Living in This World of Sin

 A Living Faith in Trials and Temptations

Book of James Chapter 1

We know that this James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ.

Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 

Mar 6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 

It was this James who was one of eyewitnesses to the resurrected Lord.

1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 

It was this James who became the Pastor of the first Christian Church after Peter had to flee for his life, which was in Jerusalem.

This is also when Peter started a mission for Jesus Christ.

Act 12:16  But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 

Act 12:17  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. 

It seems it was this James that took over for Peter who actually began this first church of Christianity.

It was this James who was the presiding officer of the first Jerusalem Counsel.

Act 15:13  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 

Act 15:14  Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 

It was this James who was named one of the pillars of the early Church.

Gal 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 

Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

We can see that the half-brother of our Lord was held to a high standard to be mentioned along with Peter and John.

We know that this James was well versed in the Old Testament.

We know that this James knew how to apply the Old Testament to the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that this James was really familiar with the Sermon on the Mount, because he has included much of it in this first Book of the New Testament named after him.

We can trust this Book of James to be written under the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit!

This Book was written to the Christians who were scattered because of the persecution of the Jews.

*****Jas 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 

We can imagine it took a lot of faith for a brother to confess that his brother was actually the Messiah and the Creator of this Universe.

That faith came when he saw his brother, the Lord Jesus Christ after his death, as He was resurrected from the grave, because the grave could not hold Him because death could not hold Him!

No doubt James was proud to say he was a servant to his half-brother Jesus because he did so.

We know that Moses was a slave to God, along with Joshua, and David, and Paul, and Jude, and all the Apostles and this James along with all the Prophets and now each of us who believe the truth and are all called Christians.

James had a calling to reach out to all Christians.

God used this letter so James could remain with the early Church when Peter had to flee from Herod and begin his own mission to reach the lost.

We should understand that it is not always easy to be a Christian in this world and it has been that way since the beginning of the Church.

We should expect trials and temptations and prepare for them because they will surely come!

When we think about having joy in these things, it first seems ridiculous, but in truth, life is not an easy walk for most people to begin with.

We should also understand that temptation also means to test, to try, and to prove, so we can have a better understanding of it.

When we conquer temptation and the trials of life, we become a much purer person, more holy, more righteous and more just.

We become a stronger person and become ready to be that servant the Lord can use.

The more we conquer these things, the more we become like the Lord Jesus Christ which must be our goal after salvation!

Remember the Lord Jesus told us take up our own cross and follow Him. That cross is a sign of death.

Mar_8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Then the Lord teaches us:

2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

Joy is not one of the things we feel while we are going through these things.

But Joy is the attitude that is needed.

The Lord is saying that when we look back on the things that have made us more Christian, we will find that some of our reactions were indeed laughable.

In reality, we should have joy in the fact that the world sees us as a Christian.

One of the greatest rewards we can receive upon this earth is patience!

We should understand that the Lord did not send us temptations nor trials in this life, but He will chasten us for our sin.

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

Will the Lord test our faith? We can be certain that He will!

An untested faith is a faith that may not exist.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

The Lord is seeking to improve our endurance to all these things.

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 

Notice the Lord says, if it gets too bad in some areas, we may have to flee, but we can be assured that the Lord is coming back to get those who have not already gone home to Heaven.

This is called the rapture of the Church.

In all things we must allow patience to be our rule in this life!

*****Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

We should understand that if we truly want to become a citizen of Heaven, we must not refuse to enter the school of suffering which the Lord Jesus Himself has established here on earth!

When we look at these things as opportunities to get the blessings of the Lord, then we will see that we can have joy as we go through them.

When we can conquer our trials and temptations and get stronger, then we have fulfilled the purpose that God sent them.

We can see how these words become real in this day we are living.

Listen to the Lord Jesus:

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 

God's purpose for us is to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

We cannot say we are Christian if we are not becoming more like Jesus. Do not let this world fool you! 

The more like Jesus that we become the more this world will hate us, because this world hates the Lord Jesus Christ!

If we stand firm in our faith in Christ, then we have conquered death just as He conquered death!

This is when the Lord opens the windows of Heaven and pours out more blessings than we can absorb while we are upon this earth.

We will have an eternity of perfection.

We will have an eternity of fitness, of completion, and fulfillment and all these things throughout eternity and that mansion will not be a bad thing either.

My pastor once preached that some of the people left behind might be injured for all those false teeth, those old joints that have been replaced with steel, all those glasses we need on this earth, all those braces, and crutches and any other thing that was placed in our bodies while we were living on this earth as they fall down as we are going up.

It will be the strangest rain they have ever seen!

We will lack nothing.

We will want for nothing.

We will have the abundance and the fullness of this life, but it cannot compare to those days of eternity in God's Heaven in His House!

We cannot reach this fullness of life if we lack the wisdom of the Lord!

*****Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

We will not be able to conquer anything in this life without the wisdom of the Lord!

Wisdom means far more than knowledge.

Wisdom is far more than just being intellectual about life of some area of this life.

Many people in this world have much knowledge; they are very common.

Many knowledgeable people fail trials and temptations because all that knowledge did not help them.

Only wisdom can grasp the great truths of life.

Scientists of today when they do not understand life they just add another billion years or so to it.

They may have knowledge, but they lack wisdom and they certainly lack understanding in the truth of God, at least most of them do!

Wisdom is seeing and knowing what to do about life!

Wisdom grasps the great truth of life without having to make up some false idea about life.

Wisdom sees the trials and temptations that surround life and death, the Lord and mankind, time, and eternity, good and evil, the deep things of the universe and the reality of the Lord our Creator.

Wisdom not only understands these things but wisdom knows what to do with these things!

Wisdom gains victory over all these things!

Psa_111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Pro_2:6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Pro_3:19  The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

The Lord is willing to share all His wisdom with us, but it can be too much for us, so he shares it a little at a time.

Asking wisdom of God is the way to conquer our trials and temptations and the Lord will always, will always, provide a means to escape.

God will never scold us for not knowing how to handle some trial or some temptation!

We must understand there is no question that the Lord cannot answer.

We must also understand if we cannot believe that the Lord has those answers we dearly need, then He will not provide that answer.

*****Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

If we are making a cake, then flour would be a necessary ingredient.

