Listen to Instruction 07.22.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday July 22, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Proverbs. Please read Chapters 4-7 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%204-7&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the power of wisdom to protect us from evil; the seven sins most hated by God; and the necessity of keeping God's Commandments. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that the things that we see and hear, especially if they are evil, are stored in our minds and are often used by Satan to tempt us to sin. In order to overcome these sins we are to become wise to the instruction of God and evaluate ourselves to see if we are setting ourselves up.

Truly it is by listening to the instruction of a father that will spare a child heartache and misery as they grow. God uses Solomon to explain the importance of wisdom, "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." (Proverbs 4:1-5).

He also instructs us how to live wisely, "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. 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." (4:18-23). To be diligent means to keep the heart persistent with following God. The more we spend time with God the wiser we get and the less we fall into wickedness.

This characteristic of Satan underlies the following seven sins that are an abomination unto God. "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." (6:16-19). The first of the seven deadly sins is a proud look. This type of pride is the attitude that shows others that we are superior or better than them. Of all sins, pride comes first, for it precedes all other sins. When we are too proud of ourselves it leaves us thinking that we are above and beyond needing help from other and especially God. It is good to feel good knowing that we are doing great things for God or others, but when we let our pride take over it reflects the rest of our attitude and behavior toward others which cause a manifestation of other sins.

An obligation rests upon every Christian to let his words be an overflow of the Spirit-filled life. We cannot offer a member of our body for His use on one occasion and then on the next, use it to deceive or destroy another. "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." (James 3:8-10). 

We do not realize it, but we reveal our hearts by what we say and hear. Ponder the kind of talk you enjoy hearing and speaking, in this way you can get to know yourself. For it is the kind of talk that you love to hear and speak about that indicates the type of person your are. The sort of person who pours into your ears all the latest information has sized you up as being the type of person who wants to hear that kind of garbage. You can evaluate yourself by taking time to note the things people come and talk to you about.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the teacher of wisdom (Proverbs 4:7,11). Christ is our Teacher, "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3).

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord,
We ask You to not only open our eyes to that which is around us, but we ask You to open our hearts and reveal to us any evil that is in us. Lord, help us to learn from Your instruction and may we continue to hide Your Word in our hearts that we might not sin against You. How blessed we are to know that as You reign in our hearts, our spirits understand which is Scriptural and that which is heresy.  May we ever be vigilant in Scripture and fervent in prayer as we encounter the gods of this world. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a wonderful day!
God Bless,
Christina

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