This is how I fight my battles - a sermon.

This is video of a sermon I preached recently at Gate Church Internation on Prov 3:5,6, entitled "This is how I fight my battles".

Prov 19:11 - I am offended by people being offended

Apparently Richard Hammond has made a rather inane and stupid remark about sexual orientation and eating ice cream, and the predictable storm of offence has arisen. Well I am offended by people being offended. We are all far too ready to take offence, and to call for the sacking, imprisonment, vilification of anyone who says something that we construe as being offensive. We would all do well to take to heart the words of Proverbs 19:11:

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offence.

In fact we would do well to make this a guide for the coming year. I once heard a preacher say a very wise thing, "more offence is taken than is ever given". Even when someone is deliberately trying to offend us, if we are truly firm and secure in our beliefs and ourselves then we will be far more likely to be able to act with patience and to overlook the offence. For myself, I know that if I lose my temper it is often a sign that I am wrong. If I react quietly it is usually a sign that I am right.

So let's make Proverbs 19:11 our motto for the coming year. Now, of course, I will have to be extra careful I don't take offence at anything!

Proverbs 31:10-31 - A wife of noble character

This final section is an acrostic poem, ie the verses begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The book of Proverbs has in many ways been in praise of wisdom and in this section wisdom is almost personified, and in the character of a woman. 

A wife of noble character is to be greatly prized (and I have found one!). Such a wife will bring great benefit to her husband.

This marvellous woman is hard working, she is a manager, and she makes astute financial decisions.

She is also a generous woman, helping the poor.

She is clothed with strength and dignity and can cope with all sorts of trials.

She speaks wisely and is greatly respected by her family.

Above all else, she fears the Lord. The world presents a superficial view of the "perfect woman", based almost solely on looks, but looks are fleeting, character lasts forever and improves with age!

Proverbs 31:1-9 - Sayings of King Lemuel

Again, King Lemuel is unknown in the Bible and is most likely a non-Israelite. Job is the most well-known non-Israelite in the Old Testament and while Israel was undoubtedly the focus of God's work in the Old Testament, it is not restricted to Israel.

These sayings are actually words taught to him by his mother, and are largely a series of warnings.

The first warning is against chasing after women. You only need to open a newspaper, or look on a news website, to see a fair selection of people who have made fools of themselves with women. 

The second warning is against drink. Rulers should not get drunk, for then they may make stupid decisions and many people will be affected by these decisions.Verses 6 and 7 seem to say that the poor and downtrodden should get drunk so they can forget their terrible state. I don't think we should take this as positive advice, but as a commentary on what drink (and in our day drugs as well) do in the social scheme of things. They are seen as a way of escaping the terrible or hopeless life that some have. In the end, they lead only to death.

This little section closes with positive advice, instruction on what rulers are meant to do. This is to speak up and act on behalf of the weak and destitute.

Proverbs 30 - Sayings of Agur

No one knows who Agur was, nor for that matter who Ithiel or Jakeh were. He may or may not have been an Israelite. The fact that he is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible perhaps implies that he was not an Israelite.

"I am weary God, but I can prevail". This perhaps sums up the state we are in a lot of the time. We are not always overflowing with joy and a sense of victory, but neither have we lost all hope. We are finding things difficult, but we know that our God is faithful so we will get through.

In verses 2-4 he admits his unworthiness before God and his inability to know God be his own efforts. This is something we all need to admit. The reference to God's son in verse 4 is somewhat enigmatic.

Verse 5,6 express praise for God's word, and the warning in verse 6 is echoed in Revelation 22:18,19. We need to make the word of God the light for our path.

Verse 7-9 express a realistic attitude to wealth. There are dangers in having too much or too little. The human heart is sinful and in any situation it can find the path of sin. Indeed, in these verses there are allusions to the Lord's prayer. He asks for daily bread, and is in effect asking God to not lead him into temptation.

Verse 10-14 are an honest description of the presence of evil n the world.

Verses 15-31 offer various reflections on life.