If we are making sweet tea, then sugar would be a necessary ingredient.

If we are praying to the Lord our Father in Heaven, then "faith" is a necessary ingredient.

Not just any faith, but faith in His ability to answer our prayers.

How can we ask in Christ's name, which is another ingredient, if we do not believe the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Joh 16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 

There will be no answer for those who are not true believers!

Joh 9:31  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 

The things we ask for must be an object of our faith!

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 

1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

That word wavering means being in doubt.

How can anyone who rejects the truth of the Lord even think that our Father in Heaven would even consider answering their prayers when He has said He will not?

No matter how great the storms of life are to the unbeliever, they do not bother our Savior.

Mat 8:24  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 

He was asleep, because these twelve men had no faith and the things of this world, no matter how severe they seem to be they do not bother the Lord!

Those that pray without faith, how can they expect their prayers to be heard?

Those that reject the Lord, how can they expect to go to Heaven?

Prayer is the greatest gift the Lord gives to believers after the gift of salvation that comes by faith and faith only!

*****Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 

Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

Unbelieving prayer is useless.

Though they may receive something it did not come from the Lord and they certainly have no right to blame the Lord either way.

They cannot expect anything more because they are not under the assurance of God's promises as is the believer.

Now the believer may not receive an answer they expected, but the Lord will listen to their prayers and His answer will be what is best for them.

God will never reward doubt!

God cannot answer the prayer of a doubting person because if He did, He would be rewarding doubt.

We must believe that God is who He says He is!

God will not hear nor can He answer any person who wavers in his faith!

Those who waver in their faith do not know the value of the gifts of God and cannot receive those gifts!

Those who waver in their faith are unstable in all their ways.

We cannot live our lives up and down, or back and forth and say we belong to the Lord, because we are not sure of anything.

We cannot be unstable in our Christian life and still insist we are living in the will of God. It is not God's will that we live in such a way!

This is the very reason so many saved people receive so little from the Lord.

Some have enough faith to be saved, but they remain babes in Christ all their days, never taking that next step of being Christian, a servant of the Lord trying to be like Him.

We must understand that the fruits of our prayers are received from the nail scared hands of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the middle person by whom God conveys His blessings!

Our strength comes from our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

We must understand that we will face the temptations of Satan, the Devil.

We must also understand that we will face the temptations of those who are lost in this world, our fellow human beings who are the children of the Devil whether they recognize it or not.

We must also understand that we will be tempted by the actions of those of this world that is so full of sin!

The Lord expects us to endure temptation no matter who we are.

It is true that sometimes, the strongest among us fail because they felt like they could not fail.

We must rejoice in the Lord no matter our circumstances!

Even the lowest Christian on the face of this earth will be exalted as a king and prince when the Lord returns.

No one has rank in God's New Heaven except the Lord Jesus Christ.

Knowing this, then if we are poor in this life we can think of ourselves as kings when the Lord returns.

All kings live in mansions and the Lord is building us all a mansion.

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

We must never accuse the Lord of things that He cannot do!

We must never think our temptations come from the Lord!

*****Jas 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 

So, where does temptation come from if not from God?

Because we still have that sin nature, sometimes the desire and the craving for things upon this earth are almost unbearable.

This is what temptation is: the desire and the craving for wrong things, things that the Lord forbids, and are harmful to our bodies, and to our spirits.

Just because some man justifies it, and says that it is acceptable, does it make these things right for us.

Such as alcohol, the Lord will never approve the drinking of any alcoholic beverage!

Pro 23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 

Pro 23:32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 

Certainly if we are not to look upon alcohol, then we should not be drinking it!

It does not matter that some religions allow the consumption of alcohol when the Lord says no to partake of it. They are wrong!

In this case the Holy Spirit uses wine and He says to not even look upon it.

We must not take into our bodies anything that dulls our senses and lowers our moral tone.

We must not yield to the temptation of anything that influences us to go against the Word of God!

God will never tempt us to go against Him!

We always want to blame someone else for our failures, but our failures are our own and we are the blame for all of them.

*****Jas 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 

Jas 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 

Jas 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren. 

While we are in these bodies with that sin nature that we cannot avoid, evil thoughts and immoral desires will rule our lives if we allow them to.

These things will lure us into sin!

Even the unbeliever cannot use other excuses for rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is their decision to make and their opportunity to miss.

God cannot ever induce anyone to act against His will.

God will never go against anything He causes to be written down for us.

There is never a modern Gospel and there never will be a more modern Gospel than we have now. God never changes!

The Word of God is a Living Word that is real and is the truth, in all ages.

We must understand that some of our desires can be a sin, even if we do not act upon them!

Mat 5:27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 

Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

When we face temptation from the normal and natural desires of man or woman, and think we cannot turn away from them, then these things become sin.

There is no person who is not a man or a women based upon the sex with which they were born.

Those that desire to be someone of the opposite sex is living in sin just as much as any of those desires that goes against the Word of God.

We cannot desire to do what sinners do and still say we are the children of God!

We are never to given in to our desires if they go against the Word of God!

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

We must understand that it is the intention of the Word of God to be our guide in living the way that God has decided what is best for us, because we prove over and over again that we do not make good decisions based upon the rules of this world.

*****Jas 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

The Lord Jesus does not see us as wise unless we are keeping the Word of God!

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Our house is this body we have been given, and it is this house we are to build upon with that Rock of Jesus Christ!

We must understand that just because we sit in God's house and listen to that sermon God gave to our pastor, that these things make us acceptable to Him.

It is not these things that make us safe and secure!

When we slip into some sin, we must not believe that God will forgive us just because we ask this of Him.

We must never think that God will not reject us.

We must clearly understand, God does not accept us because we hear and know the Word of God nor because we confess our sins.

These things are necessary and are very important but God accepts us because we confess our sins and then repent of them.

Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God!

God accepts us because we turn to Him and live for Him.

When we truly believe the Lord Jesus, then we will trust and follow Him and doing exactly what He says.

So many believe they can hang on to that pet sin they keep hidden and ask for forgiveness when we slide into it, but repentance is still required.

We are only deceiving ourselves when we think that God will just forgive us because of His grace!

