Wisdom #19

Weighted by Wisdom

Weight is a big focus in modern life.  There are a million diets and just as man "gurus" offering hope and direction to those looking to lose weight.  But did you know God has a weight plan for us?  It's not the kind we think, but it is vitally important.

For the purposes of this lesson, we will be in Proverbs 16.

A Spiritual Diet Plan

Much like a good dietician, God starts off by putting us in our place:

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. (v.2)

We have a natural tendency to think we are heading in the right direction.  We set our goals and make preparations to live our lives the in a way that we see as right.  God let us know that he is watching and examining our path.  Just as a person gets caught when they cheat on their diet, God catches us when we choose a path that is out of our will. 

That is why God tasks with committing to His works (v.3).  We can't make it in this life only pursuing what we think is right.  Eventually, carnality or worldliness will infiltrate our lives and overtake our minds.  However, when we do commit to listening to God and His word, our mind will be established so we can move confidently through this life.

Committing To God's Spiritual Diet Plan

Through the next few verses, we are given some tools that will help us take control of our spiritual life.  These tools help to bring us out of the world and into the lifestyle God has for us.  Let's take a look at them and how they help us:

Mercy and Truth:  These tools work to firm us up and put goodness, kindness and faithfulness in us.  These tools remove all feelings of guilt because we are firmly planted in the mindset and actions of God. (v.6)

Fear:  This tool creates a respect and devotion to God in us.  It helps to turn aside from the evils and sins that normally beset and overcome us.  Our devotion to God works to bring us to deliverance. (v.7)

Peace:  This tool comes from pleasing God.  It infiltrates every relationship we have, even those that are in conflict with us.  This peace is not just fleeting, but it is a covenant that will be made with others.  Covenants are not easily broken and have severe consequences when they are. If someone breaks that covenant, God will deal with them according to His justice.  This means we can go on our way serving God without worry of our enemies. (v.8)

Righteousness:  We discover that less is more when we live the right way for God.  Even though we may not look as successful or stylish as those who pursue the world, we are filled with greater gifts than can be possessed in the temporal world.  We obtain riches no man can buy when we commit to living His way.  (v.9)

With these tools we can come into greater communion with God.  We can take on the image that Christ wants us to have.  We can have a firm foundation that produces good works and removes guilt, a devotion that brings out of the snares of the enemy, a peace that overcomes every conflict and allows us to operate without worry, and riches and blessings that no man can buy.  We just have to commit to let God be our spiritual dietician and use the tools He offers us to be the most effective Christians we can be.

Activation

Commit to God as your spiritual "dietician".
Let Him tell you what to put into your life and what to take out
Use the tools he provides to develop your life as you follow His plan
See the results God produces and consider sharing it with another person.