Month: April 2014

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16. Encourage One Another

Reading Time: 2 minutes

(oikodomeo – literally to build houses, plan and plant)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Plan to build.

What a wonderful word Paul gives us. Encourage – be a house-builder. This word is a combination of the words, “house” and “build.” The thing I love about building is that it takes planning and a blueprint.

When we built an addition to our house several years ago I was surprised at how much time and money went into the planning stage. I was also surprised by how often I looked at the plans to make sure I knew where things were supposed to go and how they were supposed to work.

I had never thought of encouragement working in that way. I thought of encouragement as a spontaneous expression. The concept of catching someone doing a good thing and giving them recognition right then. It was serendipitous!

Is it possible to have a building plan and modify it when it comes to encouraging one another? Yeah, I know it sounds like work, but it is godly work.

What would happen if we could recognize a brother or sister’s gifting in the body of Christ and then systematically, methodically encourage them to develop that gift? Who has that role in our churches? If you answer, “Sunday School teachers and pastors,” or “Jesus” you are missing Paul’s point. Ask yourself, “What am I doing to encourage someone else?”

And before you turn inward by indulging in self-pity by thinking, “No one is encouraging me”. I challenge you to go first!

Encouragement can be more than a momentary boost of affirmation. It can also add long term strength and hope for the individual’s future. Any amount of godly encouragement is never a waste of time.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I may not be the best planner in the world but I do know how to listen and obey. Please lead me and inspire me to think beyond just today and help build someone up for their tomorrow.

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15. Teach One Another

Reading Time: 2 minutes

– (didasko) teach

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

This one of those “and” instances paired with the phrase “one another” We have previously covered the word “admonish” as we discussed instructing or cautioning one another. Now let’s take a look at how we can teach each other.

Are we not constantly learning from each other? The power of observing a good model should never be underestimated. People do watch you! When you are extraordinary things in the Christian community, folks notice.

I use the following story to point out how we are so different from each other. It illustrates how we are uniquely driven to respond to the needs we see around us.

You are in a crowded church fellowship hall for a evening meal. You are sitting around a table with several friends and you notice that one of volunteer servers is brand new and is having a rough time.

The new server comes out of the kitchen with a huge tray filled with four or five full plates. You hear the crashing sound of dishes and see food flying everywhere. He had tripped over something and went crashing to the ground.

What happens next?

One person jumps up to comfort the server.
One goes down on the floor to immediately start picking up broken dishes.
Another stands up and gives orders, “Tell the kitchen they need another tray of food. Somebody get a mop! Is anyone hurt?”
Still another goes into the kitchen to find out who overloaded the new volunteer with more than he could handle.
And someone also prays! Yes, prays!

We need each other. I need you to be you and you need me to be me. Does that sound too simplistic? Well, it’s true. At some point, in life’s unexpected moments, we all become teachers. At other times, we are learners.

I’m positive there is something I need to learn from you. Will you teach me?

Prayer: God, I may not see myself as a teacher but I know you have taught me some amazing lessons along the way. Help me to simply pass on those valuable truths to others. It may help them as well.

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14. Submit to One Another

Reading Time: 2 minutes

(hupotasso – place under, subject, subordinate)

Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1 Pet 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

I’m a natural follower. If someone has a plan, it all looks good and the leader is decent – I’ll go along. It takes a lot less work to follow than it does to lead. So whether this word is about following or obeying, as long as it seems right this one is easy for me. I just set myself under their authority and go for the ride.

I’m not sure we should be able to confuse “easy way” with the word submit. I see most Christ followers doing this quite well – toward a good leader. But ask someone to submit to someone in a “perceived” lesser position that’s when it gets interesting.

Submission in general is easy when we want to place ourselves under the authority of someone we respect. But when we have to submit simply because it’s right then it can become a battle.

Peter starts out by stating the obvious, “submit to the elder.” Check! It’s all good. However, he continues with “submit yourselves to one another.” Skreeeeeeech – HOLD ON THERE – to each other? Then he goes on to talk about humility.

Paul says to do it out of fear of God and Peter says to do it from a position of humility.

As we revere God, as we place ourselves under God… shouldn’t that lead to a proper attitude of humility toward each other?

Or, do we have a mixed up way of thinking about ourselves and others? Do we think some have a higher standing with God than others? Where does that thinking come from?

Do you think maybe it’s time to stop treating each other the way we did on the playground in grade school? Can we let go of the “pecking order” mentality when it comes to submission? Can we surrender to the authority God may give to someone else in our lives?
We honor God and reflect humility and love by submitting LATERALLY as well as vertically! Hey, there’s a thought.

Maybe the next time a new Christian comes up with an idea we can say, “Hey, I like it!” Then actually implement it, or go along with it. How about this? When the church janitor says to you, “Hey, would you clean up after yourself?” We gladly do what he asks with a humble, thankful and submissive heart.

