Originally posted by DreamlaXWho is your spiritual guide a tree or something? I'm not trying to insult you or your guide, but I find your statement about having a guide that cannot or does not get angry somewhat suspect. I also disagree with your view of anger as well, but one thing at a time.
Actually, not everyone gets angry. No matter how hard you try, you could never make my spiritual guide angry.
To find out why, we need to know the sources of anger. Anger only ever arises when things to not go our way. This is true always. If our partner is doing or saying something that [b]we don't want her to say, we get angry. If we see a close f ...[text shortened]... ur self-cherishing mind and cherishing only others is the only way to lose our mental suffering.[/b]
Originally posted by KellyJayGeshe Kelsang Gyatso, but you'll find any Buddhist spiritual leader, including the XIV Dalai Lama himself, won't get angry.
Who is your spiritual guide a tree or something? I'm not trying to insult you or your guide, but I find your statement about having a guide that cannot or does not get angry somewhat suspect. I also disagree with your view of anger as well, but one thing at a time.
I don't see why it seems so suspect. It is a key to both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism; selfless, unconditional love and compassion.
Originally posted by KellyJayYou'd have to meet one.
Who is your spiritual guide a tree or something? I'm not trying to insult you or your guide, but I find your statement about having a guide that cannot or does not get angry somewhat suspect. I also disagree with your view of anger as well, but one thing at a time.
Tree is not that bad a description actually, especially if they are meditating... 😉
MÅ¥HÅRM
Proverbs 1:10
"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
Righteousness is character that resists the attraction of sin. No matter how desirable an evil person or thing might be, it will not give in. It will hold its principles regardless.
Sinners are not content sinning and going to hell by themselves. They want to include others in their wickedness. Bringing the innocent into their sinful activities and friendship helps justify their evil minds, and the devil uses them to corrupt God's saints.
The context describes a group of cutthroats luring an innocent young man into their gang (1:11-14). They offer him friendship, unity, success, and riches. The Preacher warns his son to stay away from them, for they are wicked and headed for destruction (1:15-19).
Strong men will not agree with sinners for any reason! They are committed to what is right, and the folly of fools angers them. They hate the wicked (Ps 101:3; 139:21-22)!
How do sinners entice - seduce, attract, or lure - saints? There are several ways, and they provide wonderful lessons for increasing in wisdom and understanding.
First, there is family. And woe to those who exalt family over Scripture, for they will compromise righteousness to save it. What a cheap sell-out! For family? A dinner table with sinners and saints confused? So Jesus taught His disciples to hate family in comparison to Him (Luke 14:26). His doctrine divides families to test our love of Him (Matt 10:34-37). If we will not forsake family for Jesus Christ and the truth, we are not worthy of Him. Because Eli chose his sons, God destroyed him forever (I Sam 3:13).
Second, there is fear of man. If we worry about what others think or do, we trap our own souls (29:25). We will compromise Scripture to keep them happy. We call it peer pressure, when it involves children; but we say little, when it involves adults. What a disgusting fear! Why not say, "I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb 13:6)? Peter, noble and brave in his intentions, compromised horribly before mere maids! And Pilate, warned by his wife and convicted himself, could not release Jesus before the Jews!
Third, there is association. Some are so desperate for society, they will do anything to keep their standing. Our proverb's "us" is precious to them. Standing alone overwhelms these weaklings. They need acceptance and support to survive. Believers among the Jews would not confess Jesus for fear of losing synagogue membership (John 12:42). God condemns this compromising association with sinners (Isaiah 8:9; II Chron 19:1-2)! He is looking for men who will stand against the crowd like Joshua and Caleb!
Fourth, suggested or offered success is enticing. The young man was told he could fill his house with treasure, if he were to join the gang (1:13). How many men have sacrificed their convictions to get ahead in their profession? What a revolting trade! It took only thirty pieces of silver to buy the soul of Judas and sell the Lord Jesus. It took only a little silver and two changes of clothes to buy the soul of Gehazi. How cheap!
The world's enticements can be reduced to three kinds of sin - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17). Satan used these three enticements on Eve, and they worked (Gen 3:6); he tried them on our Lord, but He resisted them. Are you able to identify these offerings by sinners and detect your weakness for them?
Churches today offer a smorgasbord of dessert-like inventions for carnal Christians and the unregenerate. They boast of their growth and many programs to satisfy the lusts of every age and sex. They make great efforts to entice you to join them. Don't consent!
Dear reader, are you settled on the rock of God's Word? Will you remain there regardless of who might entice you or what might be offered? Do you know your own soul and the weaknesses of it? Examine yourself, and remove any temptations far away!
Our Lord Jesus was enticed by the devil three times (Luke 4:1-13). Did He compromise at all? Not a chance! And what was His answer each time? It is written! Do you love the Second Adam for His infinite superiority to the First Adam? We praise Thee, O God!
Wisdom demands you end unnecessary and/or tempting relationships with sinners (1:15)! See the comments on 13:20. David's conviction to live a righteous life included cutting off any sinner among his acquaintances, even if it included family members (Ps 101:4-8). Are you ready and willing to stand alone against all the enticements of the wicked?
Proverbs 10:23
"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom."
Sin is a joke to most today. Mischief that harms others is celebrated. Consequences of sin are ignored, and reprovers are despised. Sin is the delight of many. They sin without fear, guilt, or shame. They jest and joke about evil; they mock the righteous. But such men are fools. Those with understanding look at their wicked approach to life and know that judgment is coming. Wise men know there is great reward for sobriety and righteousness.
"Fools make a mock at sin," the wise man teaches (14:9; 15:21). They delight in sin; they use it as entertainment for television and movies. The most mischievous boys in school are the most popular; the bold and flagrant sinner is considered brave and strong; the wildest actors are stars. They rap brutishly about their favorite themes, whoremongering and violence. But hell, both here and hereafter, is coming.
What kind of a person thinks and acts this way? A fool. There is no fear of God before their eyes (Ps 36:1-4; 53:1; Rom 3:18). They rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked (2:13). They are the bane of every nation, the calamity and grief of every father, the heaviness and shame of every mother (10:1; 17:25; 19:13; 29:15).
How are they corrected? Easily! "Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools" (19:29). "A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back" (26:3).