1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30 + Romans 2:25-3:8 + Psalm 11:1-7 + Proverbs 19:10-12
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Old Testament – In First Chronicles 21 we read about David taking a census after being tempted by Satan. Satan didn’t force David to do this – Satan tempted him and David fell prey to the temptation. This census was a sin because David was seeking to demonstrate how mighty “his” army was – when he should have realized all that he had came from God and that David’s true strength came from God and not his army. The census was a sin of pride. (And it is very interesting to note that Joab, who is not one known for his scruples, realizes this census is a sin!) And so we read in verses 14 & 15 – “So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand people died as a result. And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But just as the angel was preparing to destroy it, the LORD relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
New Testament – Paul’s writings in Romans 3 verses 7 & 8 today are so powerful for us to remember always: “”But,” some might still argue, “how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach!” Have you ever thought in any way along the lines of “well, it doesn’t really matter if I sin?” This is such risky thinking. Let me highly encourage you to read the Bible to see what it says about sin and in particular these early chapters in Romans. In reading these chapters in Romans do you see the risk, and really the stupidity, in continuing in unchecked sin?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Romans titled “No Excuse for the Jews” is at this link.
Psalms – Today we read Psalm 11, which is one that you might miss the full meaning of if you didn’t know some of the commentary behind this Psalm. Basically in this Psalm King David is expressing his unshakable trust in God to other people around him who are very scared of enemy attacks. Knowing this – check out verse 1: “I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly to the mountains for safety!” Like David, do we really trust in God for our protection? Or do we sometimes rely on others or our own cunning – or, our own fear – for protection? Are there times when we are faced with a challenging situation that we feel like running away from it? “Fleeing to the mountains” for safety? When, instead, should we simply trust in God for our protection and move forward in spite of the fear within us? Is there an area of your life where you need to turn over more trust in God for ultimate protection? Will you flee to God only instead of fleeing to the mountains?
Proverbs – Proverbs 19 verse 11 is a bit challenging for me: “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.” I can see the point of restraining our anger. But overlooking wrongs… I guess I’m having a hard time with this one. I believe there is a point where we do need to speak the truth in love to someone about their wrongs. If we simply overlooked their wrongs, then would we really be doing them any favors? I mean, I guess we would be keeping the peace by overlooking wrongs, but I’m just thinking there is a time and place to speak the truth in love. In love. Not in anger. Let me know what you think on this one? I know just recently I posted up about not getting into an argument with a friend over the way he left a voicemail to me with a bad tone. And that seemed to be the right thing to do, and correlated with a recent Proverb we read. And today’s Proverb indicates we earn esteem by overlooking wrongs. I see where this Proverb is often / generally true – but is it always true? Let me know your thoughts on this in the Comments below if you will! Thanks!
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Romans reminds me of Jeremy Camp’s song “Let it Fade:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h843f2GXie0
Will you let your old life fade? Click here for your new life now!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” Psalm 11:7 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are living an upright life. Pray that you are seeking justice. Pray that you will one day see our righteous God face to face.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
I Chronicles 19:1-21:30
21 24But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying what it is worth. I cannot take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!”
No matter how many times I’ve read this verse, it always takes my breath away causing me to search my soul and ask myself, “Have I offered up to God burnt offerings that cost me nothing?” Have I taken what does not belong to me and given it to God? These are sobering questions and most of the time I find answers I really do not want to claim ownership.
Romans 2:25-3:8
If one could be circumcised outwardly, as a representation of what was has happened on the inside, yet be uncircumcised in heart, then the outward signs Christians use to identify themselves to others as Christians, me included, can hide an empty shell of an unregenerate believer. Uhg!
The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceeding weak – who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
(Jer 17:9-10 JPS)
God always knows the truth about us, the real truth and is not afraid to tell us what we need to hear.
Psalm 11:1-7
Mike, thank you for the insight about this Psalm, it helps to understand that David went through the same struggles I go through in dealing with friends who try to convince you to take the easy way out when God is telling you to go in a different direction.
Proverbs 19:10-12
Mike maybe verse eleven,
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense (AMP),
Should go with or be seen in the light of the twelfth verse,
The king’s wrath is as terrifying as the roaring of a lion, but his favor is as [refreshing as] dew upon the grass (AMP).
Both verses deal with rage/anger and favor or ignoring something. When you have a king or leader who makes decisions or judgments out of rage and anger without thinking things through then people are placed in harms way because the government is not stable. Then the king or leader will be the talk of every conversation in the country and not seen in a favorable light.
