One Trait at a Time: Look in for your Benefit
Wisdom Scripture
Proverbs 24:14 (NIV)
“Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
If you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.”
Wisdom Quote
Synonyms: expedient, advisable, politic, prudent, tactical.
Shrewdly aware and subtly resourceful: “A wise operator with his eye always on the main chance.”
Synonyms: canny, hep, knowing, nimble-witted, quick, quick-witted, sharp, sharp-witted, slick, smart. Compare intelligent (sense 2) and shrewd.[1]
[1] Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster’s collegiate thesaurus 1996: n. pag. Print.
Look In For Your Benefit
Look in. If you want a great, joyful life full of meaning and fulfillment, you will work hard to become like Christ. The more you become like Jesus, the richer the life you will experience—an abundant life full of blessing and goodness.
Improving your character will bring deep satisfaction: the feeling you get when you help someone in need, give the perfect gift, or do what’s right—especially when it’s hard. It feels good when you don’t get drunk or lose your temper, but instead show kindness. It feels good to bite your tongue and swallow those ugly words welling up inside you.
The devil fights your joy with an uppercut and a punch to the gut
You know all too well the reverse—the horrible morning-after feeling. Throughout human history, the devil has tricked us with the same twofold strategy, like an uppercut followed by a punch to the gut.
First, the uppercut. He deceives you by making sin appealing. With a fake grin, he entices you: “It will taste so good, feel so good, and make you happy.” Then you do it. You eat the fruit.
Second, with a punch to the gut, the devil condemns you. With a scowl, he whispers in your mind, “You worthless, terrible person. I can’t believe you did that again.” He fills you with guilt and shame—horrifying regret. In an instant, the sweet taste of sin in your mouth turns to gravel, and you wish you could spit it out.
Avoid the hollow ache in your stomach when you know you’ve messed up, hurt the people you love, and disappointed God. Like me, you have probably wished with all your heart that you could turn back the clock and do it over again—not yell at your kids, not selfishly play a video game, but instead spend the evening with your wife when she asked for time with you. Not lie to your friend, who later found out and looked at you with a sad, hurt expression. Not click on that link.
