What effect comes from your cause?
Proverbs 30:32--This proverb is typically overlooked as merely the preface to verse 33: "For as churning milk produces butter, and twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife." But, really it worth reviewing on its own merits.
Today's proverb is similar to verse 33 in that it is what I call the cause and effect theme. If you do this, then something will happen as a result. It's a combination of action and reaction.
Causality is what connects one process to another. Whole academic disciplines can find their foundations in cause and effect. Honestly, I think it simply is how GOD logically set up the universe; so of course it shows up in the Proverbs as well throughout Scriptures.
However, what's different about verse 32 is that the action produces another action, that may produce a different, unexpected reaction. In fact, the verse doesn't indicate what the reaction/effect will be.
What do I mean by this? The action of foolish behavior, pride, or just making a poor move by planning evil is enough to produce a very negative reaction. Imagine how you would react to any of those actions.
Here's where verse 32 is wonderfully different. There's another action, placing our hand over our mouth. By placing our hand over our mouth we stop whatever it is we're saying. And, in that process draw attention to what we said.
It's an intentional action, so it's not a reaction.
What is this action? Is it an act of contrition? Of realizing we've said something wrong? What if the Holy Spirit convicts us right there and we get it.
I like this idea. It makes sense to me. And it gives some insights into how to live the Bible.
Listen, we're all on the wisdom and faith journey--we haven't arrived. As much as we want to be perfect in our walk, well, we're flawed. When we say something that is offensive or hurtful or prideful or distasteful or disruptive, and the Holy Spirit zaps our heart, what if we put our hand over our mouth?
For sure it will stop us from saying more, but it also gives us the opportunity to repent, right there on the spot.
It draws attention to the fact that we messed up--or sinned. Drawing attention to our sin by our own action will cause an immediate response around us. It's a courageous thing. An uncomfortable thing. But, it might just be a powerful thing. It also might help us NOT do it again. And that's an effect that's worth the cause.
May we "put our hand over our mouth" as soon as possible, my friends.
Proverbs 30:32--If you have acted foolishly, exalting yourself, or if you have planned evil, put your hand over your mouth. Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
Today's proverb is similar to verse 33 in that it is what I call the cause and effect theme. If you do this, then something will happen as a result. It's a combination of action and reaction.
Causality is what connects one process to another. Whole academic disciplines can find their foundations in cause and effect. Honestly, I think it simply is how GOD logically set up the universe; so of course it shows up in the Proverbs as well throughout Scriptures.
However, what's different about verse 32 is that the action produces another action, that may produce a different, unexpected reaction. In fact, the verse doesn't indicate what the reaction/effect will be.
What do I mean by this? The action of foolish behavior, pride, or just making a poor move by planning evil is enough to produce a very negative reaction. Imagine how you would react to any of those actions.
Here's where verse 32 is wonderfully different. There's another action, placing our hand over our mouth. By placing our hand over our mouth we stop whatever it is we're saying. And, in that process draw attention to what we said.
It's an intentional action, so it's not a reaction.
What is this action? Is it an act of contrition? Of realizing we've said something wrong? What if the Holy Spirit convicts us right there and we get it.
I like this idea. It makes sense to me. And it gives some insights into how to live the Bible.
Listen, we're all on the wisdom and faith journey--we haven't arrived. As much as we want to be perfect in our walk, well, we're flawed. When we say something that is offensive or hurtful or prideful or distasteful or disruptive, and the Holy Spirit zaps our heart, what if we put our hand over our mouth?
For sure it will stop us from saying more, but it also gives us the opportunity to repent, right there on the spot.
It draws attention to the fact that we messed up--or sinned. Drawing attention to our sin by our own action will cause an immediate response around us. It's a courageous thing. An uncomfortable thing. But, it might just be a powerful thing. It also might help us NOT do it again. And that's an effect that's worth the cause.
May we "put our hand over our mouth" as soon as possible, my friends.
Proverbs 30:32--If you have acted foolishly, exalting yourself, or if you have planned evil, put your hand over your mouth. Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
Comments
Post a Comment