My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:20-27 (KJV)
Surprise—I’m back! You may have wondered if I had fallen off the face of the Earth, or perhaps like Enoch, “…and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). I assure you that I am still here, I am healthy, and I am blessed.
As a Certified Public Accountant, I am required to complete forty hours of continuing education every year. Consequently, I have been busy in classes. To meet part of my educational requirements, I took a twenty-four hour self-study course. That course took me a lot longer than twenty-four hours.
I became enthralled with the self-study course. The course was about best accounting practices for businesses and manufacturing entities. That may sound boring to most of you, but I loved the course.
Not only did I read the textbook and the study guide that went with the course, but also I mentally rehearsed when and where to implement these best practices. I visualized putting these practices into use, and in my mind, I identified the problems that could occur and the solutions to those problems. In other words, I studied the practical application of the suggested best accounting practices.
Likewise, in our Christian walk we must study the practical application of the best godly living practices. Our textbook for this life course is the Bible—the anointed Word of God. Not only must we take the time to read the textbook (Bible), but we must also take the time to think through the practical application of what we read.
Praise God, we have an Instructor who gives us continuous feedback as we are studying God’s Word. God’s Spirit, who dwells within His children, enables us to understand His Word. Further, He teaches us the practical application of His Word. But in order to maintain and benefit from this continuous feedback, we must be willing to listen and obey.
Can everyone pick up the Word of God, begin reading the Word, and immediately understand what they read? NO!
Now let me explain. Initially, everyone has the same opportunity to understand; unfortunately, not everyone will truly seek to understand. God says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
Everyone who seeks the Lord in all honesty and truth—will find Him. God will fling open the doors to their understanding; therefore, God is not the problem! The problem is that many people refuse to seek the Lord in honesty or truth.
Their wicked hearts are happy remaining in sin. As such, they have no remorse over their evil deeds. Thus, they refuse to read or hear the Word of the Lord. “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes THEY have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:15).
On the other hand, for those who have an ear to hear, God’s Word will bring “life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:22).
Since you are reading this lesson, then I will assume that you have the ears to hear so let’s continue. Proverbs warns us to protect our hearts and to keep our eyes focused on God. Refuse all evil! Speak no evil, hear no evil, and look at no evil. Do not be enticed by the wickedness in this world.
In Job 31:1, Job said that he had made a covenant with his eyes and refused to look with lust upon a young woman. Job knew that if he did not guard his eyes then he could contaminate his thoughts and his heart. Determinedly, he refused to glance upon anything that could take his eyes off from God.
Similarly, you must refuse to hear, see, or speak any evil that may contaminate your heart. With a holy jealousy for the things of God, set your feet on the straight narrow path towards God. Never looking to the right or to the left, but keep your eyes focus on God.
As suggested by our key verses, you must pay attention to the Word, reflecting on the Word’s practical application in your life. Identify the best godly living practices, and with God’s help, apply those practices. Throughout your day, meditate on the practical application of the best godly living practices. Refuse to flunk this life course. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalms 119:11).
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Psalm 34:11-16 (KJV)
Three Key Concepts:
1. Meditate on the application of the best godly living practices.
2. See no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil.
3. God’s Spirit helps us to understand God’s Word.
