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Tag: Proverbs

Merry heart does good

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Proverbs, What’s new?.

What does it mean that a merry heart does good (Proverbs 17:22)?

Family life and interpersonal relations are the focus of Proverbs 17—19. According to Proverbs 17:22, a joyful, positive mindset is key to experiencing healthy relationships and a fulfilling life:
“A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones” (NKJV).

In the original Hebrew, the word for “merry” means “joyful, happy, full of cheer.” The “heart” is a person’s inner self, thoughts, emotions, and will. “A joyful heart is good medicine,” says Proverbs 17:22 in the English Standard Version. “Medicine” is something that treats or alleviates the symptoms of disease. One commentary suggests, “A cheerful heart causes good healing” as an appropriate literal translation. The NET Bible reads, “A cheerful heart brings good healing.” The Revised English Bible says, “A glad heart makes for good health.”

Scripture repeatedly testifies to the potent effects of the mind on the body: “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones,” states Proverbs 14:30 (NLT). “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit,” declares Proverbs 15:13 (NLT).

“A merry heart does good” because it generates health and healing within one’s inner being. By contrast, “a broken spirit saps a person’s strength” (Proverbs 17:22, NLT). Proverbs 12:25 explains that “anxiety in the heart of man causes depression” (NKJV). These wisdom sayings agree with scientific studies from the American College of Cardiology, Harvard Medicine, and John Hopkins that demonstrate the mind’s powerful influence over the body. A cheerful, contented temperament not only fortifies our mental health but enables us to resist the attacks of physical disease.

Since the heart is the center of our inner life, its condition and tone reach the outermost parts of our existence, including our bodies and even our relationships with others. Jesus said, “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” (Matthew 15:18, ESV). If our hearts are elevated, our bodies will be lifted up, our words will be uplifting, and our relationships will be enriched. If our hearts are crushed and broken, the condition of our bodies will break down, and we’ll have no strength to encourage others.

So, if a good medicine is a merry heart, how can we foster and promote internal joy? Scripture says that God’s laws, precepts, and statues refresh the soul and gladden the heart (Psalm 19:7–8; 119:111). Spending time in God’s Word, meditating on His promises, is a guaranteed way to do your heart some good. The prophet Jeremiah testified, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16).

Considering God’s works and His ways will also make our hearts glad. The psalmist sang, “For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done” (Psalm 92:4). When Barnabas saw the grace of God, his heart was filled with joy (Acts 11:23). When we take time each day to consider all that God has done for us and in the lives of all His people, we can’t help but “be glad now and rejoice,” like the prophet Joel, “for the LORD has done great things” (Joel 2:21, NLT). Countless Scripture passages give us cause to be joyful in God, who is the source of our joy (Psalm 43:4; Isaiah 61:10; Psalm 63:5; Luke 1:47).

The prophet Isaiah said, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). We can “rejoice and be glad” in the Lord’s salvation (Isaiah 25:9). Jesus told the disciples to “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

Perhaps the most excellent way to cultivate a merry heart that does good, like medicine, is to spend time in God’s presence. Both King David in the Old Testament and the apostle Peter in the New Testament found their greatest joy in the presence of the Lord (Acts 2:28; Psalm 16:9–11). In God’s company, we experience the fullness of joy.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Proverbs, What’s new?.

How is the name of the Lord a strong tower (Proverbs 18:10)?

The Bible informs us that Lord God Himself is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. In Him, we can take refuge because He is our shield of protection, our horn of salvation, and our stronghold (Psalm 18:2). Over and again, Psalms compares God to a high and strong tower of protection and a shelter where His people can safely hide. But Proverbs 18:10 reveals a similar truth about God’s name: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (ESV).

In ancient times, a person’s name was much more than a random identifier or title. A name expressed the person’s nature and individual attributes. Thus, God’s name represents His essential character and authority. The person of God and the name of God cannot be separated.

The Lord’s name is a strong tower because the infinite heights and depths of His person, presence, and power are apprehended in that name. The righteous—those who are made right with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ—can run to Him in all His revealed perfection, faithfulness, power, authority, mercy, and love, and be set on high, barricaded inside His tower of protection, safe from all harm.