Verses 32,33 are a timely warning.

Proverbs 29 - Sayings of Solomon (5)

Many of these sayings contrast the righteous and the wicked, contrasting both the nature of the righteous and wicked people, and the effect they have on the nation. The reality of verse 2 can be seen all around us. For a nation to prosper it needs righteous rulers, when corrupt people rule the wealth of a nation is quickly squandered.

The righteous have concern for the poor, while the wicked do not. Righteous rule brings stability, corrupt rule brings chaos.

There is also conflict between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked seek to kill or otherwise undermine the righteous. 

The key thing to remember is that the Lord watches over all. All of us were created by Him, and He will intervene. The wicked will always be brought down eventually. It is the kingdom of righteousness that is an everlasting kingdom.

A key to instilling righteousness in a nation is to discipline our children properly. That is why the devil has been so keen to undermine discipline, and every educationalist and sociologist who has gone along with the anti-discipline agenda has been aiding the devil in his work.

Proverbs 28 - Sayings of Solomon (4)

Sin brings with it a diminution of our soul, one aspect of this is the fear it brings. No matter how much someone may deny it, deep down we all know that sin is wrong and that judgement is bound to come our way. Hence the fear. Righteousness, conversely, produces a confidence and boldness.

We see the truth of verse 2 in many situations where countries or institutions become divided. Rebellion against God shows itself in rebellion against each other.

Verse 4 is very apt for our time where it is popular to praise evil. Perhaps the most prominent example of our age is the whole matter of so-called gay marriage and homosexuality. We have now reached the stage where homosexuality is praised and to even gently question the wisdom of same-sex "marriage" is to invite abuse. However, this direction is promoted by those who forsake instruction, it is the wise who question it. As verse 5 says, we need to realise that evildoers do not understand what is right.

In fact, this chapter places a great emphasis on those who are willing to learn and those who are not. Verse 13 also makes it clear the difference between those who conceal their sins and those who confess them.

All this leads to the difference between well-run nations and badly run ones. The moral character of our leaders does matter.

So the wise person is one who will

• Accept instruction
• Do what is right
• Confess their sins
• Give generously

There are two key reasons why this works. One is a direct causal effect, the other is that God is intimately involved in the running of the world.

Proverbs 27 - Sayings of Solomon (3)

A fool's provocation is a heavy burden. If we are sensible and someone makes a reasonable objection to something we do, then we can either make a reasonable response countering the argument, or accept the objection and make some adjustment to our actions. But when idiotic objections are raised this just cause trouble, especially in our own time when our legal system seems to have no conception of common sense.

A key feature of a wise man is the ability to accept just criticism. 

Verse 10 highlights the value of friendship. We need to hold the importance of family and friends in the right balance.

Blessings given in the wrong context or time are just like a curse. 

Good friends will sharpen each other. The ability to accept disagreement and to thrive on it is a key to a strong relationship. When we are obsessed with being right all the time, then that is a sign of immaturity.

Death always wants more, just as do our eyes. We need to recognise this fact. When we have made a choice, whether it be a wife, a job, some material object, then there will always be the temptation than some other choice might have been better. We need to live with the decision we have made and make that work. In that path lies contentment.

We need to make proper provision.

Proverbs 26 - Sayings of Solomon (2)

It is singularly inappropriate to honour fools, yet if we look at our society we can see many examples of fools being lauded.

An undeserved curse will not come to rest. Shimei (the stone thrower) wrongly cursed David to no effect (2 Sam 16:8,12). We need to remember this, for as we live in an increasingly unchristian and anti-Christian society one of the tactics of the enemy is to make false accusations and false charges. They will come to nothing.

Force is the only way to make fools go in the right direction.

Verses 4 and 5 are fantastic, for at face value they are completely contradictory. However, those who claim that these are contradictory only demonstrate that they themselves are fools! Proverbs is not a set of rules, it is wisdom. There are times when it is best to ignore fools, for answering them will only make us partake in their foolishness. At other times we should answer them, showing the self-contradiction in their foolish arguments. Wisdom is knowing when to take which line.

