Understanding your way

It is helpful to reflect on the way we live and respond to life. It’s imperative that we understand ourselves, our impact on life and those people around us. It is easy to lose sight of our way, so that our lives are simply governed by instinctive responses. It’s fascinating to canvass our society and observe people who evidently don’t understand themselves. The book of Proverbs instructs us, ‘It is the wisdom of a man to understand his way’. Prov 14:8.

So how does a man ‘understand his way’? Prov 20:24. We must pursue genuine ‘self-knowledge’ before God so that we know why we react the way we do in certain situations. If we understand our way and rule our spirit, we honour the truth about ourselves. We need to rule our own spirit because the will of God in all its sovereignty is already determined for us.

Self-control is the most critical means by which we rule our spirit. Many people don’t value, pursue and maintain self-control under pressure. The book of Proverbs says that ‘he who rules his spirit’ is better ‘than he who captures a city’. Prov 16:32. It’s a shame to observe Christian people who want the Holy Spirit to do everything for them. They look for a miracle instead of exercising self-control and diligence in their lives.

Wisdom comes from the Lord. ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.’ Prov 4:7. Wisdom could be defined as ‘the ability to live life skillfully’. Our success in life won’t finally be governed by the will of God alone. If we don’t understand our way, then we’ll never fulfill the will of God for our lives. In times of crisis, we must exercise control over our spirits. ‘Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise.’ Prov 17:28. We all know that when there are many words, transgression is unavoidable. Prov 10:19. If we will be slow to speak and slow to anger, we’re allowing ourselves time to understand our way.

David Falk

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Feature Articles
November 2008

Understanding your way

The words of eternal life

Every good gift

The song that counts

Be fruitful and multiply

A man who prays

Amazing grace

The secret place

Perspective on tribulation

Bearing the yoke

The problem of evil