The name of the Lord is equivalent to the Lord Himself. It speaks of the revealed essence of God or the revelation of Himself in the history of salvation. The Lord shows Himself faithful and trustworthy to all who confide in Him: “From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me” (Psalm 61:2–3, NLT). The ESV renders the phrase “for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy” (verse 3). The name of the Lord is a strong tower because He is our defense. As we discover what God has revealed about His character, we can trust in Him (Psalm 91:2).

The name of the Lord and the character of God are interchangeable phrases. David said, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10). God makes His character known to us through His Word, through the person of Jesus Christ, and through the multi-faceted revelations expressed through His many names.

As Elohim, He is Creator; as Yahweh, He is the covenant-keeping, eternal I AM; as El Shaddai, He is the all-sufficient, all-powerful, God Almighty; as Jehovah Jireh, He is our Provider; as Yeshua, He is Savior. He is the Good Shepherd, who leads, guides, and protects; He is the Lamb of God, who lays down His life for us; He is Jesus, the Incarnate Son and Christ the Risen Lord; and He is the eternal, glorious, highly exalted, King of Heaven! Psalm 8:1 rightly acknowledges, “LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.”

The name of the Lord can also be understood as His nature representing itself. One aspect of that nature is a strong, high tower offering a citadel of safety capable of holding off every hostile attack. Into this tower, the righteous can run and hide, safely guarded above all danger: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).

The name of the Lord is a strong tower because it is capable of safeguarding all who call upon that name. When the prophet Joel foresaw the Lord’s return, he saw a terrifying day of judgment and terror. Yet he declared, “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32). That same promise of salvation in the name of the Lord echoes in the New Testament (Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21). When we call upon the name of the Lord, we call upon God Himself.

The Lord’s name signifies everything that God is in Himself—His compassion, lovingkindness, mercy, grace, power, judgment, holiness, perfection, knowledge, and more. Everyone who knows and trusts in Him discovers that He is indeed a strong tower.

Calm spirit

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Proverbs, What’s new?.

What does the Bible say about having a calm spirit (Proverbs 17:27)?

Proverbs 17:27 says, “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit” (NKJV). This proverb emphasizes the wisdom of avoiding reckless speech by exercising self-control so as not to provoke hostility. Having a calm spirit describes someone with an even-tempered disposition. A contemporary paraphrase might be “a wise person keeps his cool.”

Bible translators render the phrase for “calm spirit” in various ways: “cool spirit” (ESV, NASB), “cool head” (CSB), “even-tempered” (NLT, NIV), and “excellent spirit” (KJV). The word spirit here refers to a person’s disposition or temperament.

The proverbs of Solomon often stress the importance of self-control, especially in the things we say. According to Proverbs 17:27, a prudent person uses few words and maintains a calm attitude by staying composed under pressure. By exercising self-control when speaking and not allowing oneself to be dominated by heightened emotions, a calm spirit diffuses anger and ill feelings: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare” (Proverbs 15:1, NLT).

In contrast to a hot-tempered person, someone with a calm spirit or an even-tempered nature is slow to anger: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention” (Proverbs 15:18, ESV; see also Proverbs 14:29).

Abigail is an excellent example of a wise person whose calm spirit deflected a volatile situation. First Samuel 25:3 tells us that Abigail was “discerning and beautiful,” but her husband, Nabal, was “harsh and badly behaved.” Nabal treated David and his men with surliness and disrespect, and David was bent on bloodshed. Without her husband’s knowledge, Abigail arranged a meeting with David. Humbly and calmly, she persuaded him not to harm Nabal. Afterward, David blessed Abigail for her excellent discernment and for keeping him from carrying out vengeance with his own hand (1 Samuel 25:32–34).

Ecclesiastes 10:4 gives a nugget of wisdom for maintaining a calm spirit at work: “If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.” The New Living Translation renders the verse like so: “If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.”

Wise people are cautious with their words and think before they speak. They “bring calm in the end”; on the other hand, “Fools give full vent to their rage” (Proverbs 29:11). According to Matthew Henry, “A cool head with a warm heart is an admirable composition” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hendrickson, 1994, p. 994).

