Poetry – Proverbs 23-24

We have been reading Proverbs for quite some time now.  And if you had been following the readings on Proverbs, you will know that how practical and relevant has been the words of wisdom in my life.  I am sure it has also impacted you in your life in some way or another.  If yes, why not share with all of us?

It’s been a long tiring week of lessons from the RE Retreat that just ended yesterday.

During the final day yesterday, I learned a new phrase that seems very apt for today’s passage and the start of a new work week and so I thought I’d share it with you after we read…

Bible Passage: Proverbs 23-24

It was my teacher in charge who shared this phrase with me…

Belief Drives Behaviour

Belief drives behaviour!

What does this mean?  And how does it relate to the passage?

We behave in a certain way because we believe what we are doing is acceptable, reasonable and right.

Like a child that walks around the classroom during lessons because he thinks that it is acceptable to do so.  Unless someone challenges his belief and corrects it, he will always behave in that way because his belief systems does not tell him otherwise.

So what does this have to do with today’s passage?

In our life, we hold many beliefs – rightly or wrongly – that govern how we think and act.  I am not talking about religious belief but rather principles or ideas that we have that we believe can bring us benefits or goodness.

In today’s passage, I see several “Do Not”s that challenges some of the widely accepted beliefs and I will just discuss on one of them and maybe for the rest, you can give your views.

“Do Not…”

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food.

Proverbs 23:1-3

The 1st “Do Not” is found in Proverbs 23:3.

Some of us are businessmen or salesmen.  We may hold important positions in our company and part of our job requires us to wine and dine or be wined and dined.

Could you resist knowing full well that this may be a tool used by unscrupulous people to break down your inhibitions and resistance?  The warm and friendly atmosphere, the flattering words, the luscious wine, the sumptous meats and the delicate pastries are a plate of lies as they distract your mind from perceiving the intents of your host.

The disarm you from vigilance by relaxing your soul.  They put you in a position where you feel obligated to return the favour by granting his request.

The more you read Proverbs and put the words into practice, the more you will have the power of right judgement – knowing what to do in any situation.  It teaches us discernment – the ability to perceive a situation in spite of deceit and distraction.  It teaches discretion – knowing when to say “No!”!

And the warning here is clear – do not let the extraordinary delight of a situation cloud your judgement or blind you from recognizing the temptation and danger at hand.

No matter how delicious the feast may appear, smell and taste – it is deceitful and will soon disappear (Prov 23:4-5).  It is a distraction also, for his heart is not with you, no matter how flattered and pampered you feel by his words and provision (Prov 23:6-7).  It is poison for it will come back up as vomit when you realize how it was used to snare your sould and ruin your life (Prov 23:8).

Ignore the flattering invitation!  Diligently consider the hidden agenda of the meal!

Daniel and his friends were not impressed by the king’s wine and meats, when he was put on the fast track in Babylon (Dan 1:1-16).

He had purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the seductive diet! He diligently considered what was before Him and saw the danger of disobeying His God. And Joseph defied the advances of Potiphar’s wife, when young and alone down in Egypt.

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

The goal to be a successful Christian businessman is a delusion from hell. It is trusting your wisdom, rather than God’s wisdom. Make your goal instead to be a successful Christian! If God blesses the business part of your life, good; if not, you will still be successful. True success is godliness with contentment, regardless of gain (I Tim 6:6).

There are many other “Do Nots” in today’s passage.  Share your views!