Proverbial Wisdom—6:30-35

Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he will be fined seven times as much as he stole, even if it means selling everything in his house to pay it back. But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul. Wounds and constant disgrace are his lot. His shame will never be erased. For the woman's husband will be furious in his jealousy, and he will have no mercy in his day of vengeance. There is no compensation or bribe that will satisfy him.

Proverbs 6:30-35 (NLT)

Oops…I discovered that I included the above verses in my last blog posting. Oh well, not to worry, because you can never get too much of God’s Words of wisdom.

Throughout the book of Proverbs is a cord of wisdom about the destructiveness of sampling the forbidden. Study Adam and Eve. Their act of rebellion set in motion a huge avalanche of negative consequences. Those negative consequences continue even unto our day, thousands of years later.

The sins of an adulterous man will also set in motion an avalanche of destruction. Once that avalanche begins, its snowball of hell can destroy everyone within its path…both the guilty and the innocent. Therefore, the wise man will think before he leaps into the arms of a harlot.

Society has blurred the lines between right and wrong…good and evil…until adultery is considered as common as a hiccup. Nevertheless, God’s Word has not changed.

God does not have blurred vision, nor does He accept the deceitfulness of man’s ideas. Furthermore, He says in Romans 1:18 that He shows His, “anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves” (NLT).

Those who deny God’s truth and accept the devil’s lies, begin a downward spiral into a corkscrew of moral corruption. Once the foolish man begins this downward spiral, vain imaginations attack his mind until he cannot recognize the difference between good and evil. His logic becomes perverted by his own wickedness. “…The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead” (Romans 1:21-22).

This downward spiral of moral corruption is rolling throughout our countries like an avalanche. One sin leads to greater sins. Then greater sins lead to even greater sins, until people are buried under an avalanche of their sins. Having settled for the devil’s hell, they can no longer perceive the difference between acceptable and unacceptable.

A quick look at news headlines confirms the downward spiral of mankind. Teachers are corrupting by having sex with students. Politicians are hiding their true agendas under a playwright of falsehoods. Children are acting out violent video games with Real guns and on Real people!

But it does not have to be this way. This moral decline can be stopped!

If we as individuals and as a nation would return to the knowledge and the fear of the Lord, we can be pulled out from harm’s way before this avalanche of wickedness destroys us, as it destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

There is hope of healing if we would heed God’s call to repentance. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV).

Children of God, it is time that we fall upon our faces before the Lord and begin crying out for His mercy. We must confess and repent of all our wicked ways. All those wicked ways of rewriting God’s Word in order to satisfy our lusty desires must stop. And all those wicked ways of disguising lies under a veil of false flattery (intrigue), must be exposed by the sword of truth (the Word of God).

There is still time for us to be saved from the sword of destruction that is slashing through the wicked. But in order to be saved, we need to cry out to the Lord and repent of our sins. Perhaps God will hear our cries, forgive our sins, and begin healing our nation.

For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell.

Job 31:11-12 (NLT)

So if your eye—even if it is your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even if it is your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:29-30 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  An act of rebellion can set off an avalanche of destruction.

2.  When people deny God’s truth, their minds can become dark and confused.

3.  It is time to humbly cry out, seek God’s face, and repent of our sins.

Proverbial Wisdom—6:20-29

My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life.

These commands and this teaching will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman. Don't lust for her beauty. Don't let her coyness seduce you. For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, and sleeping with another man's wife may cost you your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap and not be burned? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? So it is with the man who sleeps with another man's wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.

Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he will be fined seven times as much as he stole, even if it means selling everything in his house to pay it back. But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul. Wounds and constant disgrace are his lot. His shame will never be erased.  For the woman's husband will be furious in his jealousy, and he will have no mercy in his day of vengeance. There is no compensation or bribe that will satisfy him.

Proverbs 6:20-35 (NLT)

Keep your heavenly Father’s commands close to your heart for He will never lead you wrong. Heed His Word and follow His Spirit. He will keep watch over you at night and protect you during the day.

