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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2019 6:24:25 GMT -6
“My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend” (Proverbs 6:1-3 KJV).
This chapter in Proverbs is hard on men and women. Now, there is two things here that will get you in trouble, that you need to notice, and they both begin with “m.” The one is money and the other is your mouth.
Now there is one thing that you DO NOT want to be sure of, and another that you DO want to be sure of. You want to be sure of keeping your friend, and you don’t want to be get involved with another kind of surety—let’s look at some other verses and see if we can catch it.
“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure” (Proverbs 11:15 KJV). Here it is a stranger, in chapter 6 it is a friend. You are not to be a surety for anybody. Notice that suretyship is something you get involved with; it is being a co-signer on a loan. It deals with credit.
Chapter six is not only hard on co-signing on a loan, it is also pretty hard on loans period. Before you get very far down here, it says, “consider the ant.” In other words, go to work, eat what you HAVE and don’t eat no more. It is the wise man that learned long ago to get out from under credit cards. If you have credit cards, you are going to have credit. And they are anything but “easy payments,” they are “difficult payments.” It used to be in America that before you could file for bankruptcy, you had to go and sit before a referee, and he would determine whether you outgo was equal to your income and he would determine whether you could file for bankruptcy. If you could, they would dissolve your assets in hopes to straighten you out—it usually didn’t.
One bank referee was asked, “Why do most people file for bankruptcy?” He said, “Young people want to get married and acquire everything in a few months what it took their parents years, if not decades, to achieve. Suddenly, these young people have more purchasing power than they have ever had in their lives, and they are simply overcome with all the things that are available to buy. Before long, they have spent more than they can ever make.” He said, “That is the case in 80 to 90% of the cases. Nobody warns them, or they simply don’t listen, and they find themselves in trouble.”
But, see, if you are a Bible believer, the Bible will warn you about these things. The longer a man is a Christian, the less he ought to want to deal with credit. A Christian is to be a good steward over the money that God gives him, which he earns from the job that God supplied to him. Some things are unavoidable—such as a home. When the Bible speaks of “food and raiment,” raiment is a covering. Not only does it cover your body in the sense of clothing, it also covers you in the sense of a home, a roof over your head. But when you begin to purchase things on credit that you don’t really need, and usually that is what you are buying when you buy on credit . . . “wants” instead of “needs” . . . things you could really do without. When you use credit, you pay more for the object than it is really costs. You begin to spend a great deal of money on “interest.” Much more than you realize, and much more than you even want to know. All folks want are those 36 easy payments and “give it to me now!” “The first payment isn’t due until next month! Glory to God! Hallelujah! I want to go bass fishing and I “NEED” that boat!”
Most of us that take out a mortgage to buy a house will end up paying double for that house before it is all done. That can’t always be helped but consider all the interest on all the other credit cards and it becomes overwhelming.
So, to be a good steward. And really, you can often get the best buys by paying cash for things.
Anyway, the warning is to be real careful of surety or suretyship. And that is where someone is selling something on a promise to pay, an assure, that is, I’m sure he is going to pay because I checked out his assets. It’s hard to understand about credit anyway, you can really borrow unless you have collateral. If you have that, why don’t you spend that?
“My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth” (Proverbs 6:1-2 KJV).
“Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecc 5:5 KJV).
Now, if you vow to back up someone else’s loan and they default—you have to pay it. It’s better to keep your mouth shut and not volunteer. You have to pay, because you vowed to do it. You would have been better off not to do it, then to have to pay if they don’t. You know how you deliver yourself? You just don’t get into it. The best cure is an ounce of prevention—just don’t get into it.
Do you know why a bank requires a co-signer? Because they don’t believe the person asking for the loan can pay for it. Now, that ought to tell you something.
“A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend” (Proverbs 17:18 KJV).
When you co-sign for a friend and he defaults, you lose a friend. You not only end up making the payments, you also lose a friend. Don’t lose a friend.
“Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts” (Proverbs 22:26 KJV).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2019 6:18:01 GMT -6
“Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon” (Proverbs 7:15-17 KJV).
Notice that there are three times that she speaks specifically to him. She is hoping to make him think that she is out there looking for him especially. She isn’t. She is most likely out there looking for anything that walks. But when she found him, she flattered him, as we saw in verse 5, “which flattereth with her words.” A really good salesman knows how to flatter his customers when they walk in the door, but he just wants to get you to buy something.
Sin can be rewarding. There’s a whole lot of folks making a bunch of money through sin. These so-called “record artists” are making millions selling flattery. And the crazy thing is that people that they have never met actually think that they are singing to them and flattering them with their music. What they are doing is selling them a lie straight from hell with all their free love and irresponsible lifestyles. It is like this woman in our text. She is just chewing on his ego, “Oh, I’m just waiting for you, honey!” And one reason the fool is a fool is because he believes her.
