Proverbs 24: 1-12
Do not be envious
of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
Nor desire to be with them;
Sometimes what
is evil actually looks like fun, like they are having such a good time, and who
are they hurting? They are having sex
with whoever they want, they drink and laugh and joke. They are even “there” for each other when
there is trouble – my Christian buddies aren’t always there for me! They don’t
make such demands on my, like those in the church do. They don’t judge me or expect more of
me. What can it hurt to be friends with
the unbeliever? That isn’t really being
yolked to them, we’re not married or anything!
And I don’t get drunk, in fact, usually I’m the designated driver, so
aren’t I doing a “good thing” hanging out with them? Being there to protect them and others from
harm? They know I’m Christian, I don’t
have to shove it down their throats or anything.
But the Lord
clearly advises us:
2 For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.
2 For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.
In fact, the
Lord wants the best for us, so He reveals that we need wisdom and knowledge to
live a good life, to “build a house”, a life, that is “worthy of the calling
with which we have been called” Ephesians 4:1
3 Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
And by understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
In fact, it is
wisdom that will give us the strength to withstand evil, and to recognize the
need to avoid those who chose evil over God and His truth. Because we are engaged in a spiritual battle
every minute of every day, even when we fail to recognize that truth. To fight a winning WAR you need strength and
not physical strength but spiritual strength which only comes from the Lord
Himself! So don’t be FOOLISH….
7 Wisdom is too
lofty for a fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate.
He does not open his mouth in the gate.
Don’t let evil
people inch you into evil. That’s how it
happens, it’s just one tiny step in the “wrong” direction, then another tiny
step, and soon you are in full blown evil!
8 He who plots to do evil
Will be called a schemer.
9 The devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
Will be called a schemer.
9 The devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If you faint
in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.
Your strength is small.
You WILL faint
in the day of adversity, because your strength in your flesh is very small and
very weak. Only in the power of the Holy
Spirit will you find the strength you need to do the work the Lord has called
you to do. And that work is important!
11 Deliver those who are
drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
This is the
purpose, the plan of God, the command Jesus left His disciples with! Be witnesses of Him, that people would
receive salvation-LIFE, because they are stumbling along toward eternal death
otherwise!
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
God knows our hearts. He gives
us the desire of our hearts, it is His Holy Spirit that works in us to will
(want to) and do (action) His good and perfect will.
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
Talk about your
treasure in Heaven! We obey, reap the
Harvest to His Glory and we receive RICH REWARD for our obedience to Him!