Of course, the preceding paragraph is only applicable to those who have accepted Jesus Christ as both their Lord and Savior; thus, making God their Father.  “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).

Let God’s Word be a light unto your path, leading and guiding you throughout the rest of your days. Meditate upon His Word as you lay upon your bed at night. Feast upon His Word early in the morning. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:105-106).

Men, keep your feet far from the adulterous woman and do not lust after her beauty. Let not her flattering tongue of seduction entice you into her web of destruction. Succumbing to the allure of an adulterous woman will destroy your soul, so stay far away. Protect yourself by heeding God’s warnings!

“I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare” (Ecclesiastes 7:26, NLT).

Sex sins destroy. Jack Hayford wrote the following, “The first and foundational reason why sex sins are worse than others is because sex sins stain the root of an individual’s identity (Fatal Attractions – Why Sex Sins Are Worse Than Others).  

God does not hate sex sins more than any other sin. But sex sins often are more demeaning and devastating. Many times, these types of sins have farther-reaching and longer-lasting consequences than other sins. People’s personal identities and their positive self-images can become lost under a pile of sexual pollution. Those lost identities and damaged self-images are difficult to heal.

Raunchy Hollywood, best-selling novels, musical lyrics, and even some worldly churches treat sex sins as common and normal, when those very things can destroy your life. You can become desensitized and lose the “blush factor”; thereby, accepting abnormal behavior as normal behavior. Sex sins are not acceptable and those sins will bring dreadful consequences.

Marital infidelity breaks the bond of trust between spouses. That is a sacred trust, one that was originally created and ordained by God. The shattering of that type of trust should not be treated lightly. God says of the foolish man, “His shame will never be erased” (Verse 33).

Satan encourages you to break God’s laws, including the matrimonial design for one man and one woman. Satan, that wicked fallen angel, will entice you to break vows and cheapen the matrimonial union by a selfish act of the flesh. He will attack you through the lust of your eyes and by the lust of your flesh. And if along the way, he can cause you to demoralize another person as well as yourself, he has succeeded in planting his seed of destruction. Don’t scoop that fire into your lap—you WILL be burned.

Matthew Henry writes in his Bible Commentary, “It will be a wound to his good name, a dishonor to his family, and, though the guilt of it may be done away by repentance, the reproach of it never will, but will stick to his memory when he is gone. David’s sin in the matter of Uriah was not only a perpetual blemish upon his own character, but gave occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme His name too.”

Readers, do not look longingly upon the wicked ways of this world. Do not be enticed by the allure of sin. The fleeting seduction of sin can lead to the eternal death of your soul. Turn from that wicked harlot.

You have heard that the law of Moses says, “Do not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even if it is your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your hand—even if it is your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Matthew 5:27-30 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  Keeping God’s commands will protect your soul.

2.  Sex sins are often the most demeaning and devastating types of sins.

3.  Continual bombarding by sin can cause people to lose the “blush factor.”

Proverbial Wisdom – 6:12-19

Here is a description of worthless and wicked people: They are constant liars, signaling their true intentions to their friends by making signs with their eyes and feet and fingers.  Their perverted hearts plot evil. They stir up trouble constantly.  But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond all hope of healing.

There are six things the Lord hates--no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6:12-19 (NLT)

Wow, this is a tough bible study. While it’s always fun to hear about God’s promises of blessings, it is never fun to hear about the consequences of sin. But let’s face it; if we do not accept Jesus Christ as both our LORD and Savior, then we may qualify as these worthless and wicked people who will be broken and destroyed.

Lord, help us to understand Your ways and may we always surrender our hearts, minds and souls to Your merciful refining fire. Amen.

It is important to know what God considers worthless and wicked. Then if we discover any of these behaviors slipping into our own lives, immediately we can stop, bow down, and repent. In addition, we should check the behaviors of our closest friends and make sure that none of them qualifies as worthless and wicked. “My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” (Proverbs 1:10).