If a cool, calm, and gentle demeanor dissolves anger and neutralizes a heated situation, then the opposite—acting like a hot head—charges it up. James teaches us that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20). “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere,” says James 3:17. In other words, God’s wisdom endorses humility, gentleness, and self-restraint (2 Peter 1:5–8).

We discover in many proverbs that our words are like fruits that reveal the quality or disposition of our hearts. In Proverbs 17:27, a person’s restraint with words shows the heart of a peacemaker, as well as a wise and understanding nature. Having a calm spirit is also a sign that the Holy Spirit lives in us: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22–23, NLT).

Sophia goddess of wisdom

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Proverbs, What’s new?.

Does the Bible teach that Sophia is the goddess of wisdom?

The Bible does not teach that Sophia is the goddess of wisdom. In fact, no one by the name of Sophia is even mentioned in the Bible. While relying heavily on the book of Proverbs and verses that evangelicals point to as evidence for the Incarnation, adherents to the Sophia goddess movement are gaining numbers by the thousands as conferences are held, books are published, and, most profane of all, worship services for Sophia in the name of Jesus Christ are held each year across the United States and around the world.

Although goddess worship can be traced back as far as the earliest civilizations (the Romans gave Sophia the title “god of wisdom”), the most recent uprising occurred after the social reforms of the 1960s and ‘70s in America. The most notable event occurred when one pastor in the mid-1970s did a survey of his female church population and found that most women were dissatisfied with the portrayal of masculine symbols depicting the God of the Bible. His solution was the introduction of the Greek word Sophia, or “wisdom,” into corporate worship. This allowed for a feminine goddess named Sophia to be worshiped freely. This traces its origins to the time of the Gnostics in the late first and early second centuries. Recall that Gnosticism in itself sought to discover the “secret wisdom” of God and did not embrace that Jesus was the true God-man. The goddess’s characteristics were likened to that of the Trinity, noting perhaps that she is a fourth member left out by the early patriarchal church fathers. Various trends continued through the next two decades until it climaxed in 1993 when the Re-Imagining Conference was held in Minnesota. There, participants worshiped Sophia freely, advocated praying to trees in nature, cast off the need for the atoning work of Jesus Christ, declared God the Father was an “abusive parent” in sending Jesus to die for the sins of humanity, and issued an ultimatum for the continued progress of Sophia worship in congregational gatherings. Most recently, Sophia goddess worship has been embraced by laypeople and clergy alike.

Just as Arius looked to the personification of wisdom in literature to support his false stance on Christ, Sophists garner the majority of their theological thrust from the first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs. The focus of the argument says that towards the end of the Old Testament, specifically in Proverbs, the feminine noun for “wisdom” (chokmah in Hebrew) was personified. By definition, personification is “the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, such as rhetorical figure.”

Clearly, no reader of Scripture can say personification does not occur. Rather, the astute reader will exegete, or draw out from the text, in accordance with good Bible study methods. For instance, meaning should always be determined by its context. In this case, Proverbs 8:22-31 is often quoted to support Sophia goddess worship. Wisdom declares her supremacy in the gifts she is able to bestow from the creation of the world. History tells us that many of the earliest cultures used the personification of deity so the divine being could praise itself.

In other words, wisdom here is praising itself by making claims that only belong to God. God is the source of all true wisdom (Romans 11:33; James 1:5, 1:17-18, 3:13-17), and, consequently, any reference to wisdom in Scripture that includes divine language should be attributed to His character and nature. The Jews believed in only one God (Deuteronomy 4:35-36, 6:4; Isaiah 42:8, 44:6-8, 45:5-6; Jeremiah 10:10-11). Therefore, to suggest that wisdom is a separate god or goddess alongside God Himself is to blaspheme the name of God, which was punishable by death in the Old Testament. The Jews would have dismissed the writings of Proverbs just as they did the extra books of the Septuagint that depict late historical instances.

