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 – 4:10-19

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–3:13-20

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Proverbs 3:13-20 (KJV)

Happy are you when you find Jesus for He is worth more than all the riches in the world (Matthew 13:44-46). Through faith in Him, you can live a blessed life and have eternal life (John 3:15-17). No worldly desires can satisfy your hungry soul like Jesus can—He alone is the Bread of Life (John 6:33-35). His ways are truth and eternal (John 1:14-17). He is the Prince of Peace and within Him, you can find peace (Isaiah 9:6). Happy are you if you retain the love of the Lord within your heart all of your days.

I couldn’t resist that short rewrite of our Scriptures for this week, but stick with me and you will discover why I did it.

In Part 4 of our journey through Proverbs, we discussed the saving power of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. When we believe in the saving power of His blood and repent of our sins, we are reborn through God’s Spirit. As long as we live and walk by God’s Spirit, we have access to holy wisdom. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things….” (John 14:26).  “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth….he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).

Consistently throughout Proverbs, we are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding. Once we discover them, we are to cherish them and hold them close to our hearts, living and speaking by their influence. But wisdom and understanding cannot be bought. “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12).

Wisdom is not found within college classrooms, nor can understanding be attained through textbooks. All of our school years and all of the money that we expended in furthering our education, did not result in true godly wisdom and understanding. Instead, we accumulated a bunch of worldly facts.

I am not saying that education is a waste of time. Education is valuable! However, worldly knowledge cannot give eternal life, whereas, godly wisdom and understanding can. Godly wisdom comes from only one source, God…not from textbooks…not from college professors.

Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee says, “The Spirit of God does not open the Word of the God to lazy minds, but to those who are alert and want to learn and know the will of God and the Word of God.”

When people seriously desire to learn more about God and are willing to seek Him, God reveals Himself through His Word. He showers the hungry heart with wisdom and understanding.  However, it takes a sacrifice…a tremendous sacrifice of time!

Unfortunately, very few people are willing to sacrifice their time to study God’s Word. But these same people are willing to spend countless hours in a gym so that they can achieve a strong physical body. It would be to their benefit to spend countless hours in God’s Word so that they can achieve a strong spiritual heart. “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next” (1Timothy 4:8, NLT).

Those who grasp, live, and walk by godly wisdom and understanding are blessed. The length of their days is increased and they receive riches and honor. They walk in ways of pleasantness and on paths of peace. Godly wisdom and understanding brings eternal life to all who retain them within their hearts.

Wisdom is powerful. Through wisdom, God created the heavens and the earth. He set the stars in the sky and He established the ocean boundaries. He created the lightness of day and the darkness of night. Contrary to many scientific theories, God created our orderly world. This did NOT happen by chance—rather it happened by the wise words of an orderly God.

Wisdom and understanding are powerful and are attainable through Christ Jesus.  Today, seek the Lord.

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Job 28:28 (KJV)

Three Key Concepts

1.  True wisdom comes from God.

2.  The lazy heart has not godly wisdom.

3.  God fills the hungry heart.

Proverbial Wisdom – 2:10-22

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.  But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Proverbs 2:10-22 (KJV)

Last week, I said that God would liberally give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding if we would earnestly seek Him and were willing to pay the price. Sometimes, the price is high. However, no matter how high it is, friends, it is worth it. So let’s jump right into the fire and begin crying, “More, Lord. Give us more—take us deeper.”

The man (or woman), who invites wisdom into his (or her) heart and delights in knowledge will be able to stand strong against evil. Refer back to our August 12, 2011 lesson, Proverbial Wisdom – Part 2, in which I introduced that Jesus Christ is wisdom. If you truly have been reborn by His Spirit, then you have His Spirit inside of you. Moreover, since Jesus is wisdom and He abides within you, then in order to be wise you just need to walk by His Spirit and follow His guide. (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Now skip down to Verse 20 of Proverbs chapter 2. This tells us that if we have accepted wisdom into our hearts and joyfully applied knowledge in our lives (verse 10), then we will walk and remain in the good path of righteousness. Verse 21 stresses how important it is to remain in the path of the righteous, “...the upright shall dwell in the land and the perfect shall remain in it.”

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Many people will follow the wide, broad pathway to destruction. In their foolishness, they will succumb to the perverse man, who speaks great lies and entices them into his world of darkness.  Once entangled in the darkness, their hearts, minds, and souls change, until eventually, they begin to take pleasure in their crooked paths.