Close friendships with worthless and wicked people can contaminate our Christian walk. We are set apart for our Lord and we are not to partner with the wicked world. Therefore, we must be careful whom we allow into our innermost circle of friends.

God says that worthless and wicked people constantly lie; they plan evil and they do evil. “How terrible it will be for you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry out any of the wicked schemes you have power to accomplish. When you want a certain piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone's house, you take it by fraud and violence. No one's family or inheritance is safe with you around!  But this is what the Lord says: ‘I will reward your evil with evil; you won't be able to escape! After I am through with you, none of you will ever again walk proudly in the streets’" (Micah 2:1-3, NLT).

All I can say is that the end of the wicked will not be well! Let’s be wise and allow our fear of the Lord guide our tongues, our thoughts, and our actions. We must refuse all evil!

Now, let’s move on to look at the seven things that the Lord despises: haughty eyes, lies, murdering hands, evil plots, people who do wrong, false witnesses, and those who sow discord. Six of these things God hates and seven He despises. Thus, a life characterized by these behaviors will be a life that will face a terrible end.

One of the things that God hates is “hands that kill the innocent.”  This is a controversial topic in our world today.

Think about a few things. Do the hands that kill the innocent include ladies who have abortions? What about the doctors who perform the abortions, do they qualify as hands that kill the innocent? Could this even include the ones who decided that it was legal to kill innocent fetuses?  Maybe, it includes all the people who assist the doctors in performing abortions. What will we do if our government attempts to override our right to live by our Christian faith? That time is getting closer.

Not only must we refuse to do evil, but we should also hate evil. We, as holy children of God, must become so close to God that we love what is holy and we hate what is evil. Yes, I did say hate.

Too many times, we are tempted to put on a smug robe of self-righteousness. We may say that we are so much like God that we love everything. But that kind of statement only proves that we are not like God. If we were truly like Him, we would hate some things, and this lesson identifies some of those things that we should hate.

“You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else” (Psalm 45:7).

We are to love what is right, but hate what is wrong. David, a man after God’s own heart understood this and he said, “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride” (Psalm 101:3-5).

We made it through this lesson, maybe with a few cuts and bruises; nevertheless, we should be a bit wiser. We don’t have to be imprisoned by these types of wicked behaviors, because God has provided a way that we can be free. Moreover, if we wish to have eternal life in heaven with the Lord, we must be freed.

Have you been set free?

My hands have made both heaven and earth, and they are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! ‘I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word. But those who choose their own ways, delighting in their sins, are cursed. Their offerings will not be accepted.

Isaiah 66:2-3 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1. God considers some things worthless and wicked.

2. God hates and despises hands that kill the innocent.

3. There are things that we should love and things that we should hate.

Proverbial Wisdom – 6:6-11

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson:  A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT)

I could summarize this lesson with one hyphenated word—“Self-Discipline.”  Every once in a while, most people have days when they want to be lazy. I am sure you do to, so come on and admit it…you know it’s true.

Maybe once or twice a month, you have days when you want to sleep in or days when you want to laze around the pool. But for most of us, those lazy days are infrequent. After we have been lazy for a couple of days, normally we jump back into our busy work schedules.

Compare that to a lazybones. A lazy person refuses to have a work schedule—he prefers to make loafing around his full-time job. Idleness is his master.

Unlike the ant, which constantly works and gathers food for the winter, a lazybones thinks that he is overexerting himself when he plans or prepares his next meal. He lacks self-discipline and motivation.

Unless someone is around to oversee and give a lazybones a motivational kick in the rear, a lazybones will never get anything done. Poverty and scarcity will be his fate.

“Solomon, in these verses, addresses himself to the sluggard who loves his ease, lives in idleness, minds no business, sticks to nothing, brings nothing to pass, and in particular manner is careless in the business of religion” (Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry).

Unfortunately, when it comes to spiritual growth, there are many lazybones. They only want the milk, because they don’t want to expend the effort to chew on the meat. They lack the self-discipline to study and pray on their own. They do not mature in the Lord because they refuse to seek Him. Spiritual poverty and scarcity will be the fate of the spiritual sluggard.

