OUTLINE:
Barnes on Pr 20:30
The open sores of wounds left by the scourge, unclean and foul as they seem, are yet a cleansing, purifying process for evil; so also are the stripes that reach the inward parts of the belly, i. e., the sharp reproofs, the stings of conscience, which penetrate where no scourge can reach, into the inner life of man.
Barnes on Pr 20:30
Chastisement, whatever be its nature, must be real; the scourge must leave its mark, the reproof must go deep.
Does the Truth scare you that much?
“Tug of War”
Confidence in self depletes/disturbs/ distracts from our confidence in the Lord. Pride destroys our spiritual lives – it is an agent of death. Pride is a harbinger for double-mindedness in we believers. Jesus DESPISES hypocrisy.
Ro 12:9-10 [Amplified]
Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor.
Freedom or Bondage
The approach to truth dictates what you find.
Perverse Respect for Worldly Measurements
“A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; all the weights of the bag are His concern” (Pr 16:11). We must be careful to disallow worldly measurements (e.g., numbers) become the impetus for the respect we give. (Mt 10:28; De 20:1-4; Lev 26:7-8; Ps 33:16-21; Is 31:1-3; Jer 9:23-24)
Deu 20:1
When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them [DO NOT RESPECT/TRUST NUMBERS!]; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.
Mt 10:28 [Amplified]
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [e.g., Do not respect worldly fears]
Jer 9:23-24
Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Perverse Respect for Worldly Measurements
“A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; all the weights of the bag are His concern” (Pr 16:11). We must be careful to disallow worldly measurements (e.g., numbers) become the impetus for the respect we give. (Mt 10:28; De 20:1-4; Lev 26:7-8; Ps 33:16-21; Is 31:1-3; Jer 9:23-24)
Trust (aka Faith)
It’s a counterfeit quest for truth if you reserve the right to reject it once you find it.
Isn’t honesty what makes true love so grand?
Pr 10:12b ...But love covers all transgressions.
Ro 12:21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Jn 10:17-18a
“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative.”
Truth or Lies
Do we seek friends that lie to us?
Have our friends sought us because we’ve lied to them?
2Co 11:14-15
No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Truth or Lies
Do we seek friends that lie to us?
Have our friends sought us because we’ve lied to them?
People would rather have “friends” that LIE to them!
Why “Read Your Bible!”?
It’s a test (ala Pr 4:7): “Do you want to know the Truth or not?”
Pr 4:7The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.