours of prayer and sharing in our retreats. Our golf has become a bell curve. It began with 18 holes and evolved to 36 holes a day for three days for several years…and now has gradually returned to 18 holes a day…and some days we don’t even want to do that! But as our golf has become weaker, our friendship has grown stronger.

Recently, at my 97-year old father’s memorial service (the one who unknowingly began these friendships), I looked up and there were my three buddies. Although I didn’t ask, if I had thought about it I would have known they would be there. But seeing them reminded me once again of the rich man I have become. Other than my family, these three men have been the fullest relational treasure of my life. No money could buy what our deep affection affords. And, the model of their friendship has changed every other friendship in my life. I have many, many friendships now.

GOD’S INTENT

…is for us to have such relationships.  In the beginning it took perseverance to get these men together for a concentrated time. One of our guys was the best about calling us often and making sure we were all connected. He is our relational bulldog. Another is the most disciplined man we know, challenging us to continually take fresh steps in every area of our lives. Another is our greatest intercessor. Over twenty years he never entered his Sunday pulpit without first praying for the rest of us, and our children, by name. Our families have been carried by his intercession. And another continually pushes us to love Jesus and each other more deeply.

ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS

…where my life would have been without the accountability of these friends. Right now in America, 50 men leave the pastorate every single day. The pressures and temptations are intense. What began for me as a necessity has grown to a priceless treasure that I nurture now, not by duty, but by genuine Jonathan-David love.

TO HAVE A FRIEND

…you must be a friend. Friendships, it seems to me, must be cultivated. You must work hard at times to make them grow. The best relationships are fueled by intense honesty. Some men are not ready for their lives to be openly scrutinized (and even rebuked at times). But if you will pursue friendships and be the best friend someone else has ever had, the reward is overwhelming.

If you love everybody but have no deep relationships, re-evaluate your life. Make your ambition this year, along with all you do, to connect with 2-3 other men on a deeper level. Take a retreat. Tell them your intent. Work hard at this accountability and do not let go. And pray that true friendships will develop.

“”HISTORY IS CHANGED

…among friends,”” my good friend, Bob Bakke often says. And he’s right. However God desires you to be a change agent in this world will be dramatically enhanced by friendships. That simple statement has made me more intentional the last years in developing—not just acquaintances or ministry partners—but real friends.

I don’t know if I’m very good at it. And my selfishness often gets in the way, but the older I become the more I relish friendships. Even among my staff and Elders, I want us to be a team of men who love each other and will live and die for one another. Friendship will take you light years farther than utilitarian business or ministry relationships and will make it a lot more enjoyable along the way.

I know some pastors who disagree with this approach, but it seems biblical to me and has proven true in my life. And, without question, the greatest Friend, who was willing to give His life for His friends, modeled this. He loved his closest friends—even unto death—even when they did not know how to love Him.

I DON’T KNOW

…what my life will ultimately accomplish for God’s glory. But I do know this: it has been richer and deeper because of the gift—the cultivated, but blessed gift—of some real friends. And, I’m a very, very grateful man

———-

Your “Heart Condition”

 A 

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 27:19-27

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. — Proverbs 27:19

While chasing prey, cheetahs can run about 60 miles per hour, but only in short spurts. This fast cat’s speed is limited to sprints because of its small heart. Endurance at that speed would require a larger heart.

The Christian’s life of obedience calls for endurance. It cannot afford the “heart condition” of a small heart, possibly engaging only in a spurt now and then. Proverbs talks about a person’s life as a reflection of his or her heart. 

Talking about someone’s “heart condition” and how it shows in their life, one might ask, “How big-hearted is he?” or “Does she have the heart for it?”

A physical heart condition may prevent someone from strenuous activity, but a spiritual heart condition is more dangerous.

For example, if we have a heart condition that makes us miserly, we are not apt to share from the abundance we have been given. On the other hand, a heart condition that leads to sharing the joy of Jesus, who lives in our hearts, gives us the stamina for a life of faithful obedience.

Who or what has your heart? Remember, we should “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Filled with his unconditional love, we’ll have a large, well-conditioned heart!

Prayer

Faithful Father, thank you for people in our lives who demonstrate hearts of compassion and obedience. Grant us the largeness of heart to be what you want us to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen. vin

Devotion topics: Bible, Books of the Bible, Proverbs, Life, Personal Growth

George Vink

Proverbs 27New Living Translation

27 Don’t brag about tomorrow,
    since you don’t know what the day will bring.

² Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
    a stranger, not your own lips.

³ A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
    but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

⁴ Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,
    but jealousy is even more dangerous.

⁵ An open rebuke
    is better than hidden love!

⁶ Wounds from a sincere friend
    are better than many kisses from an enemy.

⁷ A person who is full refuses honey,
    but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.

⁸ A person who strays from home
    is like a bird that strays from its nest.

⁹ The heartfelt counsel of a friend
    is as sweet as perfume and incense.

¹⁰ Never abandon a friend—
    either yours or your father’s.
When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance.
    It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

¹¹ Be wise, my child,^[a] and make my heart glad.
    Then I will be able to answer my critics.

¹² A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
    The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

¹³ Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.
    Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.^[b]

¹⁴ A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning
    will be taken as a curse!

¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is as annoying
    as constant dripping on a rainy day.
¹⁶ Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind
    or trying to hold something with greased hands.

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend.

¹⁸ As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,
    so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

¹⁹ As a face is reflected in water,
    so the heart reflects the real person.

²⁰ Just as Death and Destruction^[c] are never satisfied,
    so human desire is never satisfied.

²¹ Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
    but a person is tested by being praised.^[d]

²² You cannot separate fools from their foolishness,
    even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.

²³ Know the state of your flocks,
    and put your heart into caring for your herds,
²⁴ for riches don’t last forever,
    and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.
²⁵ After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears
    and the mountain grasses are gathered in,
²⁶ your sheep will provide wool for clothing,
    and your goats will provide the price of a field.
²⁷ And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself,
    your family, and your servant girls.

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