When the storms of life come rushing in like a flood, a spiritual sluggard will be swept away and drowned. He refuses to expend the effort to reach up and take hold of God’s outstretched hand.

But you, dear reader, are not a spiritual sluggard. Similar to the ant, you have self-discipline and you motivate yourself to seek the Lord. You make the time to read His Word, and you actively listen and heed the voice of the Lord. You are quick to be about the Father’s business, serving Him and serving others. With hope, love, and faith, you plan and prepare for your eternal future. You are a good steward of your Master’s talents.

To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away.  Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:29-30 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  A lazy person will sleep his way into poverty and scarcity.

2.  The wise will observe and learn from the disciplined ant.

3.  Good stewards of the Master’s talents will be motivated to serve the Lord.

Proverbial Wisdom – 6:1-5

My child, if you co-sign a loan for a friend or guarantee the debt of someone you hardly know— if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— quick, get out of it if you possibly can! You have placed yourself at your friend's mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. Don't put it off. Do it now!  Don't rest until you do. Save yourself like a deer escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.

Proverbs 6:1-5 (NLT)

In this lesson, we are going to discuss a tidbit of wisdom on responsible money management. Prudent money management causes me, a Certified Public Accountant, to perk my ears up and listen.  So let’s get ready to learn.

Today’s selection of verses, warns us against entering into financial contracts guaranteeing the debts of strangers. We should not guarantee that which we cannot control. If we have no control over it and cannot afford to lose it, then we should not guarantee it.

The money management skill of a stranger is usually beyond our control. Therefore, wisdom tells us not to vouch for a stranger’s debt at the risk of overextending our financial resources. If we do, we might find ourselves at the mercy of an irresponsible debtor.

Too often, we allow inner pride to lead us into making boastful promises. Foolishly, we lend our personal names as a guarantee for a stranger’s behavior. We cannot force people to be wise, nor can we control their actions.  Furthermore, we should never be an enabler of sinful, irresponsible behaviors.

Please don’t misinterpret these verses to justify hard-hearted stinginess, because God encourages us to help people in need. In fact, love dictates that we do what we can to ease the sufferings of other people, especially those who are in the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

Paul spoke up and he became surety for Onesimus’ debt in Philemon 1:18-19.  “If he has harmed you in any way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it. I, Paul, write this in my own handwriting: ‘I will repay it’” (NLT).

Although we are not to be tight-fisted, we are to be good stewards of God’s money. Yes, everything that we have belongs to God. Thus, we should avoid putting our foot in our mouths by making prideful promises that will waste the gifts that God has bestowed upon us. We need to behave in a financial responsible manner, practicing good stewardship of God’s money.

If you personally have promised to cover a stranger’s debt, humble yourself, go to that individual, and beg to be released you from that obligation.  Do not procrastinate; rather, swallow your pride and do it quickly. Like a bird that flees a net, swiftly fly to be free from the prison of your prideful tongue.

…Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

1 Timothy 5:22 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  Allow no inner pride to lead you into boastful promises.

2.  Do not fall into a trap created by a slip of your lips.

3.  Keep yourself pure and never enable sinful behavior.

Proverbial Wisdom – 5:15-23

Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.  He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Proverbs 5:15-23 (KJV)

Hello, it’s me again…late as usual. Life can simply get in the way and before you know it, you are weeks behind schedule. I am late with this blog posting and I am sorry. Faithfully, I have been sharing God’s Word with my face-book friends but that is not a valid excuse for letting this weekly blog fade away to a once-in-a-while blog. Forgive me.

Subtly, Satan tosses all sorts of hurdles and roadblocks at you, attempting to slow you down in speaking and sharing God’s Word. Face it, that dastardly devil does not want you to share words of encouragement or strength with other children of God; therefore, he bombards you with all sorts of distractions.

