Series in Proverbs - A Polarized World

                                    

A Polarized World

Proverbs 12:1-7

As I write this lesson, I see the polarizing of people and their accepted versions of truth and the cataclysmic collision when they are addressed with the eternal truth. This is a dramatic oversimplification, but the idea is plain. 

When two weather fronts meet the weaker of the two gives way to the stronger. The cold front will advance and push the warmer less dense front up and create the dark cumulonimulus clouds that appear and lightning and thunder begin to explode. These two fronts converge and the collision of the polarities can be so extreme it becomes dangerous weather: hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. Likewise, when eternal truth collides with man’s truth. These forces demonstrated the chaos of the powerful conflict when two polarized groups crashed and clashed. Solomon’s contrasts in the proverbs shows some of this reality.

Solomon lived in a world of converging forces, good and evil, right and wrong, and love and hate that exploded in conflict when they met. And as king, he would have dealt with the polarity of the destructive power of lies, wickedness and the polar opposite of eternal truth, divine light, and righteousness. So let’s read the first portion of the text.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but He will condemn a man who devises evil. A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.”

Solomon taught and applied discipline to his children, applied discipline in a court room, and established discipline in the rendering of God’s commands, laws, and precepts. The polarization of the people would determine  their receptivity to the discipline administered by Solomon. His children either complied or rebelled to the discipline of their father, and the resulting actions decided the level of cataclysms or of the receptivity of the knowledge they gained. Wise or stupid were the polar ends. In the king’s court, the verdict rendered would have permanent application to the lives of the people. But those who received the good favor of the king obtained favor from the Lord. And whereas those repelled by the king’s verdict and discipline would dispute the action at the king’s quenching and condemning of the evil perpetrated by the complainant or defendant.

Last, and the King would not allow the establishment of wickedness to be rooted in the land but would invigorate the establishment of the root of righteousness to be firmly implanted and secured in the hearts of those who are willing to comply and obey. And as their hearts were firmly established in the truth, they wouldn’t be moved to the other polarized end.

Application - Discipline has various definitions, to teach, to train, and to correct. And its applications are just as varied. The rod to the back, the board of education to the seat of understanding, and the developing of knowledge and understanding from the receptivity of a heart and mind yielded in submission to the knowledge of the truth. 

We have probably all seen a toddler screaming in a store because of the decision of the parent to not purchase an item. Or on the street corner as a police officer is handling a traffic offense with candor and wisdom and the recipient listens servilely. The first act of defiance will end with correction as its discipline. Whereas the second act of compliance will receive wisdom and possible grace from the discipline. One will receive condemnation while the other receives favor from God’s agent of the law.

If the polarization continues and the root of the power is established firmly, righteousness will listen and learn, and respond in an appropriate manner. And the other extreme will explode and meet with an adjudication of time to be served in a place of reeducation.

In plain words, the polar extremes will be dwelt with the appropriate punishment or favor. The parent or judge will not be moved by emotions, anger, or enticed with flattery, or bribes, or promises of future obedience. 

Last, let’s read the last portion of the text, “A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives. The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.” 

Solomon didn’t reveal which wife or wives were the beloved in the Song of Solomon, but whichever one it was, she was worthy, exceptional, and excellent. It was to Solomon’s honor to have his own household in order, not shamed by the actions and words of a contentious wife or children. He would have felt his muscles relax and mind rest in the established peace and respect of a worthy wife, versus an excruciating ache in every bone or in the nerve synapses of his brain as if there were cancer rotting in its marrow or lobes because of contentious relationships.

Again, the opposing polarizing thoughts of justice and injustice, and truth and deceit were evident in most areas of society, for the counsel of righteousness lead to justice, and the iniquitous counsel of wickedness lead to deceitful injustice. Wickedness’ counsel led to bloodshed and violence, a life overthrown in chaos and scandalous shame. Whereas the counsel of righteousness stood rock solid and firmly set in the principles of eternal truth.

Application - I can say with confidence and surety, it is good to have an excellent wife handling the affairs of the house and family. She is a crown and to be respected and affirmed for her diligence and wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and having a discerning spirit that uses discretion in her life and affairs.

For in her counsel and thoughts truth, justice, and righteousness are her prevailing strengths. Whereas the rebellious and contentious wife leaves a trail of anger, strife, and discontentment. And if the polar ends collide, the ensuing battles will cause an electromagnetic fire storm in the home, consuming all involved with deceit and distrust, vicious and nefarious lies, and life changing violence.

And the aftermath of this malady is the destruction of life and home, relationships overthrown and rented by the wickedness of sin.

But the home of those who yield to wisdom and righteousness is established on the firm Rock of Truth.

In closing this lesson, there is going to be the colliding of polar ends of good and evil, peace and violence. For we live in a fallen world, but God has given us His way, His wisdom, and His peace that has overcome the wickedness of the world. It is our choice to yield to His discipline and gain knowledge and understanding, to love the correction of the Lord and the righteousness rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ and the grace of God.

It affects the home and all that we have relationships with. We don’t have to live in contentious environments, lairs of violence and deception. We can live on the rock, the Lord Jesus, and know the surety of peace in Christ.

As always, I want to conclude by presenting the gospel in the form of the basic principles of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ. For Jesus, God the Son, came into this world to save all who believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you; he is the light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and has given him all authority in heaven and on earth. He will answer you if you truly believe. If you haven't yet asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

First, A: Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a just God, and a change of heart takes place: we change our minds, and God changes our hearts and regenerates us inside and out. Romans 3:10: As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners, so we must be born spiritually to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.) Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death; in other words, our sin means we have been sentenced to death; we have the death penalty hanging over our heads; that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, lest anyone should boast. Secondly,

B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised him from the dead. This is trusting with all your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is righteous, and with the mouth confession is made and is saved. Third,

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every person who sees lThose who have lived since Adam will kneel andthey confessed with hismouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, Lord of lords, and King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: “As I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess to God.” Don’t wait, do it now. Romans 10:13 - For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” “O God, I am a sinner. I repent of my sin. I want to turn away from it. I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son; I believe that he died on the cross for my sins, that he was buried, and that you raised him from the dead. I have decided to put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting in his shed blood alone as sufficient to save my soul and take me to heaven. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.”

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please visithttp://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In Your Service Mike Davis

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http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com