Are You Ready to Grow Up?
(Prov 10:23 NLT) Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
This morning we continue our series, In this text Solomon contrasts those that enjoy doing wrong with those that take pleasure in living wisely. Now, you may be thinking, “The term ‘living wisely’ is relative. Some may think they are living wisely, even though we might disagree.” That’s true, so to be clear, the wisdom Solomon refers to here is wisdom from above.
His point is that there are some who enjoy doing things that are contrary to the will of God (those things outlined in His Word). Solomon calls the man that enjoys doing wrong a “fool.”
On the other hand, there are some who enjoy living their lives by God’s wisdom (outlined in His Word). Solomon calls the man that takes pleasure in God’s wisdom “sensible.” To further drive this home, let’s look at this verse from the New International Reader’s Version. The NIV says: “A foolish person finds pleasure in doing evil things. But a man who has understanding takes delight in wisdom.”
This verse reminds me of something Paul said in the New Testament in his first letter to the church at Corinth. He said: “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things” (1st Cor 13:11).
Most (if not all) of all us took pleasure in foolish things at some point in our lives. We did things that were wrong and thought they were cute, funny, or fun. We took pleasure in senseless things. Looking back it all seems so foolish, but at the time, it was enjoyable.
Paul admits that he too partook of childish and foolish things, but when he grew up, he had to leave those childish ways behind. When I read our text for this morning I think of men and women that have grown up (physically), but they have never grown up (mentally, psychologically, or spiritually). There comes a point where we must leave childish things in the past. The same thing we might laugh at a 2yr. old for doing, we might have serious concerns with if we saw a 20yr. old doing.
So what does this mean ? It means that the Father expects you to grow up in Him. He expects you to leave childish ways behind. The King James Version of this text says, “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief.” As you grow in Christ sin should no longer be a laughing matter. Later in Proverbs Solomon said, “Fools don't care if they are wrong, but God is pleased when people do right” (14:9). Don’t be a fool. You should care – you MUST care – when you are wrong and be determined to do all you can (with God’s help) to do right!
As you grow in Christ your desire to want to do God’s will should grow as well. There was a situation in the New Testament where Jesus sent His disciples out to get something to eat. While they were gone He ministered to a woman at a well. When they came back they offered Him some food. He told them, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” He went on to say, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent Me, and from finishing His work” (John 4:32,34).
They were offering him natural food, but Jesus had just received a type of nourishment that natural food can never provide. He was satisfied in knowing that He had just ministered to a woman that was hurting. His words had just changed her life forever!
When you grow up in Christ you get a sense of satisfaction from doing His will. You no longer take pleasure in the foolish things you once did, but you rather focus your time, talents, and treasure on things of eternal significance. Are you ready to grow up?
Father, I am Your child, I have been Born-Again into Your Kingdom, and I declare, by faith, that I am growing up into a mature citizen that is determined to make a difference. I no longer take pleasure in doing wrong. I don’t laugh at sin or mischief. I know my time on the earth is limited, so I will not waste time on things of no eternal significance. I take pleasure in doing Your will. I get nourishment from being used by You to be a blessing to others. Use me Father, today, for Your glory. Use me to make a difference in someone else’s life today. That’s what I take pleasure in – in doing Your will! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
(Prov 10:23 NLT) Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
This morning we continue our series, In this text Solomon contrasts those that enjoy doing wrong with those that take pleasure in living wisely. Now, you may be thinking, “The term ‘living wisely’ is relative. Some may think they are living wisely, even though we might disagree.” That’s true, so to be clear, the wisdom Solomon refers to here is wisdom from above.
His point is that there are some who enjoy doing things that are contrary to the will of God (those things outlined in His Word). Solomon calls the man that enjoys doing wrong a “fool.”
On the other hand, there are some who enjoy living their lives by God’s wisdom (outlined in His Word). Solomon calls the man that takes pleasure in God’s wisdom “sensible.” To further drive this home, let’s look at this verse from the New International Reader’s Version. The NIV says: “A foolish person finds pleasure in doing evil things. But a man who has understanding takes delight in wisdom.”
This verse reminds me of something Paul said in the New Testament in his first letter to the church at Corinth. He said: “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things” (1st Cor 13:11).
Most (if not all) of all us took pleasure in foolish things at some point in our lives. We did things that were wrong and thought they were cute, funny, or fun. We took pleasure in senseless things. Looking back it all seems so foolish, but at the time, it was enjoyable.
Paul admits that he too partook of childish and foolish things, but when he grew up, he had to leave those childish ways behind. When I read our text for this morning I think of men and women that have grown up (physically), but they have never grown up (mentally, psychologically, or spiritually). There comes a point where we must leave childish things in the past. The same thing we might laugh at a 2yr. old for doing, we might have serious concerns with if we saw a 20yr. old doing.
So what does this mean ? It means that the Father expects you to grow up in Him. He expects you to leave childish ways behind. The King James Version of this text says, “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief.” As you grow in Christ sin should no longer be a laughing matter. Later in Proverbs Solomon said, “Fools don't care if they are wrong, but God is pleased when people do right” (14:9). Don’t be a fool. You should care – you MUST care – when you are wrong and be determined to do all you can (with God’s help) to do right!
As you grow in Christ your desire to want to do God’s will should grow as well. There was a situation in the New Testament where Jesus sent His disciples out to get something to eat. While they were gone He ministered to a woman at a well. When they came back they offered Him some food. He told them, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” He went on to say, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent Me, and from finishing His work” (John 4:32,34).
They were offering him natural food, but Jesus had just received a type of nourishment that natural food can never provide. He was satisfied in knowing that He had just ministered to a woman that was hurting. His words had just changed her life forever!
When you grow up in Christ you get a sense of satisfaction from doing His will. You no longer take pleasure in the foolish things you once did, but you rather focus your time, talents, and treasure on things of eternal significance. Are you ready to grow up?
Father, I am Your child, I have been Born-Again into Your Kingdom, and I declare, by faith, that I am growing up into a mature citizen that is determined to make a difference. I no longer take pleasure in doing wrong. I don’t laugh at sin or mischief. I know my time on the earth is limited, so I will not waste time on things of no eternal significance. I take pleasure in doing Your will. I get nourishment from being used by You to be a blessing to others. Use me Father, today, for Your glory. Use me to make a difference in someone else’s life today. That’s what I take pleasure in – in doing Your will! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
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