January 31st, 2025
People desperately want to “win” at life. They want to succeed in everyday life, and Christians are no different. We search frantically for tips from books, from “experts” on TV, the internet, TikTok or anywhere we can find them. The problem is that many Christians look everywhere but the Bible to learn how to “win” at parenting, finances, marriage, the workplace, and other areas of life.
Even Christians who want a “Christian” perspective on these topics are more likely to look to a Christian book than to the Book—the Bible! So often we don’t want the Word. Instead, we want practical tips and strategies that have been plucked from the world. Sure, we believe the Bible is God’s Word and it’s authoritative, but we somehow buy into the misconception that it doesn’t do a great job of addressing the nitty-gritty details of daily life.
So Christians will do no more than skim the Word devotionally to get some helpful tips for their day. The philosophies of the world primarily shape and fashion their worldview.
However, the problem doesn’t stop there. The problem is that even if we do look to the Book, and even if we do somehow pull out some tips for how to live a better life, more often than not we don’t follow what we already know. Oftentimes we know what to do, but we can’t bring ourselves to do it. Think of how often we mess up.
Think of the hurtful words you’ve said to a friend or your spouse or your parents. Think of the times you’ve said more than you should say. Think of the times you spoke too quickly and couldn’t get your words back. Think about the time someone confronted you with something you needed to hear, and in anger you blew them off with, “Who do you think you are?!” Think about the times you should’ve lovingly confronted someone and didn’t. Think about that person whose feelings you hurt. Think about that lie you desperately hope your parents won’t find out or your boyfriend won’t find out or your wife won’t find out. Think about those things you keep hidden. Think about that secret that you just couldn’t keep to yourself, and in a moment of supposed confidential privacy you whispered in someone’s ear, “Well, did you hear what happened to . . . ?” Think about the times you’ve bragged about yourself so others would think you’re something. Think about the mistakes you’ve made with your children. Think about the times you didn’t discipline a behavior that has now gotten out of hand. Think about the times your children saw you do something you had told them not to do or heard you say something you told them not to say. Think about that grudge you’ve held and refused to let go because someone really hurt you. Think about the times you’ve been stingy with your money instead of generous to a person with a real need. Think about the frivolous spending that got you in trouble. Think about the get-rich-quick scheme that ruined you. Think about the times you didn’t finish your job assignment on time because you got sidetracked by Facebook. Think about the people you’re jealous of because they got the promotion that passed you by. Think about the times you’ve nagged or ignored helping your spouse. Think about how you repeat the same stupid mistake over and over and don’t learn from it. On and on and on we could go.
What does all of this tell us? It tells us that we have a major problem that no amount of tips will solve. It tells us that we are not wise and are often foolish. It tells us that we are broken and don’t work right. It tells us that we are in desperate need of wisdom to make decisions and navigate our way through life. But we can’t just say that we need wisdom and then go after it. Since we are broken, we don’t even follow the wisdom we already know. We do things we know are hurtful and foolish. We just can’t help ourselves.
Proverbs is all about becoming wise in everyday life through a relationship with Jesus—through the gospel. It’s about the life of the kingdom that God always meant for humankind to live. When our vertical relationship with God is right through Jesus, we can be right with others and the world around us.
Even Christians who want a “Christian” perspective on these topics are more likely to look to a Christian book than to the Book—the Bible! So often we don’t want the Word. Instead, we want practical tips and strategies that have been plucked from the world. Sure, we believe the Bible is God’s Word and it’s authoritative, but we somehow buy into the misconception that it doesn’t do a great job of addressing the nitty-gritty details of daily life.
So Christians will do no more than skim the Word devotionally to get some helpful tips for their day. The philosophies of the world primarily shape and fashion their worldview.
However, the problem doesn’t stop there. The problem is that even if we do look to the Book, and even if we do somehow pull out some tips for how to live a better life, more often than not we don’t follow what we already know. Oftentimes we know what to do, but we can’t bring ourselves to do it. Think of how often we mess up.
Think of the hurtful words you’ve said to a friend or your spouse or your parents. Think of the times you’ve said more than you should say. Think of the times you spoke too quickly and couldn’t get your words back. Think about the time someone confronted you with something you needed to hear, and in anger you blew them off with, “Who do you think you are?!” Think about the times you should’ve lovingly confronted someone and didn’t. Think about that person whose feelings you hurt. Think about that lie you desperately hope your parents won’t find out or your boyfriend won’t find out or your wife won’t find out. Think about those things you keep hidden. Think about that secret that you just couldn’t keep to yourself, and in a moment of supposed confidential privacy you whispered in someone’s ear, “Well, did you hear what happened to . . . ?” Think about the times you’ve bragged about yourself so others would think you’re something. Think about the mistakes you’ve made with your children. Think about the times you didn’t discipline a behavior that has now gotten out of hand. Think about the times your children saw you do something you had told them not to do or heard you say something you told them not to say. Think about that grudge you’ve held and refused to let go because someone really hurt you. Think about the times you’ve been stingy with your money instead of generous to a person with a real need. Think about the frivolous spending that got you in trouble. Think about the get-rich-quick scheme that ruined you. Think about the times you didn’t finish your job assignment on time because you got sidetracked by Facebook. Think about the people you’re jealous of because they got the promotion that passed you by. Think about the times you’ve nagged or ignored helping your spouse. Think about how you repeat the same stupid mistake over and over and don’t learn from it. On and on and on we could go.
What does all of this tell us? It tells us that we have a major problem that no amount of tips will solve. It tells us that we are not wise and are often foolish. It tells us that we are broken and don’t work right. It tells us that we are in desperate need of wisdom to make decisions and navigate our way through life. But we can’t just say that we need wisdom and then go after it. Since we are broken, we don’t even follow the wisdom we already know. We do things we know are hurtful and foolish. We just can’t help ourselves.
Proverbs is all about becoming wise in everyday life through a relationship with Jesus—through the gospel. It’s about the life of the kingdom that God always meant for humankind to live. When our vertical relationship with God is right through Jesus, we can be right with others and the world around us.
Posted in Proverbs 2025
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