“…they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without UNDERSTANDING, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, BUT HAVE PLEASURE in them that do them” (Romans 1:28-32, emphasis added).

Please, heed this warning! When a person knowingly rejects God’s commands and follows the perverse man, his soul becomes wrapped in darkness. Once in darkness, it is difficult to pull the rebellious man out into the light. Therefore, be wise, stay on the path of righteousness, and avoid the perverse man.

Verses 12 – 15 give us a brief description of the perverse man. Know this description so that you can avoid him. The perverse man speaks great falsehoods, he forsakes the way of righteousness, and his actions are destructive. He takes pleasure in harming others, he derives his fun from evil words or actions, and he views things in a crooked or distorted manner. Ultimately, his evil ways will lead him to death, because he will reap what he has sown. He chose to sow lies, hate, and destruction, and thus, he chose to reap death.

 

On to our next section, verse 16—this warns about the strange woman. The strange woman flatters with her words, appealing to both pride and lust. Sweetly she beckons, forsaking her covenant with God. She is on a mission, and that mission is to get us to share in her destruction. She is on the pathway of the dead and she is determined to take people with her.

Some commentaries liken the strange woman to a strange religion. These false religions appeal to people’s sinful pride and lustful thoughts. They offer people a false ideology that allows them to say that they are a Christian while, at the same time, their deceived soul remains in habitual sin. These false ideologies give out a license for continual sin because they know not, and teach not, the true Word of the Lord.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

You, my dear friend, can avoid falling victim to both the perverse man and the strange woman. To do this, you must fill your heart, mind, and soul with wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. His Word will protect you from these wicked forces if you will take it, know it, and live it.

Throughout our journey in Proverbs, we will consistently read that wrong actions result in dire consequences.  In order for you to avoid wrong actions, you need a Savior. Jesus is that Savior if you will invite Him into your heart and make Him Lord of your life.

Today, you are walking through the valley of decision, which way will you go? Will you choose life and follow Jesus, or will you choose death and follow Satan? What is your choice?

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

Joel 3:14 (Amplified)

Three Key Concepts:

1.   Wisdom, knowledge, discretion and understanding protects you from evil.

2.   Willful rejection of God will lead to death.

3.   Everyone must make a decision about Jesus.

Proverbial Wisdom – 1:8-9

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Proverbs 1:8-9 (KJV)

How many of you did your homework assignment last week? Truthfully, I had to revisit my notes to remember that I gave an assignment last week.

Last week you were supposed to learn to fear the Lord. That fear, or high reverence and awe, is the first step to gaining wisdom. Because once you learn to fear the Lord, you begin to act upon His Word, obey His Commands, and do things His Way.

Here is an interesting nugget of truth. We are going through Proverbs in order to attain more wisdom, which we learned in last week’s lesson means knowledge that we implement in our lives. Now, look at the following verse. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30, emphasis added).

If you are, in fact, in Christ Jesus and following Him, all of the wisdom found within Proverbs should become a part of you. Christ is wisdom and you have His Spirit within you; thus, all you need to do is listen to Him and obey. That is wisdom.

Those last two paragraphs were just added nuggets of truths, but now let’s get back to our journey into Proverbs.  

Proverbs1:8 tell us to hear the instructions of our fathers. “To hear,” means more than just physically hearing him talk. Rather it means that we should intelligently listen to his words with the implication that we will obey his instructions. Furthermore, when we look at the word instruction, which is muwcar, we find that it means chastisement, reproof, discipline, and warning. So we can say that we should intelligently consider and implement our father’s words and learn from his warnings and his disciplines.

Also verse 8, instructs us to not to forsake the law of our mothers. In some countries, cultures, and beliefs, the mother does not have the authority to instruct her own children. The father has complete authority over everything.

Sinful man attempts to contaminate God’s divine laws of equality. God equally values all people whether they are male or female, rich or poor, or strong or weak.  Whereas, sin suppresses and devalues anything that is physically or socially weaker: such as, females, servants, or slaves. However, this is not God’s way. And if you ask me, we should always strive to do things God’s way because He knows what He is doing.

So now, we know that we should listen attentively and compliantly to our father’s instructions and learn from all of his warnings and disciplines. Further, we should heed our mother’s laws, never forsaking or abandoning those laws. This goes right along with one of the Ten Commandments. “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 10:12).