In fact the whole of the first twelve verses are laying into fools. The fools we have about are not just idiots but include many so-called sophisticated and learned people. 

Next up for attack are sluggards, the lazy. 

The chapter finishes with several proverbs concerning the deceitful tongue. God speaks only truth, and with a word He brought the universe into being. Satan is the father of lies, and a key element of our falleness is a proliferation of lies and falsehood.

Proverbs 25 - Sayings of Solomon (1)

These sayings of Solomon were put together by Hezekiah's men. Hezekiah led a revival in Judah and this included reverence for the words of David (2 Chron 29:30). So presumably Hezekiah's men searched out the various records to gather together these sayings of Solomon.

There are things that only God knows, it is a kings glory to search things out. What does this mean? There are two equally wrong approaches to wisdom. One is to assume we cannot know anything, or that it is wrong to seek to understand how the world works. Some people who give Christianity a bad name tend towards this, though not many. The more common error, and the one that is most prevalent in our secular society, is to assume that we either know everything or can know everything. The Biblical approach is to seek to understand, knowing the limits of our human minds. Ie, as it says elsewhere in Proverbs, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

We seek to purify metals before using them. In the same way corruption needs to be removed from a regime, then a solid kingdom can be established.

Jesus told a parable along the same lines of v6,7 (Luke 14:7,8).

We should be cautious in bringing disputes and accusations to light. We can often cause more trouble, including for ourselves, than we imagine.

Good decisions and right rebukes are very valuable.

We should handle riches carefully, if we take too much they will just make us sick. Equally we should not overstay our welcome anywhere. See how practical Proverbs is.

V18-20 warn against various kinds of duplicitousness.

Paul quotes v21,22 in Romans 12.

The chapter closes with various sayings.

Proverbs 24:23-34 - Extra sayings of the wise

After the main batch of thirty sayings of the wise we get a brief encore.

We should not show partiality. The Law actually has warnings against favouring either the rich or the poor. 

We see the truth of verse 24 in the news every so often when our wonderful judges, often misguided by the human rights agenda, set the guilty free. We need to convict the guilty, and this brings blessing. Now sometimes this is portrayed as revenge. It is not revenge but justice. When a society fails to deliver justice it is heading for a breakdown.

Honest answers can be rare, but are most welcome when someone simply speaks the truth.

Verse 27 is a plea to be organised and to plan properly. In the context of the time it the outdoor work would be essential to ensure that food was available.

Verses 28 and 29 again speak of the importance of speaking the truth. An accusation is not something to be used to make political gain of some sort, but only if there is just cause. Neither are we to seek to get our own back. Jesus' words in the sermon on the mount about loving our enemies and the like actually do have a foundation in the Old Testament.

Finally we are warned against laziness and the serious effects that it can have.

Proverbs 24:1-22 - A word to the wise(3)

We now come to the final ten sayings of the wise.

We should not envy the wicked, no matter how successful they may seem, for their hearts are utterly corrupt.

Wisdom, understanding and knowledge build a great house.

Wisdom is vital to winning a battle. Power on its own is not enough.

Foolishness and evil will be found out.

We often say "things were too difficult", but strength that is worth something will enable us to overcome in times of difficulty.

Wisdom is to be greatly treasured.

The righteous may fall, but they will rise again, but when the wicked fall that is the end of them.

We should not gloat over our enemies when they fall, for the Lord is watching over everyone. Note that the Lord has concern for our "enemies" as well as for us.

There will be times when we see the wicked prosper, but we should not fret, nor should we be envious, for their "victory" is purely transitory.

It is very dangerous to join in a rebellion.

Proverbs 23 - A word to the wise (2)

The sayings of the wise continue.

When with the rich or rulers we should not become engrossed in the trappings of wealth or power, for these things are deceptive.

The next saying is also related to food and drink, this time advising us to be aware when people are just being polite but are really grudging. 

