Proverbs- Part 3

On Sunday, Pastor Aaron began his sermon with the question, “If you were going to start out a prayer asking for two things, what would they be?” As I have let this question sink in throughout the week, it has caused me to re-evaluate my perspective. Would my request be selfish? Would I ask for something fleeting? Would my request bring glory to God, or to myself? Whatever my, or anyone else’s response to this question may be, the answer is very telling of where one’s priorities fall.

In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur (the writer of this chapter) offers a great example of what our prayer should look like in regard to this question. Instead of asking for blessings, protection, or favor, Agur does something surprising. Agur asks the Lord to “keep falsehood far from him” and to “give him neither poverty nor riches.” Initially reading this one may wonder, “Why would Agur ask God to prevent him from becoming rich? That’s crazy!” One may also question, “Of all things, why did Agur first ask the Lord to keep him away from falsehood?” It is clear that Agur had a specific intention behind these requests. While he may have liked to have had a different request granted by God, he saw something of greater importance at stake. Agur recognized the fact that he had shortcomings interwoven throughout his character, and he wanted to eliminate the temptations that would cause him to stumble.

Agur demonstrated an important lesson in this Proverb that I find to be incredibly useful today. Not only was Agur aware of his areas of weakness, but he was willing to take sacrificial action to prevent him from experiencing temptation. 

What are some areas that you find yourself being tempted? Have you asked God to help you set healthy boundaries in these areas? Maybe you need to end some friendships that are toxic and degrading to your character. Maybe you need to let go of some of your work hours to shift your focus away from financial gain, and towards God. Maybe you need to let go of a habit that is trapping you from moving forward in your relationship with God. Whatever the case may be, I challenge you to analyze your heart this week. What are the holes in your character? Where do your priorities fall?

This week, let’s begin the journey of addressing the holes in our character. Let’s be proactive rather than reactive to our temptations. Rather than claiming ourselves victim, let us pray and ask God to give us separation from the things that tempt us. 

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant