Author: Travis Manhart

 “True Strenght” Proverbs 11 (Part III)

 

A gracious woman retaineth honor: and strong men retain riches.( Proverbs 11:16)

As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion (vs. 22)

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him( vs.27)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise ( vs.30)

 

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.”

This now is in stark contrast to our last devotion where because of hurt, lack of love  and guidance we become self focused in trying to fulfill the void we were left with. Paul mentions an interesting principal for another problem that with some understanding could be applied here. A way to cure stealing Paul says is to work and then give to those in need “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth (Eph.4:28).” This obviously deals with a changed heart, however we are also dealing with a very basic human need in all of us. We need to feel as though we matter. The need to give, to be helpful, to live in such a way that I am connected to a larger circle than just me. Without this sense of contributing, be it physically, emotionally, or spiritually, my life really has no purpose. To live as such, a no purpose life, causes depression and emotionally one implodes on themself becoming more self centered. The most miserable people in my opinion are those who are all about themselves because you can really never satisfy yourself. Self centeredness is a reoccurring debt that is always demanding payment ( the Kardashians come to mind). So as in stealing, a similar way to cure self focus is to seek the good of others “he (or she) that seeketh good.” This is a complete recalibration of one’s soul that in itself is a miracle.

How does it happen? It can start small with a friend inviting us to a function, like “kids day,” and volunteering to help with some activity and finding joy in helping. Other times the change occurs through brokenness. Everything we thought we had was taken or we destoryed it with our own hands. At this point the soul is forced to seek help, to reach outside of itself and be willing to change. To get to this point, that we seek help, is a critical first step.

 The more likely way of change which probably is true for most of us is when we have our first child. The care of something that is so innocent and helpless changes you. Prior to being a parent our tendency is to focus on ourselves. However the care of a baby is amazing and life changing. sleep deprived and all. For some, it is a steep learning curve that requires internal recalibration but once that is made the joy of having the care and love of a little life was totally worth the refocus. The joy of giving to your child(ren) and seeing their happiness makes all the effort worth it. Becoming responsible and “doing it right,” is how self respect and feeling good about ourselves starts. Internally I believe many of us know what is right, and the shouldering of the responsibility of the care of another  fuels more change, even unto the care of our fellow man. We experience verse 25 of the same chapter “he who waters will themselves be watered,”or as our verse of study says, “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor:” this is how we were meant to live, in community not separate isolated lives. 

 

In contrast to this is “but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.” Mischief (Raah) meaning all shades of evil, from a white lie to murder. Depending upon context Raah describes the full spectrum.  I had a very knowledgeable C.P.A many years back that was helpful and made sure we kept everything legal and above board. He also did investments which we did not participate in. He was our accountant for several years and I really liked him. One day however I received a phone call from his secretary saying that the F.B.I had arrested him and taken him to jail. We were all shocked, his wife, his staff and clients. Apparently the F.B.I had been watching him for some time and he was using investment money illegally. I never knew the exact charges, but what a surprise. The same law he made sure I followed was the same law he tried to go around. Raah came home and it came home with severe consequences and had a great business going for him.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” I love this verse. What is the ” fruit of righteousness,” is it not love, peace, joy, forgiveness, kindness, patience etc., all the qualities of a Christ like life. How can you go wrong when these qualities have permanent residence within your soul. Not only do you bless others but these qualities bless you as well. Health is more than the food we eat, though that is very important true health goes deeper, it goes to the soul and spirit of the individual and the fruit of righteousness promotes and maintains an inward healthy me. I’m convinced that so many of our illnesses, especially reoccurring ones, have to do with the state of my “inner me.”

Next what is meant by a “tree of life?” Considering the region in which the scriptures where penned, a green and flourishing tree meant water. As a desert traveler this green tree literally meant life. Not only did it signal water but it was an opportunity to get out of the scorching sun and rest in the shade. It was also the means to refill the depleting skins with water ( thermoses were made from animal skins) and an opportunity to hunt as game came to drink and rest. So truly a green and thriving tree did represent life. So our fruit of righteousness represents life to the weary of soul. It’s restful to find someone you can trust, someone that has your best interest at heart. It’s peaceful to know that your loved and accepted, that the only person you have to be is you, flaws and all. And lastly love nourishes, so it is satisfying, a much needed pit stop on the race track of life. To demonstrate and be these qualities to others how can you not “win souls?”

 

Father God,

Thank you for this time in your Word. To study and make application is like that green tree in the desert, it satisfies our soul. Let us do our part to present ourselves with a readied heart, with a pen and Bible in hand and expect to be taught from a Father who is anxious to draw His children nigh. Thank you and Amen

Move Forward. in His Grace – Arthur

 

1. Is this not what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ, to be Christ to the world? As Paul said he was an ambassador in chains for Christ. Though he was chained his demeanor and the words of Christ where not. There are far too few of us that represent Christ as Paul did. Yet though Paul was uniquely called, we have the same access to the Holy Spirit as he had, the real question is do we want it and our we really to pay the cost to have it, truly dieing to self?

“True Strength” Proverbs 11 (Part II)

Wisdom Series -“Governing Speech” (Proverbs 10)

 

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

 

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. Vs. 19-21

 

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 frowardness.Vs 31&32 ( use pro 15:1&4) d

A man or women, young adult or child is readily know by their choice of words and how they use them. Especially if one claims faith in Christ, proper speech is critical. David in Psalms 19:14 and 141:13 prayed,“ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” And 141 “Set a guard O Lord, over my mouth; keep a watch over the door of my lips.” ( ESV)  Another very important verse is in Ephesians 4:29“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” The difficulty of controlling ones speech is noted in James 3:6, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” And of one can control it you are considered a ” perfect( mature) man, able also to bridle his whole body.” Yet what is the source of having a tongue that brings healing, a tongue that seeks to be encouraging, speaking words that edify and build up. What has to happen inside of us for this to happen?

 Jesus said in Luke 6:45  “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” So, we see that kind speech is more than just a “practice,” because practice can fail. Kind speech speaks of a heart that has been touched by God’s grace. How easy it is to speak kindly and patiently when life is going our way. However when times are hard, what words do we use? It is those times that define us and speaks of our core character and values. The saying, “just don’t get him/her mad,” means what? That he/ she is fine when life has no hiccups in it, but watch out when it does. It refers to a character that is self focused, lacking care on how it addresses others when it is inconvenienced and or put out.

 And this is were we must change. The internal mechanism that is faulty is the lack of respect for myself. And because I lack respect for myself I will lack respect for you. Therefore when angered or put out, kindness will definitely not be that which I will be speaking. Another  example, if you say, ” I’m so stupid” or something to that effect when you make a mistake, you lack self respect. You have no authority to call yourself this if you are the temple of God. You need to respect the work of the Holy Spirit in you in seeking to conform you into the image of Christ, even if it’s a very slow process,” you have been bought with a price, and you are no longer your own ( I Cor. 6:20) …and that is (with) the precious blood of Christ ( 1Peter1:19).” You need to spend more time with Him, making Him your top priority,  and you will feel better about yourself. Respecting yourself and then respecting others will follow.

What is that “good treasure” then that allows us to speak forth “a well of life?” Words that heal, words that by intent seek to benefit the hearer. The answer is easy, the doing is hard; a heart that has been crucified for Christ, having died to self and reborn by His love and to His love. It becomes the end of me, my way, me first etc. Before “good treasure” can be placed and kept in me, me has to die. Hence the reason for trials – it breaks “me ” down, much like boot camp or breaking in a horse. It makes me willing and wanting to do it his way and seek to be filled with His Holy Spirit, now tired of me.

