Know Your Temptations

(Pro 2:16 KJV)  To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

The Living Bible combines this verse with the next and, if you carefully clip, it starts off with a warning about flattery.  It tells us that only “the wisdom from the Lord” will keep us from disaster.  Since I have never been approached by a prostitute, at least in my knowledge, I don’t need advice to avoid them but other temptations are always present.

So the heart of the reminder is still beating strong.  The best defense we have against defeat and compromise is being saturated with the things of God.  I seek that daily in Psalms and Proverbs but you can find it almost anywhere in scripture.  I say “almost” because I am currently skimming through a portion of I Chronicles which lists off the names of officials in David’s government.  I am sure that even the Holy Spirit would be challenged to find something inspiring there.

So?  Fill up your tank with God’s wisdom and drive your life for the most effective mileage.  

Does He Need to Shout?

(Pro 1:15 KJV)  My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

Today I begin reading through Proverbs in the Living Bible.  Not the NLT, but the original.  I always enjoyed it and, because it admits it is a paraphrase, feel it has a place on my Bible shelf.  

Today the phrasing is slightly different.  It starts with a plea, not an order.  “Don’t do it, son!”  This tells me that God is addressing us here as adults, or at least older children, and not toddlers.  If a two year old reaches for a hot stove you might move quickly to slap his hand away or scream bloody murder to get him to stop.  If he is 25 a simple reminder that the stove has been on might be enough.

How does God talk to you?  Does He need to shout or is the still small voice enough to get your attention?

So?  Listen and apply in whatever way is necessary.