In this episode we are going to continue our series entitled “Six Impediments to Personal Success.” This message for today will be the fourth in this series and will focus on the subject of a poor work ethic. Previously, Pastor has shown us three other impediments, the first is a negative self-image, the second is self-pity, and the third is what dad calls “stinking thinking.”
Whereas last week, Pastor Harris appealed to the great man Joshua to enable us to overcome “stinking thinking,” In this message he will appeal to the book of Proverbs to enable us to visualize the dangers of being overcome by a poor work ethic.
In Pastor Harris’s mind, the book of Proverbs accomplishes something no other biblical book does; it simply compiles numerous short instructions for living an effective life on this earth; that is, instructions for successful living. While other books articulate profound theological truths, lengthy narratives of triumph and failure, or prophetic declarations addressed to disobedient people, Proverbs concerns itself with instructing us in the path of something it refers to as being “wisdom.”
Proverbs states its theme very early in the book. In fact, Proverbs 1:7 tells us this, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” The fear of the Lord does not mean being afraid of Him, it means viewing Him with the respect He deserves; living our lives in the light of what we know of Him; holding Him in the very highest esteem; and depending on Him in every circumstance of life. Only then will we discover true knowledge and wisdom.
The point Pastor Harris will make is this: we need knowledge to overcome the tendency we all have to allow ourselves to become slothful, which more than anything else can defeat our path to personal success.