Where is the Humility?
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As you look to see how our society has developed, have you noticed more and more that there are so many people who refuse to learn from others? Literally what seems to have happened over the past 50 years is that not only young people but older people have rejected being taught truths and standards, and especially the truths and standards of the Word of God. Instead they have been making their own standards, measuring themselves by themselves. In other words, this unwillingness to be taught what to believe and how they should live has led to idolatry. Do you have to be careful who to accept the teaching from, the direction from? Certainly, for as many of you have noticed, lack of moral standards, lack of godly character, lack of belief in and the following of God, lack of God’s truth, and even lack of common sense have all been taught in our schools. Whose fault is that? The leaders in the field in education and the family members who don’t want to be involved in their childrens’ education. This is one area in which our freedoms as a country have eroded. Yes, since 1950 I have seen where these areas of life have been eroded. The media, both news and entertainment, have played a really big part in this erosion also. The news, because it has been possible since the invention of the radio, to shape public opinion. Newspapers too have tried to do that since the 1800s or perhaps the 1700s, but it is radio and afterwards TV that have done a tremendous job in influencing the public, sometimes for good sometimes for bad, and I would say since the 70s for sure, for the bad. And if it weren’t for the internet, I don’t think it would have been possible for the various uprisings in the middle east to have occurred, nor this occupy Wall Street movement either. I believe use of such things as face book, and news web pages that people in other parts of the world have even learned they can organize for causes from their own homes. Yes, we do live in the information age, but there is so much misinformation being put out there that it is really bad. Truth, justice, the American Way which is supposed to be the idea for this country has actually fallen by the wayside because of people who have leadership wanting their own form of government that ignores all Biblical standards. And when I say their own form of government, I mean a form of government that was not established with the constitution, but with forms of government that have been oppressive in Europe and Asia.
What should we be learning? What should we be taught? What standards should we have? Let’s take a look at the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1-9
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,
3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;
4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,
5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, And do not forsake your mother's teaching;
9 Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, And ornaments about your neck. NASB
What kind of wisdom and instruction is he talking about here? He is talking about godly wisdom and instruction, and learning that first from their parents.
Proverbs 2:1-22
1 My son, if you will receive my sayings, And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD, And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart, And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you,
12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;
13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who delight in doing evil, And rejoice in the perversity of evil;
15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;
16 To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words;
17 That leaves the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God;
18 For her house sinks down to death, And her tracks lead to the dead;
19 None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life.
20 So you will walk in the way of good men, And keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land, And the blameless will remain in it;
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land, And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.
NASB
and
Proverbs 3:1-4:1
3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, Or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father, the son in whom he delights.
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.
14 For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, And the skies drip with dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 So they will be life to your soul, And adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will walk in your way securely, And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives in security beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence, And do not choose any of his ways.
32 For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright.
33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor. NASB
Proverbs 4:1-13
4:1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,
2 For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.
3 When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
4 Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;
5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8 "Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 "She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty."
10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
NASB
These attitudes expressed by Solomon, no doubt before he was led away to idolatry thanks to not following scripture that said kings were not to multiply numbers of wives and especially were not to marry those outside the faith taught by Moses. He failed in these areas and was led astray by his pagan wives. Also his own intelligence, his own perception was instrumental in his fall from grace for he became egotistical and decided to follow his own ideas when it came to whom should be worshiped. He decided to become politically correct and “open minded” toward other religions when he had been taught better. The faith of the Israeli’s was not and never has been open minded as to whom was to be worshiped nor was the acceptance of any other religion in any way to be practiced, for God specifically said the religions of the other nations were an abomination to Him.
Have you noticed here in the U.S. that kids in school, in the public school system especially, are more and more rebellious and that the school districts and teachers are more and more shying away from disciplining kids and holding them accountable? Ungodliness in rampant in the public school systems and especially in the universities of this country. Lies about who God is and how He should be regarded are spread through all the education establishments now. And those in government–too many have no regard for God. Too many make themselves into their own gods. Pray for the godly ones in office for they are few and need your prayers in order to make a real difference in the courts of law which have also started throwing God out of the picture, throwing out God’s standards.
Where has the humility gone? Are there none who are willing to be taught the truths of God, the standards of God, even the love of God? Because we are a country which God allowed to be self-governing, we have become proud, we have become arrogant, thinking we are in control, when all along it always has been God who is in control. He has allowed us free will, and we have mishandled it thoroughly in this country. We have chosen our own desires and interests ahead of God’s desires and interests, and now this country is in a real mess.
What does Jesus say?
Matthew 5:2-10
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. KJV
Do you know what “poor in spirit” means? It means literally poor, needy. It means someone who knows he is in need and wanting help. The Greek word is “ptoochoi”.
Do you know what “meek” is? Meek means humble, gentle, teachable. The Greek word is “praus”.
These two characteristics, humility and recognition of need, are missing in today’s society. These two characteristics are missing in the church membership of America today. If the church were to truly and really follow the advice in Proverbs that I put in today’s devotionals, this country would not be in the mess it is in.
What is my point in all this? Ask yourself, do you have the attitude toward learning and righteous living that is expressed in Proverbs there in those 1st 4 chapters? Do you seek God’s wisdom for your life every day. Are you committed to glorifying Him each day? Are you willing to learn from others who are godly? Are you committed to doing things God’s way, rather than your own? Are you willing to apply His standards to your actions and thinking?
If the American church membership were committed to following Jesus honestly, and fully, this country would be blessed. Understand, lack of humility comes from our flesh nature. My grandson is an example of that. Even at 3 years of age, he thinks he knows more than his parents and grandparents about what are the facts. And from the age of 3 months I have seen he wants to be in charge. That is the flesh nature. Teaching him is not proving to be easy. But this is part of human nature because our human nature is at odds with God thanks to Adam and Eve. So we have much to seek God for in regards to our lives. I hope you are doing that very thing, and as a result learning what God wants you learning, and seeking Him for the answers and your own character development. Learn how to practice humility for you will then be teachable. If you are poor in spirit, you know you are needy and need God’s help in all things.
Follow what Jesus says there in Matthew and you will be blessed, blessed, blessed. Love, the Good News Lady