That’s the way sin is. It is tailor-made just for its victim. It’s just waiting for him to come by. It is you that is going to get the big prize. It is you that is going to get the big reward. It is you that is going to get to feel really, really good if you partake of what sin is offering. One of the big problems though, not only does it condemn the partaker, but it never, ever satisfies.
“I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry,” pillows and cushions. Sin never shows its harsh realities, or its sharp edges—it always shows it soft, beautiful features. Liquor bottles don’t show the word “Poison” in a flaming red bottle to indicate danger—they are in attractive containers with French titles, to show their aristocratic features. The harlot’s bed is not a plain old mattress with the markings of disease and debauchery-stains, but with the silk trappings of desirable fabrics. She is all decked out:
“And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD” (Hosea 2:13 KJV).
“I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt,” linen of Egypt, speaking of the world and its trappings. The saint desires the fine linen of the righteousness of the saints.
Not only can sin be rewarding, but sin can be respectable. Sin is most often presented as attractive and appealing, most respectable. Her room isn’t a flophouse dive, it is uptown, it is an upholstered sewer—but a sewer, nonetheless.
“I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon,” at the first, sin is not repugnant; it is appealing to the senses. Not, at least, until the young man is hooked and under its addictive powers. Myrrh speaks of a coming calamity, and it is certainly coming for this fellow. The embalming fluid of the Bible. Her perfumed bed was death in the pot, but he was too big of a fool to notice.
Again, word to the wise, sin at the beginning does not appear repugnant, but it’s true nature and power soon becomes apparent to the one it traps. Don’t be trapped by sin!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2019 7:16:09 GMT -6
“For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them” (Proverbs 8:7-8 KJV).
This should immediately put us in mind of Job: “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil . . . But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips” (Job 1:1, 2:10 KJV).
Job eschewed evil. Lester Roloff said that if he had anything that wasn’t supposed to be in his mouth, he spit it out.
“wickedness is an abomination to my lips,” that’s a pretty honorable mouth, those are lips that are dedicated to the Lord.
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness,” I don’t believe we can apply this to any single believer walking on this earth—it can only be speaking of one person. This means that all their words are right, they are from the right motive, they have the right perspective. Solomon has talked about things that wisdom speaks, or Christ speaks, or God speaks. Notice in verse 6, “I will speak of excellent things,” so you can count on the fact that God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible will always speak “excellent things,” and remember that from vs. 6-36, this whole passage is speaking about Jesus Christ as the very presence of wisdom.
Why would someone want to spend all of their time in front of a TV, or a magazine, or a radio, or a newspaper that can’t possibly speak “excellent things?” Folks in this computer age like to talk about “garbage in, garbage out.” If you fill your heart and mind with the things of God, what do you think is going to come out? About all you are going to get from the world’s media are “bad news.”
Yet, our Bibles lay on the shelfs speaking “excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.” But unfortunately, their owners are not listening. Speaking things that are right, not wrong. You can trust them, you can count on them, you can bank on them, and you can benefit from them in times of trouble, times of despair, and times of decision. Why would we want anything else? They are right—they are excellent.
“For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips,” Jesus will never lie to you. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2 KJV). The Holy Spirit will never lead you in the wrong direction. Then He says, “there is nothing froward or perverse in them.”
Of course, the Bible is God’s inspired Word and we can trust it just as much as God speaking, in fact, we can trust it even more. I know that is a heavy load on a biblical scholar that is trusting more in his own brain, but Peter said: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy . . .” (II Peter 1:19 KJV). Surer than what, Peter? God speaking from heaven in verse 17. That is to say, the Bible we have that were written by holy men of God are more sure than God speaking from heaven. How can that be? Because, not only did God say it, but He wrote it, and now you have two immutable truths. Not only what He said, but also what He wrote down. In the mouth of two witnesses, everything shall be established.
The Word of God is more sure than a voice from heaven. You know, the Devil might speak to you, he’s up there, according to chapter one of Job. Don’t be deceived. You’ve got the Book!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2019 7:38:58 GMT -6
“She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table” (Proverbs 9:2 KJV).
“She hath killed her beasts,” you find beasts in the Tribulation (Revelation chapter 13). I don’t know about the church doing that, I don’t even know about Israel doing that. Now, the Lord Jesus Christ does that. He kills both the beast (Antichrist) and the false prophet in Revelation chapter 19. We can also apply this allegorically. When you get to building a good home for God, God will keep the beasts (boogeymen) away from the door.
She is also providing food. Christ provides food for us. Supernatural food was provided for the children of Israel in the wilderness—manna. In like manner, He provides supernatural food for His church. It also comes down from heaven, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psa 119:89 KJV). It’s a heavenly Book!