Rom 6:1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 

Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

There is no sin that we can continue in claiming God's Grace to be forgiven!

It is the doer of the Word of God who is blessed and not those who just hear the Word of God!

We are deceiving ourselves if we believe otherwise!

We are attempting to defraud the Lord Jesus Christ when we attempt to do these things.

We owe Him all we are and all we have!

*****Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 

Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

When we see the Word of God as our mirror, we can see just how great a sinner we have been since our birth

This holds true to every human being upon the face of this earth, no matter who they are.

Eze 33:31  And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 

Eze 33:32  And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. 

Many of those who are lost do see the Words of God as great words to live by, but they go their own way because they do not see the Word of God applying to them.

They have made themselves self-righteous.

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

Much of this world believe the Word of God is too harsh to live by, and they go their own way doing what suits them.

In either of these cases these who are lost forget that they are sinners in need of a Savior and the Bible says that Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ and there are no other saviors.

They forget the destruction of this world that the Bible says will happen.

These are the loudest voices when the world speaks of "climate change" or "nuclear war” because they see this world as savable when the Lord says it is not savable.

Rev_21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

The Lord would not make all things new if this world were worth saving!

The greatest gift we can give to our pastors or preachers who preach the message God has given to them, is obedience.

When they preach, they must be looking for fruit.

As hearers we must carry out what we hear, or the preaching of the Word is falling upon deaf ears and that preacher will get discouraged and quit.

There are not enough true preachers today, but there are many impostors.

We cannot get the blessings of God from an impostor!

If we cannot find faith in the Word of God then as hearers, we also become impostors.

Then there are some who find the truth of God.

*****Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

What is the Word of God? It is the perfect law of liberty. Liberty from the bondage of Satan!

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can make us free from the bondage of the wickedness of this world.

When we live according to the Word of God, we will find that we can be freed from all the things that enslave our souls upon this earth.

We are free to know and fellowship with the Lord forever and ever.

We must continue in the Word of God all our days.

The trouble with this world is that those who deny the Lord Jesus, deny that there is life after the death of our bodies.

You would think that even the greatest believer in evolution could see that the miracle of life must extend after death.

They see animals of many kinds that can go dormant for periods of time and then come back to life and this is what God is telling them, there is life after death!

The Lord promises us that it is in this life that we are to prepare for the next life which is eternal!

The Word of God is the truth.

Heaven and Hell are real places!

Amen

Wisdom Leads To Confession

Wisdom Leads To Confession Of Sin

Proverbs 28-31


Confession means to acknowledge our faults, or our guiltiness, or our failures.

The Catholic Church teaches that Christ Jesus forgives sins through the priests at confession.

This is taken from John 20:23

Joh 20:23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The truth is, the power to forgive sins cannot be given by Jesus Christ to any of His ministers!

Only God can forgive sins!

God forgives out of "Grace"!

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Our sins were nailed to the cross that Jesus Christ bore for each of us!

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

This forgiveness forever solves the problem of sin in our lives, all sins past, all sins present, and all future sin.

We must remember Jesus Christ died for the sin of unbelief!

It is unbelief that leads to all other sins!

Our salvation is secure BUT, we will need a daily cleansing to maintain fellowship with God.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

This is the truth of the Scriptures and our own wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord!

It is the fear of the Lord that will lead to the confession of our sins!

*****Pro 28:4  They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

What is the theme of our world today?

The wicked who forsake the Word of God then exalt the wicked and their evil deeds!

The righteous who keep the Word of God and are considered the enemy!

Those who forsake the Word of God will insist on leaders who are like-minded so they can build their carnal society!

They are greedy and self-serving and insists on their evil agenda!

This is the America of today!

When ungodly leaders and ungodly citizens prevail, any nation will decline and will also suffer the reproach of the world and the condemnation of God!

This is the America of today!

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

It may be already to late to save America but we must not sit idly by while this wickedness dominates our society!

The Bible says to "contend" with those that reject the Word of God!

To "contend" is to defend and preserve!

Jud 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith" which was once delivered unto the saints.

We are to remain settled on the truth of the Scriptures, the facts of the Word of God!

We are to stand up!

We are to speak out!

What is the truth of the Scriptures?

*****Pro 28:5  Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

If we remember the words of Jesus on the cross we can understand this verse.

Luk 23:34  Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do". And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus Christ was always thinking of others!

Those that reject the Word of God cannot be expected to make righteous judgments nor can they administer sound justice!

This is also a fact in America where as more and more of these people are appointed to seats of judgment in our justice system.

They are void of the knowledge and the wisdom that is needed and ignorant of the truth!

Understanding can come but from one place and that is knowing the truth of God!

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Without searching for the Lord, He will never be found, yet He is always near!

It is only those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God who can have the understanding of true justice!

*****Pro 28:9  He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

The truth is, the wicked are not so much those that are ignorant of God's law as it is those that turn their ear away and ignore God's law!

It is all those who are ignorant of God's law that we are to witness too and not so much those that hear the Word of God and reject it!

This is why Jesus taught in parables!

To be able to go before God in prayer is an awesome privilege.

We may never have an audience with the President or even with a Governor but we can have an audience with our God at any moment in time!

God is a Father with a desire to do good and a distinct love for mankind and has great delight in hearing from His children.

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

When we reject the Word of God, we forfeit the privilege to enter into the presence of God!

God despises the prayers of those who despise the Word of God!

Joh 9:31  Now we know "that God heareth not sinners": but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

It is wisdom that leads to confession and it is confession that leads to answered prayers!

*****Pro 28:11  The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

If we open our eyes to this world we will see that for the most part, the wicked are arrogant and they consider themselves to be wise.

They simply reject anything that goes against their perceived thoughts.

It is easy to see through their deceit when compared to the Word of God!

It is far better to be poor and have integrity than to be rich and have no integrity!

Most of the rich see themselves as being superior to others and they use their wealth as a sign they are simply smarter than the average person.

They deceive themselves into thinking that those who are beneath them are blind to their schemes.

The truth is money simply cannot buy character!

Money simply cannot buy true wisdom!

Their lack of wisdom can be easily seen in their selfish, permissive, and worldly lifestyle!

It is only those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, who can have a clear understanding of life and our world!