Maybe I’m way out in left field but Proverbs can be tricky reading. There are verses that appear to be disjointed but if one takes a step back and gives another look a connection can be seen. In the Amplified Bible’s translation, the first verse implies that these are a kind of puzzle,
THE PROVERBS (truths obscurely expressed, maxims, and parables) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
I believe this implies reading this book may mean you have to get your hands dirty by digging and mining through all the verses
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Ramona:
Hi Mike,
I will need to think on this for a while but one thing I know, in the Hebrew usually the word translated to English as Transgression, is not the same as the one for Sin. Could this possibly be a personal boundary violation and not the doing something wrong “sin?”
Boundary issues can be a simple as someone who is an acquaintance thinking they have access to your personal information or info that is not privy to them because of their relationship. Example: When I was involved in teaching a Bible Study to homeless men, who happened to me sexual predators, I was very aware that I needed to have a strong sense of decorum around them no hugs, no physical signs of affection: you get the drift.
One day one of these men saw me hug and kiss on the check someone who used to be a co-worker, in fact the former Comptroller of my school who was a Christian. d We would mutually encourage each other and pray in times of strife and acrimony on the job. I hadn’t seen this gentleman in about three years and we by happenstance ran into each other. After we converses for about half-an-hour on the street and we went our ways, one of the Bible Study Members, walked up to me and demanded I should do the same thing to him.
Well three weeks after I began that study, this gentleman tried to get up a posse to gang-rape me, to put me in my place, which I latter, way latter, found out they had done before to someone else and the church did nothing about it because, “We after all are supposed to forgive our brothers.” Forgiveness and holding someone accountable for their actions are two separate things I think we get the two confused and mix up boundary violations with out right sin, which it could turn out to be if left un-checked.
I will think on your questions regarding this Proverb throughout the day. [Mike go back and read the question you wrote when you first began this blog, or at least when I joined at the beginning of the year, and you will see that the complexity of your inquiries to the readers and your insights have exploded exponentially. God is indeed blessing you in your spiritual life so that you can be a blessing to others.]
Grace and peace
Ramona
====== Stacey:
Prov 19:11 11People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.
I liked what Vance said. I believe that this scripture points out the need for walking in the Spirit and seeing the fruits of the Spirit grow in your life. Gal 5:22. Several places in the New Testament talk about New Life in Christ and how the two fold process is to 1)put to death the natural man and his way of thinking and responding and 2) put on new life in Christ. Look at Eph 4:17-5:21 and Col 3:12-14. Humility, kindness, compassion and generousity are all actions of intentionality. I choose to be this way. I choose to overlook an offense and show humility and kindness to someone else. One reason for intentionally setting my heart to overlook offenses is so that the enemy cannot use this as an open door to tempt me to get angry.When I get angry, the enemy has turned me around to walking in the flesh. To get back on track, I need to repent and turn around again and ask God to put me back on the path of walking in His Holy Spirit. I’ve found it easier over time to avoid the battle of my own flesh vs. Spirit as much as possible. Col 3:12-14 speaks of clothing and putting on virtues. I believe that means getting up each morning and intentionally choosing to walk in all of God’s ways. If you are blessed enough, as I am, to work in a very worldly occupation, then offenses will come up all day long that need to be overlooked and responded to with the virtues of walking in the Holy Spirit. It is quite often on the spot that I must call out to the Lord in prayer, “please Lord, give me the right words to say. Keep me O Lord walking with You in ways that honor You.” and then do what the Lord tells me to do and say what the Lord tells me to say. Intentionally…as 1Thess 4:11-12 11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Make it your ambition–put on New Life in Christ each day with intentionality. May God bless you richly this day.
Stacey
====== Pat:
My thoughts on Proverbs 19:11 – Life is a balance scale with love on one side and detest on the other. The situations we face in life can easily tip the scale one way or the other. As Christians we must constantly strive to see that the scale tips in favor of love and not of detest. That does not mean that we have to either like or accept what others do wrongly to us or other people who are hurt, but that we must expend more energy on loving than dwelling on what was wrong. The more serious the wrongdoing, the harder to balance the scale. For instance, in the case of an abusive relationship of any type, the person being abused is neither encouraged nor expected to overlook the abuse and stay in the abusive relationship. However, unless the one being abused can strive to keep love alive in his/her life, the abuse will become the center of all thoughts and emotions. It will build a wall separating the abused one from being able to love or trust anyone including God. We must overlook wrongdoings in so far as we prohibit them from controlling our lives but that does not mean that the wrongdoing is either justifiable or acceptable!
Pat
====== Michelle:
5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
And yet there is so much violence in the OT. When something needs to be accomplished–God sends (or allows?) war to accomplish the end desired.
The incredible amount of war and slaughter in the OT makes it hard for me to wrap my heart and mind around how God–who is unchanging–can also be the one responsible for using war to accomplish his purposes. Jesus could have come to throw off the yoke of Roman oppression, but instead he became victorious over it by his submission to the death and then (of course!!) his resurrection. He told Peter that he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. He extended the Kingdom of God to Gentiles–he did not start a campaign to wipe them out.
