DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: Proverbs 13:10 – Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
The book of Proverbs is often times referred to as the book about men’s pride and ego. That is true, but in addition to that it provides realistic and simple truths that help us all see ourselves for what we can or will be if we don’t make specific changes in our lives. Proverbs lays out the truth of our nature; our character flaws and real life actions that we can all relate to in addition to showing us our eminent downfall for lack of wisdom in life circumstances. This is where we park our hat for today’s devotional.
As the scripture says, we will have strife in our lives due to our own insolence. Now when you hear insolence you have to understand the actual meaning of the word. Insolence means to be rude or have disrespectful behavior. Now we don’t need the bible to tell us that our disrespectful ways will bring problems into our lives, do we? Many of you reading this will say no, why? Well, because we don’t tolerate rudeness or disrespect in our regular way of living. So why does this scripture even have to be spoken… we know this already; or do we? In the bigger scheme of things we have to remember that the bible parallels our physical lives to our spiritual lives. Yes, we may attribute the actions in the physical as being the skills we need to garner respect and courtesy; however, God is always looking at our spiritual needs, conduct, and heart versus our physical. So the question would become, “well who am I being insolent to?” I’m so glad you asked.
God’s word is the basic instructions before leaving earth (that’s B.I.B.L.E) and as elementary as that sounds, there is real truth given in that statement. Think about it, God’s word tells us to avoid fornication but we don’t do it. What happens? We have children unintentional and life gets real, real quick. We grow up faster than we needed to and depending on the situation we are scarred for life making the ability to love people or anyone else almost impossible. God’s word tells us to forgive other as He has forgiven us but we don’t (always or fully) do it. What happens? The anger and resentment builds up in us and destroys us, our relationships, and our ability to be forgiven when we wrong someone. God’s word tells us not to cheat (that includes stealing) other but we still do it. What happens? We end up receiving punishments, being stripped of privileges, jailed or even worse. There are so many examples and I could go on forever but I think you get the point.
Now you may be thinking, “Well, ok, I can see that, but how is that being rude or disrespectful?” Simply put, it is being rude and disrespectful in the fact that God is basically giving each and every one of us a chance to avoid STRIFE in our lives by giving us his wise counsel to apply to our lives (through the Bible) and we have the audacity, egotistic gall, and response of a person who has just turned up their nose, closed their ears, rolled their eyes, and turned their back on God himself!!! HOW DARE WE!!! If that would be considered rude and disrespectful by today’s human standards, what do you think that looks like before the Creator of all things in the earth and on the earth?
God’s word has specific purpose for each of our lives and as we live by his teachings and wise counsel we are made better in our living, better in our living in pleasing Him, and well equipped to avoid some of the struggle and strife that this life can and will provide.
Today we pray that we aren’t the kind of people who snub our noses up at God but take His words, principles and teachings to heart so that we might avoid the pain that comes in this life when we don’t listen to Him. God knows all things and nothing can surprise him. Don’t you think it would be wise on our part to listen and take heed to what it is that He has to say and live by that? I know that His ways won’t lead you to problems in your life but being high and mighty in our own thinking certainly will. Do you believe that counsel? We pray you do. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!