It takes a close personal relationship with the Lord to overcome the deceptions of this world!

Pro 26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

*****Pro 28:12  When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

What's the truth of our world?

When the wicked rule a nation it is divided and most all people will flee from oppression!

When the righteous rise to power more people will rejoice and most problems are solved.

But remember God says there will always be those who are poor in this world until He returns!

When our government is run by someone that fears the Lord, God's people will celebrate openly and publicly!

When the wicked rule, God's people are forced to hide because they know that oppression is coming.

This is the dread of America!

This is the truth of ISIS!

This is the truth of almost every nation other than Israel!

An unrighteous leader causes grief to all those who reject their agenda!

Pro 14:34  Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Pro 11:10  When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

The Bible is very clear, it is the love of money that is the root of most all the evil in our world!

*****Pro 28:13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

The Bible is also very clear when it says that sin cannot be hidden!

Num 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: "and be sure your sin will find you out".

When we are to arrogant to see our own sin and repent of it, we can be sure that our sin will be made known to those that it affects.

We should also remember that those that reject the Lord are already condemned to a sinner's Hell!

If we spend our lives refusing to acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, we can never prosper spiritually!

We can have no fellowship with the Lord.

We will forfeit God's benefits.

Our prayer life will be powerless.

We will stunt our spiritual growth.

Our service to the Lord will be fruitless.

Joy will be far from us!

We will never succeed and prosper in this life we now have.

We must deal with our sin first by confessing it to the Lord!

Confession is recognizing sin as sin, and admitting it to God!

Most people think it ends there, but to be truthful our confession must be accompanied with "repentance"!

Repentance is much more than saying "I'm Sorry", repentance is an action word that means "I'm Going To Travel The Path Of Righteousness"!

Genuine repentance is a complete change of heart and of mind that results in a change of conduct!

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

When we confess our sin then we are in agreement with God that sin can only be atoned by the blood of Jesus Christ!

After confession, must come action on our part before we will ever see the mercy of God!

*****Pro 28:18  Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

What is the truth of the Bible?

Those that walk according to the Word of God "shall be saved"!

The upright are safe and secure while those who reject the Word of God "will fall"!

The upright are all those who are washed in the blood of Jesus, innocent and blameless.

Perverse, means to be turned aside, distorted, stubborn and contrary.

He sways right and wrong and also pretends to be pursuing one path while he is really taking another.

These are the traits of the Anti-Christ and they both will fall!

Once he falls he will never rise again!

*****Pro 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

The truth is that our character is in full display by the way we treat others!

Jesus taught that loving others is equal to loving God:

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The Apostle Paul taught that loving your neighbor is the fulfillment of all God's commandments:

Gal 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The line that separates the upright from the foolish is by the way they treat others!

All those who stubbornly persists in sin will be suddenly destroyed.

God makes this very plain!

Without remedy means that it will be done and there is nothing that can be done about it!

1) There are those who refuse to hear what the Lord has to say and avoid any sort of relationship with Him.

These will be destroyed without remedy!

We can be sure that they have been approached by God.

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

At death they will be instantly banished to eternal destruction:

Luk 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

2) Then there are those who have a relationship with God but have returned to their sinful ways.

They may suffer a premature death because of unrepented sin!

God does not ignore the sins of His children!

God will not allow us to willfully continue in sin!

We may eventually cross a line where God's patience has ended.

We will not lose our salvation but we will lose any reward we could have gotten!

This is an act of judgment but it is also an act of love.

By releasing us from our corrupt flesh, God releases us from our temptation to sin, ruining our testimony, and we will no longer cause harm to the "Body of Christ"!

1Co 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And again.

1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

These things cannot be denied!

God will not allow His children to continue in unconfessed sin!

3) God may also destroy nations where sin has been allowed to run rampant!

Israel is a prime example but there are many nations that do not exist today in any form!

2Ch 36:16  But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

There are many reasons God sends His missionaries to foreign lands and sometimes God wants that nation to repent.

*****Pro 29:12  If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

There are many things that are going on in our nation that most all of us do not understand.

It is a fact that our leaders need to be able to discern between truthful and untruthful information!

It seems our leaders today yield to lobbyist who do not have the good of the people in mind.

The truth is that it is mercy and truth that makes a true leader!

Pro 20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

Those that are in a position of responsibility must remember to verify all information in order to know what's for the good of the people they represent!

As far as the people, we must take strong action against all those who are not honest in their duties to serve the people.

We are finding this more difficult to do because it seems our government is becoming more and more corrupt!

This has taken place because the public has been lenient in insisting on the truth!

Pro 25:5  Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Pro 16:12  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

What is the truth? It is those who are right with God who will prevail!

*****Pro 29:16  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

It is a fact that immorality will cause the spread of sin.

In a world where Satan reigns, sin will continue to run rampant because that is Satan's goal.

This the nation and the world we live in today!

Psa 37:35  I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Psa 37:36  Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

The truth is that we who know the Lord should never despair because a God who cannot break a promise, promises a future day when all His enemies will be destroyed.

Psa 37:34  Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

When the Lord returns, He will reign in righteousness!

Knowing all these things should make us confess our own sin and repent.

*****Pro 29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Pride says we are superior to others because human logic reasons the way to success is through self-elevation.

This is a false conclusion!

The truth is that pride will only result in dishonor and humiliation!

The Bible teaches us that those who are arrogant will certainly be humbled through a painful process.

Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pro 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

We can boldly go before the throne of God but we better be humble when we get there!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we are in need of a Savior!

Our pride will get in the way when we think we must remain at the mercy of God!

The truth is that God will exalt us throughout eternity if we will humbly bow before Him in this life!

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Here again, our example is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was meek and lowly in heart but most people today regard Him as the greatest man that has ever lived even if they do not recognize Him as God, which He is!

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You cannot be Christian if you cannot learn from the Savior!

We are all certainly unworthy of God's Grace and God's "Grace" is shown to us all by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Humility is not weakness, humility is strength under complete control!

We must exchange our yoke for His yoke.

We must exchange our burdens for His burdens.

We must exchange our pride for His teaching.

If we are struggling in our faith, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

If we are struggling in our walk according to the Scriptures, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

If we are tempted to quit on God, then we must "learn of Jesus".

