Proverbs 24:8-9
“He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.” Our thoughts often get us into trouble if we are not careful because our deceitful hearts sometimes win the battle over our spirit. Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Wicked imaginations are one of the things that the Scriptures tell us the Lord hates. One thought can lead to our flesh devising plans in our minds that we would never intend on considering. We must remember the real enemy we are fighting. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 “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;)” This is why we must bring into captivity every thought that goes against the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “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;” The only way we can successfully defend ourselves and win the battle against the strongholds of the enemy is to use the Weapon that God has given us. Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” The Sword of the Spirit is the only Weapon we need to get the victory! In times of temptation or distress, remember how Jesus uses the Wisdom of the Word of God to resist the devil in the wilderness. Our evil thoughts can be replaced by thoughts of Wisdom when we open the Scriptures. Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Matthew 4:10-11 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” The enemy will leave when we speak the Word of Wisdom! Bible Reading: Joshua 13-14 | Acts 11 | Proverbs 10
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Proverbs 24:7
“Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.” Wisdom is only too high for those who are too lazy to ask for Him. Proverbs 14:6 “A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.” The wisdom that the foolish seek is only of this world. They often are ignorant to the fact that they need much More than the earthly wisdom they pursue. Those without Christ cannot discern that which is reserved for God’s children. 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” We cannot find Christ by seeking Him of our own wisdom or works. Yet, when anyone seeks Wisdom by coming unto Him by faith, they are never turned away. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” If you hunger for Wisdom today, you can find it at the Lord’s Table. He has prepared your plate, and is waiting for you to simply receive the Bread of Life. John 6:35-37 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Come to His Table today. Bible Reading: Joshua 11-12 | Acts 10 | Proverbs 9 Proverbs 24:5-6
“A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” If we are to have any strength or safety at all, we must find it through Wisdom. Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Through Him we find strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The strength of Jesus Christ is available to us, if only we will allow Him to teach us how to yield to Him. He teaches us through His Word. Psalm 86:11 “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” He teaches us through His workers. 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Through Him we find safety. Psalm 91:1-4 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” The safest place we can ever run to for shelter is in the shadow of the wings of our Saviour. He is our Refuge. He is the Fortress to protect us in every situation. While He protects us, He counsels us. He counsels us though His Word. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” He counsels us through His warriors. Proverbs 11:14 “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” If you are searching for strength or safety today, it is found in the Wisdom of Jesus Christ. Allow the Word of God and the people of God to be used by Him to give you exactly what you need. Bible Reading: Joshua 9-10 | Acts 9 | Proverbs 8 Proverbs 24:3-4
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Remember the parable that Jesus told about the men who built their houses upon different foundations? One man chose to build his upon the rock, the other upon the sand. Each faced the same storm, but only one was left standing after the rain descended. What they were built upon determined their sustainability. Christ spoke of the difference in the men; one was wise and the other foolish. The house built foolishly upon the sand suffered a great fall. What we build ourselves upon determines whether or not we will be able to withstand the storms of life. Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” God does not leave us to build alone. 1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” Jesus Christ must be our only Foundation. Colossians 2:7 “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” He is the Word; and it is through Him that we find wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Every decision we make and every desire we have, must be founded upon His Word. Our lives must be built upon Him and Him alone. Bible Reading: Joshua 7-8 | Acts 8 | Proverbs 7 Proverbs 24:1-2
“Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.” Envy is a dangerous thing. What begins as a hint of jealousy can soon transform into complete and utter bitterness. Thankfully, the Word of God warns us against falling into this trap. Psalm 37:1 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” The heathen often only have one thing on their minds…sin. Romans 14:23 “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” They have no faith, so therefore they are consumed by wickedness. This must be why God had Solomon write these Scriptures so plainly to tell us that we are not even to desire to be in their presence. Paul even said to “turn away” from them in 2 Timothy. Wisdom cannot reside within the same heart that studies destruction and speaks of mischief. Ecclesiastes 9:18 “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” Evaluate those who you often spend your time with. What do they say? Where do they go? What are their motives? If they are not passionately pursuing a daily walk with the Lord and actively serving Him, perhaps we should consider spending less time with them. The more time spent with someone, the more we become like them and even envious of what they appear to have. Colossians 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” When we seek only that which is from the Lord, we will never be left empty-handed or disappointed. Bible Reading: Joshua 5-6 | Acts 7 | Proverbs 6 Proverbs 23:33
“Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.” Sin causes us to look upon things that we otherwise would not see. In the Scriptures, strange women are often an example of the foolishness of sin. Our eyes are attracted to the sinful things around us. This is why we must be careful what we allow ourselves to see. Psalm 101:3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Our words tell more about us that we often realize. What we see affects our hearts, which determines what we say. Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” The state of our hearts determines our words and actions. Those that are drunk in sin often thirst for more when they awake from their condition. Proverbs 23:34-35 “Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” This cycle of sin begins by looking upon it; for when we allow ourselves to look, we give way for lust, sin, and eventually death. Look away from the wickedness today before it consumes. Bible Reading: Joshua 3-4 | Acts 6 | Proverbs 5 Proverbs 23:29-30
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.” There are some things that sin promises to deliver. While the devil tries to deceive us that sin will bring pleasure and blessings, the Bible tells us the Truth about what to expect when we sin. Woe Sorrow Contentions Babbling Wounds Without Cause Redness of Eyes In this particular passage, the context is referring to partaking of wine or strong drink. Although there are several references throughout the Scriptures to avoid it, these verses declare what it is sure to bring with it. Many have read these Words; yet still choose to partake of this sin. They are simply deceived. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. We are told not to even look upon it. Proverbs 23:31 “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.” Although this is a specific reference to wine, we can also see the Truth here in regards to any sin, for all sin is equal in the eyes of God. James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” The result of sin is that it bites and stings those that participate. Proverbs 23:32 “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” The ultimate result of sin is death. James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” If we are not covered in the blood of Jesus Christ death is all that awaits us. Not just a physical death, but also a spiritual death that separates us from God forever. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Bible Reading: Joshua 1-2 | Acts 5 | Proverbs 4 Proverbs 23:27-28
“For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.” The foolishness of this world awaits the Christian as a prey. Our enemy is the devil, and He seeks to devour us any way that he possibly can. 1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” It seems as if there are more people against the Name of Jesus with each passing day. Though we may be persecuted for believing in Him, we are not without hope. Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” There is safety in knowing that no matter what is thrown against us, it cannot prevail for God will always get the victory. 1 John 5:4-5 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” He uses every persecution that we face for our good and His glory! Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” No matter the ditch or pit you find yourself in, He is there. No matter the waters that seem to keep pulling you under, He is there. Through the river or the fire, He is there. Keep standing for the Truth, and allow the Lord to fight for you today. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34 | Acts 4 | Proverbs 3 Proverbs 23:24-26
“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Righteous children cause their parents and their Heavenly Father to rejoice. For this cause, God’s Word tells us that we should be fruitful and multiply. Genesis 9:7 “And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.” We can be fruitful and multiply in two ways: Physical Children Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Spiritual Children Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Both of these methods involve making more disciples to follow Him. Whether or not we raise children of our own, each of us have the opportunity to carry out the Great Commission that Christ gave before He ascended back to Heaven. John 15:8,16 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples…Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” The goal is to rejoice over the fruit we produce, seeking fruit that remains for His glory. Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31-32. | Acts 3 | Proverbs 2 Proverbs 23:22-23
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Regardless of the cost, the Truth is worth buying. This is the mindset that we must have as we walk with God, even though He has provided the Truth as a Free Gift through His Son, Jesus Christ. Salvation is free to all who believe. God stretches out His hand toward all who will receive Him. Isaiah 55:1 “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” No price is required for us to trust Him, yet the price that God paid for us is without comparison. God paid the debt by sacrificing His Son. Jesus paid the debt by giving His life. He paid it all so that we might know Him. 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Remember the Price, and refuse to sell what He has given you. Matthew 13:46 “Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Because of the Price He paid… No price is too great for us to serve Him. No price is too great for us to seek Him. Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.” What is Wisdom worth to you? Job 28:18 “No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.” Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30 | Acts 2 | Proverbs 1 |
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