Words of wisdom from King Solomon.
Here is an audio link for today’s post.
Memory verses for this week – Proverbs 4:20-27
Attempting to memorize seven verses may seem to be an impossible task. But stick with me till the end of this devotional. You will see how easy this week’s memory verse challenge can be.
Find a friend to memorize scripture with. This can help you accomplish your goal, and it will provide a time to share the encouragement of God’s Word with another believer.
However, the most important thing is to take God’s Word into your own heart. Consume it. Study it. And as always, pray over it.
The key verse for this week leads us to ask a question.
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
Proverbs 4:19
Did the question occur to you as you read the verse?
The question that should come to mind is: Who are the wicked?
We assume that we know who they are. You might name people like murderers, human traffickers, and thieves. We might also think of merciless dictators or corrupt politicians. Those certainly are wicked people.
But when Scripture refers to the wicked, it is referring to people who have rejected Christ. These people seek the pleasures of the world. They hate the righteousness of God. At the very least, they see themselves as good people with no need for God.
Satan guides the footsteps of the wicked. Most of them don’t even recognize him. All they know is their deepest desire is to have the things of the world.
This desire for having things begins with prideful self-determination. You know, people who want to have the ultimate control of their own destiny.
But they are not controlling anything. Satan is their father. He has laid claim to their destiny.
“… the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.“
1 John 5:19
So, add some of these to the list of the wicked: benevolent people, preachers, church goers, the young and old, famous, wealthy and beautiful people, too.
The wicked, in the pride of his face,
has no room in his thoughts for God.
Psalm 10:4
If those people that I just described, have rejected Jesus as their Savior, then they are the wicked. They have given the control of their lives to Satan.
That sounds harsh, doesn’t it?
Why is it that even some seemingly good people are considered wicked by God’s standard?
Because goodness is not measured by human effort. The Bible tells us that no one is righteous. (Romans 3:10)
What has made the difference for believers? Afterall, believers still sin.
Jesus’ blood, shed for sinners and our faith to believe it has made us righteous in God’s sight. Because of that we have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:14)
Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
2 Peter 1:10
That is why the warnings from Proverbs 4 are so important for believers.
In Proverbs 4, Solomon speaks by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Although the passages seem like instructions from himself, he was granted spiritual wisdom from God.
When Solomon tells his son, “…listen to my words”, he simply means that these are life-giving words from God. They are for every believer.
How to walk in the power of God:
- My son, attend to my words.
- Turn your ear to my sayings.
- Let them not depart from your eyes.
- Keep them in the center of your heart.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.
Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it is the wellspring of life.
- Put away from yourself a perverse mouth.
- Put corrupt lips far from you.
- Let your eyes look straight ahead.
- Fix your gaze directly before you.
- Make the path of your feet level.
- Let all of your ways be established.
Proverbs 4:19-27
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
World English Bible (WEB)
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Statement of Faith
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 