A missionary on deputation approached a pastor about presenting his work in his church. He told the preacher that he uses an ASV and the King James Bible to study. The preacher informed him that he could not present his mission in his church because they reserve that privilege to those that exclusively use the King James Version. Most missionaries have access to many churches, but those that by faith use the KJB are limited in where they can be invited.
The missionary accepted that decision but did have one question about the questionnaire he had been sent from the church. Question 1 asked, “Do you believe that the King James Bible is infallible?” He said, “You know, I never really thought about that. Man, that has really put me in a corner.” He said, “I have always believed that the Bible is infallible.” The preacher asked, “Yes, but which one?” They talked for about an hour, but the young missionary could not come to grips with the fact that the Bible is a supernatural book.
God not only supplied the children of Israel with supernatural bread, but He has also supplied the church with supernatural bread from heaven. Even in the Tribulation, God is going to feed the Jewish saints, “Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness” (Psa 74:14 KJV). God is in the habit of supplying bread to his people.
“She hath mingled her wine.” Christ is the personification of wisdom, the love of Christ is compared to wine, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine” (Son 1:2 KJV). “For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping” (Psa 102:9 KJV). The Lord Jesus Christ shed many tears for us, let alone shedding His Blood to purchase our salvation. The new wine is a picture of that Blood—not fermented, but pure fruit of the vine.
The picture is all about Jesus Christ preparing something good and wonderful for His guest.
“She hath also furnished her table,” She is getting ready for something. She has prepared her meat.
“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son [God the Father prepared a banquet for His Son], And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner [Just as we read in our passage in Proverbs]: my oxen and my fatlings are killed [There are your beasts], and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage” (Mat 22:1-9 KJV).
The picture here is, the first guests that God invited to His prepared feast was the nation of Israel, but they rejected His invitation. Based upon their rejection, He decided to go to the Gentiles for a couple thousand years. So His servants have been out in the highways and the by-ways preparing a Bride for His Son.
“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen” (Mat 22:10-14 KJV).
There appears to be a very strong connection between Proverbs 9 and Matthew 22.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2019 4:56:50 GMT -6
“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death” (Proverbs 10:2 KJV).
All the wealth in the world that you could get by wickedness wouldn’t profit you anything. Take these guys that pulled off the biggest heist in history, and soon after got caught. What did it profit them? A few more decades in prison? One guy was caught within a day, and the other guy was hunted like an animal until they got him also. The only thing they have to show for it is maybe a paragraph in Guinness Book of World Records . . . the biggest heist in history. I can guarantee you that that is not much consolation for a guy spending his life in jail.
“What does it profit for a man to gain the whole world and lose his very soul?” How long is eternity compared to the 60-70 years we spend down here? And even in that span, you can’t really enjoy this time with wealth got the wrong way. There are too many testimonies of men that gained their riches the wrong way. Most of us are aware of the Kennedy family and the horrible things that followed them. Read the book, “Intrepid” which tells of the things that the communist Joe Kennedy did to harm both England and the United States, probably worse than all the Panzer tanks and the Luftwaffe put together. Joe Kennedy was our ambassador to England, and that rascal . . . while England was fighting for their lives, he was telling America that they should not get involved. If England would have fallen, the whole country would have been wrapped up in Hitler’s hands.
Even with England eventually on our side, it still took us four years to get on the mainland to defeat the Reich. And then, Joe made his riches from bootleg whiskey, and it cost him three of his sons tragically. He trained all of his sons to be president. His first son died in World War II. He was flying a bomb. He flipped the switch to arm it, but it blew up before he could get to the door. His next son, we know, was killed by an assassin in Dallas, and another was shot during the primaries. His last son was a drunkard that caused the death of a young woman in a car he was driving drunk, and eventually died of brain cancer. The curse of the Kennedy family was real.
“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,” it doesn’t no matter how much the world may tell you that stolen waters are sweeter, it’s a blind alley and a dead-end street. Many saved later in life can speak from experience. So many times, they walked down those streets, and those alleys, and listened to the world say that we could find pleasure, and we could find happiness—but there was never any fulfillment in those things. A man could sit in a bar amongst hundreds of people and still be as lonely as any person out in the pacific on an island by themselves. The world promises, but it can’t deliver.
“. . . righteousness delivereth from death,” All the riches in the world can’t deliver you from death, but righteousness can. We are going to live forever. Paul died a pauper, the only thing he asked for before his death was the parchments. That was all he had in this world. This issue is not how are you going to live, but how are you going to die? Paul had treasures laid up in store for him in heaven. How about you?
“Riches profit not,” isn’t that something? Yet, every time any thinks of riches they immediately think of profit. Now, they will profit you if you invest them in the Lord’s work—they’ll profit then—they’ll profit other people, souls will be saved, and you’ll reap a great reward. And likely there’ll be some benefits here and now.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2019 8:19:25 GMT -6
“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death” (Proverbs 11:4 KJV).