Oh, and by the way, this word “submit” goes way beyond just husbands and wives – it’s for all of us!

Prayer: Father help me keep a holy perspective on the way you run things and help me check my attitude when I need to submit to someone. I’m sure you will have an opportunity for me to practice this word coming up real soon.

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13. Speak to – One Another

Reading Time: 2 minutes

(laleo)

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”

This one is slightly different depending on the translation you use. King James version translates it as “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” The English Standard version uses the term “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” The New Living translation makes it sound like when we speak to one another we should be making music in our hearts to the Lord.

Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit interjects this instruction following some quick one liners. In the preceding verse 19, he had written “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit”. I see it as a kind of a play on words – “don’t get sauced get soaked!”

When we are filled, or soaked in the Spirit, are our tongues loosened to speak? Does being filled with the Spirit result in greater freedom to speak with one another? I’ll leave that to you.

I wish I could take more time to go into the richness of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs at this point.

Instead, let’s just focus on talking to one another. I have seen a growing trend among believers. It’s as though we think it is no longer necessary to use words to communicate care and authenticity. I would like to see a shift toward Christians becoming masterful word smiths. I believe we need to learn from “The Word who became flesh, and dwelt among us” about the power of the spoken word.

We must learn to use words. Too often our actions are misinterpreted. If we only guess about another person’s feelings without actually asking them to explain in their own words, well that’s a mess. Communication is critical and vital in our relationships. And the words we use should be encouraging and uplifting to one another. It is too easy to use words that tear down, the challenge is to speak in a way that builds up. Have you had someone give you a timely word, a scripture verse or even a song that just fit perfectly with your situation? It is amazing and we should be doing more of it when we see each other at church and throughout the week.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Father, help me to use words in ways that help instead of hurt. I want to be like You in showing care by speaking out loud, and allowing others to speak to me as well. As I go about my week and come across a bit of wisdom, a good word or song, help me to pass those words on to just the right person. I want to be known as someone who speaks life!

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Are you a fool…Biblically?

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Guy-Fool-PlainProverbially speaking…

There are four words for the word, “fool” in the book of Proverbs. I was curious when I saw the word show up so many times so I decided to look into it. There is also the word for “scoffer” or “mocker” but since it was not translated “fool,” I decided to leave it out of this list.

Basically the first two words for fool represent the innocent (however repetitive) words for fool
1. The simple-minded. The stubborn fool. This word comes from the Hebrew word for fat loins and flanks. 2. The stupid. The one that is easily “conned” or caught up. Maybe they are naive or maybe unteachable.

The second two words for fool are based out of a evil, purposeful trickery. These fools are almost beyond help. 1. Mean and perverse. 2. Wicked and vile to the core.

Fool11) Stupid, Silly – Keciyl kes-eel’; from H3688; prop. fat, i.e. (fig.) stupid or silly:—fool (-ish). Occurs 45 times in 45 verses.

  1. Prov 1:22           “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools (Keciyl) hate knowledge?
  2. Prov 1:32           For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools (Keciyl) will destroy them;
  3. Prov 3:35           The wise inherit honor, but fools (Keciyl) he holds up to shame.
  4. Prov 8:5            You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish (Keciyl), gain understanding.
  5. Prov 10:1           The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish (Keciyl)  son grief to his mother.
  6. Prov 10:18         He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool (Keciyl).
  7. Prov 10:23         A fool (Keciyl) finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
  8. Prov 12:23         A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools (Keciyl) blurts out folly.
  9. Prov 13:16         Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool (Keciyl) exposes his folly.
  10. Prov 13:19     A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools (Keciyl) detest turning from evil. 
  11. Prov 13:20     He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools (Keciyl) suffers harm.
  12. Prov 14:7       Stay away from a foolish (Keciyl) man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
  13. Prov 14:8           The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools (Keciyl) is deception.
  14. Prov 14:16         A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool (Keciyl) is hotheaded and reckless.
  15. Prov 14:24         The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools (Keciyl) yields folly.
  16. Prov 14:33         Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools (Keciyl) she lets herself be known.
  17. Prov 15:2           The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool (Keciyl) gushes folly.
  18. Prov 15:7           The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools (Keciyl).
  19. Prov 15:14         The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool (Keciyl) feeds on folly.
  20. Prov 15:20         A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool (Keciyl).
  21. Prov 17:12         Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool (Keciyl) in his folly.
  22. Prov 17:16         Of what use is money in the hand of a fool (Keciyl), since he has no desire to get wisdom?
  23. Prov 17:21         To have a fool (Keciyl) for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool (Nabal).
  24. Prov 17:24     A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s (Keciyl) eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
  25. Prov 17:25      A foolish (Keciyl) son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.
  26. Prov 18:2           A fool (Keciyl) finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
  27. Prov 18:6        A fool’s (Keciyl) lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
  28. Prov 18:7          A fool’s (Keciyl) mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
  29. Prov 19:1           Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool (Keciyl) whose lips are perverse.
  30. Prov 19:10         It is not fitting for a fool (Keciyl) to live in luxury– how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
  31. Prov 19:13         A foolish (Keciyl) son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
  32. Prov 19:29         Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools (Keciyl).
  33. Prov 21:20         In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish (Keciyl) man devours all he has.
  34. Prov 23:9           Do not speak to a fool (Keciyl), for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
  35. Prov 26:1           Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool (Keciyl).
  36. Prov 26:3     A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools (Keciyl)! 
  37. Prov 26:4    Do not answer a fool (Keciyl) according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. 
  38. Prov 26:5    Answer a fool (Keciyl) according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. 
  39. Prov 26:6    Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool (Keciyl). 
  40. Prov 26:7   Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool (Keciyl). 
  41. Prov 26:8   Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool (Keciyl). 
  42. Prov 26:9   Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool (Keciyl). 
  43. Prov 26:10   Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool (Keciyl) or any passer-by. 
  44. Prov 26:11   As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool (Keciyl) repeats his folly. 
  45. Prov 26:12   Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool (Keciyl) than for him.

