PROVERBS 18:2 – A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
THEME OF THE DAY: SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY. A good daily diet of the Old Testament book of Proverbs is a good habit to form. There are thirty-one Proverbs so one could read the Proverb corresponding with the day of the month. Be aware, though, King Solomon doesn’t pull any punches. He writes directly with “arrows from his pen” that pierce our hearts. For instance, he addresses laziness with force that if it applies to us, is uncomfortable. I mean who wants to be called “a sluggard” – Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man (Proverbs 6:6-11). Jesus was quite direct too – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ but do not do what I said? (Luke 6:46) but that is for another nugget. Back to Solomon and today’s theme.
The scriptures gives us a lot of positive indicators of being spiritually mature. Here are some. There is the growth of love, the development of the fruit of the Spirit, the discipline of self-control and self-denial in the fight against sin, a weaning from the world, and a life reflecting the progress of Christ-like character. Equally, the scriptures provide signs of immaturity, and perhaps the one that is most mentioned in Proverbs is the control of, and quality of our speech. This isn’t lost in the New Testament. Jesus warns us about every word we speak being judged someday (Matthew 12:36). And the Apostle Paul writes of the quality of our speech and its impact in our walks with the Lord (Ephesians 4:29-32).
As we look at today’s scripture, Solomon identifies still yet another “hard title” to wear if it applies – fool. And he ties it to a person who “digs their heels in” and just wants to talk, talk, talk, and with no desire to understand things which implies input from others. We may expand what he says to the following signs of spiritual immaturity that would have us wearing the unpleasant title of “fool” . . .
Clear signs of spiritual immaturity are resistance to receive correction; becoming defensive when disagreements occur; not open to reason on anything; always having to have the last word in a conversation; a prideful attitude of “I am right” with refusal to take advice; being one who must talk more, listen less, and dominates conversation with opinions and a focus on self, not others or Christ.
So, what steps can we take to avoid being a fool? The most important one also comes from King Solomon. It is putting restraint on our tongues which allows our ears to get more involved in conversations and hopefully opens our hearts and minds to understanding from what we hear – Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding (Proverbs 17:27).
PRAYER: “Father, help me to be restrained in my tongue, open to reason and advice, and be humble enough to accept correction.”
QUOTE: “A defensive spirit and an attitude of spiritual superiority are signs of spiritual immaturity, not maturity.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim