Proverbs 26 - 7.3.24

Scripture

Proverbs 26:11

 As a dog returns to its vomit,
    so fools repeat their folly.

Observation

This gross illustration is meant to capture our attention. May we be as disgusted by our sin as we are by vomit.

Application

I don’t know about you, but if I throw up a particular food, I never want to go near that food item again. But Rover doesn’t agree. Rover easily forgets how the sock he ate caused so much cramping, pain, and nausea. Once the trauma is over, he forgets all about it. Out of body, out of mind. But not out of sight. A few minutes later, he sees the sock, and in its partially digested state, it looks particularly enticing. So he tries it again.

We are not like Rover, right? Sin is like that sock. Once we are freed from it, sometimes we forget the pain it caused, both to us and to God. And sometimes, in our folly, even though we have repented and been forgiven, we return to it. And that should disgust us!

If we are wise, we learn and grow from spending time in the word, listening to wise instruction, and from our previous failures and mistakes.

Proverbs 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

  Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Or we can be like Rover.

Proverbs 26:3

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey

  And a rod for the back of fools

Prayer

Lord, may I be so disgusted by my sin that I run away from it. I don’t want to be a fool, returning to my sin over and over. May I be the wise person who spends time with You and listens and puts that instruction into practice. Thank you for your word to me today.

 - Debbie Dunn