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| Character Journal No.28 | Cautiousness |
The Character Journal is a monthly e-zine designed to help parents teach Biblical character qualities to their children. Each month a different character quality is presented with suggestions for Bible lessons and projects.
Bible Verses Related to Cautiousness
Spend an evening (or several) looking at just one of these verses at a time. Discuss with your family what each verse or story teaches about the character quality; and give vital application of how this quality can be applied to your family. Choose several verses to memorise together as a family during the month. Since the English word "cautiousness" does not appear in the Authorised Version, we have included a list of verses which relate to this important character quality. For a more complete study, we suggest you use the Online Bible which you can download free of charge from our web site at http://www.hlm.org/html/files.htm.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth
shame. {presently: Heb. in that day}
Proverbs 14:29 [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is]
hasty of spirit exalteth folly. {hasty…: Heb. short of spirit}
Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth
strife.
Proverbs 16:25 `There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are]
the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth
his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave
off contention, before it be meddled with.
Proverbs 19:2 Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.
Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression. {discretion: or, prudence}
Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.
Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely,
he shall be delivered.
Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a
fool than of him. {words: or, matters?}
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: for God [is] in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. {thing: or, word}
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways,
saith the LORD.
Isaiah 55:9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry,
because the Jews sought to kill him.
John 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a
country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his
disciples.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath:
for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath:
How to Demonstrate Cautiousness
at Home
at Work/School
at Church
The "I Wills" of Cautiousness
-Character First! Education Series 3
How Cautious Are You?
-Ideas from the Character Clues Game and The Power for True Success
God's Ways Are The Opposite of Our Natural Inclinations
| Natural Inclinations | God's Ways |
| 1. Reject unchangeable physical or family features. | Accept these as God's means of developing inward character, and thank Him for them. |
| 2. React to parents and others in authority who do not give us what we want. | Recognise that God has established all human authorities to praise those who do good and punish those who do evil. |
| 3. Cover our secret sins and failures so others will not think less of us. | Humble ourselves by confessing faults, asking forgiveness, and making restitution werre appropriate. "Before honor is humility" (Proverbs 15:33), but he that covers his sin will not prosper (see Proverbs 28:13). |
| 4. Reject our offenders and eagerly hope that they will be damaged. | Forgive those who offend us, and look for ways to benefit their lives. |
| 5. Claim ownership of our possessions and use them for our own pleasure. | Dedicate our possessions to God, and use them to advance His Kingdom. |
| 6. Reprove those who fail to respect our personal rights. | Yield our rights to God, and thank Him for whatever happens beyond our control. |
| 7. Enjoy the pleasures of sensuality and lust. | Dedicate our bodies to God as "living sacrifices" and daily yield our bodies to Him. |
| 8. Desire to be rich so we will have security, nice possessions, and the praise of others. | Purpose to be a "giver" rather than a "taker," and learn how to serve others to make them successful. |
| 9. Lead your family by asserting your authority. | Look for ways to serve each member of your family. |
| 10. Choose friends on the basis of what they can do for you. | Invest in the lives of those God has brought into your life. |
Many of these ideas taken from The Power for True Success
The Role of Leadership
Parents and teachers have the responsibility to teach their children safety rules such as "look both ways before crossing the street," "don't talk to strangers," "don't run with sharp objects," and "buckle your seat belt." Thorough instruction, however, goes beyond the rules to provide reasons and examples. Stories of cautious decisions and rash mistakes can create lasting impressions. With enough warning, one generation might avoid the mistakes of the previous generation.
Character First! Education Series 3
Quotations
Look before you leap — UnknownAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — Unknown
Taken from the Advanced Seminar Textbook of the Institute in Basic Life Principles
Character First!® Education Booklets contain sixteen full colour pages with stories, crafts, songs, games, and teaching techniques for parents or teachers to use with their children. There are nine booklets per set complete with an attractive binder. Each booklet contains approximately three hours of instructional material on a specific character quality.
Character First!® Education materials can be used effectively in either a home,
school, or church environment. We have been certified by Character First!® Education and
can provide on-site teacher training in the UK for schools and churches wishing to use the
Character First!® Education materials. E-mail us for more information on training classes
at info@hlm.org.
Series One Character Qualities: Attentiveness, Orderliness,
Obedience, Forgiveness, Truthfulness, Sincerity, Gratefulness, Virtue, Generosity.
Series Two Character Qualities: Responsibility, Resourcefulness,
Patience, Discretion, Initiative, Creativity, Self-Control, Tolerance, Punctuality.
Series Three Character Qualities: Diligence, Loyalty, Flexibility,
Hospitality, Discernment, Enthusiasm, Boldness, Cautiousness, Sensitivity.
Order this series directly from our web site at http://www.hlm.org/onlinestore . You will find
it listed under Character Building Resources.
IBLP Resources
We are also privileged to be able to distribute a range of character building materials produced by the Institute in Basic Life Principles including Character Sketches Volumes 1-3, Character First! Education Curriculum and more. E-mail us to request a list of resources available. If you live in the USA, you may request a catalogue and order directly from IBLP by calling 630-323-9800, or writing IBLP, Box One, Oak Brook, IL 60522-3001.
Video & Audio Tape Messages by Dr. S.M. Davis on Courtship, Marriage and Parenting
Dr. S.M. Davis is a much sought after conference speaker addressing issues on the Christian home. He is particularly well known for his presentations on alternatives to Christian dating. For a list of audio and video tapes available visit our web site at http://www.hlm.org. NOTE: If you live in the USA, you may order Dr. Davis' video and audio tapes by calling 800-500-8853.