 

Fool2.

2) pethiy: peth-ee’; or  pethiy, peh’-thee; or  petha’iy, peth-aw-ee’; silly (i.e. seducible): foolish, simple (-icity, one). Occurs 15 times in 14 verses

  1. Prov 1:4                for giving prudence to the simple (pethiy), knowledge and discretion to the young–
  2. Prov 1:22              “How long will you simple ones (pethiy) love your simple (pethiy) ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
  3. Prov 1:32              For the waywardness of the simple (pethiy) will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
  4. Prov 7:7                I saw among the simple (pethiy), I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.
  5. Prov 8:5                You who are simple (pethiy), gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.
  6. Prov 9:4                “Let all who are simple (pethiy) come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment.
  7. Prov 9:6                Leave your simple (pethiy) ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
  8. Prov 9:16              “Let all who are simple (pethiy) come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment.
  9. Prov 14:15            A simple (pethiy) man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
  10. Prov 14:18            The simple (pethiy) inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
  11. Prov 19:25            Flog a mocker, and the simple (pethiy) will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
  12. Prov 21:11            When a mocker is punished, the simple (pethiy) gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.
  13. Prov 22:3              A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple (pethiy) keep going and suffer for it.
  14. Prov 27:12            The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple (pethiy) keep going and suffer for it.  

Fool3

 

3)   ‘eviyl, ev-eel’; from an unused root (mean. to be perverse); (fig.) silly:—fool (-ish) (man). Occurs 19 times in 19 verses

  1. Prov 1:7                The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools (‘eviyl) despise wisdom and discipline.
  2. Prov 7:22              All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer/fool (‘eviyl) stepping into a noose
  3. Prov 10:8              The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool (‘eviyl) comes to ruin.
  4. Prov 10:10            He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool (‘eviyl) comes to ruin.
  5. Prov 10:14            Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool (‘eviyl) invites ruin.
  6. Prov 10:21            The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools (‘eviyl) die for lack of judgment.
  7. Prov 11:29            He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool (‘eviyl) will be servant to the wise.
  8. Prov 12:15           The way of a fool (‘eviyl) seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. 16
  9. Prov 12:16            A fool (‘eviyl) shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
  10. Prov 14:3              A fool’s (‘eviyl) talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
  11. Prov 14:9              Fools (‘eviyl) mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
  12. Prov 15:5              A fool (‘eviyl) spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
  13. Prov 16:22            Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools (‘eviyl).
  14. Prov 17:28            Even a fool (‘eviyl) is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
  15. Prov 20:3              It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool (‘eviyl) is quick to quarrel.
  16. Prov 24:7              Wisdom is too high for a fool (‘eviyl); in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say.
  17. Prov 27:3              Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool (‘eviyl) is heavier than both.
  18. Prov 27:22            Though you grind a fool (‘eviyl) in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.
  19. Prov 29:9              If a wise man goes to court with a fool (‘eviyl), the [he] fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

Fool44) nabal, na-bawl’;stupid; wicked (espec. impious):—fool (-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person. Occurs 3 times in 3 verses.

  1. Prov 17:7              Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool (nabal) — how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
  2. *Prov 17:21           To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool (nabal).
  3. Prov 30:21-22        “Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: 22 a servant who becomes king, a fool (nabal) who is full of food,

 

NOTE:

•           It is important to note that there are two words for “fool” in Proverbs 17:21.  The first intstance is from the root word, keciyl, from fat or stupid.  The second is from the root word, Nabal, wicked or vile.