Honor, kaba´d, means to do well by, respect, esteem highly, richly bless, and have courteous regard. Therefore, we should honor our fathers and mothers, by respecting their authority, accepting their instructions, and attentively comply with their laws. Further, we should always do well by our parents, bestowing rich blessings upon them. This means that once our parents get older and frailer, we must take care of their needs, just as they took care of us as young children.

Unfortunately, during my years as an accountant, I saw just the opposite from sinful man. Too many times, I saw adult children dishonor their parents through lies, greed, or manipulation. Just as soon as their parents suffered from any form of physical or emotional weakness, sin came swarming in.

Just as buzzards pick at a carcass, these sin-filled children pick at their parent’s property and money, either through outright stealing or persuasive manipulation. Moreover, when all of the parent’s property and money were gone, the buzzards flew off…never to be seen or heard from again. That is just the opposite of God’s divine laws, and according to Exodus 10:12, the sin-filled children’s days will be shortened.

There sure was a lot of information that could be gleaned from just one little verse, so let us go on to see what our next verse holds in store for us.

Verse 9 tells us that our parent’s instructions, laws, and disciplines are valuable. Honorable instructions and disciplines are life enhancing and improve our dignified walk through this world. Consequently, we should value those instructions like a precious ornament around our necks.

If you happened to misplace a costly, beautiful, diamond necklace, you would search everywhere for it. You might not be able to eat or sleep until you found it and it was back safely in your hand. Likewise, if you get away from your parents’ wise teachings, you should search for those teachings until they are, once again, back safely in your heart. Heeding wise instructions from wise parents will keep you from acting foolishly.

But I like the New Living Translation version of verse 9. “What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor.”

Well folks, that’s about all that we have time for this week, but I do want to leave you with a preview of next week. Next week, we are going to discuss verses 10 through 19. In those verses, we will learn that we should never let anyone entice us into doing evil. The pathway of evil is like a steep, slippery slope; once you start down it, it is almost impossible to stop and reverse your direction.

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do what is good.

Psalms 36:1-3 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1. Knowing Christ Jesus gives you wisdom, “…made unto us wisdom.”

2. Honor your father and mother and value their laws.

3. Heeding your parents’ honorable instructions and disciplines is life enhancing.

Spiritual Wisdom

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

 Galatians 5:16-18

While camping this week in Virginia’s beautiful Hungry Mother State Park, I read the book of Proverbs a couple of times. I love that book because it is packed full with wisdom! It contains words of instruction, rebuke, and encouragement. It tells us about sin, as well as, the consequences of sin. It tells us what God hates and destroys. While it also tells us what God loves and rewards.  

Since there is so much wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, beginning next week, I will start a series on that book. On our journey through Proverbs, we will feast on many dainty morsels of wisdom, but we will also chew on some tough pieces of meat. But in the end, we will be wiser.

Unfortunately, it is impossible for most of us to memorize all of the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, much less implement it in our life. That is because our sinful flesh always attempts to lead us astray. We are weak when we rely upon our own power.

In the book of Romans, Paul writes this about his sinful flesh. “I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate…. But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things” (Romans 7:15-17, NLT).

Is Paul telling us that sin in our life is acceptable because our flesh is weak? Does this mean, “God created us and He knew that we are sinful, therefore, we can continue living in sin because God understands”? 

Absolutely not!

God recognized that we are sinful so He provided a way that we can escape from sin. That way is through the crucified Christ. Christ’s sacrifice freed us from bondage to sin.

Listen to Paul, “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord….” (Romans 7:25, NLT).

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:1-3, emphasis mine).

Sin’s power is broken as long as you, “…walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). If you refuse to walk after the Spirit and continue to walk after your sinful flesh, you have not fully surrendered yourself Christ Jesus. Consequently, you remain bound to sin.

In fact, if you do not have Christ’s Spirit in you, then you do not truly belong to Him. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

I know those are strong words, but I am sharpening your teeth before we begin our journey into Proverbs next week.

Many churches have watered down God’s Word until it no longer even resembles God’s Word. These churches forget to mention, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8). And since they don’t want to rattle any chains, they may not say, “For he himself has said, ‘You must be holy because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:16, NLT).

This week, I have thrown out some tough meat for you to gnaw on, but please meditate on this week’s Scriptures. These Scriptures will help you on your future journey through Proverbs.

