One big difference between the righteous and the wicked is that the righteous reveal and the wicked conceal with their mouths.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (PR 10.11)

The righteous reveal the fountain of life that’s in their hearts. Like God, the great Revealer, they open themselves to others. They share wisdom, joy, encouragement and life that God has given them.  They also reveal their temptations, burdens and sins to others.

The wicked conceal, like their father, Satan. He hides, deceives, and operates in darkness.  The wicked conceal their hatred, sins and intentions. They smile to your face and slander you behind your back. Their M.O. is to cover up, to fly under the radar, and play their cards close to their chests.

All of us are tempted to conceal. It’s humbling to confess our sins and struggles to others. I want to look good; I want others to think I have it all together.  But concealing is the road to disaster; confessing the path to mercy:

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (PR 28.13)

Question: What holds you back from sharing your struggles with others? And how have you grown in sharing them?

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)

You always knew when a Pharisee was about to perform a good work. Trumpets blasted before they gave to the poor. They knelt on street corners before they prayed. They were loud and proud about their religion.

They wanted the world to know that they were serving God. They wanted the praise of men.

And they got their reward. People respected the Pharisees for their religious zeal. But that was all that they got. No reward from God. No honor from the only person who truly matters.

When I “practice righteousness” so that other people will give me praise, that’s all I get. The lame, unimportant, unsatisfying praise of others. When I lead worship, or serve a brother, or write a blog post, or give advice, or post a status update, purely for the compliments of people, that’s my reward.

Lord, help me serve you, for Your glory.

It’s not enough to preach God, or even Christ. We must preach a bleeding Christ.

“Christ did not redeem and save poor souls by sitting in majesty on his heavenly throne, but by hanging on the shameful cross, under the tormenting hand of man’s fury and God’s just wrath. And therefore, the poor soul that would have pardon of sin, is directed to place its faith not only on Christ, but on a bleeding Christ, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:25). — William Gurnall

Christ is more than a teacher or an example of unselfishness to imitate. He is the sacrifice God provided to take away the sins of the world. He poured out his life blood to atone for our rebellion, and it is only Christ’s blood that can wash away sins and cleanse the guilty conscience.  Preach Christ crucified.

Preach a bleeding Christ.

photo by jurek d.

As you probably know, I am somewhat of an expert in the field of “manpoints”, having written several extensive and well researched articles (see here and here).

However, in an effort to further the field of manpoints and help men everywhere, I’ve compiled a manpoints scorecard. With this scorecard, you can easily determine your Manliness Quotient (MQ) and identify areas for further growth.

Ladies, please pass this along to the man in your life. No need to say thank you.

Each of the following statements has an associated point value attached to it. At the end of the scorecard, sum up your points to determine your MQ.

The Manpoints Scorecard

Your jeans are appropriately loose, with no prefabricated rips or patches. (+1 point)

Your jeans are so tight that you require a system of levers and pulleys to help you put them on each morning. (-1 point)

You attended a Josh Groban concert in an effort to serve your wife/girlfriend. (+1 point)

You were in the front row and reached out to touch Josh Groban’s hand. (-1 point)

You wear a fanny pack. (-1 point)

You wear a fanny pack which contains a pistol and ninja stars. (+1 point)

Your Bible is safely secured in a Precious Moments Bible cover and has a handle which allows you to carry it like a purse. (-1 point)

Your Bible is covered in pure, unadulterated cowhide. (+1 point)

You call your pajamas “jammies”. (-1 point)

You’re a bit fuzzy on the line between clothes for church and clothes for sleeping (+1 point)

You own at least three power tools. (+1 point)

You own three power tools: an electric razor, a screwdriver, and a pencil sharpener. (-1 point)

Your usual order at Starbucks is a “tall skinny vanilla latte, extra foam, two pumps of caramel, and two splenda”. (-1 point)

You can chew your coffee. (+1 point)

You’ve ever read a novel where the main plot line involved a young Amish girl hopelessly in love with a non-Amish man, and how they overcame all barriers on the path to marriage. (-1 point)

You occasionally smell like an Amish horse barn. (+1 point)

You don’t like competition, and arrange all games so that everyone ends up a winner. (-1 point)

You turn everything into a competition, including your daughter’s birthday party.

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Okay, how did you do? I would encourage to talk about your MQ with the guys in your accountability group, and ask for their help.

Now I need you help. What would you add to the Manpoints Scorecard?

Is there anything we can do to win someone in addition to sharing the gospel?

“Actions are noticed by men. Monica, St. Augustine’s famous mother, taught her neighbor gentlewomen when asked how she won her perverse husband. ‘Why’, she said, ‘I observed his mind, and pleased him in all things it didn’t matter. I was patient in his passions, gave him contentment in his diet and attendance, and so I made him first God’s, and then mine by degrees.’ These ways should be used by preachers and they would convert multitudes…. O let us do the works of true Christians, and approve ourselves to God and man!” — Samuel Ward

CJ Mahaney includes a similar strategy (among many other wise suggestions) for parents to win their children: “Bless your children with many gifts in many forms! …Study your children in order to discern what gifts would genuinely bless them and then purpose to surprise them as often as possible.”

The kindness of God leads to repentance.  I want to become a specialist in pleasant surprises.

Inspire me.  How have you pleasantly surprised your children/spouse/friends?  Share some ideas.

In regard to writing hymns, John Newton, said:

Perspicuity, simplicity, and ease should be chiefly attended to, and the imagery and coloring of poetry, if admitted at all, should be indulged very sparingly and with great judgment. (John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace)

Newton wanted his hymns to be understood by all manner of people, and so he shied away from imagery and poetry. I tend to agree with his advice.

What about you?