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| False Map Turtle |
I've never been very good about listening, especially when it
comes to hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. The voice of wisdom, the
Holy Spirit softly speaking, is often lost in the cacophony of my own evil
thoughts and the evil around me. Before we even begin to think about this
I want to make one thing crystal clear.
Then the LORD saw
that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5 NASB
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed
quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to
evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11 NASB
This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is
one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full
of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives.
Afterwards they go to the dead. Ecclesiastes 9:3 NASB
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately
sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 NASB
My heart, because of my sinfulness, is wicked beyond my
imagination AND I CAN'T SEE IT! Unless I can look at things through God's
eyes, I will always be blinded by my on sin! Sin tricks me into believing
that I'm good, that everything is okay, that I am right where I should be!
Evil shouts that message at me all the time. Yet only when I tune
out all the noise and listen to the still, small voice of God will I be able to
see clearly who and what I am. I am a sinner undone, saved by Grace.
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| Map Turtle |
Believe it! Mom and Dad have been there! Do you
really think you're the only person going through the stuff you're going
through?
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;
and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are
able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may
be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13 NASB
This is why Solomon begins this section with a caution:
Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's
teaching. (v. 8) He doesn't leave us there, but describes what that
instruction and teaching becomes: Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to
your head, and ornaments about your neck. (v. 9) I certainly wasn't a
perfect Dad! Far from it! But I loved my children. So instead
of teaching them from my wisdom (though I sometimes made that mistake and had
to apologize for it) but tried to teach them from Scripture. To do that I
had to walk the talk, and that was never easy for me. It's not easy for
them either, nor will it be easy for you.
Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good
morals." I Corinthians 15:33 NASB
Please understand that sinners will always entice you!
That's why Solomon speaks to us as a father here. "My son, if
sinners entice you, do not consent." Why do sinners want others
along? Probably because it eases the guilt if they can say
"everybody's doing it!" Verse 10 is a warning. Don't go
along with them. As you read the next verses you may think that the
example is extreme. It isn't! It's the truth!
If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood,
let us ambush the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
even whole, as those who go down to the pit; we shall find all kinds of
precious wealth, we shall fill our houses with spoil; throw in your lot with
us, we shall all have one purse." (vs. 11-14)
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by
God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt
anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by
his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and
when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my
beloved brethren. James 1:13-16 NASB
Sin carries with it the stench of death! Don't be
deceived. Sin is NEVER fun! It can NEVER fulfill anything. It
can only bring DEATH!
That's why Solomon continues: My son, do not walk in the
way with them. Keep your feet from their path, for their feet run to evil
and they hasten to shed blood. Indeed, it is useless to spread the net in
the eyes of any bird; but they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush
their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; it
takes away the life of its possessors. (vs. 15-19)
Mom and Dad have been there! They may not always be right,
but the teaching they give through the Word of God is always right and true.
I'm sure my children learned some bad habits from me, but I'm also sure
they learned that I believe God's Word is true, and I try to follow it.
At the beginning of this lesson in Proverbs I mentioned that I'm
not very good at listening. None of us are. We have to work at it.
If you are in the Word of God every single day He will speak to you.
Please, beloved grandchildren, above all else be students of the Word of
God. In these blessed pages you will find everything you need pertaining
to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His
own glory and excellence. (II Peter 1:3)
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