Seek God's Favor!

Seek God’s Favor!

Ponder This: God cares about our actions!

Proverbs 3:3–4 (NKJV) 3Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Hang on to mercy and truth.  Bullying others or retribution to bullies is not showing mercy and does not find favor with God or man.  It is time we have individuals begin to seek favor with God!

Try to Understand! - Ponder This! 4.30.14

Ponder This!  Many of us as parents have at one time or another been guilty of this, but we must continue to challenge ourselves and others that …

 Proverbs 18:2 (NKJV)  2A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.  

We must learn to listen to truth and wise counsel and not simply spout what we think…

What Does God Hate?

Many people speak of God as only a God of love, but God hates some things. In fact, Scripture says these things are an abomination to Him.  They are in other words extremely disgusting to Him, loathing to Him.

Proverbs gives us seven things that fall into this category:

Proverbs 6:16–19 (NKJV) ¹⁶These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, ¹⁹A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

1.    A Proud look - James 4:6 (NKJV) ⁶But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”   God, in Scripture, always favors the humble.  Bullies are often far from humble they think they are superior to others.  Yet, the bullied often respond in pride which builds conflict with those around them and often escalates a situation.

2.    A lying tongue – God commands us to put off lying and to speak the truth in love.   Eph. 4:15; 25 Unfortunately, both the bully and he who is bullied is often guilty of not being honest.  Hence, Proverbs challenge Proverbs 18:13, 17 (NKJV) ¹³He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. ¹⁷The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. 

3.    Hands that shed innocent blood – These are the bullies who attack unprovoked, and just delight in hurting others.  Though these situations are growing, after questioning teens, they still seem to be the minority of bullying cases.

4.    A heart that devises wicked plans – Notice here; this is an issue of the heart, there is no inference that this has even been carried through, but simply the thoughts.  Many a bully, and she who is being bullied, can be guilty of planning evil in their hearts.  Unfortunately, many a parent and grandparent encourage this type of thinking, as well.

5.    Feet that are swift in running to mischief – There are many individuals that are in a hurry to be unrighteous, to say unrighteous things in response to others, to act in unrighteous ways toward others.  God, in His hatred toward mischief, does not differentiate on whether it was verbal, or physical; He still hates it!

6.    A false witness who speaks lies – How many individuals are false witnesses because they fail to tell the whole story, and be honest with those who are trying to deal with a solution?  How many twist the story to their advantage, never desiring the truth to be known?

7.    One who sows discord – How many people love the drama and stirring up others by telling stories, gossiping, and repeating how they were wronged instead of going to the individual and addressing the problem with truth?  Others fabricate stories to get others riled up and bring conflict, dissension, and fights to the groups and organizations of which they are part.

God is calling us to repent and turn from our sin to righteousness.  John 1:9 “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  If we are going to find a true “bully solution,” both the bullied and the bully are going to have to be honest with themselves, and God and deal with their sin by putting it under the blood of Christ and choosing a different way of life!