Joh 18:11  Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

As believers we are to walk humbly upon this earth just as our Savior did!

And we are never to partner with evil!

*****Pro 29:24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

A thief makes it his business to cheat, defraud, and steal the property of others.

If you become a partner to a thief, you come under double judgement.

1) You will be guilty of his crime!

2) You will be guilty of withholding information about his crime!

That's what sin does, sin multiplies. One sin  will always lead to another sin!

Psa 50:18  When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
Psa 50:19  Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

When we  try to use that excuse, "I did not want to get involved", we are already guilty in the eyes of God!

We have shown no real concern for our own soul and if we cannot care for our own soul how can we care for the souls of others.

God says it like this:

Pro 8:36  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

The Lord our God put it this way:

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

When we hear the cursing of those who have been harmed and who are the victim and we do not report what we know, how can we plead "not guilty"!

God never changes so He warns us again and again:

1Ti 5:22  Lay hands suddenly on no man, "neither be partaker of other men's sins": keep thyself pure.

If we are wise we will have an unwavering faith in the Lord and His Word!

*****Pro 29:25  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

When our fears turn us away from serving the Lord then our fears will actually be greater!

We are to obey human authority in order for there to be a civil society.

If we have trusted in the Lord then we will live righteously and living righteously is doing things the right way!

We also will not be afraid of what people will do to us when we take our stand on the Word of God!

The truth is that many who say they trust in the Lord are compelled to lie, or to compromise to avoid any unpleasant repercussions.

Remember even Peter denied Christ Jesus because he was afraid of what those people would do to him and when he realized what he had done he got alone and wept bitterly.

We must remember God takes responsibility for His Words!

And it will always be impossible to live for Christ and avoid persecution!

Someplace everyday some of those that love the Lord are slain just because they trust Him for their salvation.

If we truly love the Lord then we will not have a fear of what man can do to us.

God said to take a stand and stand firm:

Eph 6:13  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.

When we are threatened we simply need to call on the Lord and place it in His hands.

We are in God's hands and it is He that is in control of our lives!

We must remember, we have already been judged and justified by the Lord, we do not need the favor of any ruler of this earth or any other person!

*****Pro 29:26  Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

When we trust in the Lord we must not fret when justice is not served in human courts.

We know that the Lord is the ultimate and final Judge and no sin will go unpunished.

It is not in our hands to seek revenge!

The day is coming when the Lord will correct all the wrong that has been done in this world!

It is a fact that human government cannot bring a perfect justice.

There are those that seek a rulers favor but the truth is, what God has appointed for  them will surely come to them!

Pro 19:6  Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

Those that pay for a favorable judgement here on earth are not rich enough to sway the judgment of God!

The truth is an unjust man is an abomination to the Lord!

*****Pro 29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

The title of our lesson is that "wisdom leads to the confession of sin".

No one can be justified until they can make a confession!

When we walk in God's righteousness we will refuse to compromise with the things of this world!

We will then be despised by those who reject the Word of God!

When we take our stand for the Lord we will see opposition.

In many cases it will be bitter with much anger!

Fearing the Lord, gives us the conviction to do right and leave the results with Him!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Lifestyles Without God

Wisdom Avoids Ungodly Lifestyles

Proverbs 18-23


Who are the godly?

Those that obey God!

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Who are the ungodly?

Those who do not obey the Word of God!

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, "what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God"?

The wisdom that comes from a reverent fear of the Lord, will teach us to avoid an ungodly lifestyle!

*****Pro 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

We should not ever forget that words have the power of life and death; they can either kill or they can nourish life and the Word of God is life!

It is impossible to overestimate the power of the Word of God!

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

It is also just as true that all those who talk with other than God's Words will eat the fruit of their own words!

If the words of each Christian do not expose a godly character then we are not who we say we are!

*****Pro 19:3  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

It is true that we all do foolish things from time to time.

It is the foolish things we do that damage our health.

It is the foolish things that are done that can jeopardize a good marriage.

It is foolish things we do that jeopardize our employment.

In fact foolishness will most always affect every aspect of our lives!

Today in our world we see a people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

We may notice it more in our politicians but it has also spread throughout our youth!

We have a world, "do to a lack of wisdom", that blame God for most all their troubles and then in their foolish minds think they have the ability to solve the worlds problems without God.

It is our own sin nature that causes us to blame our own mistakes or sins on someone else, rather than our selves.

The proof of that can be seen in Adam:

Gen 3:12  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

It may be true that Eve picked the forbidden fruit and and gave it to Adam, but it was Adam who chose to defy the Word of God and eat of the fruit.

This same characteristic exist in all mankind!

Foolish behavior always carries a price and most of the time a heavy price!

*****Pro 19:8  He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

Self love is righteous and healthy, when it does not come from sinful selfishness!

Life's purpose, life's success, and life's eternal destiny will motivate most people to seek the wisdom to allow these things and that wisdom can come only from a reverent fear of the Lord!

Pro 16:20  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

*****Pro 19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

What is the biggest problem with our youth of today? The parents have been brainwashed about true discipline!

Parents are commanded to discipline children in order to keep them from the deadly practice of foolishness!

This does not mean to abuse any child but note, this is a command just as much as any of the commands of God!

God says it is urgent that our children be shown the right way by using the verbal and the physical discipline that is required.

This discipline is to begin while our children are young because "that is when there is hope", since there is little or no hope after they are grown!

Parents who neglect the discipline of their children will bear some responsibility for their foolish behavior!

In fact discipline while children are young is the best weapon to use to keep our children from harming themselves and others.

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

To not chasten your children is to not love them as you should!

Pro 13:24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The lifestyle of us all had it's beginning while we were still babes!

*****Pro 19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

A godly lifestyle begins with proper advice and proper instructions!

God is saying to "pay attention to what I am telling you"!

To prepare ourselves for the future we must begin in the present and the younger we begin the better!

We will never understand the value of God's instructions until we are living a godly life!

*****Pro 19:23  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

What is the truth of a reverent fear of the Lord and a godly lifestyle?

1) There is the gift of life.

To be a Christian is to be immortal.

As the Lord Jesus has an endless life, so do those that trust Him!

Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, "but after the power of an endless life".