There are three days that every person will have to face.
(1) The day of death—when the death angel comes to take you, riches will not profit you. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:7-10 KJV). (2) The day of judgment—when a man stands alone before the piercing eyes of God at the Great White Throne, riches will not profit him. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:12-15 KJV). It doesn’t matter who is there, God is not interested in their fame, and it didn’t matter how much was in their bank account, God is not interested in their money. God is only interested in their sin account and whether or not their name is written down in the Lamb’s Book of life marking the date when they accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. If that name can not be found, the Bible says then that they are judged by their works.
(3) At the edge of the Lake of Fire, riches will not profit a man. All their millions will be unable to purchase even a single drop of water. You take the rich man over in Luke 16, his riches did not profit him on the day of his death. It won’t profit him on the day of judgment, and riches won’t profit him as he gazes upon the Lake of fire. His riches probably put him in that situation quicker than if he never even had any money.
“Riches profit not,” isn’t that something? Yet, every time any thinks of riches they immediately think of profit. Now, they will profit you if you invest them in the Lord’s work—they’ll profit then—they’ll profit other people, souls will be saved, and you’ll reap a great reward. And likely there’ll be some benefits here and now.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2019 5:47:57 GMT -6
“A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones” (Proverbs 12:4 KJV).
Proverbs 31 is where the characteristics of a virtuous woman are fully described. A virtuous woman is a good woman. She is not only good internally but also does good externally. That she is a “crown to her husband” means that she brings honor and respect to her husband. We find later that he is known in the gates. It is better to have a good woman than to have great riches. If a man has riches with a bad woman, his riches may not stand for long. It also speaks to the fact that her husband deserves that place of authority. She is a good woman and she chose well. She is his crown, and that makes him a king.
When a husband treats his woman right, and dwells with her according to knowledge, and loves her the way he is supposed to love her; then, when she does him good it is a crown for him. It speaks of his righteousness and his proper treatment of her.
“. . . but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones,” it doesn’t matter how much money a man has, if he doesn’t have a good woman, it is rotten. “Rottenness in his bones,” did you ever get a deep pain? Those fleshly wounds are something you can pretty much deal with. They hurt for a little while, but they ease up and heal eventually. Those pains and aches down in the bones are a totally different thing, and you are reminded of them every time the weather changes a little. They are the ones that get you. They are just there to stay, and they are continual. I doubt there is anything worse that a severe case of arthritis. When your pains get down in your bones, you have a problem.
And when a man has a wife that constantly makes him ashamed by her actions and her attitudes, he has a real problem.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2019 5:34:34 GMT -6
“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches” (Proverbs 13:7).
“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing,” there are three examples in the New Testament of persons that made themselves rich in a material sense, yet had nothing, really. When it came down to life and death and sin and hell, or heaven—they were broke—penniless. Who were they?
1. The rich man in Luke 16. 2. The rich young ruler in Matthew 19. 3. The rich farmer of Luke 12.
All three of those men were rich, but in reality, they had nothing. When it came to the true riches—eternal life, peace, and a relationship with God—they had nothing. We might even add Simon from Acts 8, he had religion, but it didn’t do him any good either.
“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing,” the warning, as far as the Christian goes, is found in First Timothy 6 where we are warned about riches: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (vss. 9-10).
If a person is only interested in becoming rich, he is headed for disaster and destruction—especially if he uses religion as a means to that end. There are plenty of religious charlatans and prosperity gospel preachers out there that are making shipwreck of their lives, even though they may war a diamond ring and drive the most expensive cars.
The way to be rich is to be rich toward the Lord and in spiritual things—spiritual work and spiritual blessings—laying up treasure in heaven for all eternity.
“. . . there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches,” do we know Who this is referring to? Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (II Corinthians 8:9). The Creator of the universe, the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, yet “the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).
We can add the Apostles to this list: “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (II Corinthians 6:10).
You may sacrifice a great deal for the salvation of other people, and you may become poor. One man lived in an efficiency apartment in New York his whole life yet gave over a million dollars to missions. Only eternity knows how many souls will be in heaven because of his sacrifice. Believe me, it will be worth every dime! He lived in a one-room apartment. By the world’s standard, he had nothing—yet he had great riches in a heavenly bank account.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2019 5:24:45 GMT -6
“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated” (Proverbs 14:17).
“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishisly,” now the Bible doesn’t say that it is wrong to be angry, there is a right anger and a wrong anger. In Matthew there is he that is “angry without a cause,” and is in danger of the judgment. It is right to be angry when there is a cause. A Christian ought to be angry about sin. A Christian ought to be angry about the course of our country. We ought to be angry about the direction that the church is taking. It stinks!