While you are meditating on this week’s Scriptures, ask yourself a couple of questions. Do you have Christ’s Spirit within you? This means that you hear His voice and follow His commands (John 10:1-5, John 15:10, 1 John 5:1-4).  Are you walking by His Spirit and not by your flesh?

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:5-7 (emphasis mine)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  When you walk in the Spirit, you can overcome your flesh.

2.  If you are God’s child, then you have His Spirit within you.

3.  When you walk in the light (truth), the blood of Jesus cleanses you from sin.

A Cursed Legacy

The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Numbers 14:18

This week, an insightful reader left a comment on my face book page about last week’s blog. She said that some young parents, as a token of their love, have their children’s names tattooed on their bodies. However, she suggested that instead having themselves tattooed, these young parents should show their love for their children by taking them to church.

I wholeheartedly agree. Real love is not about permanently inking a child’s name on your body. Tattoos are only skin-deep (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun). True, long-lasting love is better served through permanently inking a life-saving relationship with Jesus Christ on your child’s heart.   

However, this week’s lesson is not about tattoos or even the church. It is about cursed legacies, or generational curses that sometimes we unintentionally pass onto our children.

Most parents don’t intend to harm their children—that is the furthest thing from their minds. Unfortunately, whether they intend to or not, parents can harm their children through wrong life choices. Wrong words and actions can corrupt an innocent child (Galatians 5:9).

When parents are addicted to immoral behaviors, their children suffer. For example, an alcoholic may turn violent and begin verbally or even physically abusing an innocent child. Or money that’s setback for food and clothing is wasted by the drug addict. A child trapped in that type of environment can eventually view this as normal behavior; and as such, that child has a greater likelihood of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. This is a generational curse.

But there are other types of destructive behaviors that plague many families. Sometimes completely oblivious to the possible ramifications, parents engage in behaviors that adversely affect their children.

Take for instance, a parent who constantly lies. In time, the children of that parent believe that lying is okay and they begin to accept it as normal behavior. This is another cursed legacy.  “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all Liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8, KJV, emphasis mine).

Perhaps you say, “That’s not me…I would never lie.” So let’s look at another example. Do you fault, criticize, or make jokes about your parents or in-laws?  Maybe it’s your mother-in-law or your father-in-law that you like to drag through the mud. Be warned! Inadvertently, you may be passing down a generational curse. Through your own disrespectful words, your child thinks that it’s okay to belittle older generations.  “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you…” (Deuteronomy 5:16, NLT).

Then there are times that you may be tempted to go on faultfinding missions, talking about someone behind his or her back. That can be another cursed legacy. Children, though they may be small, they have big ears. What type of disease are you sowing into their little souls? “Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and Gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning…” (Romans 1:29-30, NLT, emphasis mine).

I know that I am throwing some hard punches today, but it’s only because I love you. You and I have to wise up so that we can clean up (notice I included myself in that statement). Yes, I too am guilty of some of this junk.   

Since some of these topics may be hitting too close to home, let’s wrap it up with one last curse, “Truth in living.”  This is a hard one so I am glad that I am not standing in front of you right now.

What type of legacy are you leaving to your children when they hear you speaking “Christianese” while you are in church, but when they see you at home, you do not live the Christian walk? In other words, you may say that you believe the Bible is the Word of God, but your children never see you open the pages of the Bible. Or you may behave one way when you are at church, but at home you curse, scream, and say all sorts of ugly things. A hypocritical religious spirit often leaves lifelong ink stains on a child’s soul. Those stains can be hard to remove.

Okay, I am done slinging dirt so now let me help you dust off. You cannot change your past—what has been done, has been done. But your future can change.  

God is mightier than every “Generational Curse.”  Whether the curse was handed down to you or whether you have handed it down to your own children…God is still mightier. In John 10:10, Jesus said that the thief (Satan) came to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus came so that you can have life…life more abundantly. Through His blood, you and your family can be whole. God is merciful and He forgives when you repent. Not only does He forgive, but He also heals (2 Chronicles 7:14).  

Starting today, begin sowing a new legacy for your children. Ink the Word of God upon their little hearts, minds, and souls.

…for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Exodus 20:5-6(KJV)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  We can leave our children a cursed legacy through our own words and actions.

2.  God is mightier than all generational curses.

3.  God is merciful and He forgives us when we repent.