(Prov 27:14 MSG) If you wake your friend in the early morning by shouting “Rise and shine!” It will sound to him more like a curse than a blessing.
This morning we continue our “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God” series. The book of Proverbs is full of divine counsel regarding relationships. Here Solomon gives us a reminder to be sincere when dealing with people. A more traditional translation of this verse reads, “If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.” When I first read the verse I was somewhat confused about how a blessing could actually be regarded as a curse. But upon further investigation I understood what Solomon was getting at.
Solomon does not describe a person who genuinely wants to bless their neighbor. While pronouncing blessings on someone is generally a good thing, a good thing done with the wrong motives actually becomes a bad thing. The person Solomon describes comes out early in the morning (attempting to be the first), he gives his greeting/blessing at the top of his lungs (attempting to be the loudest), and what he says is way too exaggerated (attempting to the biggest). Why does he do this? Well, it is not to actually bless his neighbor, but rather to bring attention to himself, and in so doing he is violating whatever goodwill he had with his neighbor. Instead of being a blessing, he is actually making a fool of himself.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Be neighborly. Solomon is not teaching against being neighborly. As believers we should seek to build relationships and to be genuinely friendly towards others. This is the way we are going to shine as light and love in the midst of darkness and selfishness. You may be the only sermon an unbeliever ever reads. What does your lifestyle and attitude towards others say about the God you claim to serve?
2. Be sincere. If you are going to flatter someone, make sure it’s genuine. Sarcasm and insincerity destroys your witness towards others and since God knows your heart, it also weakens your relationship with the Father. Simply say what you mean and mean what you say.
3. Be humble. Never do something for someone else with the intention of actually brining attention to yourself. Whatever blessing you thought you were going to get out of it will actually wind up being a curse.
4. Believe your words. The words “God bless you” don’t really mean much to most people today. But for the believer, if you truly believe that the power of death and life are in your tongue (Prov 18:21) and that words spoken from a believing heart are powerful, then when you pronounce a blessing over someone, you will actually mean it and expect the person to be blessed.
Closing Confession: Father, thank You for this reminder this morning. I want to have strong and lasting relationships and I know it is Your will that I shine as both light and love in the midst of darkness and selfishness. By faith I say that I will be a blessing to every person I come in contact with. I will be completely sincere, never speaking words I don’t mean – saying what I mean and meaning what I say. I will also never seek to draw unnecessary attention to myself by doing something for someone else. I always ensure my motives are pure, my hands are clean, and my heart is right before You. This way I can pronounce blessings, from a believing heart, fully expecting what I say to come to pass. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
