This is yesterday’s message given by Randall Creasey on James 1:2-4. We continue our study through the book of James.
One quote that I liked that Randall said, “When we are crying out to God through trials is making us more intimate with God.” How true it is.
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This chapter of Proverbs you will notice that wisdom now is addressed as a person or as she. Solomon is not pointing out wisdom as a person but the purpose is the glory of wisdom which reflects God’s glory.
Before the foundations of the World (22-31)
As we read the value of wisdom and to honor her (speaking about wisdom) what we truly see is that wisdom is from God. In verse 22 we see that God possessed me (wisdom) at the beginning of his works. We see that God who is infinitely wise had and used wisdom with creation. He did not just put things together and hope for things to work out. God actively and full of wisdom created! He knew what he was doing with the earth, the waters, the universe, and with us as humans. His wisdom is infinite and not created. When we look at creation it should reflect God’s wisdom. God gives us his creation as proof of his infinite wisdom.
We are to cherish and desire God’s wisdom, as it is better than jewels (vs11). We are to know true understanding (vs9). We are to hear this instruction and be wise, we are blessed and happy to follow after God’s instruction (vs32). Solomon also gives the warning if we do not follow after God’s wisdom which is perfect. The warning is what vs 36 says, “but he who fails to find me (wisdom) injures himself; all who hate me (wisdom)love death.” We should hear and listen to God’s wisdom which is perfect, not lacking in anything and through it we see true wisdom, God’s love for us demonstrated on the cross as Jesus died and rose again for our sin. Through that we have salvation, God’s wisdom is shown on the cross for us and that is where we need to start looking.
Here is Wednesday Nights message given by Brad Ormonde Jr. He takes a look at Psalm 119 as the benefits and importance of reading God’s Word
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In this chapter of Proverbs we read of practical points that Solomon wants his children to learn from.
He warns his son not to get into debt because it is controlling. This is very practical for us today as the individual debt of every American is rising. We should not owe anyone anything and we should not charge interest to those in need. Obviously there are certain things that I am pretty sure the average person can not pay for such as a house, but we should never be controlled by money but control money knowing all is from God. Luke 16:13 says, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” Be careful with money now, so you can handle it better when you are older. Remember all your stuff is from God, honor him with it.
Are you lazy? Look at how you spend your time, are you productive? This is something that everyone needs to look at, because it is easy to become lazy. Are you lazy with your school work? What about chores? What about for the kingdom of God? Ephesians 5:15 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Awake, couch potato , get to work for the Lord. Be an example in your work for school, home, and personal life. Like it says in vs 10-11 a little rest, a little sleep and poof poverty will pounce on you like a bandit. Spiritually speaking this is so true, be careful with your time. Read the Word everyday!
Solomon is talking about the habitual lier, the one that lies all the time and that can never tell the truth. They desire to lie so much that their life is a lie. Be careful and stay away from these people, they will deceive you and bring you into their life of lying and you will start becoming like them. Verse 14 talks about the heart of this type of person, “Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble. The end of these types of people is destruction just like the wicked. Be careful who your friends are and what they say.
What other things can you learn from this chapter of Proverbs, let me know.
The next few chapters the father is writing to his son with wisdom regarding the adulteress woman. These chapters can be applied both to guys and girls as purity is an issue that both deal with.
The Bible is clear about sin and what is sin. We live in a society that is very rampant with visual temptations for our flesh. We live in a society that does not look down upon sex outside of marriage. It can be very hard to keep focused on the right path (Proverbs 4:25-27) especially in purity. Purity is defined as dictionary.com says, “The condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes.” and I would add to our mind or body. We as believers know our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and we are to treat our bodies as pure vessels (1st Corinthians 6:19). This concept of fleeing from anything that can compromise our purity is being thrown out the window more and more today. As Solomon expressed deeply that, “[my son] pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you have learned.” We need to listen to these words from God’s Word as well so we can stay away from sin.
What we can learn from this chapter is that we need to not even toy with the idea of our purity. In verse 7 it says, “So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house!” Stay away from the things of the world. Hold fast to your gift of purity. Anyone can stumble and fall in this area, that is why you need to learn that boys or girls or evil, just kidding. You need to learn that our eyes should be on the Lord and not another person until they are your husband or wife. Watch yourself for it is easy to fall in this area. Watch yourself to know that you need help to keep pure. Have an accountability partner, talk to your parents and strong Christian friends. Make sure you are in the Word Everyday! Ask God to give you the strength to last and as Paul told Timothy, flee from sexual immorality (2nd Timothy 2:22)
In this Proverb, the father is instructing the son to listen to the wisdom, advice, and counsel given by him and his mother. He contrasts the way of the wicked in vs 16-17 and 19 which says, “For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. The way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over” with the way of the righteous which vs 18 says, “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”
Have you ever hiked before? I am not that big of a hiker, but I will occasionally go on hikes. The first time I went on a hike, which was an all day hike, I found myself getting tired and stumbling a lot. I had to look and stare at my feet constantly and view what was ahead in the path. I needed to know so I did not trip on rocks, or if the ground was uneven. The same is with our Christian walk. We know the Devil crawls around like a roaring lion, ready to devour and destroy us (1st Peter 5:8). As Solomon was writing for the reader, his son, to be warned and to know the consequences of sin, of wickedness. Psalm 1 says, “Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all that they do. But not the wicke! They are worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”
In closing as Solomon wrote to end this chapter, “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked keep your feet from evil.” Watch what is ahead of you, the Devil is smart and crafty and wants us to fall. Cling to the Lord and his Word as the word is light and guide to our path (Psalm 119:105). Read Everyday!