I feel that I am not articulating this fully, but it’s been on my mind so much because of our readings.
Michelle
====== John:
Michelle,
There was a comment by David Guzik for Romans 3 that applies to your question – it addresses the idea of “Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?”
“In theory, the most dramatic example of someone who might ask this question is Judas. Can you hear Judas make his case? “Lord, I know that I betrayed Jesus, but You used it for good. In fact, if I hadn’t done what I did, Jesus wouldn’t have gone to the cross at all. What I did even fulfilled the Scriptures. How can You judge me at all?” The answer to Judas might go like this: “Yes, God used your wickedness but it was still your wickedness. There was no good or pure motive in your heart at all. It is no credit to you that God brought good out of your evil. You stand guilty before God.” – David Guzik
God used the tribes of Israel to wage war on tribes in Canaan as the judgment and punishment for those that reject God. Rahab was spared and said ‘we know of your God”, they had heard and knew about the God of Israel – yet instead of seeking Him they rejected Him. The judgment was righteous and it also showed the Glory of God by using an unknown nomadic group to defeat the powers in the area.
When attacked and God was consulted He brought Israel great victories. David never lost a battle. The attackers were utilizing free will and the disposition of their hearts when attacking Israel – God used their disposition to bring Israel victories.
When Israel continually sinned against God, they were attacked and carried off – Assyria, Babylon, Romans…. Again this was the judgment of God who used the pre-disposed disposition of warlike conquering entities to fulfill his purposes and plan for judgment on Israel. Yet, a remnant (varying sizes) would be preserved. Most nations of that size would never have survived those kinds of dispersions. they would have been assimilated and forgotten.
Finally, Jesus’ death and resurrection was not a victory over Rome oppression – it was a victory over death and Satan. Jesus’ way is the way of God (He is God) – the gospel is the mission – it is never to be spread by the sword. Of course man, being screwed up their were abuses of Jesus’ message (the inquisition, Crusades, etc.) – but that was done by leaders who were either not “true believers” – or let the “desires of the world” take over their thought instead of keeping their eye heavenward.
In the end the judgment and bloodshed in Revelations will make the Old Testament seem like a picnic in the park. That of course will be God’s judgment in toto.
I probably left out some Old Testament examples, but they can all be explained in the same pattern as the three examples given above.
John
====== Romayne:
Thanks John – I equally needed to hear that answer once more to remind myself of the very same truths, as I’ve equally grappled with the same question, and although I just accepted it, never could quite figure it out adequately, and never got round to researching either. Appreciated :))
Romayne
====== Paul:
You asked about “overlooking wrongs”. I consistently believe that there are items in life that rise to the level of confrontation with another person. A proverb is not an absolute command but rather a principle upon which to build our lives. So I would say to you that for the most part, it is good to overlook a wrong, that is forgiveness. I would also say that if a brother contiues to sin, go and reprove them in private (Matt. 18:15); but before you go… I believe there is a process we must go through and that is the process of forgiveness. Forgiveness and restoration of fellowship are two things that I believe Jesus enforces here. I tell church members constantly who may complain about someone else… have you spoken with them? (No) they say… well then cease the gossip and either forgive and overlook the offense or go talk with them and work it out. The rantings of a pastor.
Paul
====== Ramona:
1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30
I couldn’t help notice that through this read I became intrigued by the actions of Hanun the son of King Nahash of the Ammonites. Like Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, Hanun took counsel from a set of advisers who gave him the wrong information and set into action a conflict that would end in great damage. Hanun’s choice ended in war with Israel; Rehoboam’s choices ended in the division of Israel into two nations and civil war.
Who in my life have I set up as advisers? Do the ones I go to counsel out of the Wisdom of God or do they counsel out of their own intellect, worldly wisdom? Do I rely on the Holy Spirit to discern between foolish counsel and wise counsel?
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20 KJV)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Nicole:
I think in the Proverbs reading.. We do earn our esteem by overlooking wrongs. Yes, there is a point where we do have to speak the truth IN LOVE, but for the most part, we have to overlook it. If we constantly feel the urge to “speak the truth” we really have to ask ourselves and make sure we are doing it in love and not in anger.. I have problems with that too. I’m learning to take it day by day, minute by minute… I’m in a situation to where I’ve been asking God to help me overlook!! But thats what I think.. Hope it helps ya out
Nicole
====== Brandie:
o me I know God protects me no matter where I am. For example, during tornado season he protects my family during those times and I am praying for him to protect me and my family just because I am not a fan of the twisting dust that comes out of the sky. I also have enough sense to get into some kind of shelter when need be.
People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.