There is no point trying to give wisdom to a fool, this is reminiscent of Jesus' words about not giving pearls to pigs.

It might seem that ancient boundary stones or the rights of the fatherless can be easily overlooked. This is not so, for God is watching.

Instead we should apply our hearts to instruction. 

Discipline is important. Our society is very much against discipline, indeed it seems to have no concept of it. The outcome is that people are actually treated worse. 

Wisdom is the quality we should value most in our children. 

We should not be taken in by the apparent success of evil, it will not last. 

Too much drink is dangerous, leading to poverty.

Righteousness and respect for parents is valuable.

We should beware of the adulterous woman, she may look tempting but will lead to death.

This chapter closes with a vivid warning against the dangers of drink.

Proverbs 22:17-29 - A word to the wise (1)

We now come to the "thirty sayings of the wise". We are to pay attention and to apply our heart. Now in the Bible heart does not mean just our emotions but includes our whole being. 

The reason these sayings are given is so that we may trust the Lord. Worldly wisdom will leads us away from God, godly wisdom will lead us towards God. 

Note that the focus of the sayings is on honesty and truth. Just consider how contrary this is to much of the world's so called wisdom.

We must not exploit the poor. Again, consider how much the poor are exploited. Loan sharks are one example, slavery is another. When evil is triumphing it is often the poor who suffer most. But there is a day of judgement, of God's judgement.

We are to avoid hot-tempered people, they will only lead us into trouble.

We should beware of putting up security for another. It is better to pay off their debt properly.

We are to respect ancient boundaries. Our society has been, and still is, in the midst of removing ancient boundaries, such as the redefinition of marriage. We do this at our peril.

Those who are skilled will be rewarded and valued by leaders.

Proverbs 22:1-16 - The benefits of good attitudes

These verses contain the last of the large section of "pithy" proverbs before returning more to the style of the earlier chapters.

While the previous chapter leant towards focusing on the negative effects of evil, this section shines a light more on positive attitudes to have.

A good name is more valuable than gold. We should not be led astray by the lure of money. Intangible things are actually more valuable than the material. Money should be a servant not a master.

All of use are just creatures, made by God. No matter how high or low we may be in the world, all of us were created by God. This should engender humility and hope within us.

We should pay heed to danger and warning signs.

Humility actually brings honour and wealth. This reminds us of Jesus' words that the meek shall inherit the earth (see also Psalm 37:11). The world tries to tell us that we need to be proud and arrogant, this is not so.

How we bring up our children is crucial. We see both the positive and the negative side of this in the world around us.

Generosity is a key to financial security.

Being straightforwardly honest and gracious will make us find favour with leaders. Now this is a guide, not a strict rule. Clearly there are leaders who want scoundrels as henchmen and despise the honest and upright, but good leaders want good people.

There are, of course, a number of negatives in here as well. Mockers just bring strife, lazy people always find an excuse for doing nothing. The adulterous woman will lead many astray. Oppressing the poor will themselves end up in poverty.

Proverbs 21 - Evil and good

Back to Proverbs for several days. 

Let's look first at what this chapter tells us about the wicked and foolish. Verse 4 tells us that pride and haughtiness are the map of the wicked, they are what guide the path of evil men, and will ultimately lead to their downfall. Hasty actions lead to poverty (v5). Any gains from deceptive methods will at best be fleeting (v6). Moreover, the violence of the wicked will in the end be their downfall (v7). The soul of the wicked desires evil and contains no mercy (v10). We do not realise how terrible sin is. Wandering from good sense leads to death (v15). Seeking after pleasure leads to poverty( v17). Lazy people only want, never giving back anything (v26).

Now let's look at the way of the righteous. Righteousness and justice mean more to the Lord than sacrifice. Their conduct is pure. The plans of the diligent lead to abundance. A wise man gains knowledge (v11). If we pursue righteousness and kindness we will find life (v21). A wise man can take a city (v22). Guarding our tongue helps us keep out of trouble (v23).