The only provision, however, is not to “let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). That is, don’t become so angry that you become an angry man. When a man goes to sleep angry that anger becomes part of his makeup. Don’t live in anger. It is good to be upset about what is going on but rejoice at the God things that God is doing. The Devil will always push the envelope. If he sees you are angry, he’ll do whatever he can to stoke the fires. Don’t let him.
“Be ye angry but sin not,” have a balance. Don’t live all your life being angry at what the government is doing, or at the state of the church in America. You just take care of your little acre that God has given you. There isn’t anything wrong with a temper. Good steel is tempered. We are to rule the spirit, not ruin it. Here are some verses regarding anger in the Bible.
“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly” (Proverbs 14:29).
“A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame” (Proverbs 12:16).
“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife” (Proverbs 15:18).
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (Proverbs 27:4).
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22).
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26).
Never allow yourself to get mad before you know both sides of an issue.
“. . . and a man of wicked devices is hated,” this is a man that can’t control himself and brings about wickedness. Nobody likes a bad man.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2019 5:29:39 GMT -6
“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding” (Proverbs 15:31-32).
“The ear that heareth [will listen] the reproof of life [or about life, on how to get life and to live long] abideth among the wise,” let us not forget the importance of reproof: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2).
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16-17).
“He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul,” he is his own worst enemy. They just won’t listen to truth. They are taken captive by the Devil by their own will. They willingly turn themselves over to the Devil: “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (II Timothy 2:25-26).
“. . . but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding,” he learns about sin, he learns about the wages of sin. He gets understanding, and then he flees from and gets away from those things that are evil.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2019 5:23:24 GMT -6
“Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it” (Proverbs 16:13-14).
“Righteous lips are the delight of kings,” A man that speaks right should be a delight to kings in general, that is true, as they need good counselors. Joseph’s advice and Daniel’s advice bless their kings and they were elevated because of it. It doesn’t pay to be a liar. There will always be Ahab’s that want their counselors to tell them what they want to hear, but a good king will want to hear what he needs to hear—whether it be pleasant to the ears or not.
“. . . and they love him that speaketh right,” that just makes sense.
“The wrath of a king is as messengers of death,” now God is the true king of the world, though presently the Devil is usurping the role as “the god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4). When God sends a soul to hell it is a divine sentence of the king, and it is right. I guarantee when God gets mad at a man, he best look out. God controls the death angel.
In the physical sense, if the king were to issue a proclamation against you—whether a monarch or a President—you would be hunted down.
“. . . but a wise man will pacify it,” a wise man will pacify the wrath of a king. Now we can apply this to a sinner. God is mad at every sinner, and in His wrath He will sent every one of them to hell. What does the wise man do? When a man obeys the Scriptures and becomes wise unto salvation, that pacifies the wrath of the King. The King’s wrath has already been poured on His own Son—the Prince. To reject that great act on God’s part is one source for all that wrath. But to receive the sacrifice of Jesus Christ will pacify God’s wrath and His relation to the sinner will change from that of Judge to Father, as the sinner is adopted into God’s forever family.
First the sinner accepts the King’s condemnation of himself, and then freely received the King’s pardon which is available to whomsoever will come, but often it takes a wise man in the role of a soulwinner to present the terms of man’s surrender to the King.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2019 5:18:25 GMT -6
“A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue” (Proverbs 17:4).
When we hear another repeat some slanderous thing, they have heard about another person we are often shocked to discover that the only justification for believing it is that the hearer wanted to believe it. A thing does not have to be true to be believed in today’s society, it only has to seem like it “could” be true. Sadly, it is easier for some to believe lies than not.
What is the reason for this? The lives of some people are so commendable that the only way that others can feel better about themselves is to sully the former’s reputation—so they spread the vilest of rumors as though they were true. Our text identifies these as wicked. If we permit ourselves to listen to these fanciful allegations, are we any better?
Solomon has much to say about this in the Book of Proverbs:
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
“The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness” (Proverbs 10:31-32).
“The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble . . . Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:13, 22).
“A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Proverbs 18:6-7).
So, in our text for today, the more condemnation isn’t upon the speaker of these things, but rather upon him that would listen to such things.
This condemnation can be carried further. Much of what we call music in our society is nothing more than wicked speech set to melody. Do we listen to this and allow it to dirty our brains over and over again with its underlying message? Country music is notorious with its lyrics about adultery, alcohol abuse, and on and on. Some music is so bad that it even has “Parental Advisory” notices on it to warn us. No one should listen to that trash, not even parents.
The Motion Picture Industry is no better. It is difficult to see even a children’s movie without seeing a warning that it is unsafe for kids under 13! Cinematic themes are crime, murder, sexual deviancy, witchcraft, demonic activity, etc., etc., etc. Do we pay our money to go in and see these things? Do we sit down and listen to God’s Word being preached and taught for a couple of hours on Sunday morning and then spend the rest of our week listening and repeating the trash of this wicked, evil world?
