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 – 6:1-5

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 – 5:1-14

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 – 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 – 1:10-19

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Proverbs 1:10-19 (KJV)

Last week, I compared the pathway of evil to a steep slippery slope. Once you begin down the slope, it is almost impossible to stop and go back up. Evil seems to take on a life of its own.

Before a man does evil, usually deep within his heart, he feels a few twinges of guilt. His conscience says, “Don’t do this wicked thing.” Nevertheless, he refuses to listen. His cold, hard heart attempts to justify his evil intentions. He may even project his guilt onto his victim, saying that it is the victim’s fault.

Sometimes, as strange as it may seem, an evil man may resort to doing more evil just to prove that he was right. At least in his own twisted mind, he thinks that he is proving that he was right. But no matter how hard he tries to cover up his wrong, his wrong will never be right because wrong will always remain wrong. Right? (I couldn’t resist that little tongue twister.)

In this world, there are evil people everywhere who are waiting for an opportunity to entice you into their wicked schemes. Therefore, in order to protect yourself from falling victim to their conniving tongues, you must resolve in your heart and mind that you are going to serve God, no matter what.

Be wise and arm yourself in advance by practicing saying “NO”—no to drugs, no to violence, no to lies, no to deceit, no to all evil.

God is omnipresent…He hears your words, He sees your actions, and He even knows your thoughts.  Nothing is hidden from Him; therefore, if you do evil, He will know. “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Verse 10).

Genesis 39:7-10 tells us that Joseph was enticed by Pharaoh’s wife. She tried to seduce Joseph, but he wisely refused her advances. “…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Verse 9). Joseph knew that sin is not only a sin against its intended victim, but it is also a sin against God.

You do not want to sin against God! No one has ever battled against God and won…it is impossible. Learn from this week’s lesson and run from all evil (Deuteronomy 13:6-8, Psalms 50:18-19, Ephesians 5:11).

Satan is a like a roaring lion who walks about waiting to pounce and devour (1 Peter 5:8). So is the wicked man.

A wicked man roams about searching for an innocent victim to devour. In his wickedness, he desires worldly riches at the cost of his soul (Psalms 10:8-9). He may target you as a partner in his crime, telling you how this joint venture will be to your benefit. Don’t fall for his deceit (Jeremiah 5:26-27).

If the wicked man says, “This plan cannot fail and we will get rich,” run away. Do not collaborate with the ungodly…you just might become trapped and destroy your own soul (Psalms 1:1, 2 Corinthians 6:15-17).  

“Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace” (Isaiah 59:7-8).

The wicked take pleasure in sin. They do not know peace and they cannot even comprehend the word because it is foreign to them. All of their ways are crooked, and as such, their lives are filled with turmoil.

The evil man waits to ambush and destroy his victim, but ultimately, he is awaiting his own destruction.  Compare that to a wise bird. The bird sees a trap being set to capture it, but in its wisdom, it flies away. The evil man sets a trap to capture his victim, but in his foolishness, he is the one that is caught in his own trap. He has ambushed his own soul through hardening his heart and deafening his spiritual ears.

One last thought. People will entice you into collaborating with them in their wicked schemes, perhaps even promising you riches beyond measure. Quick…Runaway! Greed is a powerful sin and it will destroy the hearts, minds, and souls of its victims. “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word” (Psalms 119:101).

So, be careful little mind what you think…Oh, be careful little hands what you do…There’s a Father up above, and He’s looking down in love, so be careful little saint what you do.

 For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT)

Three Key Concepts:

1.  Run away from anyone who entices you to do evil.

2.  The evil man sets a trap and ambushes his own soul.

3.  Greed is a powerful sin that ensnares many.

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.

Cleaning House

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ…deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5

I did not fabricate this week’s opening verses. Although you may never hear these verses preached inside of your church, I promise you that they are in the Bible. But don’t take my word for it; instead, go get your Bible and read 1 Corinthians chapter 5.

We can no longer be content with churches that refuse to administer godly church discipline. It is time that we return to God’s design for His Holy Church. In other words, if we say that we are His Church, then we must operate as His Church.

In New Zealand, there is a city named Christchurch. This city, with a population of about 350,000 people, has been shaken to its very core. Since September 2010, it has registered around 7,500 earthquakes—if you ask me, that’s a whole bunch of shaking.

Personally, I think the name of this shaking city (Christchurch) is God’s warning to the Church. If we want to continue being Christ’s Church and continue operating in His Spirit, then we must shake things up and begin cleaning house, “…thou shalt put evil away from among you” (Deuteronomy 13:5, 17:7, 19:19, 22:21-22, 24:7).

Putting evil away from us does not refer to casting out sinners who come for help. Rather, it refers to church members who claim Christianity and yet they continue living lives of habitual sin. “…you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don't even eat with such people” (2 Corinthians 5:11, NLT).

Far too long, the Church has refused to clean its own house, and consequently, it has become contaminated with all sorts of sins.

In fact, we even cringe at the thought of giving someone over to Satan. However, God’s Word, as spoken by Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church, tells us that there is a point where we must release a wayward soul into the hands of our enemy, Satan. But we cannot do this lightly!

In a perfect world and in a perfect Christian church, no one would have to be delivered to Satan, because everyone would judge his or herself. “But let a man examine himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:28). “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).

Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world; nor are there any perfect churches in this world. Thus, we encounter situations in which the saints of God are to judge their fellow man (a man who claims Christianity). We don’t judge in the spirit of hatred or malice; instead, we judge in the spirit of love…solely for the purpose of godly correction.

If a church member claims to be a Christian and yet refuses to turn from his or her sins, that member should be removed from Christian fellowship. The purpose of removing offenders from fellowship is to bring them shame, which causes them to repent of their sins. We simply want to save their souls. “…have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

Sin within the church body must be disciplined, because undisciplined sin can quickly contaminate the whole body. Therefore, we have to take a godly stand and stop condoning sin. Give the habitual sinner, who claims Christianity, over to Satan. “…Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?” (1 Corinthians 5:6, NLT).

Christchurch, New Zealand, is being shaken. Likewise, Christ’s Church, is also being shaken. We must begin cleaning house and removing sin. Sin is a contaminating force that is like a deadly disease. If it is left untreated, it will quickly spread and destroy many (Joshua 7).

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Ephesians 5:11

Three Key Concepts:

1.  We must discipline evil within the church walls.

2.  Undisciplined sin will spread within the church.

3.  In order to save souls, we must turn some people over to Satan.

The Repentant Man

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

Today, all around the world, we hear and see the devastating effect of civilization’s moral decline. People are sliding into sinful depravity, such as the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Unconcerned about their final destiny, wicked people rush headlong into the pit of sin, without looking back.

Unfortunately, this trend of moral decline has not only permeated individuals, families, and nations; it has also permeated many church members, ministers, and churches. All of these are lost souls who need a Savior. Jesus is that Savior.

Yes, I did include church members, ministers, and churches in my list of those who are in need of a Savior. They need a Saviour because true salvation requires a repentant heart, and that requirement is missing in many church messages.

I know this lesson may not sit well with some readers, because some people despise being told that they have to turn from their sins. Instead, they want to retain their sins and mix those sins with a head-knowledge of Jesus Christ; and at the same time, they claim to be saved. It will not work; therefore, I will teach God’s Word.

We are in the time of God’s grace and He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). However, do not mistake God’s grace as a license to sin (Jude 1:4).

Scriptures consistently throughout the Bible, stress that in order to be healed (salvation) there must be a repentant heart. Furthermore, true repentance is more than just dropping morsels of praise in an attempt to appease God and win His blessings. Rather, true repentance is a genuine sorrow evidenced by a complete change in attitude, which results in a turning from sin and a turning to God.

For example, prior to repentance, the sinful man is walking down a road in one direction. After repentance, that same man turns around and begins walking in the opposite direction. He does not just do a 45-degree turn and mix some sin with some holy, nor does he just do a 90-degree turn and mix half sin with half holy. Rather, the true repentant man does a 180-degree turn and he begins going in a complete opposite direction.

Quickly, everyone grab your Bible, turn to Luke 19:1-10, and read the story of Zacchaeus. After Zacchaeus had an encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus repented. His repentance was more than just empty words. After he repented, Zacchaeus shared with the poor and returned that which he had stolen…he even gave back more than he had stolen. He felt a true sorrow for his sins that was evidenced by his actions.

Likewise, when a sinful man truly repents, his repentance will be evidenced by his actions. He will restore that which he had stolen (Ezekiel 33:14-16), and he will turn from sin that previously destroyed (Ezekiel 18:28). “…turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit…” (Ezekiel 18:30-31).

A godly sorrow, a broken spirit, a contrite heart, and a change in actions evidence a true repentant man (Psalms 51:17, Jonah 3:5-10, Joel 2: 13, James 4:4-10, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Matthew 21:28-32).

Moreover, when a true repentant man humbles himself before God and turns from his prior wicked ways, his sins are forgiven and his heart is healed (Isaiah 1:18-19, Jeremiah 18:8-9, Micah 7:5-9).

Compare the outcome of a repentant man with the outcome of an unrepentant man. Whereas the repentant man is forgiven and healed, the unrepentant man is cursed with pain, distress, sorrow, hardness, and destruction (Psalms 32:3-4, Romans 2:4-6, Lamentations 1:20, Isaiah 1:20).

While you are comparing the repentant man with the unrepentant man, open your Bibles to Matthew 27:3-5 and Matthew 26:75. What was the outcome of the unrepentant man, Judas, compared to the outcome of the repentant man, Peter?

Although we are still in the day of grace, we are also in the day of the itchy ear syndrome. Many churches have abandoned God’s requirement of a repentant man. Please do not make this mistake. If you discover that you have sinned, truly repent with a godly sorrow.

Additionally, have nothing to do with a rebellious man who has knowingly turned his back to God. “..Deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5).

So you see, you can harbor a ship that is adrift on the open seas, you can harbor a man that is blinded since birth, but you had better not harbor the rebellious man (Titus 1:20, Ephesians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 14).

If you harbor the rebellious man or if you, yourself, are a rebellious man, then on the judgment day, you just may hear a famous line from an old show of “I Love Lucy.” Ricky Ricardo would say, “Lucy, you got some splainin to do!”  

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6-7

Three Key Concepts

1.  A repentant man is evidenced through his actions.

2.  God restores and heals the true repentant man.

3.  Turn the unrepentant man over to Satan.