The Sophia-goddess controversy leads to some simple conclusions. First, the Bible must be read for what type of literature it is. A proper understanding of feminine personification in relation to this passage and many others is necessary to stay within the framework of biblical doctrine. There is one God who eternally exists in three persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18; Eph. 4:4-7; 1 Peter 1:2). Such a position excludes any mention of a goddess or secondary deity. Finally, one must acknowledge that poetry can contain elements that are clearly not to be taken literally. For example, the Bible is full of poetic language that speaks in personified metaphors rather than pure scientific rhetoric. Cain really did kill Abel, but then God said that “…the voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). Literally, the blood did not cry from the ground, but the rhetorical device used here communicates another form of personification found in Scripture to emphasize the killing. As Proverbs 8:22-31 describes, poetry and personification do not invalidate Scripture. Instead, these essentials are necessary to demonstrate words, phrases, feelings, and meanings that cannot be understood easily any other way or that continue from a previous argument. In the latter case, the Lord created the heavens by His wisdom found in Proverbs 3:19, and 8:22-31 exists to continue that figurative speech (personification).

Historic Christianity is at a crossroads like never before. The goddess-worship thrust of Sophia and other similar deities shows the ever-changing landscape of the spiritual climate of the world. What may be politically or socially acceptable in the form of worship, however, is diametrically opposed to the Bible. One must learn to recognize the subjective difference between literal truth and metaphors in the Bible through constant practice (2 Timothy 2:15). Both areas of speech are the infallible, inerrant, and inspired Word of God, but demand a patient and Spirit-led eye for interpretation. Otherwise, one will be left to replay the words of the prophet Jeremiah:

“But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. ‘Tell them this: “These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens”’” (Jeremiah 10:10-11).

He will make your paths straight

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Proverbs, What’s new?.

What does it mean that He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6)?

The journey of life often resembles a winding path with twists and turns that can leave us feeling lost, disoriented, and uncertain about the future. Amidst this uncertainty, Proverbs 3:6 shines a light to guide our paths: “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” These simple yet reassuring words hold a wealth of meaning, providing guidance and comfort to those seeking direction in their lives.

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings attributed to King Solomon, a man of “wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sane on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 5:29–30, ESV). In Proverbs 3:6, Solomon imparts wisdom to his son about the necessity of putting God first.

Proverbs 3:6 advises us to commit our ways to the Lord rather than leaning on our own understanding (see verse 5). As we do so, he will make our paths straight. The metaphorical expression make your paths straight means that God will align our thoughts, intentions, and actions with His own. Just as a straight and smooth path is free from obstacles and leads directly to the desired destination, acknowledging God in every aspect of life leads to righteousness.

The act of making straight paths involves removing obstacles and barriers that hinder progress. Similarly, when God makes our paths straight, He removes the obstacles that impede spiritual and moral progress. This can happen in a variety of ways, from providing guidance through difficult decisions to granting us the strength to overcome challenges. It is important to note that the removal of obstacles does not mean an absence of hardships. Rather, it signifies the ever-abiding presence of God that helps us to maneuver through trials and tribulations with perseverance and endurance (cf. Hebrews 12:1–2).

When we allow God to make our paths straight, we are aligning our will with His. This requires humility and a willingness to surrender our plans and desires to the sovereign will of God. It is also a recognition that our finite understanding cannot lead us in the right direction, and that true fulfillment comes from following the path that God sets for us.

What are the practical implications of Proverbs 3:6? First, it means that we seek His guidance through prayer and meditation on the Word. Second, it means that we acknowledge Him in every decision that we make, whether big or small. Third, it means that we surrender our lives to Him. This is not a passive endeavor but one that requires active cooperation between us and God.

In a world that values self-sufficiency and independence, the wisdom of Proverbs 3:6 challenges us to embrace a different paradigm. Instead of trusting in our own abilities and plans, we should trust in the One who never fails. This is not a blind trust; rather, it is a trust built upon a foundation of faith and strengthened as we experience God’s presence in our lives.

