July 11 - Guard Against Violence.

Proverbs 28:17
“A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.”
 
Murder and violence are not to be tolerated, for they always lead to destruction. Just four chapters into Genesis, the first Book of the Bible, we find a murderer.
 
Genesis 4:8
“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
 
The flesh of Cain rose up and slew his faithful brother, Abel.
These two brothers were raised in the same household by the same parents, yet they were vastly different. Their offerings were incomparable. The Lord only had respect unto Abel’s offering which resulted in the ultimate division between the brothers.
 
Genesis 4:9-10
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.”
 
Jealousy and rage got the best of Cain and caused him to do the unthinkable, which made him a fugitive.
 
Genesis 4:11-12
“And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.”
 
Although we are likely to never physically become murderers, as sinners we often make haste to shed innocent blood. Jealousy is dangerous, and it can make us do things that we were never intended. Cain did not plan to kill his brother.
 
What sin will cause us to flee into a pit?
Temptation is all around us, so we must boldly guard ourselves against it.
 
Proverbs 1:10
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
 
Whatever tempting situation you find yourself in today, remember that sin does not have to be the answer.
 
Psalm 1:1-3
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
 
Guard yourself by delighting in the Word of God and the Wisdom of Truth.
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Chronicles 17-18  |  1 Timothy 2  |  Proverbs 11