Nevertheless, you, as blood-bought child of God, do not have to trip over any hurdles or roadblocks. Through the power of the most High God, who lives inside of you, you can swiftly clear all of those hurdles without breaking your stride. You know this is true, so keep reminding yourself.

As a reborn child of God, you have a mission. You are to live a holy life through the power of the Lord. Further, you are to help others find that same source of power. Jesus, the Word in flesh form (John 1:14) and the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), is that source of power. He paid the price for your freedom so stand up and claim that freedom.

Do not become distracted by things in this world. Predetermine in your heart that no matter what comes at you, you WILL faithfully serve the Lord. You will be true to your marriage vows, you will always speak truth, and you will not allow sin to set up residence within your heart.

Love is a choice. Yes, you heard me right. Love and faithfulness is a conscious decision that you make.

I know that many people like to believe otherwise. They want to believe that unconditional love should have conditions. Huh? How does that make sense? It doesn’t!

In fact, the ways of this evil world do not make sense to those who are faithful in the Lord. So leave all of this world’s vain thoughts behind and move up higher in, through, and by God’s Spirit. You do not belong in this world…you are a foreigner. So stop trying to fit in or understand it.

“Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously” (Malachi 2:15-16).

When you hear God advising you to take heed to your spirit, you had better pay attention. God hates covering one’s garment with violence. Notice, this violence is not an actual hitting/punching type of violence; rather, it is unfaithfulness and deceitful dealings with your spouse. These things God hates. Yes, He hates!

Take heed to your spirit because those things that you think are hidden are open before God’s eyes.

True believers know that the ways of man are always before the eyes of the Lord. Nothing is hidden from Him. Consistently, Scripture warns us that God sees, He hears, and He knows our actions, our words, and our thoughts. (2 Chronicles 16:9, Job 34:21-22, Jeremiah 16:17 & 32:19)

If you do not take heed to your spirit and thus you choose to ignore God’s commands, you will be ensnared by your own wickedness. You can “...be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Ropes of strongholds may capture your body, your mind, and your soul. In addition, if you persist in ignoring the commands of God, forsaking all of His instructions, you will destroy yourself. “The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands…” (Psalm 9:16).

But you, dear reader, you are wise. You will heed the Word of the Lord and forsake the wickedness of this world. Through the power of God’s Spirit, you will walk in His righteousness and on towards your heavenly reward. How can you be holy and live holy? You do this with determination and through the power of the Lord’s Spirit.

Learn to fear the Lord…a good dose of healthy fear of the Lord can lead to great wisdom.

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)

 Three Key Concepts:

1.  Be faithful…Be faithful…and, Be faithful.

2.  The wicked become ensnared in their own wickedness.

3.  Nothing is hidden from the Lord; thus, live wisely.

Proverbial Wisdom – 5:1-14

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;  and thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

Proverbs 5:1-14 (KJV)

Like prior chapters, this chapter begins with, “Hey you, listen up…pay attention!” Of course, that was in my informal rendition of King Solomon’s words.  Whether you “attend unto my wisdom” or you “listen up”, you will benefit from paying attention to this Proverb.

By now, you should realize that you are in a mighty battle for your soul. Satan, that dastardly Prince of Darkness, is condemned to spend an eternity in hell and he is determined to take you with him. But you are wise—you will heed God’s warnings so that you will not fall for Satan’s wicked schemes.

You are putting on the whole armour of God and you are preparing for battle by studying God’s Word (Ephesians 6:11-18). You are listening, you are paying attention, and you are implementing. Yes, not only must you study God’s Word, but you must also implement the Word in your life.

“For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like” (James 1:23-24, NLT).

This lesson, Proverbs 5:1-14, warns you to stay away from an immoral woman. Her lips may drip with honey (smooth pleasant words), but her trap will be bitter. Like a spider that weaves a web of sticky silk to catch its prey, the immoral woman weaves a web of sweet seduction to catch her prey. Stay away from her and do not get close enough to cast a shadow upon her door.