Proverbs 3:6 resonates with our innate longing for clarity and purpose in life. It is also a reminder that God does not leave us to fend for ourselves; instead, He accompanies us on the journey of life to lead us “beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2, ESV). So, as we walk the path of righteousness, we find that the twists and turns of life are sovereignly directed by the One who knows the way.

Proverbs 4:23

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Proverbs, What’s new?.

All Translations

KJ21

Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the outflowings of life.

ASV

Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

AMP

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

AMPC

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

BRG

¶ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

CSB

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

CEB

More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.

CJB

Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences.

CEV

Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.

DARBY

Keep thy heart more than anything that is guarded; for out of it are the issues of life.

DRA

With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it.

ERV

Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.

EHV

Above all else, guard your heart carefully, because your life flows from it.

ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

ESVUK

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

EXB

·Be careful what you think [L Above all that you guard, protect your heart], because ·your thoughts run your life [L life flows from it].

GNV

Keep thine heart with all diligence: for thereout cometh life.

GW

Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.

GNT

Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

HCSB

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

ICB

Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life.

ISV

Above everything else guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life.

JUB

Above all else, guard thy heart; for out of it flows the issues of life.

KJV

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

AKJV

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

LSB

Guard your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

LEB

With all vigilance, keep your heart, for from it comes the source of life.

TLB

Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life.

MSG

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

MEV

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

NOG

Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.

NABRE

With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.

NASB

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

NASB1995

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

NCB

Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life.

NCV

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.

NET

Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.

NIRV

Above everything else, guard your heart. Everything you do comes from it.

NIV

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

NIVUK

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

NKJV

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

NLV

Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life.

NLT

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

NRSVA

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

NRSVACE

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

NRSVCE

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

NRSVUE

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

OJB

Set watch over and guard thy lev with all diligence; for out of it are the totze’ot chayyim (issues, wellsprings of life cf Mk 7:20-23).

RSV

Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life.

RSVCE

Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life.

TLV

Guard your heart diligently, for from it flow the springs of life.

VOICE

Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life.

WEB

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

WYC

With all (safe) keeping keep thine heart (safe), for life cometh forth of it (for life cometh forth from it).

YLT

Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.

 Guard your heart

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Proverbs, What’s new?.

Why do you need to guard your heart above all else (Proverbs 4:23)?

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” These words of wisdom from King Solomon emphasize the importance of protecting our innermost being. Our heart is the source of our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Therefore, it is crucial to guard our hearts above all else.

The heart is a powerful force that drives our actions and influences our thinking and behavior. It can either lead us down a path of righteousness or a path of destruction. Our hearts are susceptible to sinful thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs. Hence, we must be mindful of what we allow into our hearts; everything we do flows from it.

Guarding our hearts is about protecting ourselves from external and internal factors. We must be mindful of the things we think about, the things we set our affection on, and the things we give our attention to. Negativity, bitterness, and anger can take root in our hearts and lead to sinful behavior. For this reason, the apostle Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Guarding your heart means choosing to focus on godly thoughts (Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:8), as well as seeking wisdom and guidance from God (Proverbs 4:7; James 1:5).

When we guard our hearts, we take responsibility for our mental, psychological, and spiritual well-being. In doing so, we protect ourselves from sinful influences that impede spiritual progress (Hebrews 12:1–3). By guarding our hearts, we become who God designed us to be (Ephesians 2:10).

There are several reasons why it is imperative to guard our hearts. First, our hearts have a significant impact on our relationship with God, and the condition of our heart can either draw us closer or push away us away from Him. When we meditate on the Word of God (Psalm 1:2) and allow it to sink into our hearts, we are radically transformed and will experience a greater sense of peace, joy, and contentment (John 10:10; Philippians 4:6–7; Galatians 5:22–23).

On the other hand, allowing sinful influences to take root in our hearts will hinder our relationship with God. We will struggle to pray, read the Bible, and may even feel distant from God. Thus, we must guard our hearts and cultivate a deeper relationship with God.

The second reason why it is imperative to guard our hearts is that the heart impacts our relationship with others. It can draw us closer to others or estrange us from them. For example, if we cultivate an attitude of love, kindness, and compassion toward others (Ephesians 4:32), we will build strong and meaningful connections with them. A heart of patience, understanding, and forgiveness creates a culture of trust and mutual respect (1 Corinthians 12:25–27).