In fact there are more warnings about evil in this chapter than there are promises for goodness. There are also two other themes. One is that it is better to be "worse off" and upright than to have wealth with unrighteousness. Evil may seem to pay for a time but we should not be fooled.

The other theme is that it is God's will that will ultimately prevail (v1, 31). 

Proverbs 20 - The depths of the human heart

There are some themes that are repeated several times in proverbs. Verses 3 and 4 contains two of them: (i) the value of avoiding quarrels; and (ii) the folly of laziness (also v13).

Proverbs also recognises the depths of the human heart, verse 5 being one example of this as does 27. Proverbs also recognises the relationship between the human soul and mind and the mind of God. 

People often claim to care (v6) or declare that they have undying devotion to someone or something, but the reality is often very different. True love and commitment is a rare thing and is to be greatly valued when it is found.

Honesty (v10) is another repeated theme.

Proverbs demonstrates an astuteness about business and the human heart. Christians are not meant to be naive. 

Proverbs 19 - Wisdom

There are many fine nuggets in this chapter.

Verse 3 is so true. When things go wrong we always look for someone else to blame, and if we cannot find anyone then God will do. Atheists rage against the Lord (who doesn't exist according to them, so why bother raging against Him?), but our own folly is responsible for most of our troubles.

Worldly relationships are so shallow. A wealthy person will have many "friends" (v4) as will a ruler or someone who gives gifts (v6). Conversely a poor person will find he has few friends (v4,7). God's relationship with us is infinitely deeper, and He wants us to have a similar commitment to each other.

Wisdom and understanding bring life and prosperity (v8). Wisdom yields patience and a wise person is not always looking to get even or get his own back (v11).

Jesus said that what we do for least we do for Him. This is an echo of verse 17. It is a Biblical principle that surest financial foundation we can lay is to be generous towards others.

While wisdom will bring prosperity, the chapter is also clear that it is better to be righteous and poor than rich and wicked (1, 22).

Hard work bears fruit, but laziness will lead to ruin.

Proverbs 18 - Listen

v1 reads quite differently in the NIV and ESV, though the meaning is not that far apart. We were made to live in fellowship with God and with each other. Sin separates us from God and causes us to isolate ourselves from each other. 

Speech is a clear sign of fools and wickedness. It is characterised by causing quarrels, lies, gossip, and lots of it!

The rich think that money protects them, but the righteous trust in God, and is a far surer source of security.

The condition of our heart is crucial. A proud heart leads to our downfall, but humility brings honour. This goes right against what society teaches us, but think about it. A godless man thinks that he is the one who determines his destiny, so he seeks to exalt himself. A godly man knows that everything is in God's hands, so he humbles himself before the Lord.

Casting the lot settles disputes. Why is this? It is because the decision is given to something else other than the two sides of the dispute. Men are constantly seeking to become their own judges, but then we end up judging against each other and disputes arise. We need a higher authority. Our society is quickly abandoning all higher authorities, but this will lead only to ruin.

Proverbs 17 - How to appear wise

Back to Proverbs for a while. Interestingly enough the chapter starts off with two proverbs that kind of follow on from what we have just read Jesus say about who and who will not enter the kingdom of God. Peace and quiet are worth more than material wealth if there is strife, and it is better to be a faithful servant than a disgraceful son. Likewise mocking the poor may seem a safe thing to do, but in fact it is extremely dangerous. For all were made by God and so we show contempt for their maker. This is consistent with Jesus' words that whatever we do for the least of people we do for Him.

There are several other themes in this chapter.One is our attitude to strife and quarrels. Some people love to stir up trouble and take pride in doing so, this is a foolish attitude. Love will seek to overlook an offense. A wise person is one who learns from a rebuke. Starting a quarrel is a dangerous thing, one has no idea where it might end. In fact to love a quarrel is to love sin.

Our words are another common theme. A perverse tongue leads us into trouble. A sign of wisdom is to use words with care.

Finally verse 28 is on of my favourites, even a fool appears wise when he remains silent.