Right Way Or Dead End?

“I wish I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth. We could both retire!” said a colleague to me after interviewing a potential employee.

Many people lead “presumptuous” lives and never get in touch with who they are and what their strengths or weaknesses might be. They refuse to see themselves as others see them, and will not admit the fact that they may have done something wrong or harmful. “It’s not my fault. It's theirs. They just wouldn’t admit what they did.”

In the final analysis, we all have the freedom to choose what path we will take - even though, as Solomon warns, “... in the end that path leads to death.” We may choose a path, even claim that it was a "path from God and was His will for my life," not admitting that our decision was ours alone, ill-conceived, and even ill-advised. “I certainly prayed about it!”

“Seems right” is a frightening combination of words. It simply means that “I (or someone else) did not know what was right” and went off in the wrong direction and it ended in disaster - perhaps death. “Seems right” is full of presumptions, beginning with sincerity. Although we may be very sincere about most anything we choose to do, sincerity does not lead to fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. “Seems right” can be “surely wrong!”

Those who truly want to live the “right way” will find it in God’s Word. The “right way” is living a life that agrees with the Word of God, choosing to be obedient to His commands, waiting for His guidance, and putting His will before my wants.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we avoid doing what “seems right” by surrendering our lives and will to You. Help us to do right and live right by following You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. 

Right Way Or Dead End?

“I wish I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth. We could both retire!” said a colleague to me after interviewing a potential employee.

Many people lead “presumptuous” lives and never get in touch with who they are and what their strengths or weaknesses might be. They refuse to see themselves as others see them, and will not admit the fact that they may have done something wrong or harmful. “It’s not my fault. It's theirs. They just wouldn’t admit what they did.”

In the final analysis, we all have the freedom to choose what path we will take - even though, as Solomon warns, “... in the end that path leads to death.” We may choose a path, even claim that it was a "path from God and was His will for my life," not admitting that our decision was ours alone, ill-conceived, and even ill-advised. “I certainly prayed about it!”

“Seems right” is a frightening combination of words. It simply means that “I (or someone else) did not know what was right” and went off in the wrong direction and it ended in disaster - perhaps death. “Seems right” is full of presumptions, beginning with sincerity. Although we may be very sincere about most anything we choose to do, sincerity does not lead to fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. “Seems right” can be “surely wrong!”

Those who truly want to live the “right way” will find it in God’s Word. The “right way” is living a life that agrees with the Word of God, choosing to be obedient to His commands, waiting for His guidance, and putting His will before my wants.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we avoid doing what “seems right” by surrendering our lives and will to You. Help us to do right and live right by following You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. 

"If You Really Love Me..."

Corporal punishment of children is not considered to be an enlightened way of disciplining children. Actually, it is in direct opposition to the majority of the theories of psychology and ways to change behavior. But God does, in fact, include it as part of His program of parenting skills that can lead a child to maturity. Parents who choose not to use this form of discipline do not demonstrate that they possess a “higher degree” of parenting skills or that they love their children more than other parents. In essence, according to God’s program of child-rearing, they do not love their children as much as those who “use a rod.”

The words “hate” and “love” in this verse are not to be seen as comparing love and hate in an emotional sense. In other words, to withhold a spanking is not a sign that “I love my child more than you do yours.” It could be a sign that “I am willing to sacrifice my child’s future well-being because I want him to like me,” or “I would rather have the approval of society than God,” or “I know of other children who were spanked and they did not end up so good.” We must always be cautious about whose approval we are seeking: our child’s, man’s or God’s.

Disciplining children is painful - especially corporal discipline which is clear from this passage of Scripture. But if the discipline is associated with breaking the teachings of God’s laws - lying, stealing, and being disrespectful of others - then it is appropriate. Children must be informed that “If you lie to me, then you will be spanked” is in keeping with God’s laws. Discipline is to bring conformity to God’s ways.

Prayer: Father, help us to discipline our children with love and respect when they disregard Your laws and willingly choose evil. But first, let us be their example. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. 

Paying The Price

Making amends means “I’ve harmed someone.” Not an easy thing to do. First, if I have harmed someone, they “certainly deserved it or had it coming to them.” Secondly, whenever I apologize, I admit that “I did something that is or was wrong - and that simply is not like me to do something like that.” Or, “They are too sensitive - they shouldn’t wear their feelings on their sleeves or shoulders. It’s about them, not me. I know what I’m doing.”

Unfortunately, those options do not agree with God’s Word. First, “All have sinned.” So, I’m not in any position to harm anyone. Secondly, “No one is righteous, not even one.” Well, there goes my reputation. Or, “If you have never committed a sin, pick up a stone and throw it at the first person you see - for they surely have!” So, when I investigate my stone-carrier, it’s empty.

“Fools,” according to Solomon, “mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.” This includes all of us in one way or another. One who “mocks at making amends” would be a person who has no sense of right or wrong or personal accountability for their actions. They turn a “blind-eye” to God’s “ever-present, watchful eye.” That’s not wise!

To feel unaccountable for our sin implies that we will not be judged by God or man. That surely is foolish, for one day we will all stand before God to be judged. On the other hand, “men of goodwill” are those who want to be “approved” by God and others for the way they act. They want their relationships, beginning with God, to be open and beyond reproach. “Do to others as you would have them do to you” is what making amends is all about.

Prayer: Lord, it’s much easier to live in denial than to be a person of honesty and integrity. Give us courage, when we are or do wrong, to seek forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 14:9 Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. 

"If You Really Love Me..."

Corporal punishment of children is not considered to be an enlightened way of disciplining children. Actually, it is in direct opposition to the majority of the theories of psychology and ways to change behavior. But God does, in fact, include it as part of His program of parenting skills that can lead a child to maturity. Parents who choose not to use this form of discipline do not demonstrate that they possess a “higher degree” of parenting skills or that they love their children more than other parents. In essence, according to God’s program of child-rearing, they do not love their children as much as those who “use a rod.”

The words “hate” and “love” in this verse are not to be seen as comparing love and hate in an emotional sense. In other words, to withhold a spanking is not a sign that “I love my child more than you do yours.” It could be a sign that “I am willing to sacrifice my child’s future well-being because I want him to like me,” or “I would rather have the approval of society than God,” or “I know of other children who were spanked and they did not end up so good.” We must always be cautious about whose approval we are seeking: our child’s, man’s or God’s.

Disciplining children is painful - especially corporal discipline which is clear from this passage of Scripture. But if the discipline is associated with breaking the teachings of God’s laws - lying, stealing, and being disrespectful of others - then it is appropriate. Children must be informed that “If you lie to me, then you will be spanked” is in keeping with God’s laws. Discipline is to bring conformity to God’s ways.

Prayer: Father, help us to discipline our children with love and respect when they disregard Your laws and willingly choose evil. But first, let us be their example. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.