On the other hand, allowing sinful thoughts to take root in our hearts and harboring resentment, bitterness, or envy toward others will create a toxic culture that drives people away. Strained and broken relationships are the natural result of sinful thoughts.

In John Bunyan’s The Holy War, the author pictures the heart as a city called Mansoul. In the allegory, access to Mansoul is obtained through five gates: Eye-Gate (one of the most significant gates), Ear-Gate (where the enemy of Mansoul, Diabolus, first attacks the city), Mouth-Gate, Feel-Gate (which is weakly guarded), and Nose-Gate. These entry points “could never be opened nor forced but by the will and leave of those within” (ch. 1, p. 62). Mr. Godly-Fear is in charge of the gatekeeping, and all of Diabolus’s attacks on Mansoul are repelled as long as Godly-Fear is the gatekeeper (chapter 15, p. 285).

Casting Crown’s 2007 song “Slow Fade” sounds a warning to guard your heart:
“Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings. . . .
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away.
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to grey
And thoughts invade, choices are made,
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away.
People never crumble in a day” (John Mark Hall, BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing).

Guarding our hearts in godly fear is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with God and others and for maintaining our own spiritual health. It means being intentional about what we allow into our hearts. It involves choosing to focus on thoughts and influences that promote love, kindness, and compassion. It means seeking God’s wisdom and guidance through prayer and meditation and allowing His love to flow through us to others. When we exercise discernment and guard our hearts, we experience the joy and blessings that come from living in community with other believers, and we become more effective in sharing God’s love and truth with the world.

Envy rottenness to the bones

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

How is envy rottenness to the bones (Proverbs 14:30)?

Self-centeredness is the prevailing attitude of all sin. Ironically, when we have an unhealthy inward focus—when life revolves around our own interests and desires, we set ourselves on a course to self-destruct. Envy is fueled by selfishness. It involves a bitter, dissatisfied longing to possess things, achievements, or successes that belong to others. The Bible is adamant about envy’s self-destructive nature: “A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones” (Proverbs 14:30, NKJV). Some translations state that envy is “like cancer in the bones” (NLT) or “like bone cancer” (GW).

The Hebrew word translated as “envy” in Proverbs 14:30 describes an intense and sometimes violent emotion or insatiable desire. The term is closely associated with jealousy, anger, and zeal. Bones refers to the status of the whole person. The bones are the seat of one’s health and strength. Thus, rottenness in the bones is a state of moral, spiritual, and physical decay. Nurturing an attitude of envy is rottenness to the bones because it is detrimental to a person’s body, mind, spirit, and soul. It is like a disease that eats away a person’s moral strength, weakens the body, and eventually leads to death. Elsewhere, the Bible affirms that our passionate emotions directly affect our physical condition. “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit,” states Solomon (Proverbs 15:13; see also Proverbs 15:30; 17:22; and 18:14).

The Bible allows for no doubt that envy is a sin that must be avoided (Romans 1:29; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1–2). The apostle Paul names envy among the “acts of the flesh” (ESV) or “desires of the sinful nature” (NLT) and warns “that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19–21, NLT). Jesus says that envy is a sin of the heart: “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you” (Mark 7:21–23, NLT).

James warns against harboring “bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:14–16).

A person consumed with envy has no peace of mind or health in body or spirit. Envy is the opposite of contentment and tranquility. Paul tells Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:6–9, ESV).

Envy reveals a lack of trust in God. For this reason, the writer of Hebrews urges, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). If we place our hope and confidence in God, He becomes our “portion” (Psalm 73:26; 142:5) and everything we need (2 Peter 1:3–4). Like David, we shall want for nothing because our cup overflows with goodness and mercy throughout our lives as we live in God’s presence forever (Psalm 23). If we seek the Lord and delight ourselves in Him, He gives us the desires of our hearts, and we lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10; 37:4).

Envy divides people and breaks up families (Luke 15:25–32; Genesis 37:4–11), but love is patient, kind, and does not envy (1 Corinthians 13:4). Envy is rottenness to the bones because it signals a lack of love and an absence of light. God calls us to “live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8) and “put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:12–14).