Would this be by always finding the good in people..cause that is what I do…but if not let me know if I am in the ‘wrong’…
Brandie
====== Suzan:
In reading this passage, I reflect on a situation I recently encountered. I believe to overlook does not mean to dismiss…but rather, during the heat of the moment (argument/situation), to remain non-judgmental and do-not act on in an immediate sense, rather…overlook and reflect, pray. Deal with the situation/words at a later date after having reflected in fairness and love.
Suzan
====== Pam:
Yeah, Proverbs was confusing at first glance. I think the writer is referring to us being a ppl of forgiveness, not holding anger, or the such, in our hearts. Silly little disagreements/spats (offenses), need to just be brushed aside at times. I dont believe he is referring to ppl who are commiting sins, that we just turn a blind eye to it, because thats not what scripture says we are to do. I think the word “offense” is clearer.
But no matter what, if I am sinned against, its my benefit to forgive that person who wronged me; its better for me ultimately and its a good witness. So I think the key word here is: forgiveness.
Pam
====== Lisa:
Relationship and Obedience: Seems like David must have skipped his time with Jesus that day. Yes, it was a favor that God sent someone to warn him. We keep trying to “fix” the old life- God offers us something new. We keep wanting to lean on our own understanding and “count” our positives in the situation instead of remembering “God’s will be done” God’s will was for David to trust Him- David chose to disobey and learned the hard way. Obedience is better than sacrifice. And it’s our way or His High Way of loving, trusting, knowing Him through being obedient. Sometimes overlook, sometimes pray, sometimes confront, but always obey. I’m working on it, and He is patient with me.
Lisa
====== Constantino:
…God’s judgement comes on a proper time…we should not measures God’s fidelity on us…i am quite pretty sure God is watching us and wieghts the things we have done,and others have done to us…He is just waiting…for us to surrender our anxiety’s to HIM…and He promised, He is with US,now and for always,…till we get the proper justice… justice
Constantino
====== Greg:
In the King James the word in Proverbs 19:11 is translated transgression. The Ungers Bible dictionary says the following about transgression “Sometimes used synonymously with sin, but sometimes used in a distinctive sense as indicating a violation of the law through ignorance, e.g., Exodus 34:7; Romans 4:25. All sin is transgression, but all transgression is not sin in the sense of incurring guilt.” — New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. I would see that as we do not need to be a tattle tell for every specific occurrence where someone is ignorant.
Greg
====== Johnnie:
In regard to Ramona’s comment about a church having ignored a group of predators raping a teacher because “we after all are supposed to forgive our brothers,” this is wrong. We as individual believers are commanded to forgive our brothers for their sins against us (which as Ramona says does not preempt personal responsibility.) We have NO authority whatsoever to forgive sins against others! None. There’s a powerful point in the story of Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man lowered through the roof into the crowded house where Jesus was teaching, found in Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26. When Jesus saw “their” faith (of the paralyzed man and his friends? Or of his friends?), he said to the paralyzed man “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7″Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, 11″I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (That’s the Mark version.) Jesus did not deny what the Pharisees were thinking. It was and is blasphemy for people to forgive sins committed against someone else. That is God’s prerogative, a right reserved to himself alone. Jesus was demonstrating his divinity by forgiving the man’s sins, then backing it up by healing his paralysis in everyone’s plain sight. But Christians too often forget the original point that God alone can forgive sins(though our personal forgiveness against those who have wronged us is demanded.) I frequently see this in the context of someone who has committed a very serious crime against society such as murder and is facing harsh punishment, but who has come to be regarded as a pitied, sympathetic character. People call on the state or nation to exercise “Christian forgiveness” by not executing the punishment demanded by the law. That cannot be justified on scriptural grounds. A victim can (and must, if Christian) forgive the perpetrator for their personal hurt. But society must enforce justice according to the law, for only God can forgive. The church cannot forgive what was done to an individual.
Johnnie
====== Debbie:
I think the first line of that proverb gives the answer to your question: A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
Through wisdom we will know when to overlook a matter and when to confront a matter.
As a teacher, children constantly test me to see what my response will be. Oftentimes my response is to “ignore” because that’s the wise thing to do. Many times a child will misbehave for attention and if he realizes his misbehavior is not going to get him the attention he wants, he begins to behave. However, when a child’s misbehavior will effect the entire class, I must deal with the issue at hand.
Debbie
====== Wendy:
I had to forgive my ex-husband of molesting our daughter of 2 years. The law did nothing but I cannot pass judgement. That is God’s doing. I cannot harbor hatred in my heart…..it is not easy as now she is 32. However, I see pain in her life due to this act. I know God is working in her life and she has to learn to forgive as well. That is one of my prayers.
