Sensible

Newsletter #387 - January 2011 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

Sensible is our subject in this lesson. The Greek word from which sensible is derived is difficult to get a handle on, because it can mean many different thing. The Hebrew equivalent means discipline, chastisement, and instruction in God's Word. Sensible means to have the right mind set to serve God. Let's begin our study in the Book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Those that revere the Lord seek instruction in the Word. Fools don't have the right mind set. They seek knowledge in the ways of the world, not in the Word.

Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Hear and do the instructions of your Father, and do your best to obey God's law given to mother Israel.

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, "Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

This is the downfall of many people who want to do what is right. They are too easily influenced by those who want to do wrong. Take instructions from God, not a bunch of misfits. The misfits are going into the pit, that is to say hell. Do you want to join them?

Proverbs 1:13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:"

Sinners may have a full purse; however, it is a purse filled with ill-gotten gains that prevent them from entering the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 1:15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

Misguided birds will fly right into the net of antichrist to their spiritual death. Don't fly into that net.

Proverbs 1:18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Be sensible. Don't walk in the way of the thieves, robbers and murderers. Don't self-destruct.

Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

Reverence of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge and wisdom. If you have the right mind set, wisdom allows you to discern good from evil. Wisdom will warn you of trouble in the streets of the world.

Proverbs 1:21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Wisdom cries out to our judges and government officials asking, "Where has common sense gone?". Wisdom continues to speak.

Proverbs 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you." 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

The Holy Spirit wants to give you wisdom. Unfortunately, there are many fools that don't have time.

Proverbs 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

Be sensible. Don't refuse wisdom and God's counsel through the Holy Spirit. Only fools despise wisdom.

Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Wisdom will laugh at the problems that come upon the fools that have no time for wisdom's counsel.

Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

You may choose to revere the Lord, or you may choose to hate Him. Which one do you think brings blessings?

Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

The way of fools is the way of the world. It leads to their own destruction.

Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Be sensible. Accept wisdom's instruction. That is the way to have true peace of mind knowing you have eternal life. The alternative is a one-way ticket to hell. Turn with me to Chapter 15.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Think before you speak. A wise answer filled with reason normally doesn't bring about anger. Bitter or violent words will usually cause anger and bring about a retort. This is particularly important, when you are planting seeds.

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

God keeps very good records in the book of life. He chastises the evil, and Father rewards the good.

Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

The word "instruction" in this verse is our subject word. It means to be of right mind to receive discipline and sound doctrine. Fools despise being sensible. Those who pay attention to and accept correction are prudent.

Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

If you listen to a wise person, you will gain knowledge; however, if you listen to a fool, you won't.

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Don't ever forget this verse, beloved. The prayers of the upright delight your Father.

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness. 10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

If you have the right mind set, common sense is easy to obtain. God's Word is packed with common sense. Do things God's way and have true peace of mind and eternal life. Let's go to the Book of 1 Peter in the New Testament.

1 Peter 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

If you don't follow their evil ways, They are going to talk bad about you. Can you handle that? How thick is your skin?

1 Peter 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

God is fair. That is the reason that after the crucifixion, Jesus went to all that had died in the flesh and preached the gospel. All received the same opportunity for salvation.4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

The word "sober" in this verse is our subject word. It means to be of right mind. It means to be sensible.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Charity is love. Do you have a multitude of sins you need covered? Then love your brethren.

1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If you are able to help other, do so. But, utilize common sense. There are some who will take advantage of you.

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Ministers should teach God's Word according to the gift God has given them. The purpose of preaching is to glorify our Father. In conclusion, turn with me to 2 Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

It wasn't Paul's choice to be an apostle. He was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. He was chosen.

2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

Timothy was Paul's spiritual child, not his physical son. Paul loved Timothy very much.

2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

God utilizes people to influence other people. Timothy grandmother and mother began preparing Timothy for God's work at a very young age. When Paul came along, he was able to use Timothy mightily due to his preparations.

2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Paul anointed Timothy ordaining him into the ministry.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Here we have our subject word again. God gives us a sound mind A mind set that is ready to serve Him. A mind set that is disciplined in Father's Word. Be sensible!

In His service,
Arnold Murray