Sin is like an immoral woman. It beckons you with sweet promises, enticing you with trickery and lies. Just as Satan tricked Eve with deceitful words, he will also trick you. Once caught in Satan’s web of lies, you soon discover that sin’s consequences can be deadly.

Not only does this world abound with sexual seducers, it also abounds with spiritual seducers. Spiritual seducers, like immoral women, beckon you with sweet promises. These seducers may offer multiple ways to heaven, or they may even be brazen enough to claim that there is no hell. In their foolishness, they deny Christ’s words of warnings.

Some seducers willingly skip over major portions of Scriptures. Since they have not experienced nor do they understand the refining power of God’s Spirit, they may claim that all you have to do is verbalize two little words, “I believe.”  A true belief in something results in affirmative action. If you truly believe, then your actions will affirm that belief. You will bring forth fruit corresponding with your belief (Matthew 3:8).

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20). 

As Jude 1:4-7 warns us, spiritual seducers have entered the church. These seducers increase their offering plates by issuing “hell-free zone cards.” In exchange for your money, they willingly turn God’s grace into licenses to sin. They feed you a doctrine with no strings attached, no obedience needed, and no spiritual rebirth required.  But understand that these deceitful doctrines also contain no light to dispel the darkness, no power to free the prisoner, no ability to transform the wicked, and no authority to resurrect the dead.

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (1 John 2:3-5).

In order to escape a sticky web of sin, you need a Savior. Jesus is that Savior. He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), He is the flesh form of the Word (John 1:14), He is the sacrificial Lamb of God (John 1:36), He is the door leading to the Father (John 10:1), and He is the Way…the only Way (John 14:6).

Since Satan wants to block your path to heaven, you can count on him to throw all sorts of temptations at you. However since you are wise, you will stay away from all tempting sources. Just as you would not walk close to the weak edge of a crumbling cliff, you will not walk close to a weak area of your resistance.

Nope…you are NOT going to let any sin snares trap you!

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:3, 5-6 (KJV)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  Spiritual seducers will entice the unwary with ear-tinkling doctrines.

2.  To escape a sticky web of sin, you needed a Savior.

3.  You must stay away from sources of temptations.

Proverbial Wisdom – 4:20-27

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.

Proverbial Wisdom – 4:10-19

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Proverbs 4:10-19 (KJV)

Recently, a powerful tornado ripped through the countryside, ten to fifteen miles from my home. It destroyed houses, trees, and everything in its path. It buried cars under debris and it twisted trees out of the ground. The wreckage from the storm was horrendous. Many people were hurt and even a couple of people lost their lives!

The aftermath of a natural disaster, whether it is caused by a flood, earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, or tornado, is devastating. You are overwhelmed by the fact that so much damage can happen so quickly. Lives are lost, people are injured, and properties are destroyed.  Moreover, sometimes it all takes place in just a few short minutes. 

However, no matter how extensive the property damage is, the most catastrophic loss is the loss of lives. Houses can be rebuilt, vehicles can be replaced, and trees can be replanted. But a life cannot be replaced. Once someone is gone from this earth, he or she is gone. All that is left is the memories of his or her short earthly life.

If the individual had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then that individual receives an eternal heavenly body…one that will never die. Thus, death for them is a stepping-stone to eternal glory.

But not everyone has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Some people refuse to accept God’s gift of His Son. Since these souls have never accepted Jesus Christ, then they have not been reborn through the Spirit of the Lord. Jesus said, “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Heaven will not be their home…their souls are lost.

That is the most catastrophic lost that there can ever be…a soul dying without Jesus!

My purpose in writing these short lessons is to point you to the Lord and to encourage you in your journey with the Lord. Things of this world are quickly changing, but the wisdom and the knowledge of God are eternal—these will never fade. No man can enter into the presence of God except through Jesus. Jesus is the only Way. He is the Light, the Truth, and the Word. Except you come through Him, you will not see the Father.