Joh 3:35  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

2) There is contentment.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

3) There is security.

1Ti 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

The Christian life is a life of true freedom!

As we submit to the Lord we can walk in the knowledge that we are saved!

Eternal life is not just a life that has no end but also a life that is lived in perfection.

Eternal life is a life in full communion with our Father in Heaven.

*****Pro 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Foolish choices will most always bring with them pain!

When we do not learn from the wisdom of these proverbs we will inflict pain upon ourselves!

We must avoid foolish conduct!

We must not be misled by alcohol.

Alcohol leads to reckless behavior!

Wine is made from fermented grapes.

Strong drink refers to alcohol that is made from fermented grains.

A mocker scoffs at what is is good in society and wine will make you a mocker.

Raging is as a brawler who causes commotion and turmoil.

Strong drink will make you a brawler.

In other words those under the influence of alcohol are often unrecognizable from their normal self!

Those that do not become mockers and brawlers still do and say foolish things and most will behave immorally.

Those who are wise will abstain from all alcoholic beverages!

Isa 28:7  But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

We must connect with the wisdom of God so we can see properly and not stumble in our ways!

*****Pro 23:19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

The word hear or listen means to obey!

To be wise is to be guided by wisdom and wisdom comes from a reverent fear of the Lord!

We must not allow our hearts to be our guide as the world says because the heart is wicked above all things.

We must not allow our desires to lead us away from the path of righteousness!

*****Pro 23:20  Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

We must not associate with people who will influence us to follow after the lust of the flesh.

What are our greatest temptations?

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

We are commanded to avoid the company of drunkards and gluttons!

Why?

Because they have lost control of themselves!

They are ruled by the desires to their flesh!

They cannot control the activities of their flesh!

They allow their own passions to rule their lives!

What is their end, less they repent?

*****Pro 23:21  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

These two things can ruin the lives of all those who become addicted to these things!

The righteous life is a "step by step", "day by day" walk with the Lord!

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The cross is an instrument of death!

We must put our own will, our own desires, our own wants, our own ambitions to death and then follow Jesus!

Wisdom can only be seen through the life and the person of Jesus Christ!

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As long as we are alive on this earth we will never be able to become the complete master of our flesh!

We must face the fact that we are capable of backsliding at any moment.

If we think we have reached such a plateau in our lives, then that is when we are at our weakest moment!

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Our churches are full of carnal, undisciplined Christians and even they can tempt us to stray from the path of righteousness as we try to help make them more mature.

There are also those who abuse Christian liberty and they are just as dangerous an influence as those who are lost.

Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Anytime we give in to our flesh and stray from God's pathway, we have strayed from the wisdom of God!

The Lord Jesus teaches us to be very careful to avoid all these things.

Luk 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

*****Pro 23:26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

We already know the God is love and it is love that makes this request of each of us!

We can see that God actually begs and pleads with us to listen to what He says!

God has absolutely nothing to gain in this request!

God is already to great for any of us to make Him greater!

God is already to rich for any of us to make Him richer!

The wisest thing we could ever do is to take our hearts and give them to the Lord!

It is our eyes that get us in the most trouble so God says keep your eyes on the ways of the Lord.

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

*****Pro 23:27  For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
Pro 23:28  She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

This whore represents immorality and everyone knows if you fall into a deep ditch it's just very hard to get out.

Immorality is like a trap that will hold you captive and many never escape the clutches of immorality!

An immoral woman will use all her weapons to steal everything you have!

She will steal your family, your home, your career and your money.

She will take away your dignity and your honor, your health and even your life.

Those that fall into the traps of immorality can lose everything that has any real meaning in this life!

We live in a world of extreme immorality today!

We live in a world where the first thing provided to the teenager is birth control.

All manner of sexual sin runs rampant in our own nation!

A wedding ring, the circle of commitment, means nothing.

Modesty is a word that no longer exists!

The only way to avoid these traps is to wear the armor of God and prayer!

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  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.
Eph 6:13  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.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And we must remember that we are the "Body Of Christ" and we are never to take the "members" of Christ and join them to a harlot!

Immorality can only lead to sorrow and woe!

*****Pro 23:29  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

There should be no doubt that the Word of God forbids the use of alcohol for consumption. God warns us over and over again against drunkenness.

God then ask for us to answer the question of, who has all these problems in their life?

"Woe" is crying out in despair and grief.

"Sorrow" is crying because of a want or a need, sorrow is pain of the mind.

"Contentions" or strife is brawling and fighting, quarreling and disputing.

"Babblings" or complaints is speech that is vain and meaningless.

"Unnecessary wounds and bruises" and the diseases of addiction.

"Red or bloodshot eyes"

Who then is God speaking of?

*****Pro 23:30  They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

Most would say that these verse speak to the alcoholic and that is true.

But in actuality these Scriptures speak to all who partake of alcohol and any other thing that is mind altering such as drugs.

Isa 5:11  Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

These Scriptures speak of anyone who takes a drink of alcohol and then tarries for another.

These Scriptures speak of anyone who is craving and seeking these things which speaks of addiction.

There is only one remedy for these things!

To abstain!

*****Pro 23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

There is only one answer given to us by the Lord.

Do Not Even Look At It!

If we are not to look at it then we certainly are not to drink of it.

Many will say that the Bible speaks of moderation in the drinking of alcohol but that cannot be true because in the context of this passage it is a father speaking to his son and not some one speaking to a group.

He does not say "drink not too much", he says "do not even look at it"!

The Bible does not speak of moderation when referring to alcoholic beverages.

God says NO!

And our God never changes!

We are not to be tempted by it because the danger to become addicted is just to great!

Alcohol is like that enticing harlot that we are also to avoid!

God says to flee all temptation!

1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

All those that have the wisdom of God, who are the wise, will not even consider drinking anything that contains alcohol!

What are the consequences?

*****Pro 23:32  At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

Alcoholic drinks are deadly!

A drink of any kind may quench the thirst and may even be pleasurable for a moment but in the end it can and will bring destruction.

It strikes with the fury of the serpent which can wound or even kill.

Alcohol is poison!

We know the serpent as the agent of temptation, which if followed will bring death.

We know the adder as a serpent that lies in wait to destroy!