Once again, Proverbs is not an easy book. It often meddles with our complacency. It hits us where it hurts and often where we are most vulnerable. Of course, our response could be— “Oh, that’s just your opinion!” or it could be:
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalms 51:1-7).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2019 5:56:57 GMT -6
“A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16).
“A man's gift maketh room for him,” if you have money, you can get into places.
A man’s gift will get you into heaven: “The gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:23). It will make room for you up there, where you’ll have an inheritance that is preserved and prepared for you: “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4).
Then, a man’s gift make room in heaven. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). I like mansions, I don’t care for the new Bibles that call them rooms.
“. . . and bringeth him before great men,” spiritually, I could care less about some great names if they rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, but I’m thinking of great men that not only were great historically, but also great in the kingdom of God. We are going to meet men like Charles Spurgeon, and D. L. Moody, and others who being dead yet speaketh through their preserved words. Every once in while you read a question, like, “What person in history do you wish you could meet, either living or dead.” I don’t wish, I know! I’m going to look upon the face of the greatest Man that ever lived when I behold my Saviour face-to-face in glory. And it is all because of the gift of God which is eternal life.
Carnally, of course, this verse is speaking of bribes that can get you before big politicians and big businessmen.
Jesus told his disciples in Matthew: “But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you” (Matthew 10:17-20).
Those disciples had gifts, they had been given power by God, and they had a message so because of that, you’ll be brought before kings. God said of Paul the same things: “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2019 5:53:18 GMT -6
“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1 KJV).
Any time we see the word “better,” it is giving some comparison in life and giving you something true about life, that many people don’t see. Verse 1 is comparing a rich man to a poor man, so what he is saying is that it is better to be poor and have integrity, than to be rich and be perverted, and be a fool. Some people would trade their integrity for money, and some people would sell themselves for money, but all they are really doing is selling themselves to another’s control, abuse, and someone else’s use where they can’t really be free.
When we were saved, we became free. Christ made us free, the Word of God makes us free. A man that sells out for money has also sold away his freedom. He’s captive of his own lusts.
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (I Timothy 6:9 KJV).
It’s a never-ending game of trying to get money and trying to keep money, and to keep everybody else away from it, and to cut corners to get it. And all it does is draw a man into a big trap and a snare, until it destroys him.
“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,” integrity is honesty, being upright, being truthful (not cutting a corner or lying to make money). It’s better to be poor and honest, than to be rich and crooked.
When we look at the story of the rich man and Lazarus, for 40-50-60 years it looked like the rich man was living on top of the world. But, in the end it was the rich man that went to hell and Lazarus went to paradise. Of course, under the Old Testament system, a man’s righteousness was his salvation, it was a whole lot better to be poor and to walk in one’s integrity.
Now, that’s not saying it is good to be poor. Don’t go out and sell all your things and think that that is somehow going to give you character. The poor man that walks in his integrity is a man that has character whether he is poor or rich. He does right whether he is poor or rich. Paul had good things to say of some that are rich: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (I Timothy 6:17-18 KJV).
A good man that has integrity will do good. And if he has money, he will use it properly, and he’ll use it for God’s glory. He won’t mishandle it or misuse it for his own lusts. So character is really the key to the whole situation. Peter said, “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Act 10:35 KJV). Cornelius got in and got the gospel because, even though he was a lost hell-bound sinner, he wanted to do right if he knew to do right—there was a desire in him to do right—and that kind of man will be open to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
These axioms that begin with the word, “better,” are frequently found in the book of Proverbs (12:9, 15:16-17, 16:18-19, 17:1, 21:9, 19. We are better off having character than coin.
Usually, a man that has character can earn a good living. He may have lean times for awhile, he may even run into some bad fortune, but eventually he will make money and be content with what he has. “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6 KJV). People in business are more likely to hire an honest man than someone they know is crooked.
Certainly, there are poor people without character, and a poor man in this situation will steal. “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Proverbs 30:8-9 KJV). Some poor feel cheated and steal because they believe they are just getting what’s owed to them and feels justified in doing it. A man that has integrity won’t do it. He’ll go out and grow something, if need be, but he won’t steal.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2019 5:48:46 GMT -6
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing” (Proverbs 20:4).
This man is just looking for a reason to be lazy, “therefore, shall he beg in harvest.” Now, sometimes it isn’t any fun to get out there in the springtime and plow that hard ground. You just can’t wait for that 60-70-degree weather—it’ll be too late. That old Farmer’s Almanac will tell you when to get out there and plow that seed and you’d better get out there. If you want the crop to come up right and have the best possible conditions and the most rain—there is a good time to plant corn and there is the best time to plant beans—and that is when you need to do it. You have to do it at the right time, whether it is cold, or it is warm. Farming is not a lazy man’s calling.
