Thursday, October 3, 2013

Proverbs 23



Proverbs 23    Self Control

Chapter 23 stands unique in that Solomon gives us a list of “Do Not’s!”   He makes no excuses. He does not try to say things politely or un-offensively.  He gets right to the point, the heart of the matter, which is “self control!” 

He begins by teaching his son how to conduct himself when he is in the presence of people of power or esteem.  

V1. “When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.”  Rule over your desires!  Be sure of this, you are being judged to see if you are a person who practices self control!

V6.  “Do not eat the bread of a stingy man; though invited, he will resent every morsel you eat!”  

V20. "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags."

Practice self control concerning with whom you associate.  Our God tells us “That as iron sharpens iron, so a man’s friends shape a man’s countenance.”  Simply put, “The people you spend time with will not only rub off on you, you will begin to take on their character!  Practice self control in choosing with whom you spend your time.   Give God something to bless, like a life of self control!

Rev. John Watford
Lead Pastor
nbcornerstone.com

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