Job 20:16  He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

Alcohol also alters the way the mind works!

*****Pro 23:33  Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

People under the influence of alcohol will hallucinate and say all kinds of crazy things.

They will stagger and stumble about like they were on a ship in the midst of the raging ocean.

Most all will get dizzy.

*****Pro 23:34  Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

Many of them will spend most of their night like they are on the mast of a ship where the tossing of the ship is much worse.

Many of them will become sick at their stomachs.

*****Pro 23:35  They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Many of them will not even remember what they have done.

They will have little or no pain!

During that hangover they will say, this will never happen again.

But even while they are recovering, they are already thinking about that next drink!

They have become slaves to their sin, because this is what sin does!

The truth is there is nothing more responsible for destroyed lives than alcohol and drugs.

Those who are wise will not partake of these things!

Every alcoholic began with a first drink!

Every drug addiction began with that first time!

All those that teach moderation must deal honestly with the Word of God.

Rom 14:21  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Many will say that total abstinence is not insisted on in the New Testament.

But God says that abstinence is the goal for the Christian because the sinner should be under our supreme care!

The truth is that we are our brothers keeper!

Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves!

If the Lord Jesus could come to this earth and give His life for every individual who has ever lived, surely if we are to follow in His footsteps we can sacrifice our own opinions and our own taste for the sake of not only our brothers and sisters in Christ but also for those who are lost and without Christ just as He did!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

A Relationship With God

Wisdom Keeps Us In Right Relationships

Proverbs 8-10


The word relationship actually means the state of being relative to someone or something else.

The word relationship can also mean, not existing by itself such as belonging to someone else and or depending on someone else.

Most of this world denies a Supreme Being, A Creator of our world and God says they are fools who have no excuse for what they say they believe.

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

The fact remains that God wants a close and personal relationship with each of us!

It is only through the wisdom of God that we can have a "right" relationship with our Creator and our God!

God may operate in realms far beyond what we can comprehend but He longs for us to explore and personally experience things that are not obvious to us in this world He made.

It does not require some unique ability or some great intellect to search the things of God, we just need to listen to His Words!

When we come under Holy Ghost conviction, God is then speaking to us about what He is about to do and it is always our invitation to adjust our lives to His will and not our own will.

This is where our "Faith" will be demonstrated by our actions!

For the foolish to become wise we must listen to the instructions in the Word of God!

1) Wise people will have that reverent fear of the Lord.

2) Wise people will associate with others who have a reverent fear of the Lord.

3) Wise people will be good stewards of the things that God as provided, especially our "faith".

4) Wise people will "flee" from sin!

5) Wise people will seek to influence others to trust the Lord with God's truths!

6) Wise people will understand the love of God and show that love to all others!

*****Pro 8:5  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Pro 8:6  Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Pro 8:7  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Truth is conforming to the facts and/or reality!

The Bible does not just contain the Word of God, the Bible "is the Word of God"!

Wisdom is then personified in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Therefore wickedness is anything that does not conform to the Word of God!

It does not matter what the wisdom of this world teaches, you will find that the Word of God is always the truth!

Rom 3:3  For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

God's truth will still be standing as we see this world fall into more wickedness!

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Wickedness is contrary to the truth, therefore false lips are an abomination in the sight of God!

Righteousness comes by the Word of God!

*****Pro 8:8  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
Pro 8:9  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Without righteousness there is no eternal life!

We already know that our own righteousness is as filthy rags.

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Without the righteousness of the Lord we can never make it into God's Heaven!

Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus Christ is not Allah's servant, Jesus Christ is God and the only way to Heaven!

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

There is nothing perverse about saying Jesus Christ is God for He himself said He was!

If you have seen the Lord Jesus then you have seen the Father!

I have not yet seen Him with my own eyes, but I know that day is coming!

These words of God are very plain to all those that have understanding!

All those that listen and accept the words of "Wisdom" find the Word of God to be simple and to the point!

The Word of God will form an even path to righteousness and then Heaven, without any means to stumble along the way!

Remember "discernment" also comes from "Wisdom" and we will make the right choices most of the time.

None of us are perfect and will not be, until we meet the Lord in the air but the Lord is always extending His arm of strength to overcome life's miseries.

The "Wisdom" of God is the most valuable commodity in our universe!

*****Pro 8:10  Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Pro 8:11  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Knowledge must be "received" by way of instruction!

Instruction is necessary, because it does not come naturally!

God gave us the Scriptures for the purpose of teaching:

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Teaching the Word of God is the answer to false doctrine.

Teaching the Word of God produces love among believers.

Teaching the Word of God provides nourishment to the Church!

1Ti 4:6  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Teaching the Word of God provides a proper focus on life!

1Ti 6:17  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;
1Ti 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Teaching the Word of God makes disciples.

2Ti 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

There is nothing in this world that can compare to the Wisdom of God!

It is the Word of God that shows us what life is all about!

*****Pro 9:6  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

God gives us the ability to choose and why would we not choose life rather than death?

Deu 30:19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

To choose life over death, is to choose the way of "understanding" instead of the way of fools!

The world teaches just the opposite!

The world calls a man a fool if they do not make the things of this life their desire.

Our world is failing because mankind is in pursuit of worldly riches and worldly honors and ignoring the true riches of the knowledge of a Holy God!

Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Life is all about choices and true wisdom is in the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Pro 9:7  He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Pro 9:8  Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Pro 9:9  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Reproofs are a means of correction and making things right if properly used. Reproofs can be like sharp knives, needful and useful, but should not be in the hands of children.

Reproofs are wasted on a scorner!

A scorner is someone who hates anyone who is trying to rebuke them!

We see this today on our college campuses and in the many movements going through our nation today.

To be quiet honest, we have a president who absolutely hates to be rebuked for the things he does and says!

Scorners harden to any attempt to convict their actions!

A man of true wisdom welcomes and is thankful for godly correction!

A scorner will magnify himself above all those that disagree with him!

There are some people beyond the reach of constructive criticism and it is worse than a waste of time to try to improve their ways!

A scorner in the midst of his followers, seems to have power but get them alone and they are meek individuals!

A wicked man will only see someone trying to help them as their enemy because they do not see themselves as being guilty!

What did Jesus teach of these things?