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold,” if a lazy man is looking for a reason, any reason is good enough for them.
“. . . therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing,” this is a good soul-winning text. Some personal workers will not plow in the cold. That certainly applies to the folks that you will be trying to reach. Now, I realize that not everyone is going to be warm toward you. But the faithful soul-winner is still to plow and plant seed in those men’s hearts. Now, it can’t always be helped. If a person flat out says no to you and is not interested, well, you can always ask them if you can help them carry their groceries. You can always try to break down that wall that is built up so that you can plant some seeds of faith.
The coldness may turn warm one day and you will be able to plant that seed—and it will germinate.
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing” that is the Bible principle, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10).
Of course, that is not true in America. If a man refuses to work here they will put them on the welfare plantation and the taxpayers can pay for them.
In verse 4, it is all about character. Character is doing what is supposed to be done simply because it is the right thing to do. It is right for a man to feed his family, and himself—and not depend on someone else to do it. It is done because it is needed to be done, not because it is pleasurable, or you like to do it. Character produces the right results.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2019 7:25:53 GMT -6
“The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” (Proverbs 21:27).
“The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination,” there are some people that give just to appear to be religious, or they do it just because they are supposed to do it. Their religious obligation is just as binding as their need to pay their taxes to the government—not that they enjoy either one.
“. . . how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” It is bad enough in God’s mind to see people that give gifts without any substance as to see those that give with a wicked motivation behind it. Some businessmen join a church and give sums of money knowing that it is really only good for their business. They know that as long as they can appear to be a Christian businessman, more in the community will trust them to do a good job and be fair—which they are not.
Here it is for some despicable motive, which is even worse. Notice here that sins have degrees. Some sins are worse than others. God finds some sins abominable, but others he sees as much worse. Our general thinking at once is what can be worse than abominable? Especially in the area of religion. Hence, Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation” (Matthew 23:14).
The Pharisees’ sacrifices were not just wrong, they were premeditatively wrong. They had thought their schemes out. When that curtain split in two in the Holy of holies, signifying that God had done away with the old ways, they just sewed that thing right up and went on with their religious tradition that obviously had nothing to do with God.
“The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination,” is one thing, doing a good thing wrong is bad, but doing it with a wicked motive is worse. There are some folks that sacrifice and go to church before they got saved—they just think it is the right thing to do—but “the sacrifice of the wicked is abomination,” but some folks do it purposefully with a wicked motive and a wicked desire to do it. They know what they are doing means nothing, except in some business sense.
There is a man in the New Testament that pictures both of these things, and that is Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8. The first time he comes to Peter and the rest of them, the Bible says that Simon believed also and was baptized. Now it was bad that he was bewitching the people at first, but he supposedly got right. The next thing you know he sees the apostles performing signs and miracles, he offered them money and tried to buy that religious power. His wicked motive in that was even worse than his first sin. Some will be worthy of a greater damnation: “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation” (Matthew 23:13-14).
One sin is bad, but another sin is worse and that is with a premeditated desire to do wrong. A lot of people don’t realize this, but there are a lot of religious people out there that are going to church, and there isn’t any kind of wicked thought behind that. They are just trying to be religious and do what they think they are supposed to do. They are trying to work this thing out between themselves and God the best way they know how to do it. Owing to their lost estate, however, it is still an abomination to God because they are unknowingly trying to reach heaven out of a way which seemeth right, but the end thereof is still death. Yet, far worse are those that try to use religion for personal gain or personal profit. A lot of these prosperity preachers and faith healers are going to find themselves on this far end of the spectrum.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2019 6:29:43 GMT -6
“The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:2 KJV).
“The rich and poor meet together.” When do the rich and the poor meet together? They meet together in death. They meet together in judgment. Everything is brought to the same plane. The rich man and the poor man die just alike. They go out the same way they came in—naked. There wasn’t any difference between the rich man and Lazarus—they both died and they met together in judgment.
The poor man that rejected Jesus Christ goes to judgment and the rich man that rejected Jesus Christ goes to judgment. “For there is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23). They meet together. They may never have spent an instant of time together here in this life or have anything in common—but they will have a great deal in common at the judgment.
There is another place where they meet together. They meet together in the Tribulation. In the Tribulation, the Antichrist’s system is going to be a great leveler. Both rich and poor, bond and free were made to take that mark in Revelation 13:16. They will have a great deal in common.
“The LORD is the maker of them all,” so, the Lord makes folks poor, and when the government tries to make poor folks rich folks, it is going against the will of God. And when they try to make rich folks poor through taxation, they are going against the will of God.
“Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
If you are not rich, it is God’s will. Just submit to the will of God. If you are rich, God gave it to you, use it for His glory. Submit to His will in all things.