Wendy
====== Janice:
forgiveness begins with the pure truth….those who have committed crimes against others will have to be judged on their sins…we as a society have been given morls to live by…..let God alone do the judging….forgiveness will heal the world
Janice
====== Lori:
Overlooking wrongs is something I struggle with too. I think God is trying to teach me about restraining my anger when I am wronged. I think it is particularly hard to “overlook a wrong” when someone continually is committing wrong to me. Forgiveness is something God’s really teaching me about now, also, which relates to this. I know Jesus said to forgive “seventy times seven.” I think there is a correlation in this proverb about being slow to anger and overlooking a transgression. If I am slow to anger, then I will be more inclined to overlook a transgression. I do also think there is a time to speak the truth to others in love. When that becomes hard, I think, is when the other person does not want to hear the truth, even in love. Maybe then I am supposed to overlook some things. But this is hard, again, especially if the offense is continual. This is definitely a proverb to ponder on.
Lori
====== David:
David played the role of the villain and still remained King. I think we choose whether we want to remain sheep or Kings. As sheep we remain at the mercy of the King sometimes even being punished because of what the King did. But we choose to be sheep.
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! But it says in Ephesians that we are Sons of God. How many times do we choose to be the sheep, the slave, the fool!
Just a thought, If David can still call himself King after playing the villain, Then why not do we call ourselves Kings? The Bible says we are!
David
====== Jackie:
Wow, this is sort of a tough one because the Bile is truth and we are suppose to live according to it,however this is where I think we can get into a little trouble with our own interpertation of things. I agree with Ramona that there is a personal boundary and the act of sin, I don’t think that we are doing person any favor if we continually turn the other cheek and not let them know in “love”that they have hurt or offended someone.
This in not okay in my opinion because some people are so quick to say well “that’s just me” take it or leave it and they don’t grow from the hurt and pain they are causing in turn really creating more strife between you, wheter we acknowledge it openly or not and it can destroy trust and friendships that could be greater than the one you have. So for me the bottom line is sometimes people must be told and held accountable for their actions or you choose not to have a repeat offender in your life unless they know the bountries. Just my thought.
Jackie
====== Frederick:
1 Chronicles 21:24
24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”
David refused to take the field and sacrificed at the expense of other people. David insisted to offered sacrifice out of his own. In a spiritual sense, do we worship God out of our convenience, or we pay the spiritual price to worship God?
Frederick
====== Ray:
Proverbs 19:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
James 3:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Proverbs 19:11 made me think of James 3:17. I have been digesting James 3:17 for the past 2 weeks. Here is my struggle. How do I overlook an offense, and still be pure/honest?
Specifically, do I say “everything is fine” ie. overlook the offense, when it is not fine. I am not being honest; but I am overlooking the offense. This is a tough one.
Ray
====== Charles:
Hi Mike
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and this is my second time thru.
Thank you for your service and it has inspired me to go thru Gods Word!
Regarding overlooking wrongs, this is a topic that my wife and I discuss often.
Justice and mercy, an initial comment:
In my mind overlooking wrong means not requesting the punishment due for the wrong doer, not necessarily acting as if nothing happened. This would allow opportunity to correct the wrong without enforcing the penalty.
Could discuss further if you like…
Thanks again,
Charles
====== Mary:
Hi Mike,
Was considering the question of overlooking a wrong committed and I was thinking in terms similar to Charles. As well as thinking in terms of a personal wrong. Rather than seeking justice or exacting a punishment to fit the crime we are encouraged to extend grace to that person. And we leave the justice of it in the hands of our Father and trust the outcome to Him. My first time here. I like it and hope to return soon. Thanks so much.
Mary
====== Bev:
First your daily blog is amazing…
However to answer your question regarding Proverbs 19:11, yes I believe it is ALWAYS true because I believe the Word of God is always true. I agree with Ramona in that “wrong” is an offense against you or even someone else but I go even further and strongly believe that “overlooking” is similar to “forgiving”.
I just noticed in the Amplified translation it even states ‘transgression or offense.’
Thanks for such a thought provoking question.
Bev
====== Patricia:
I believe this requires much wisdom. We may forgive the child predator, but we certainly don’t let them go on sinning without placing them under the laws of the land. We may forgive an abusive spouse, but we don’t allow them to continue to destroy body and soul.
On the other hand if it is just our feelings that are hurt or our wishes thwarted we may do well to remember that we are “dead” in Christ and dead people have no rights. Let’s pray as Jesus and Stephan did-“Forgive them for they know not what they do” and ask that God not lay the charges of their offenses against them. John 20:23
Patricia
====== Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
1 Chronicles 21 (Amplified Bible)
21:1 “Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.”
21:2 “David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.”
Satan can stir up ideas in our head. i wonder if King David struggled with following through with this idea?
21:3 “And Joab answered… But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?”
Sometimes God may send people to stop us in our path of sin. When that happens, may we humble ourselves and heed these advises!
21:14 NLT “So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and 70,000 people died as a result.”
What a lesson this is for us – Satan stirred up a thought in David; David decided to carry out that thought despite words from Joab; then when sin is full-fledged carried out, its consequences are so horrific, affected so many.
