Monday

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Living With Accountability

One thing that every Christian needs is accountability. Whether it’s a friend, a spouse, a co-worker, or whoever, accountability is the lifeblood of our growth in Christ. It helps keep us or point us in the right direction.

Imagine if Penn State’s football program, including coaches, players, administrators, etc., had accountability. Imagine if they would have held each other accountable each time they came to a difficult decision. Imagine, if we all, as Christians, did that.

If we as Christians did that and sought God’s guidance, the frustration and disappointment that was evident in the handling of the Penn State situation would be nearly non-existent. It would just be a matter of doing what we know is right.

When faced with difficult situations, seek guidance from a fellow Christian, and pray and seek God’s guidance. It will reduce the hurt and sorrow we so often feel when we fail to do these things.

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum

Tuesday

“He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” Proverbs 2:7

Using Sound Wisdom

Proverbs says that wisdom is always at our fingertips. It’s there for the taking because God stored it up for us.

James 1:5 reiterates this by saying all we have to do to attain wisdom is ask: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

The world, though, usually likes to rely on man’s wisdom. God, who they say is this unknown being they can’t see, can’t help them (they insist). He doesn’t exist. He is silent. He doesn’t care.

But He is very alive, and so is His word.

When faced with tough situations like the Penn State football situation, where things were unknown and known, stories were rightly and wrongly reported, things were told and covered up, and there were failures on both sides, it would be nice to have access to the wisdom that Solomon had.

But as Christians we do. All we have to do is ask. God won’t fail us. His promises are sure and right.

Next time you’re faced with a tough situation, remember to ask for wisdom in dealing with it. And in doing so, you will avoid the heartache of acting unwise.

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum

Wednesday

“The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.” Proverbs 15:24 (NKJV)

Acting Wise

I won’t pretend to know Jerry Sandusky or the reason he did what he did. The sexual abuse was unthinkable. Unimaginable. Wrong.

But I do know the things he did were avoidable, if only he had sought God.

As the verse above says, “The way of life winds upward for the wise.” Their wise acts point them to righteousness, to truth, to God.

But the end of the verse is telling. It alerts us to the consequences of someone who doesn’t act with wisdom. It tells us that their lives will be ruined if they continue to act foolishly.

The opportunity to commit heinous acts isn’t tempting to anyone at first. It’s a slow, gradual chipping away at someone’s thought process because they continually refuse to act with wisdom—the kind of wisdom that God offers.

Remember to seek God so that your life points people upward and turns them “away from the hell below.”

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum