What you See is What you Get!
The Book of Proverbs
Proverbs Chapter 21
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 21:2, 3, 27, 29 (The Message)
2 We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives. 3 Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.
27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.
Observation= There is a phrase that states, “What you see is what you get.” I am not claiming to know for sure what that phrase really means but for me it refers to the appearance of something actually representing a true picture of what it is. It is the ideal that there are no pretenses beyond the obvious deductions. You are stating that there is nothing hidden and there is no cover up. It is the conclusion that whatever you are observing is genuine and true.
Solomon writes about this in these four verses. Solomon explains that when we do something for someone God examines our motives. God is not as interested in the fact that we did something good but rather why we did it. Even deeds which are done in the name of Jesus mean nothing when they are performed for appearance sake; to make a person look Godly. To perform deeds of kindness simply to gain spiritual favor or for accolades or self promotion produces an odor of wickedness. These acts are a lie, a deception and they are actually a spirit of manipulation which is witchcraft.
Application= When we read Proverbs chapter 21, verse 3, we see that God wants us to guard our hearts and to act out of a genuine spirit. Jesus has given us his righteousness and grace which gives to us his ability to live a holy life and to love others (see I John chapter 3:10).We are to lay down our lives for one another by meeting one another’s needs. God knows when we have a sincere desire to love others and give what we can to them. And if we allow him God will even help us to turn our improper desires to help others, into genuine and sincere contributions (see I John 3:16-23).
Prayer= Lord Jesus, I want to genuinely be your instrument of love. I want to have a pure heart that gives to others. Help me to see the needs of those around me and give without hesitation or regard for personal loss.
Proverbs Chapter 21
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 21:2, 3, 27, 29 (The Message)
2 We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives. 3 Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.
27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.
Observation= There is a phrase that states, “What you see is what you get.” I am not claiming to know for sure what that phrase really means but for me it refers to the appearance of something actually representing a true picture of what it is. It is the ideal that there are no pretenses beyond the obvious deductions. You are stating that there is nothing hidden and there is no cover up. It is the conclusion that whatever you are observing is genuine and true.
Solomon writes about this in these four verses. Solomon explains that when we do something for someone God examines our motives. God is not as interested in the fact that we did something good but rather why we did it. Even deeds which are done in the name of Jesus mean nothing when they are performed for appearance sake; to make a person look Godly. To perform deeds of kindness simply to gain spiritual favor or for accolades or self promotion produces an odor of wickedness. These acts are a lie, a deception and they are actually a spirit of manipulation which is witchcraft.
Application= When we read Proverbs chapter 21, verse 3, we see that God wants us to guard our hearts and to act out of a genuine spirit. Jesus has given us his righteousness and grace which gives to us his ability to live a holy life and to love others (see I John chapter 3:10).We are to lay down our lives for one another by meeting one another’s needs. God knows when we have a sincere desire to love others and give what we can to them. And if we allow him God will even help us to turn our improper desires to help others, into genuine and sincere contributions (see I John 3:16-23).
Prayer= Lord Jesus, I want to genuinely be your instrument of love. I want to have a pure heart that gives to others. Help me to see the needs of those around me and give without hesitation or regard for personal loss.
