At its core, the Year of Listening Up is about developing character. It’s an annual project that’s an outgrowth of a book I wrote for my daughters, largely centered on the same ambition. Since Edwards made developing character a primary goal of his life, it made great sense to review his resolutions, thereby making him a virtual mentor of sorts.
While I had intended to review all 70 of his resolutions this year, I found it is a much more daunting task that anticipated (and that’s a good thing). That being said, Jonathan Edwards’ Resolution 32 will be the final one covered this year. With about half still to go, the 2019 YLU project will be spent reviewing the remaining resolutions.
As it turns out, though, I think resolution 32 is an ideal one to conclude the year and build momentum from the coming one. That’s because Edwards specifically references Proverb 20:6 in his resolution, and the proverb overall speaks quite well to the personal pursuit of faith, spiritual growth, and developing character.
Edwards’ Resolution #32 (as it was written)
Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.
Edwards’ Resolution #32 (in my modernized language)
I’ll be so faithful to what God entrusts to me it ensures the question in Proverbs 20:6, asking where a faithful man can be found, need not be asked in my presence.
Developing Character, as Found in Proverbs 20:6
In his resolution, Edwards specifically mentions Proverbs 20:6, which asks an important question. Moreover, Edwards commits to himself that nobody will be able to ask that question of him. Let’s explore this question as it appears in a few different translations:
Many will say they are loyal friends,
but who can find one who is truly reliable? – Proverbs 20:6 NLT
Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find? – Proverbs 20:6 NIV
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find? – Proverbs 20:6 ESV
Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving,
but where on earth can you find one? – Proverbs 20:6 MSG
In the NLT version, we have a question of loyal friends and their reliability. A question of unfailing love is asked when translated in the NIV. And that love is called “steadfast” within the ESV. The Message, which is unquestionably the most modernized language, asks where we might find someone who is both loyal and loving.
In his commentary on Proverbs 20, Matthew Poole states of verse 6 that: Most people “are forward to profess religion, and speak of their own good deeds; but a faithful man, one who is indeed what he seemeth and professeth himself to be…” there are few to be found.
All this considered, I believe Edwards was committing himself to being both genuine and constant in carrying out his faithfulness to God. The rest of the Proverb, then, helps us to know exactly HOW to do that!
How to Be a Faithful Man (by Developing Character)
Like most people, I typically think of myself as a faithful person. Certainly, I am weak and flawed, but I do continually seek growth in my spiritual maturity and development of personal character. Still, I am prone to complacency and judgmentalism. And, sometimes, I am lacking some basic fundamentals of upright personal character. Having looked at verse 6 of Proverbs 20, let’s explore some more of this awesome Proverb to get a further wisdom in what a person of faith exhibits. (note: this is not an all-inclusive list, nor does it consider the entire book in this one post).
Remove yourself from poor influences
Verse 1 speaks to the negative affects of external influences like wine and beer, but it could certainly apply to other elements. It’s therefore appropriate that we remove such detriments from our life.
Strive for Peace Above All
In verses 2 and 3, we learn that bad temper and short fuses lead to explosions. Further, we see that a person of good character avoids fights, and a foolish one picks them.
Be Self Motivated and Unlazy
The next two verses speak to ingenuity and resourcefulness. It is very easy for a person to become lazy and/or complacent. To take on an attitude of “I’ve arrived” and stop growing. They may think that developing character is no longer essential. That’s when we start to backslide. This is echoed in verse 13, which tells us to get up and out, to go make something of ourselves instead of nurturing a fondness for sleep and ignorance.
Build Up the Lives of Others
Of verse 5, Matthew Henry says so well that: “A man’s wisdom is here said to be of use to him for the pumping of other people, and diving into them.” Truly, we are not placed in this world for ourselves and only ourselves. We are placed here first and foremost to worship God. And one of the best ways to worship him is to develop faithful character and lead others in doing the same.
Be Authentic
As stated above, Proverbs 20:6 encourages us to be both genuine/authentic in our faith as well as constant in it.
Be a Good Steward
The byproduct of becoming a faithful person shown through verses 7-10 is the impact they have on others. They establish a good example for their family and those within their sphere of influence. Also, they are trustworthy and honest. They do not cheat others and are fair in their practices. In short, they have integrity in all their matters.
Are Good Role Models
Our actions and reactions displays the nature of our hearts. A more common illustration is to suggest it’s the fruit we produce as if we were a tree. Our fruits should be delightful and nourishing, instead of grotesque and rotten. Because we all have been blessed with sight, and hearing, in addition to other senses. We use those senses for our own development while being fully mindful that we are developing others.
Do Not Seek Shortcuts or Revenge
Sometimes, we are blessed out of the blue and we are overjoyed. It’s truly a gift from God. However, seeking out lottery and gambling winnings, or putting in a half day’s work for a full day’s reward is not faithful. That which is too easily gained, is often easily squandered. Similarly, we often see others who gain from our hardship. While not fair, we should not seek revenge. Leave the evening of the score to God. The worst you can do is cheat others because you were cheated.
Act in Wisdom and Discipline
Only with the blessing of time can we know patience and understand wisdom. We use those life lessons to guide us, knowing full well that God is the giver of such wisdom. And finally, a person of developing character is one who knows they are in need of personal discipline. That they are weak and do develop poor habits. From time-to-time, they reflect and are proactive in removing such impurities.
In short, they are a life refiner.