Each of us is filled with “desire.” This is a natural human reaction to the world around us; it fuels our goals, aspirations and wants. But the Bible makes it pretty clear that unrestrained desire — desire not based on Christ — is fruitless.
Listen to Billy break this all down:
Proverbs 19:2 proclaims, “Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!” Most of us are deeply motivated to reach our goals and aspirations, but too often we forget to seek God’s path for our lives.
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Rather than ask for guidance, we plow through the chaos of life on our own in hopes of reaching our final destination. Unfortunately, too often we’re unsure whether this fixed and final point is where God actually wants us to end up.
So, how can we live with a bit more certainty?
Basically, it all comes down to knowledge and wisdom, which should be rooted in a baseline (i.e. God). When it’s not, the potential for chaos rages.
We can find success here on Earth, but what’s the point in indulging in temporary bliss that isn’t part of the plan for our most fulfilled and God-driven lives?
Solomon affirms this sentiment when he writes the following in Proverbs 19:8: “The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.” So, while many of us are motivated to reach our desires, we also must run our races well, in God’s timing and on the right and proper track.
Translation: our plans are fruitless without the right guidance.
Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” It all begins with seeking God’s plan for our lives and then operating from there.
I am too often guilty of implementing my own plans and then attempting to pull God in at some point when it’s most convenient for me. Spoiler alert: this is unwise.
The Bible proclaims, “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” Part of this process involves listening to God, though there are also benefits to taking advice and guidance from those God has placed in our lives.
Verse 20 tells us, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
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Proverbs 19 carries other lessons as well, including the importance of hard work, helping the poor and those in need — and disciplining children. Just as God expects us to follow His lead, we’re also called to guide our kids on the right path.
“Discipline your children, for in that there is hope,” verse 18 reads. “Do not be a willing party to their death.” Discipline is how we teach our kids to have the right desire, and how to discover the most important wealth of knowledge within the gospel.
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