Anxiety and depression

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

Why does Proverbs 12:25 say that anxiety causes depression?

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad” (NKJV). While there are different causes for depression, Solomon identifies an important one, anxiety. “Anxiety weighs down the heart” (NIV).

Proverbs 12 teaches the differences between wisdom and foolishness and goodness and evil in a series of contrastive statements. These proverbs touch many areas of life, including loving discipline vs. hating reproof (Proverbs 12:1), good vs. evil (Proverbs 12:2), wickedness vs. righteousness (Proverbs 12:3), an excellent vs. a shameful wife (Proverbs 12:4), righteous thoughts vs. wicked counsels (Proverbs 12:5), wicked words vs. the mouth of the upright (Proverbs 12:6), the longevity of the righteous vs. the brevity of the wicked (Proverbs 12:7), insight vs. perverse thinking (Proverbs 12:8), humility vs. self-honor (Proverbs 12:9), righteous treatment of animals vs. cruelty (Proverbs 12:10), diligence vs. idleness (Proverbs 12:11), wicked desires vs. righteous fruit (Proverbs 12:12), and sinful vs. righteous lips (Proverbs 12:13). Proverbs 12:14 is a capstone to the contrasts in verses 1–13, summarizing that words and deeds bear fruit.

Proverbs 12:15–27 offers another list of contrasts, with Proverbs 12:28 summarizing that the way of righteousness promotes life and not death. It is in this section of contrasts that the Bible tells us that anxiety causes depression (Proverbs 12:25). The contrasts illustrating the benefits of righteousness over evil include a fool’s quickness to anger vs. a prudent person’s concealing dishonor (Proverbs 12:16), speaking truth vs. bearing false witness (Proverbs 12:17), speaking rashly vs. the healing tongue of the wise (Proverbs 12:18), truthful lips are established forever vs. the temporality of lying lips (Proverbs 12:19), the deceitful devising of evil vs. peaceful and joyful counsel (Proverbs 12:20), the trouble of the wicked vs. the protection of the righteous (Proverbs 12:21), lying lips vs. faithful dealing (Proverbs 12:22), prudent concealing of knowledge vs. foolish proclaiming of folly (Proverbs 12:23), diligence vs. slackness (laziness) (Proverbs 12:24), anxiety causing depression vs. good words causing gladness (Proverbs 12:25), the righteous guiding of a neighbor vs. the wicked leading astray (Proverbs 12:26), and laziness vs. diligence (Proverbs 12:27). All these contrasts show that righteousness is of practical good (Proverbs 12:28).

The context helps us understand why the Bible tells us that anxiety causes depression. The path of righteousness is not just the right path to take, but it also offers many practical benefits. For example, anxiety causes depression, but good words make the heart glad (Proverbs 12:25). Anxiety is worry, a lack of trusting in God and taking on too much responsibility for circumstances. When we are anxious, we tell ourselves (or listen to others who tell us) words that put on us responsibilities that are not ours.

The psalmists dealt with anxiety and the depression it can bring. When the psalmist anxiously says that his foot has slipped, he recalls that God’s lovingkindness will hold him up and God’s encouragements are a delight (Psalm 94:19–20). Elsewhere, David entreats God to search and discover anxious thoughts within him (Psalm 139:23). At the same time, he asks God to “see if there is any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:24, NASB). These psalmists recognize that anxiety is fixing one’s attention on trouble rather than on the promises of God, and they look to God to relieve the depression that results.

The Bible tells us that anxiety causes depression, but, in finishing Proverbs 12:25, it also reminds us that a good word can bring gladness. When encouraging the descendants of Abraham, God reminds them that they should not anxiously look about them, but they should focus on God—“I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Paul reminds us that we should be anxious for nothing but rather be prayerful—the result will be that we will enjoy God’s incredible peace in our lives (Philippians 4:6–7), no matter how painful or difficult our circumstances. Instead of bearing the weight of those difficulties ourselves and becoming anxious and depressed, we can cast our anxiety on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).