Several lessons back, I stated that true wisdom comes through knowing Jesus Christ and through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. “…For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself” (1 Corinthians 1:30, NLT). Wisdom that you gain from knowing and accepting Jesus Christ will lead you towards the right paths, helping you to make good choices. But this wisdom cannot be found in college textbooks; rather, this wisdom is only found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and by the anointing of God’s Spirit. It is wisdom from God.

When you know Jesus Christ and follow His Spirit, you are led down the right paths of life. He protects you by shining His light of truth on obstacles that the enemy throws into your pathway. If you do make a mistake and trip, He will help pick you up. Thus, when you hold firmly to the Word and follow the Word’s instructions, never letting its wisdom slip away, you will have a long life…eternal life. It cannot get any longer than that.

True godly wisdom helps you recognize and avoid the evil deeds of lost souls. You are walking through a battleground of deceit and many people will come at you with great lying words. Their deceitful words may appeal to your pride, they may appeal to your lustful flesh, or they may even appeal to your hunger for power or money. No matter what kind of deceit that the wicked spew forth, do not be entangled in their snare. Avoid them…walk away…have nothing to do with their web of lies.  

The wicked man thrives upon creating chaos and lies. He feeds upon the flesh of the innocent. Upon his bed at night, the wicked man plans more traps for his prey. He, the wicked man, is lost and he is stumbling around in the darkness of his soul. His hunger for destruction will not be satisfied until he has ensnared you in the darkness of hell.

Flee from the wicked man. Run straight into the welcoming arms of the Lord. There you will find love, peace, and eternal life. Run!

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6 (KJV)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  This earthly life can change in a single minute.

2.  Jesus is the only Way to the Father.

3.  Avoid becoming ensnared by the deeds of the wicked man.

Proverbial Wisdom – 4:1-9

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Proverbs 4:1-9

This week is going to be a little different. When I began studying and taking notes for this lesson, words were impressed upon my heart. Let the truth from these words sink deep and take root in your soul.

The following (italicized) is the message that I heard:

“Listen dear ones and pay attention to these words. Recognize the truth and wisdom in these sayings. Let these words become an intimate part of you and don’t ever let them out of your sight.”

“Never forsake the Words of the Lord for all of His Words will give you life.”

“Chase after wisdom and understanding. Nail them firmly upon the doorposts of your heart. Meditate daily, hour by hour, breath by breath, upon the life-giving Word. Obeying God’s Word will protect you in your hour of turmoil.”

“Lift up God’s Word. Hold His Word up high so that all mankind might see. Never deny the Word of the Lord and never deny the One who brought the Word in flesh form.”

The whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the Word of God. Please never forsake this truth.

Many people are attempting to compromise, change, or dilute the Word of God. But do not fall victim to Satan’s wicked schemes.  Yes…I did say and mean Satan!

Satan is the spirit behind these wicked men who are attempting to substitute man’s words for God’s Word. Therefore, do not be fooled by their charismatic words or by their popularity. Call evil for what it is…evil. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

We are in a mighty battle against wicked principalities who want to suppress the Truth and capture us in their darkness. The true light, Jesus Christ, came to free us from the darkness and give us eternal life. But the rulers of darkness want to change the true light (the Word of God—the Bible), plunging us back into the dark and recapturing our souls.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:12-13).

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Currently we are living in a day where people call good…evil and evil…good. The worldly news press demonizes anyone who publicly speaks out supporting the Word of God. Further, when Christians shine the light of God’s Truth upon ungodly rulers, they are called hypocrites. We are truly living in perilous times.

Although we are living in perilous times, we must take a stand and confess the Word of the Lord. Jesus is the Word who was made flesh and lived amongst us (John 1:14). He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Do not deny Him; rather, confess Him before all.  “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:32-34).