Again, the rich and the poor meet together in judgment: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2019 7:11:10 GMT -6
“Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:17-18).
“Let not thine heart envy sinners,” if the young people have a failing, or a fault, this is it—it is easy to envy sinners. The world paints sin as the way to a happy life and the good life. All over the billboards the guy has a bottle of liquor and two beautiful women hanging off his arms. Buy this product and the women will find you irresistible. In advertising, illicit sexual adventure sells.
“. . . but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long,” now, the world laughs at such warnings. They picture Christians is the worst light possible, often having them clothed in the garb of puritans somehow to suggest that righteousness is so last century. Well, in Psalm 1:1-6, the Lord is going to destroy sinners. God hasn’t changed, righteousness hasn’t changed, and His judgment has certainly not changed: “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous” (Psalms 1:5).
Don’t envy sinners. They may look like they have it all going for them today, but judgment is coming. “Now” isn’t all there is. “Later” is still on the way, and their latter end is not at all pleasant. Now is just a short time, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). What about eternity?
Just get the “fear of the Lord,” you just get good and scared of God, and you’ll always be in good company.
“For surely there is an end,” don’t envy sinners. Why? Because “there is an end.” At the end of the road, the wages of sin is death. There is an end. That’s how it turns out. Some people just have no concept of consequences.
“. . . and thine expectation shall not be cut off,” for the man that fears God and does right: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Serve God, live right, and your expectations shall not fail.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2019 6:27:50 GMT -6
“A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength” (Proverbs 24:5).
He knows who and what his enemies are, so he increaseth strength. He gets ready for the day of adversity. That is what a man is doing when he studies his Bible. There will come a day when you need to know some things to get you or keep you out of trouble. You need to learn things in order to know things, and you have to know things in order to use them in the day of adversity.
You are preparing yourself and anyone you have an influence over to be prepared for the day of adversity. The Christian has wisdom and strength for the spiritual warfare.
“A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength,” if a Christian has any sense, he won’t be satisfied with what he is, he will want to grow. Don’t ever quit growing. Continue to grow spiritually.
In this regard, here are some verses:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)” (II Corinthians 10:4). It won’t do you any good to practice up on physical things for the spiritual battles, what you need to do is to become proficient in the spiritual armor and spiritual weapons. Now, even these spiritual weapons and spiritual knowledge is not going to help you if you do not learn to separate yourself.
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (II Timothy 2:3-4).
This modern “feel-good” Christianity knows nothing about a hardness in Christianity. Everything is soft and non-offensive (except to the Bible believer). Don’t judge anybody, and don’t worry about doctrine as long as we love one another. Hardness is found in making a stand for truth: “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (I Timothy 5:20).
A Christian will never truly get victory in this life as long as the affairs of this life entangle him. It is hard for a Christian to do it because, so few other Christians are doing it. We need to guard against the so-called “herd mentality,” where we just follow the trends. If you really take a stand and other will not take the same stand, you are looked at as being weird. When one church preaches hard truth and other churches do not—people get quite a shock when they visit. They are not used to hardness and specific truth.
“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck” (I Timothy 1:18-19).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2019 7:21:31 GMT -6
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2 KJV).
For good reasons, God conceal some things: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (I Corinthians 2:7-10).
There Paul says God chooses to reveal His secrets to his children, and not to unbelievers. You'll find in Matthew chapter 13 when they asked him why he spoke in parables He said, “It is given to you to know . . . but to them [the unbelievers] it is not given.” [because they don't want the truth.] So, that brings honor and glory to God. He shows it to who wants it and he doesn't show it to those who don't want it. That shows that He understands man so well [He is so all-knowing] that he can do that. So, “it is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of Kings is to search out a matter.” in other words, when you talking about a man and a King who is to be Just and right, he doesn't know the heart behind every case. He is to search a matter out.
Man looks up on the outward appearance, but since God can look on the heart, then it is the glory of God that he will conceal a thing, because He understands that some men's hearts are not right. But a king doesn't know that, when it comes to the life or death judgment, of crime or punishment, the king must search the thing out. For him to do that, that's an honor, but when a King is lazy and just condemns people without a cause or without justice: then that is a dishonor.
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
“And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power” (Acts 1:7-8).
So, whoever gets the power of God can know the times and seasons and not be ignorant of it. Again, God get glory from doing it that way. You have to have the power of God to know a thing.
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
The other thing about the glory God is that it shows you how wonderful He is, how magnificent He is, that there are some things we can't know. As smart as man can be, there is still a whole lot of things that man cannot know about God. Paul says in First Corinthians, chapter one: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (I Corinthians 1:25). That’s just part of his character. He is just so wonderful, He is just so all-knowing, that man is just so far down the path, so far down the ladder, it's just not funny.
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