The 'BARKING OWL' always has something to say, and like the feathered version, can be either WISE...............or ANNOYING!







Tuesday, April 5, 2016

D is for DISCRETION and D is for DESPISE

Two words, one good and one bad, but they both start with D!
Today is D day in the April A to Z Challenge.

Where would we be without DISCRETION?  I think the point is NOT to know the answer to that question!  There are many places we hope to avoid, and it is DISCRETION that keeps us from going there. Sometimes it's a quick bite of the tongue that saves a friend or loved one from getting hurt. Sometimes it's a sudden memory, brought to mind by a good conscience, that causes our feet to turn one way rather than the other. Generally speaking, love is at the root of every good DISCRETIONARY call we make.

The love of God for you, or the love you have for another guides the hand of DISCRETION in its good work.  But will we listen to its voice?

There are not two spirits, one good angel and one bad demon, sitting on our shoulders and whispering in our ears.  There is the Spirit of God speaking WISDOM and calling for DISCRETION, and there is you, or me, either listening to Him, or not. Not that we have it easy. Our fleshy bodies proclaim their interests to our souls, and our troubled minds, confused emotions and self interested wills all say "To hell with DISCRETION right now!"  Along with "the flesh," of course, "the world" and "the devil" chime in incessantly trying to give direction to your spirit, but let Proverbs 2:11 remind you that...


Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
Proverbs 2:11


Now considering that we are a fallen people, and that we will ignore DISCRETION'S voice all too often, the Lord's discipline will be required to heavily help us back onto the right path. The measure of His discipline is chosen by the one gone astray. ACCEPT His decision as something deserved, and let it play out accordingly. The worst thing one can do after first disowning DISCRETION is to double down by DESPISING His discipline!

We do best by ourselves to humble ourselves before Him. To repent and receive, not resent, His rebuke.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:11,12

What comfort!  He only disciplines those He loves! 
(Of course, that does include all of us!)

By the way...MILLERWRITES copy is COPYRIGHTED. Why cut and paste when you can simply copy the link?

2 comments:

  1. 'Dat's a lot of alliteration! Ding! Nicely done.
    Seriously, constantly asking for divinely endowed wisdom and discretion. Those seem to be prayers we might keep on praying and praying and praying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True. There should be no end to seeking WISDOM.

      Delete

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