Firmly plant your feet in the Word of God and stand strong, never modify or dilute His Word. It is time to arm yourself for battle, so grab your sword and begin marching forward! (Ephesians 6:17).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:1, 14

Three Key Concepts:

1.  We must never forsake the Word of God.

2.  Satan is the spirit who works in the children of disobedience.

3.  We must stand and confess the Word of God.

Proverbial Wisdom –3:21-35

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Proverbs 3:21-35

I’m late and I am sorry. This week I went camping at the ocean for a few days, and I just could not make myself sit down and write this week’s lesson. But I will try to do better in the future. Forgive me.

We are going to cover the rest of chapter 3 this week. You may have noticed that I’ve taken the liberty of breaking our Scriptures into three parts. The first part, verses 21-26, lists some personal benefits for keeping sound wisdom and discretion. The second part, verses 27-32, tells us how we should treat other people. Then the last part, verses 33-35, is a comparison of different types of people.

As we have already discovered on our journey through Proverbs, we are to seek and retain wisdom, understanding, discretion, and knowledge…never letting them slip away. They bring us inward strength “life unto thy soul” and outward beauty “grace to thy neck.” This week, we learn that wisdom and discretion also bring safety, stability, rest, and protection.

God’s Holy Spirit teaches us wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, “shall teach you all things” (John 14:26). Therefore, when God’s Spirit dwells within us and we are walking under His direction, we have wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. But not everyone has God’s indwelling Spirit because there are specific requirements for being anointed with God’s Spirit.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17).

To be anointed with God’s Holy Spirit, we must love and obey the Lord. However, some rebellious people refuse to obey God, thus they do have not His Spirit. Consequently, they are not His children (John 15:10, 1 John 2:3-6, 2 John 1:6, Romans 8:9). Since they do not belong to God, they cannot receive nor can they understand God’s indwelling Spirit.

God is a Holy God and He will not dwell with sin. In fact, God says that He will turn His eyes and His ears away from sin (Isaiah 59:2, Ezekiel 39:23-24).

On the other hand, some people truthfully love God, which is evident by their submission and obedience. As such, the sacrificial blood of the Lamb has washed their sins away. Now that they are clean, they are marked with God’s indwelling Spirit. They belong to God because they have been reborn into the family of God.

God is a protective Father and He takes care of His own. Therefore, God’s children need not “be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day” (Psalm 91:5). Nor should His children be afraid of pestilence and destruction (Psalm 91:6). Many people may fall all around them, yet they remain safe in God (Psalm 91:7-9). At night, they lie down and sleep in peace because God is their refuge (Leviticus 26:3-6). If they fall, God picks them up (Psalm 37:24). God orders their steps and protects them as they walk in those steps because they have determined within their hearts to love and obey the Lord.

Let’s move onto our second part for this week, which tells us how to treat other people. We should treat people with love and respect (Matthew 22:39). That means living in peace with all mankind, at least as much as is in our control. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Quickly, we should repay that which we have borrowed, we should never cheat anyone (Deuteronomy 24:14-15), we should graciously help those in need, and we should strive to be good neighbors (Luke 10:25-37). Read 1 Kings 17:9-16 to learn about a widow woman who was a good neighbor to Elijah.

Our last part for this week, compares the wicked, the scorners, and the fools with the just, the lowly, and the wise. Let me give you some sound advice right up front. You do NOT want to be in the first group of people…the wicked, the scorners, and the fools.

The wicked (as well as his household) will be cursed, the scorners will be scorned, and then the fools will be put to shame. God hates evil and pours His wrath out on the unjust. “And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord” (Zechariah 8:17).

The Bible contains many stories about people who planned wickedness against God’s children. Much to their dismay, these wicked people found themselves caught in the very trap that they had set for God’s children. God turned their own wickedness back upon them (Daniel 6:24, Esther 8:7).

Compare that with the just who will be blessed, the lowly who will find grace, and the wise who will inherit eternal glory. I want to be in that group. How about you?

Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me (Psalm 101:6).

With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure…(Psalm 18:25-26).

Three Key Concepts:

1.  God is a protective Father and He takes care of His children.

2.  Live at peace with people as much as it depends upon you.

3.  God pours out blessings, shows grace, and gives eternal glory to His children.