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The Scriptorium

Painful, but True

Ecclesiastes 12.11, 12

11The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there isno end, and much study iswearisome to the flesh.

The Story: Here is Solomon’s claim for divine inspiration for His writings. We should always remember that, while God’s Word is fixed and sure, like-well driven nails, sometimes taking that Word to heart can be like a painful goad. He’s not apologizing for this, mind you; rather, Solomon is simply telling his foolish son that God doesn’t tell us what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. We may not like what His Word has to say, but that won’t change the certainty of it. We can “kick against the goads,” like the Apostle Paul was doing, but we cannot overcome them. We may think to look elsewhere than Scripture for “wisdom” that is more congenial to our tastes – and certainly there is no shortage of such “wisdom” to be found – but that will only lead to more weariness and vanity. Unless our lives are circumscribed and guided by the Word of God, we are in danger of drifting into folly (1 Cor. 4.6).

The Structure: For the life of me, I can’t understand why so many contemporary preachers and teachers insist on tip-toeing around the hard teachings of Scripture. They know these words are painful and can be hurtful, so, in the interest of “not offending” anyone, they simply choose other thoughts and ideas, thinking to attract “seekers” to the truth and to keep the “faithful” coming back for more. We are not wrongly judging people when we talk to them about such matters as sin, repentance, death, self-denial, taking up our cross, the judgment of God, and eternal condemnation. Of course, we always want to put these within the framework of the story of God’s redemption, the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom of God; and we always want to be careful to speak the truth in love. But truth can hurt, even as it heals, and that is precisely what God intends. If we shield people from the goads and nails of the Word of God, how will they ever have a decent opportunity to come to their senses?

Do you find yourself “tip-toeing” around the hard teachings of Scripture when you’re talking with unbelieving friends? How can you communicate God’s painful words with compassion and love?

Each week’s studies in our
Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Remember to Fear the Lord: Ecclesiastes 12,” simply click here.

T. M. Moore

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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