This world offers many activities, many ways of passing the time of day. Most of us don’t have that “problem”, in fact we could use a few more hours in the day instead. But after work, or after school, what are we going to do? Gotta do something, right? We want some leisure, some “fun time.” And that is understandable, for most of us are wound up and need an outlet for our energy. So, what is available? And if available, what’s right for me; what’s right for you to do?
Before we look for that answer we need to note that the Bible has something to say about it. To begin, in Proverbs 21:2 Solomon wrote
:“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.”
When Solomon wrote those words he knew he needed to pay more attention to the thought behind the words. Solomon knew they were from God, not merely his opinion because… “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Solomon could not help but know the truth of his own words in Proverbs 21:2. The truth is, those words make a point similar to the prophet’s words written years later:
“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29
It is evident that when inspired by the Holy Spirit to write, he wrote what God told him to write. It is also evident that Solomon made up his own set of ethical principles. Yes, Solomon needed to pay more attention to and heed the words God inspired him to write.
In recent years, the practice of setting aside God’s ethics and forming our own has become commonplace. But Solomon’s words are still appropriate, still valid, still thought-provoking. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the hearts.”
If someone gets weary of hearing the preacher, it is easy to “rationalize” their thoughts and decide they will just “need” to stay at home. If you want to buy a new boat or a new dress, you can find a “reason” to do so. If one does not want to give as he/she has been “prospered”, as written in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, any old wadded up dollar bill will do. The truth is, we can convince ourselves that an activity or a decision is right or wrong, depending on what we want it to be, “…but the Lord pondereth the hearts.” He obviously knows what His word says, and He definitely knows our heart!
If a person is determined to drink beer or visit the dance halls, gamble on the golf course or in the office lottery, they will probably do so. If their conscience does not bother them they can persuade themselves that the Bible does not forbid beer or bingo, and that it does not even mention “dance halls” at all. If that “reasoning” sounds familiar, it is the sound of someone trying to do something they want to do without having to face the consequences.
What we are discussing is an attitude problem. What we should read is “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,” Colossians 3:1-2. To be honest, more often than not what we want to hear is “do your own thing,” “whatever you want is OK.” But that is exactly what made the Israelites depart from the Lord. “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes,” Judges 17:6, 21:25. Incidentally, that period of time in the history of Israel is often referred to as the darkest days of that nation. Our attitude should be, “SpeakLord,thy servant heareth,” 1 Samuel 3:9-10. Too often, however, it is, “I’m going to do it until you show me a Bible verse that says, “Thou shalt not…”
Is it possible that all of us could use an attitude adjustment? Yes, “There is a way that seemeth right, but the end thereof are the ways of death,” Proverbs 14:12. How true!
