Roots are incredible creations of God. You don't have to look any farther than the Lowcountry's Live Oak. There is nothing that can survive the elements and storms better. There is no wood that makes better ships. There is nothing more beautiful than our evergreen Live Oak. What is one of it's greatest assets? Roots.
In the same way, roots make a man mighty like an oak or wimpy like a weed. How we nourish those roots determine what kind of man we will be.
What makes a Righteous Man immoveable in afflictions and temptations?
It is our roots that quench our thirst us in the dry times. Roots store our food when we need it for growth. Roots keep us stable when the storms of life blow. It is our roots that not only feed life into us, but actually make us who we are. Who hasn't pulled out a chainsaw and cut a tree to the ground only to have it spring back as the same tree...over and over again? Why does it do that? ROOTS.
Here's what Proverbs 12 tells us about a root system that defines and develops the righteous man.
Our roots of righteousness are all about our...
- Thought life (v. 5)
We are defined by what we think about, men. You don't do one single thing without thinking about it first. It is why we must bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 COR. 10:3-5)
- Speech (v. 6)
Words tell us what's really in our heart. Yesterday, I said something inappropriate from my old way of living. Did I beat myself up? Well, a little. But, it was a check for my heart. What's really in there? Am I as righteous as I thought I was? Obviously not. Speech should be an outward checklist of the heart's true motives, beliefs, cleanliness, and desires. What do your words say about you?
- Fruit production (v. 12)
This is obvious, but wise Solomon knew it needed to be said. When your roots are deep in God's ways and righteousness, the fruit of our lives will produce righteousness that will not only feed others, but also spread seed when they eat it. Fruit is about reproducing the plant. Why are apples red, bananas yellow, and oranges, well, orange? To attract the animals that eat them. Once they eat, they spread the seed and reproduce the plant in other places. Righteousness produces righteousness. Evil produces evil. What is the fruit of your life?
- Truth speech (v. 17)
Many times truth is hard to share. We think it will hurt others. We think it will make us look weird. We even think it will get us in trouble (probably left over from our childhood when we did everything we could to avoid punishment). But, truth makes our life worth living. Jesus defined Himself as the Truth. Our lives and words should do the same.
- Disaster avoidance (v. 21)
Here's a great benefit, disaster avoidance. When our roots go deep, the winds will come, the water will rise, the fires will burn, but our roots will bring us back for another go at it. Interestingly enough, when we think of disaster, we think of getting out of its way, yet God knows that we rarely avoid disaster, we mostly endure it. Roots keep us where we are to grow back into a consistent, anchored, resilient, strong man. Is it any wonder the Lord tells us that "he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water" (Ps. 1:3)?
- People skills (v. 26)
Roots even helps get along with other people. When we are rooted in God we will know what matters most, God and people. Our relationships with others will be determined by our righteous lives. People that can't get along are not considered good people, but divisive and hard. Righteous roots develop skills in us men to have better relationships with our wives, our children, our friends, our employees, and even our bosses.
- Life Path (v. 28)
Finally, righteousness guides us on the path of real life. This is not the kind of life that wakes up with regrets, guilt, and fear because of what you did the night before. Righteous roots direct us to the right things even when our buddies at work are all pressuring us to go the wrong way. It is our roots that keep us planted and living in the right activities, thoughts, and words. Your roots will determine your path in life. Make sure they are not only deep, but fed with the right nutrition. The soil the tree is planted in will determine whether or not you make it, men. Get rooted in the soil of righteousness found only in Christ.
Men, this is your morning briefing. That is all.
Trey Rhodes
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