TLIC PROVERBS. MARCH 9: ASTRAY.

Proverbs 5:23. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.

Proverbs 5 ends on a very serious note. The person who won’t listen or change their ways, will end up in a terrible place…maybe even in death.

Solomon isn’t trying to scare his children; he’s being a good father, warning his children about what happens when you are led astray down a path away from God and his loving ways. We all know what can happen when we are led astray by dangerous addictions or dangerous friends. For most of us however, our lack of discipline is likely leading us down a much slower path of destruction. Over-thinking. Over-controlling. Over-working. Over-involvement. Over-indulgence.

What’s your “Over?”

Whatever it is it likely begins as an “over-desire.” An inordinate desire for something that is probably good, but that we have allowed to take over our lives. Work is a good gift, until it takes over our identity and leads us astray. Wanting what is best for our children is good, until it leads us down a path of controlling and planning our child’s every move. Planning and weighing options is good, until is paralyzes us and keeps us from taking any risks.

The scary thing is that often our “Over” can masquerade as discipline, and actually prevent us from being led by Christ. Financial “discipline” may keep us from giving. Being a strong disciplinarian with your children may keep you from showing grace. Church discipline might make an example of someone without the heart of repentance and reconciliation that Christ demands.

These forms of discipline are also great folly.

Thankfully, God is disciplining us in Christ. Because he loves us, God will let painful and unpleasant things happen to us so that we will obey him and change our choices (Heb. 12:11). How can we avoid all the folly of false discipline and over-desire? By not going astray. By fixing our eyes on Christ. By looking to Jesus.

Keep your eyes on him. Follow his ways. Let him love you and let his love guide you. It will never, ever lead you astray. It will never be an “over,” for we can never trust Christ too much.

You: What is your “over-desire?” A desire for a good thing that grabs control.

You in Christ: How does your faith in your union with the love of God in Christ keep your heart from wandering?

Christ in you: What spiritual discipline can connect you to God’s grace in Christ on a regular basis?

Pray: Father, by your Spirit help me look at Jesus so that I don’t go astray. Amen.