Who Draws Your Attention?

What a struggle we humans must overcome.

Think about the ways we sometimes think. 

Imagine passing by a neighborhood just up the road. Thoughts wander…

I wish we could afford that kind of property. I’d like to get to know those people. Maybe they could provide some good contacts for my business. I’ll bet we could get our kids on their ball team, one of the best in the area.

I would never live in a house of that size with only two kids. They are no better than my family, they don’t even live a godly lifestyle.

They should rename their address ‘Easy Street.’ They take lavish vacations. I wish they would invite me along just to take care of their dog. It must be nice to take off and travel whenever and wherever you want.

How easy it is to ‘size up’ other folks. Everyone has a different scenario, but we (humans) often look at those around us and wish we had what they had: possessions, position, lifestyle, etc. Many people wish to ‘rub elbows’ with those who are perceived to be important people. Yet, to what end?

Do not be envious of evil men,

Nor desire to be with them;

For their minds devise violence,

And their lips talk of trouble.

--Proverbs 24:1-2

It is easy to rationalize this proverb backward. In other words, we can easily evaluate whether a person is ‘evil’ on the basis of whether they obviously ‘devise violence’ or their ‘lips talk of trouble.’

However, the proverb was not written to define evil people, but rather to illuminate the way of evil people. Proverbs 2 describes the ‘evil’ man as one who leaves the paths of uprightness. So, the reality is that a person who has left the path of uprightness will ‘devise violence’ and ‘talk of trouble.’ That is their nature.

Now, it would be wrong to assume that all those who have money, or possessions, or position, or power, or a certain lifestyle, etc. are evil. That is not what is being said. Rather, there are many people that have left the path of uprightness and yet have acquired money, possessions, position, power, etc. The question we must ask ourselves is whether those desirable things justify our natural human desire to be like them or be with them.

Consider God’s view of the evil man:

For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD;

But He is intimate with the upright.

--Proverbs 3:32

Before glancing toward those with riches, possessions, power, position, a desirable lifestyle, etc. we should recognize that those things do not define goodness. Those things do not define godliness. Those things do not make a person a friend of God. Many evil people have acquired desirable things.

Whenever a person envies the evil man and desires to be with him, he declares a desire to align himself with one who is detestable to God. It is better to be drawn, not to riches, power, position, etc. but to be drawn to goodness, righteousness, purity, and the things of God.

Train your eyes to desire to be like those who are beautiful to God.

Be wise.

Mark Stinnett

February 1, 2026

A Fool in the Gate

As an opening in the defensive wall of an ancient city, the gate was a point of vulnerability. However, in peacetime the gate was a bevy of activity. Residents passed through the gate to and from their fields and livestock. Merchants approached the city gate to do business. In many cities the entrance was beautified and marketplaces were built at the gate.

The Ishtar Gate (Berlin Museum)

As a central area of activity, the city gate was a natural place to address the citizens. Kings, judges and city leaders would meet at the city gate to hear legal cases, settle disputes, and engage in discussions pertaining to the welfare of the city and her citizens.

‘The gate’ was not merely a door, it was an opening in the city walls, walls which could be 15 to 20 feet thick. At the gate opening might be watchtowers and other structures built into the walls. Some ‘gates’ housed chambers of two, four, or six rooms.

City Gate at Istanbul

Those who sat at the city gate were men of wisdom and discernment. It was no place for the childish ‘fool.’

   Wisdom is too high for a fool, 
   He does not open his mouth in the gate.
   --Proverbs 24:7

The leaders of God’s people today are 'elders.' The Apostle Paul taught that they are to be men who are dignified, godly, family men, and full of integrity. (More in 1 Timothy 3.)

God’s leaders, elders, are not unlike the men who sat at the ancient city gate. They are mature and serious-minded about God, God’s word, and God’s people.

In our entertainment crazed society there are fewer and fewer men who are true leaders. The Apostle Paul wrote:

   When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, 
   think as a child, reason as a child; 
   when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
   --1 Corinthians 13:11

I wonder if today we have too many churches filled with adults captivated with fun, entertainment, and leisure; too busy to serve; too busy with their games, activities, and hobbies that they cannot even understand God’s wisdom. I wonder if we are seeing a generation of men emerge who are not men at all, but simply grown children.

Who will be able to sit in the gate and open his mouth with God’s wisdom in the years to come?

No Excuses

The boys did not know there were shallow places where they were diving. They buried their friend.

The driver did not know that there was a hairpin turn at the bend in the road. Three were lost.

The young boy did not know the gun was loaded, and his mother cried.

The realities of our natural world are often seen as brutal. It is so sad when young people ignore advice or take dangerous risks not knowing the likely consequences. It is not a comforting statement, but real, "Ignorance is no excuse."

We are well aware of this reality because of our own experiences or those we hear and read about. The laws of nature are unforgiving.

It is common, however, for people to look at society and morality and spirituality and think that things are different.

     If you say, "See, we did not know this," 
     Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? 
     And does He not know it who keeps your soul? 
     And will He not render to man according to his work?
     --Proverbs 24:12

There are consequences for actions in society and in the natural world...
and there are spiritual consequences for the choices we make.

Ignorance is no excuse.

Reflection

We learn in many ways. Information comes to us by word of mouth and various news sources. Parents and teachers teach and train in both formal and informal settings. Of course, there is the presumed ‘best’ teacher, experience. And do not forget that discipline is a form of instruction.
(See “Musar” from May 9, 2016.)

Solomon tells about yet another source of instruction:

   When I saw, I reflected upon it;
   I looked, and received instruction.
                                  --Proverbs 24:32

This statement is the anchor verse in a brief passage about someone who is lazy and who lacks sense. Here is the broader context...

   I passed by the field of the sluggard
      And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,
   And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles;
      Its surface was covered with nettles,
      And its stone wall was broken down.
   When I saw, I reflected upon it;
      I looked, and received instruction.
   “A little sleep, a little slumber,
      A little folding of the hands to rest,”
   Then your poverty will come as a robber
      And your want like an armed man.
                                         --Proverbs 24:30-34

By careful observation and reflection Solomon was able to connect the cause to the effect.

I don’t know how long it took Solomon to come to his conclusion. I can imagine him reflecting on the images he had stored in his mind. I can imagine him posing a variety of questions in his mind as he wondered how the field and vineyard had become overgrown and practically unusable.

He observed.
He saw a result.
He gathered information.
He reflected.

He was like an ancient detective trying to solve a mystery. He put things together in his mind and came to a conclusion. He saw a principle of life at work.

God has revealed many things in scripture that cannot be concluded by simple observation. However, God gave us a brain, senses, and 'sense' and he clearly expects us to use good sense along with our senses to learn about our world and learn about life.


When is the last time something caught your attention and you stopped! . . . and pondered?

This is not an invitation to close God's Word and ignore His revelation. Rather, it is to recognize that God has given us the ability to reason. He has places us in an organized universe and he brought about our redemption with forethought. God expects us to use the ol' noggin. To do so...
   We will need to stop.
   We will need to look around.
   We will need to observe, even inspect.
   We will need to ask ourselves questions, ponder...and reflect.

But, first...we must STOP!

Then, we might receive instruction.

Be Wise.