David probably never would have imagined all these repercussions when he decided to take the census?
Ephesians 5:15 NLT
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.”
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
May God have mercy on us – as we go through different thoughts each day, may He help us discern which ones are from Him, and which are not.
May He give us spiritual insights to see the harm and damage sin brings,
so we may flee from sin and hate sin,
instead of yielding to it.
in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Sincerely,
Joyce
====== Barry:
Overlooking wrongs is an expression of Christian love as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 ‘love keeps no record of wrong’. We do nobody any good by constantly pointing out their faults and reminding them of their failings. Speaking the truth in love is such a dangerous phrase. We must be very careful that we don’t call judgement upon ourselves as we ‘correct’ others.
I would encourage readers to show truth with love 99.9999% more than SPEAKING truth in love to correct a brother.
Barry
====== Susan:
Well Mike I believe this proverb is about wisdom. I also believe Jesus is our example. He died for all of us. What ever the wrong doing, we need to remember Jesus looks at the heart and judges. Our job is to be forgiving and help others see the mercy of Christ and how we are to live our lives. We need to ask Jesus for wisdom to share the right words. This is easier said than done. We let emotional baggage get in our way. In the end God’s way is our wisdom. Leading someone to the feet of Jesus is more important than our agendas. Picking up our cross and following Him isn’t an easy journey.
Susan
====== William:
It’s not my job to correct all wrongs with my words. I don’t have to ‘speak the truth’ in love in most cases. It is my job to be the truth and be love to the world. Lord let my actions be the truth in love.
William
====== Charles:
Overlooking wrongs…
A practical tough question, which gets at the tension between justice and mercy in our lives.
Even in today’s 1 Chronicles reading, it seems to be a mixture. David commits a wrong to census. Justice demands punishment, and 70,000 people die. Mercy spares the punishment from the wrong-doer. In this case, David does not die, as well as many more people, when God relents from judgement.
So from this example, overlooking wrong means sparing complete punishment against the wrong-doer. It does not mean, not speaking about the offense to the wrong-doer. In this case, David knew exactly what he did wrong. All this is done out of God’s love for His people and David (His anger was restrained).
What do you think?
Charles
====== Linda:
Hello:
I am thinking “overlooking wrongs” is not about overlooking sin, but things that maybe irritate us or small faux pas that people commit – crazy drivers, kids who say things that may be better talked about when all have cooled off. Often our own emotions and feelings rise up immediately and could lead to a big conflagration, but putting some space between could allow for more fruitful resolution.
Blessings,
Linda
====== Kristine:
Mike,
A verse that is powerful, but one that I had never noticed before – I Chronicles 19:13, Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.” I love this – Be Strong! Be Brave! And then leave it to God. This should be a rallying call for Christians everywhere – everyday as they wake in the morning to face the world. We do our part and God will do his.
Blessings
Kristine
====== Joe:
It’s funny. One of my verses today was 1 Peter 4:8, “Be fervent in love because live covers a multitude of sins”
I need HS leading to know when to “cover” and when to “confront”. Both be done with a motive of love a d edification, not to tear one down
Joe
====== Robert:
Romans 3:7-8
These are such great theological verses that Paul tries to explain because the concepts are so easy to get wrong and really need to be nailed down. “…the worse we are, the better God likes it!” (MSG). It stimulates great conversations as my son and I had over this concept. I recently watched a Netflix movie about Rasputin adviser in the court of Czar Nicholas II of Russia. and saw how easily it was to pervert peoples ways of thinking, especially about sinful things. His ideas about salvation came from other “thinkers” before.
I quote Goodreads: “Ilya Kovylin, a Moscow merchant born in 1731 and one of the founders of the Old Believer sect of the Fedoseevtsy, taught his followers that “without sin there is no repentance, without repentance no salvation. There will be many sinners in heaven.” It was Kovylin who coined the famous (or infamous) phrase “If you don’t sin, you don’t repent, if you don’t repent, you can’t be saved.” This Kovylin is immensely important, for his words have mistakenly been attributed to Rasputin, as if he spoke them first, having himself created some new perversion, when in fact they have a much older tradition and represent an idea shared by various sectarian groups.”
― Douglas Smith, Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs
Anyway, here is one of my favorite songs on the topic by Boney M: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSjMmpXNL0k
Robert
====== Tracey:
Mike,
I too believe we should speak the truth in love to people in our life. I think it is a situation where we must “choose our battles”. Is this something that will continue to happen if we don’t address it? If we were that person would we want to be told that what we did or are doing is bothering someone in our life? My perspective is YES! I would want to know. Let me know your thoughts on this approach to Proverbs 19:11.
In Christ,
Tracey
====== Ron:
Prov. 19:11 – We all would like to think that we should set others straight when it comes to their actions, attitudes, etc. So, we would be better off ‘overlooking’ another’s offense. Not to do so will lead to other sin: anger, bitterness, judgementalism.
