There
are behaviours and conducts in life that will make us winsome. When we conduct
ourselves well and display those behaviours, people are drawn to us. However, there
are also some conducts that are repulsive. When we behave in ways that are
contrary to good conduct, we keep people from being near to us. In life we want
to add value to the life of others. That being the case, we need to learn how
to conduct ourselves well and be an attractive friend rather than a repulsive
person. Proverbs 28:23-28 offer us some pointers to be that kind of a person.
In
being a people helper, Proverbs 28:23 tells us that admonition is preferred to
flattery. With admonition, a person can see his wrong and be accorded the
opportunity to correct it. Whereas in flattery, a person will be deceived into
thinking that he is without flaw, and has no opportunity to correct himself. Hence
if we want to help someone to improve himself, we need to assess his wrong, be
frank with him and reprove that person honestly.
To
be good children, Proverbs 28:24 urges us to respect our parents and not deprive
them of their security. It would be a terrible crime when children deprive them
of that security by cheating them into giving up their possession. Children have
no right to assume the mentality that what belongs to their parents will
rightly go to him or her, so long as the parents have not allotted it to them. It
is wrong to assume that mentality and he or she will be classed as a destroyer.
They must respect their parents’ right to hold on to them as long as they are
alive.
The
Word of God denounces pride and arrogance. Time and again we are told not to be
proud because God resists the proud but will give grace to the humble. Pride and
a haughty spirit always come before destruction. Hence, we cannot afford to be
proud. Here Proverbs 28:25 also decries pride. A prideful person will stir up
strife because he cannot back down even if he is in the wrong. In contrast a
person who humbly trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will prosper him
or her. God will see to his or her needs in life, as he learns to do what he
can and trustingly leaves God to do what he cannot. With that attitude, that
person will be prospered by God in whatever he or she undertakes.
A
person who demonstrates over-confidence in life is foolish. That’s according to
Proverbs 28:26. He trusts in himself and refuses to seek the counsel of God or
that of people who are more experienced. He chooses to rely on himself. Such a
person cannot recognize his blind-spots and therefore exposes himself to unnecessary
dangers. On the other hand, one who walks wisely, not being over-confident and
also takes the counsel of others, will walk securely in life. He will first
trust in the wisdom of the Lord above and seek His counsel. In addition, he
takes the counsel of those who are more experienced than him and have wisely navigated
their lives. He shall be spared the agony of the trouble that an over-confident
person will suffer.
In
life it is always better to be charitable. Proverbs 28:27 tells us that we can
never be poorer when we lend a helping hand to the poor. The Bible tells us that
he who takes care of the poor lends to the Lord. God is no man’s debtor. He
will repay us for the kindness we have shown to His needy creatures. In contrast, a person who ignores the cry of the
needy will not prosper. Since he will not lift a finger to help the needy, in
his own time of needs, he will also be ignored by others.
In summing up, Proverbs 28
verse 28 returns to the subject of oppression when wicked especially leaders who
take on the helm. Their oppressive regime will drive every one into hiding. Even
the highly talented will take cover. Whereas, when oppressive leaders are removed
from the scene, righteous people will come out into the open to be recognized. It
all depends on what we want in life. We can choose to be a source of blessing
or one who causes disruption to peaceful existence. So, choose wisely and live
wisely!
No comments:
Post a Comment