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Yesterday, we considered Proverbs 9:9 and the fact that even when we are wise, we can still receive beneficial instruction. There is, however, another side to that coin. While we should always be humble and correctible, we should not make learning an end in and of itself. Sometimes people go down the road of academia to such lengths that the goal becomes learning, not knowledge. Ironically, when this happens, more learning can somehow lead to less knowledge! In 2 Timothy 3:7, the Bible warns against people who are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” Some people are puffed up with all of their learning even though all they possess are questions. In spiritual matters, this can be devastating.

So, there must be a balance. We must always be humble and correctible and grow in our knowledge. But we must also see that God has provided truth, and we can know the truth that is needed to save our souls.

Have you ever known someone who was a “know-it-all?” No one enjoys being around such a person. And hopefully, we aren’t that person. Not only is it annoying and off-putting to act like a “know-it-all,” it’s also, ironically, foolish and ignorant. If we ever feel like we know everything we need to know, then what we reveal is how little we actually understand. See, we often treat knowledge and wisdom like a goal that can be achieved in full. But that simply is not the case. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” We might think that a wise, learned person doesn’t need any instruction. But that simply isn’t the case, especially spiritually. As we grow in knowledge of God’s Word, we must realize there is still instruction we can receive. To receive instruction doesn’t prove ignorance. As Solomon says, it just makes wisdom increase.

Preachers often warn against “false teachers,” but are they really that bad? Well, yes. Under the Law of Moses, false teaching was considered so heinous that it could incur the death penalty. Deuteronomy 13:8 says that when anyone tried to entice Israel to go after other gods, “you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him.”

Even under the New Testament, that’s good advice. When someone persists in teaching false doctrine, we should not give in to their falsehood, listen to their false advice, or try to hide their false teachings from others. Falsehood is too dangerous. False teachers should be corrected and rebuked, but if they persist in teaching false doctrine, then as Paul says, “reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition.”[1] False doctrine can destroy souls, and we cannot yield to it, listen to it, or conceal it.

[1] Titus 3:10

In Judges 5:20-21, Deborah and Barak’s song of deliverance says, “From heaven the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might!” Saying the stars fought is a poetic way of saying God fought for Israel. God used His creation against Sisera and the chariots, and it was He who routed the Canaanite army. Sisera’s army was much greater than Israel’s, but God fought for Israel. Thus Deborah cries out, “March on my soul in might!”

Let’s be honest—life contains big challenges. Not just big challenges, but insurmountable ones. We have an enemy who hates us and is much stronger than we. But that’s ok. Why? Because the stars fight for us. Our enemy may be greater than us, but He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world![1] So let us press on boldly, and sing always “march on my soul in might!”

[1] 1 John 4:4

Is it important to do things just the way God instructs? A lot of folks operate under the assumption that if their motives are right, then what they do doesn’t really matter. Maybe their practices are different from God’s pattern, but is that a big deal? Maybe their doctrine differs slightly from the Bible, but is it really important? In 2 John 9 the Bible says, “Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”[1]

What we do and how we do it matters! When we start creating our own ways of worship, ethics, and doctrine, we no longer abide in Christ. God has provided the pattern we should follow. He’s given us all that pertains to life and godliness.[2] Don’t go too far and leave Christ behind. Hold to His Word and abide in Him

[1] NASB20

[2] 2 Pet. 1:3

Humanity’s ingratitude can be pretty stunning. We tend to get dissatisfied and to grow tired of even the greatest blessings. When Israel was saved from slavery, God guided, protected, and provided for them. When they couldn’t provide or find food for themselves, God miraculously gave manna each day so they could survive. At first, the Israelites were impressed and thankful. But listen to them later: in Numbers 21:5, they say, “…Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” The people called manna—food that was provided graciously and miraculously—worthless food!

How do we treat God’s provision and blessing? Are we thankful? Are we content? Even when our lot seems mundane and simple, are we grateful? Or do we grumble, complain, and always seek more and better? Do we ever count God’s incredible blessings as worthless food?

I once heard someone say, “when in deep water, it’s good to keep your mouth closed.” That’s pretty good advice! If you’re in danger of drowning, the last thing you want to do is let more water in. Clearly this saying has to do with more than swimming.

One of the quickest ways we get in trouble is with our words. Often, when we’re in some difficult situation, we make it worse by not keeping our mouths closed. Sometimes we speak up when we don’t know what to say, which is a dangerous tactic. Peter once suggested building tabernacles for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, erroneously equating them. Mark writes Peter was scared during the transfiguration and didn’t know what to say.[1]When we don’t know what to say, then we shouldn’t say anything!

Other times to be silent include when we’re angry, defensive, being rebuked, and others. When wading through difficult situations, use wisdom and don’t compound problems with rash words.

[1] Mark 9:6

The gospel of Jesus appears strange to the world. And no wonder—Jesus’ kingdom turns things upside down. James 1:9-10 highlights this when it says, “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.” James’ instructions don’t make sense from a worldly perspective. To the world, the lowly (that is the poor, downtrodden, and servants) don’t have much to boast about, and they certainly are not considered exalted. However, in Christ, our treasure is not found in temporary wealth but in eternal life and salvation.

And to the world, riches are not a humbling thing. On the contrary, wealth is a reason to be proud and accomplished. But the Christian recognizes that riches will pass away and offer no eternal value, so why boast about them?

Whatever your lot in life—lowly or wealthy, remember that true riches and meaning are found in Christ, not the things of this world.

In Judges 6:10 God rebukes the Israelites because they had not heeded His instructions to “not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.” The instruction to not fear other gods has two applications. First, the Israelites served the one, true God, so there was no reason to be afraid of the false, man-made deities of the Canaanites. Second, the Israelites were not supposed to revere and worship the false gods of the Canaanites. Their reverence and obedience were to be for God alone.

Like ancient Israel, we need to be reminded to not fear the gods of the land in which we dwell. Oh, America doesn’t bow down to Baal or Ashtaroth. But what about the gods of capitalism or socialism? What about the gods of politics and power? Or perhaps the gods of money and materialism? Yes, our land has its gods. And Christians should neither be afraid of them, nor should we revere them. Trust in God and faithfully serve Him and Him alone.

In the old Disney movie, Jiminy Cricket gave Pinocchio the simple advice, “give a little whistle, and always let your conscience be your guide!” That’s pretty good advice, so long as one’s conscience is properly trained.

The Scriptures teach the importance of a good conscience. Paul told Timothy to wage his spiritual warfare by “holding faith and a good conscience.”[1] Peter exhorts Christians to always be prepared to defend our faith, but to do so with “gentleness and respect, having a good conscience.”[2] But how do we know if our conscience is good or not? The key is it must be shaped by and obedient to God’s Word. For example, Peter also says that baptism is “an appeal to God for a good conscience…”[3] Why is that? Because baptism is commanded by God. When we obey the Lord, we can have a truly good conscience. If our conscience is trained by God’s Word, then we can truly have a good conscience that is an able and effective guide.

[1] 1 Tim. 1:19

[2] 1 Pet. 3:16

[3] 1 Pet. 3:21