Ron
====== Dee:
The position of pride in 1st Chronicles with David today. I believe we all have been there. We all want to believe we are driven by God to choose something impulsive when in truth we were listening to the wrong voice. Make sure to be still and listen to that still small voice and not have any ulterior motive.
Romans..learning about our motives and our actions..being responsible and owning our heritage in Christ.
Psalm in David’s battles he comes out on the other side. His story isn’t over. Neither is ours
Our actions and motives. I have a hard time not telling the truth when others are wrong in love. I overlook too much and at what cost? I believe it is important to tell in love the actions especially when it is affecting others. In the end, others suffer if you willing see it and don’t express concern.
Dee
====== Jack:
I think it just means “to forgive and forget.”
Jack
====== Dawn:
Proverbs 19 verse 11: “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.”
I believe this refers to gaining esteem by overlooking wrongs WHEN we’re restraining our anger. The semi-colon connects the seemingly unrelated statements.
If we’re angry, we would be better served to overlook the wrong that made us angry TEMPORARILY. We gain esteem from others because we don’t mis-speak because of our anger. We wait – and then address the wrong in love at a later time.
I know I’ve seen folks ‘explode’ in anger over a ‘wrong’ and I’ve lost a bit of respect because it usually isn’t pretty.
Dawn
======= John:
Romans 2:1-16
Chapter 1: Reveals the unrighteousness of man
Chapter 2: Reveals the self-righteousness of man
IMPORTANT: Paul is not addressing Salvation here, he is talking about God’s Judgment. He is not addressing anyone who has been saved in Christ. He is still in the preamble showing why mankind needs the Gospel.
Five Principles of God’s Judgment:
1) God’s judgment based on truth.
2) Judge according to man’s deeds.
3) Sin without law will perish without law. Sin in the law will be judged by the law.
4) Not hearer’s of the law, but doers of the law. are justified (righteous).
5) If no law, but follow a natural law written in their hearts, their conscience will be their witness before God.
======================================================
Paul thouroughly showed the unrighteousness of man in chapter 1.
There is discussion on whether Chapter 2 is addressing moralist, Jews, or both.
Regardless, there were people who would say, “You go Paul, those people you are talking about in Chapter 1 are wicked. They need help.”
JUDGMENT IS GOD’S BUSINESS NOT MANS
Not so fast Paul says, in opening chapter 2:
Don’t be so fast to pass judgment on the people described in Chapter 1. By passing judgment you show you know right from wrong (moralist) or the law (Jews).
You are condemning yourself because you know right from wrong (or the law) and yet you to do the same types of things. Because YOU think you are good person – do you think your sins are going to be missed by God? Do you think because you prosper that God is ok with your life? You should be on your knees thanking God and seeking Him.
Instead mankind is stubborn and has an unrepentant heart (turned from God) and is storing up wrath until the day of God’s Righteous Judgment.
[God’s judgment will be based on Truth. The Truth has been revealed in Jesus Christ. All the fancy machinations of man to try and justify themselves will be for naught. The Truth is – you reject Jesus – you are condemned. It is just a matter of what will be the judgment. Doesn’t matter how many times you pray, how many rituals and rites you perform, how much you give to charity, how many times you do inherantly good acts, etc. – ME]
======================================================
The next part is important, because some people will claim – Aha! Paul is talking about “salvation by works”. No. remember Paul is talking about judgment. He is creating the need for the Gospel.
God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
To the Jews and moralists who have knowledge of the Law and “right and wrong”. God will judge you by what you did – and HERE are his STANDARDS.
If you steadfastly do good – seeking to reflect the glory of God, earn God’s honor, and seek purity (incorruptable life) – well – you get eternal life.
[Problem is just like the Law in the Old Testament this standard is impossible for man to achieve. Second Problem the self-righteous addressed in this chapter are not seeking God. There has to be another way – and Paul reveals it later in Romans. – ME]
But if you reject God, seek your own way, do the same type of things listed in Chapter 1 – you will receive wrath and anger. Because no one can satisfy God’s high standard above – all fall in this category.
======================================================
Paul wraps up this section before addressing the Jews specifically by:
Knowing the Law or not knowing the Law – you will be judged.
If you know the law only if you obey it will you be declared righteous – just as impossible as the “good” standard above.
If you don’t know it – you obey some kind of ethical code based on innate knowledge of being in the “image” of God. Your conscience will be your testimony.
Paul’s prognosis is not good for anybody that rejects God. There are no excuses.
I have a question for God and Paul when I see him: Are the “absolutes” of all who sin apart from the law – pointed at the Roman Empire’s populace, civilized world of the time, or everybody everywhere? I truly don’t know, and probably will not resolve this question in my lifetime.