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

A man of true wisdom is just the opposite, he will cherish those who are only trying to help him.

What is the truth?

Godly wisdom promises life, but is silent about enjoyment!

Those that ignore the Word of God offer much enjoyment but are silent on the death that is sure to come!

*****Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

We already know that the fear of the Lord is the whole duty of all mankind!

Even as Christians that know the love of God, we are still to honor a reverent fear of the Lord.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

It is not so much our own pleasure that is important, as realizing the things we do that will bring joy to the eyes of God!

Those who fear the Lord are blessed!

Psa 112:1  Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Those who fear the Lord enjoy God's goodness!

Psa 34:9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Those that fear the Lord enjoy God's provisions and the reality of God promises!

Psa 111:5  He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

It is only by the Lord Jesus Christ that life has any real meaning!

*****Pro 9:11  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

Patience, calmness, moderation, freedom from the mind altering substances of this world, and control of our appetites, will in most every case add days to our lives.

Wisdom in the human life, is to use the enjoyments of this world so that they themselves do not shorten our time to enjoy them!

The fear of the Lord is to hate every evil thing!

The knowledge of the Holy is understanding all the things that can cause us harm!

There is true wisdom in living the Christian life!

As Christians we are prepared to go home to Heaven at any moment and at the same time we would live as long as possible in order to serve the Lord in this life!

As Christians we know that the longest life we live on earth is but a blink of the eye in the eternity of God's Heaven!

In the world we see that mankind has the tendency to destroy themselves!

There is very little wisdom in self-destruction!

Men may be wise in all the things of this world but have no real wisdom for themselves.

This is not God's way!

Without the wisdom, that comes from a reverent fear of the Lord, life is meaningless!

*****Pro 10:6  Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

To be justified is to have already received the gift of God's "Grace".

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Through justification we can have a personal relationship with God!

"Blessings" as used in this verse means "prosperity".

"Prosperity" is the good and desirable things of a godly life!

Those that are wicked are all those that reject the Word of God.

Have you ever noticed that when a wicked man gets caught, the first thing they say is they want a lawyer because they know if they open their mouths their wickedness will be exposed.

Those that are wicked are always damaged by the things they say!

The wicked man's ways will turn out to be his shame, when his body is in the grave and his name is spoken in contempt.

Psa 7:16  His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

*****Pro 10:7  The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

There is coming the day when we will all cease to live and be nothing but a memory!

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Most all of us would like to be remembered in a good way after we have left this world!

The true good man will strive to honor God first with his life but most all men want to be remembered as being a good man or at least good at what they accomplished while they lived.

The truth is, we will never hear what those say about us after our death, good or bad!

It is in our best interest to honor the Word of God because we will certainly hear His words after our death!

These are the words we should all desire of the Lord:

Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

A good reputation comes by proper motives and by proper means.

To be justified by God before our death and it show in our life, is a much greater reward in this life!

Life on this earth is very short as compared to eternal life but everyone will leave behind some memory in this world!

We should all strive to make that memory a good one and to be called a Christian and it be the truth, by those you leave behind, is as good as it gets.

In most cases those that lived wicked lives, will continue to live on in their children.

Wicked men are never content to travel on the road to Hell alone. This is Satan's greatest act upon the people that God has made!

It is Satan's desire to take as many of God's children with him as he can and he instills that in all his followers!

Psa 34:16  The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

*****Pro 10:8  The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

The truth of our world is that the wise will accept advise but fools only give advise! If you do not believe this just watch any news channel and see it displayed daily!

The results of true wisdom is that it receives rather than gives!

The wise heart will long for and live for the Word of God!

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Prating, suggest idle talk or babble, add that to a fool who is an idiot, destitute of understanding and you have a self-conceited human being who will never accept the truth of God and will certainly fall into the depths of Hell.

Pro 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

*****Pro 10:9  He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Walking represents our daily lifestyle.

Uprightly means "in perfection" or as close as we can to being perfect and means "with integrity"!

When we are sincere and pure in all the things we do, it will not go unnoticed.

Those that are upright are always on firm ground and he builds on safe and solid principles.

To walk upright is to be secure in your salvation and walk with others who are also upright and secure in their own walk.

Isa 26:7  The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

The Lord Jesus is the only righteous one to have ever walked on this earth and to walk uprightly is to walk with the Lord!

We can only be justified by faith in the Lord so the closer we walk with the Lord the better life will be now and forever!

Those that pervert the Word of God will be exposed and punished and put to open shame!

Those that pervert all the laws and who's sin are so great, they will receive instant condemnation from all.

Those that are perverts reject all truth!

*****Pro 10:10  He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

To wink in the Bible is always associated with sin!

Pro 6:12  A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
Pro 6:13  He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
Pro 6:14  Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

To cause sorrow means to cause pain and I don't know of anyone that can say they love pain!

Sorrow always comes with sin and is part of sins punishment.

The Lord Jesus felt all our sorrows when He took all our sin upon Himself on Mount Calvary!

Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Jesus Christ took our shame and our sorrows along with our sin and nailed them to His cross because we were unable to do this and live!

Now we can rejoice in our own sorrows!

2Co 6:10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Again a babbling fool is incapable of understanding the beauty of the Cross!

*****Pro 10:11  The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Those that have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ are like a well of life:

Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Anyone who denies the Lord Jesus Christ is a waterless well, dry all the way to the bottom, enticing from a distance but all hope is lost upon arrival.

You can only tell the good well by it's flow and a good well will flow for the benefit of all others!

There are some wells that are not empty but are still useless because they are filled with bitter water. This is the path of the modern day church, the last of the church ages and some of these even contain stagnant water!

The mouth of the wicked can only speak of violence!

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

*****Pro 10:12  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Hatred is inconsistent with the knowledge of God!

1Jn 4:20  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jn 4:21  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Love on the other hand is the greatest attribute of God!

1Jn 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Love is the perfection of God's divine nature!

God's love is not an emotional impulse but is truly a rational and voluntary affection for those of faith and grounded in truth and holiness and comes because God has chosen to be this wonderful thing called love.

Even though we are worthless sinners we can still have the perfect love of God!

It was love that went to the cross!

It is love that covers all sin!

1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1Pe 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Questions!

Let's Pray!