Proverbs 14 gives a contrast between the life of the wise vs. the life of a fool (or the unwise). As I read through this Proverb, there were several verses that caught my attention and forced me to ask the question “Am I choosing to live by the standard of God’s word in every area of my life?” and if not “Am I changing to align every area of my life with the word of God.”
Our life is a daily journey to learn what God’s word says and then walk it out-loud for others to see so they may come to know the saving grace of Christ’s love. So the first verse that stopped me dead in my tracks to do a little self assessment was verse 9.
“Fools don’t care if they sin, but honest people work at being right.”
I got out my journal and wrote down my thoughts to the following questions:
• Have I fallen into repeated patterns where I know my actions, words and deeds speak negatively about my walk with Christ? [I guess what I mean by this question is: what do others who don’t know the truth of God’s word see when they watch the way I live my life? When I come to realize what others are seeing in me that don’t line up with God’s word, I ask God to forgive me of (the specific sin) and give me the courage to to change so my belief align with His word.]
Verse 12 also had me looking inward,
“Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death.”
Is there anything in my life that I think I’m doing right, but I haven’t checked against God’s word?
Since accepting Christ as my Savior, I have so desired to live the abundant life He has for me and I strive to walk in His truth in everything I do…from the way I act around others, conduct myself at work, raise my child, and treat my spouse. [I know I’m not perfect…and I know God’s grace is sufficient for me every day of my life. When I mess up…I fess up.] My prayer is that I will continue to grow daily in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ so that I may life a life worthy of the gospel. Thank God that my walk with Christ is a “marathon, not a sprint!”
My prayer is also the same for you. I pray you will live your life according to the truth of God’s word and when sin in your life is revealed, I pray you have the strength to lay it down at the foot of the cross and trust Jesus to help you grow and change.
Related reading: Gal. 5:22–23; 2 Peter 1:5-6; Titus 2:2-6; 1 Cor. 15:58
We have all been called on purpose for a purpose and will stand before God one day and give an account for our lives. If there are things in my life I’m holding onto for my own reasons…. unforgiveness, anger, jealously, hate, my own dreams and desires, etc… I need to repent (turn from those reasons) and allow Christ to lead me down the path He has for me. This may not always be the path I would have chosen for myself…but I guarantee there will be abundant blessing that flow from being obedient to Christ and His plans for my life.