Danger in Dependability

(Pro 7:20 KJV)  He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

This adulteress had a husband that she could depend on.  He was gone on business and she knew how long he would be gone by the money he took with him.  I would imagine he also told her when he would return.  She knew she could count on him to be true to his word.  She used his dependability to betray him.

Does that mean that we need to get sneaky and mysterious?  Does that mean that our wives should just guess when we will get home from work?  I don’t think so.  I think it is more of a warning for us that people will take advantage of our good side as well as exploit our weaknesses.  Have you learned to turn the other cheek?  Will people take advantage?  Yes.  Does that mean we abandon the path of righteousness?  No.

So?  Expect people to manipulate you even when you are doing what is right.  We are surrounded by an evil world and one of the Devil’s names is Schemer.

Adultery = Destruction

(Pro 6:32 KJV)  But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

I will be honest with you.  I have never been seriously tempted to commit actual adultery.  I am sure I have “lusted in my heart” to a degree and Jesus says that is just as bad.  But to actually go out and get physically involved with a woman I was not married to?  Never happen.  It was hard enough getting involved with the woman I married.

Maybe you are different.  I think that most people have drunk the kool aide sold by the movies and literature and think that people are more sexually active than they are.  The point here is that the standard of God is simple, clear and eternal.  Adultery is a sin.  Adultery is sex outside of marriage.  Marriage is between a man and a woman. 

So?  Be aware that there is a massive campaign to destroy the institutions of marriage and the family.  Don’t buy into the lie either actively or passively.  The lie leads to destruction of you as a person, the family you have and the society you live in. 

Pawns Must Repent, Too

(Pro 5:22 KJV)  His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

I don’t know what you personally believe about the doctrines of election and the atonement.  I don’t know if deep down inside you feel that we are “helpless pawns in the hands fate” or focus on the phrase “whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish.”  Do you believe in free will?  No? 

It doesn’t really matter.  You still must deal with the point made in this verse.  It is your own “iniquities” (5771) that will condemn you.  Whether you were chosen to be a sinner (or not chosen to be in the elect) or whether you have acted in a God-given free will, it is your sins that will “take” (capture NASB) (3920) you.

The point isn’t to emphasize the sin but to remind you that you also are given the cure.  If you have not repented and trusted in Jesus, He is still waiting.  You are responsible but inadequate.  He is innocent, adequate and willing.

So?  Make sure that the sin has been dealt with.

No Texting While Living

(Pro 4:21 KJV)  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Our spiritual lives are made up of many decisions, just like the rest of life.  The previous verses are loaded with instructions and warnings.  Here we are reminded that we must remain vigilant.  Sometimes we get so into the concept of grace and the sovereignty of God that we get sloppy and zoned out.  We have all experienced it when driving.  You have those moments where you suddenly realize you have not been paying attention.  You have been driving on autopilot.

That is bad enough but what about the times when you are checking your phone or your I-pod and the car in front of you suddenly stops.  That kind of thing can happen in your ethical and moral life too. 

So?  Keep focused.  Keep the word of God in front of our eyes.  Find ways to remind yourself during the day. 

Righteous Results

(Pro 3:10 KJV)  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

What is the default result of righteousness?  If you look back through the previous verses you see a lot of instructions in actions and priorities.  Now the rubber meets the road.  Living the way God wants you to live produces prosperity.  That is a simple fact.

That is the default, not necessarily the guaranteed result.  Keep in mind that we live in a fallen world.  People will be jealous.  Think of Joseph’s brothers after he got the coat.  Think of the guy at work after you got the raise.  Think of the third world toward the United States. 

So?  If you follow the Lord for the financial benefits it might work now but you miss the entire point.  At the same time, righteousness works.  Give it a chance. 

Pick Your Path

(Pro 2:20 KJV)  That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

Is this your goal today?  Really?  Do you want someone watching you to say that you have demonstrated the “good” (2896a) and the “righteous” (6662) or would you rather have them admire your style?  Would you rather be thought cool than upright?

Sometimes we mess up because that is the desire of our heart.  We think that traditional virtues such as prudence and chastity are so old school.  We want to be with it.  So we do not seek to follow the way God would have us go.

(Jas 4:2 KJV)  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

So?  Take a moment to examine your goals and attitudes for today.  Only you know what the real desires of your heart are.  Only God hears what you are really asking for.  If the results are in order, praise God.  If you find dissonance, then repentance is in order. 

Fools Come in All Months

(Pro 1:20 KJV)  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

This brings to mind an example Jesus gives of the judgment day.  Check out this familiar verse.

(Mat 25:32 KJV)  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

He was breaking down those before Him into two groups:  The sheep and the goats.  What divides them is how they had ministered to Him.  It is interesting that they both ask basically the same question.  The righteous asked it in verse 37 and the rest in verse 44.

(Mat 25:44 KJV)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Both had heard the word proclaimed.  One had responded with an obedient spirit.  The other tried to find rational for avoiding the basic truth.

So?  God is speaking to you.  You know enough wisdom to live the day.  Are you going to obey or rationalize.  Remember, “I didn’t know” will not work on judgment day.  When I finished this I realized it would be posted on April Fools' day.