NOTE: I still think that in the jungles, islands, and tundras etc. that if inhabitants are seeking God to the extant they understand their revelation of God – God will judge fairly and justly.
======================================================
Disclaimer:
There is an alternate explanation of verse 7 – but to me it takes a lot of mental gymnastics to make the “explanation fit”. I prefer to look at this as a logically progressing argument – hence I took a straightforward approach on verse 7. The idea being there is no way the self-righteous can justify themselves before God.
Also, I am journaling here, and working my way through Romans. If someone thinks I am way off base – it will not hurt my feelings to point out disagreement.
John
====== John:
Romans 3:1-8
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
So what advantages to being a Jew?
– many – Nation of Israel is God’s chosen people, God made wonderful promises (covenants) to the patriarchs, God entrusted them with His Word, God promised them a Redeemer,etc. Much was given to Israel, (and much was expected).
Shouldn’t the lack of faithfulness on Israels part nullify God’s faithfulness? Nope. God sent the Redeemer as he said, and His covenants will be fulfilled. How many times in Old Testament readings did we read ‘[God speaking] I am not doing this for you, or because you merit it – but because I PROMISED your forefathers.’
God will be true to his word and fulfill all he promised. We as Christians would not have it any other way. For if God went back on his word to the Jewish people, why couldn’t He go back on his word regarding Salvation.
======================================================
[REMEMBER THIS IS ABOUT JUDGMENT NOT SALVATION]
vs 5-6
“But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?” NIV
[Repost]
In theory, the most dramatic example of someone who might ask this question is Judas. Can you hear Judas make his case? “Lord, I know that I betrayed Jesus, but You used it for good. In fact, if I hadn’t done what I did, Jesus wouldn’t have gone to the cross at all. What I did even fulfilled the Scriptures. How can You judge me at all?” The answer to Judas might go like this: “Yes, God used your wickedness but it was still your wickedness. There was no good or pure motive in your heart at all. It is no credit to you that God brought good out of your evil. You stand guilty before God.” David Guzik
Another example (diff. spin):
You have a child. Child is kidnapped, treated heinously, and killed. Person is arrested and goes to court.
You (the parents) sit there, and judge says – ‘You know, I am feeling kind of good today, full of mercy and love, and compared to you (defendant) I look even more righteous than I did yesterday – [bangs gavel] Case dismissed.’
[AS THE PARENT OF THE CHILD – HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?]
I imagine you would be horrified. You would cry for justice. You would want a fair, honest, righteous judge to try the case. One whose characteristics above did not change from day to day – a consistent judge.
‘The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow’.
NOTE: “Whoever you are – even if you are an unbeliever – you do believe that some people ought to be judged. Now you may not think you ought to be, but you believe somebody ought to be judged. Everyone believes that. We have that innate sense within us today, and God has put it there.” – J. Vernon McGee
Here’s the deal – Because Jesus (God)is not capricious, but immutable – HE is that fair, honest, righteous judge, and HE will judge everybody. He has the right to judge the World, because He created the World and everything in it.
There will be no specious arguments, there will be no lawyer’s tricks, there will be no excuses,..—If the “Let us do evil that good may result” argument comes up – well, I don’t think it will go over too well.
For the “saved”: varying rewards.
For the unbeliever: varying punishments.
John
====== Vance:
I Chronicles 21
24But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying what it is worth. I cannot take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!” 25So David gave Araunah six hundred pieces of gold[k] in payment for the threshing floor. 26David built an altar there to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And when David prayed, the LORD answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar. 27Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.
David’s shows what you give—with right attitude of love, sacrifice, surrender, and worship – a seed of obedience planted – is what God is able to bless. Notice in verse 27, AFTER David offered his sacrificial gift of love, that the Lord “spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.”
Being a new creation / justification (declared righteous) –
Comes through a gift received by faith in Jesus’ Name
Blessing –
Comes through obedience
Proverbs 19 verse 11 – “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.”
The second part of this verse clearly indicates that we are to overlook wrongs ALL of the time. I say this because it seems to me that the idea of “earning esteem by overlooking wrongs” is outside the context of “speaking the truth in love”.
Rather, I see it as our fundamental approach to people— whether people we feel we need to speak “truth” to or whether people who strive to embody truth. The fundamental principle is this: Do not be LOOKING for wrongs in others. Do not be have the approach to people of LOOKING for something to “correct” or “fix” in them.
Sometimes I have been guilty of this, as I have honestly desired to share Christ with others.
Basically, offer people—no matter who they are—the same grace that Jesus gave us.
2 Corinthians 5:19
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.
After all, it is better to attract others with “honey” and “sweetness” – so we can pray about how to speak truth into their lives as God provides the opportunity if that is needed.
Colossians chapter 4
5
Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.
6
Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.
Vance
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