The greatest change in my life came when I truly knew God loved me. I heard it told to me my whole life and mentally I believed it and also because of the Cross.  However my early life as a believer was a struggle, being a Christian was very difficult. Later I would learn that I was really acting and doing all the right things to earn God’s favor. However subconscious I did not believe that I had God’s favor. As such I had to be super conscience of my speech so that I would say and do the right things. A time came when everything, and I do mean everything, came crashing down and there was no hope to be found. My ability to discipline myself, control the circumstances and my speech had failed. In that very dark and desperate hour my prayer to the Lord came from a depth in my soul that I had never accessed before. I told Him that if He wanted this mess that I wanted Him and needed Him. I confessed my soldier boy life and acknowledged that I had lived as such to earn His approval. The answer was immediate. I felt his presence, his forgiveness and most importantly his love. I now knew that I was accepted completely, whether I did it right or not. I learned that it was me He wanted, the right actions would come in time as I continually surrendered my heart to Him.

 In times before when I had been in tight spots and cried out I always had a plan B. This time there was no plan B, but now with Him, I didn’t need one. God I believe was waiting for this moment when “soldier boy” would put down his arms and surrender completely. In this dark hour, believing that I was losing everything is when I gained the one thing that I could never lose, His love. This would be the biggest course change of my life which would be a foundation of confidence for the future difficulties I would be facing. I felt Divinely loved, Divinely forgiven and I felt hope. This new confidence would be tested as I had years of damage repair to work through with my wife which had been on the receiving end of “soldier boy.” So my heart was changing, and in changing it became increasingly easier to speak words of kindness. Also to seek good for others, even if the good did not come to me. I was learning that all the “good” I needed I already had, a real life relationship with God through Christ. There was no higher good and/or good fortune than this. There is nothing that can compare or be as permanent or life changing as a real relationship with God.

 

The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.  A “silver tongue” brings hope when God is the maker of it. Though it takes a while and as gold is purified by fire so is silver to become “choice” silver. I am convinced that the biggest challenge that God faces with each of us is our pride. Pride, sin and I are so interwoven within our soul that our actions even fool us. We would be shocked to see ourselves as God sees us. So much time is needed to remove from us our stony heart and give us a heart that simply wants Him and wants what He wants. The best description of this change is in Ezekiel 36:26 where God is literally looking to the time of the Cross where man could be fully redeemed and the Holy Spirit abide in man, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse — you.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away — the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put — my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in — my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

Until Christ death and resurrection this could not be fulfilled, and now we have this grand privilege to chose to be united to the Lord. To have through His  grace “a tongue of choice silver” or ” lips that feed many,” or a “mouth that speaks wisdom”or ” lips that know what is acceptable.” Words can heal or wound, even kill. To be one that naturally from a refined heart brings encouragement, hope, and or healing whenever the moment arises and does it naturally and sincerely, without rehearsal is a grace I want to posess, don’t you?

Father God,

 Thank you for this study and the challenge it gives us. Yet the truth is the truth and to seek it as in seeking gold is to be becoming free-er from all that seeks to enslave us, both in our attitude towards ourselves and to others. We have been born anew to a life in and with the Spirit. Help us not to trade our freedom in for slavery; to the carnal man and societies values. Thank you and Amen

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

“Truth in Focus—Join a Cause?”

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me:

My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

whose sin is covered.

imputeth not iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no guile.

Through my roaring all the day long.

I acknowledged my sin unto thee,

And mine iniquity have I not hid.

I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord;

And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah

(Psalm 32:1-5, KJV)

A righteous soul is one who wants a relationship with God and is willing to

forsake whatever actions or beliefs he or she has, so as to pursue God.

Whatever it takes; whatever I have to surrender to be closer to You, I am willing.

Whether it be a false belief or the idol of my soul, create in me a heart that wants

You above all else. Take from me that which You would; whatever thought or

hindrance to our relationship, I surrender to You. You are my Pearl of Great Price

(Worth). I put it all on the table, withholding nothing from You.

How easy it is for us to get the wrong focus. We get behind a cause—from the

whales, to the underprivileged, to the unborn, our cause defines us. It becomes

the reason we get up in the morning. It becomes the air we breathe. Yet, for as

noble a cause that it may be, it is not God’s cause. You say, “How can this noble

cause not be God’s? Does He not care?” And the answer is, “Of course He

cares, but He cares for one thing more—you. He came, He lived, and He died,

not for all these earthly causes, but for you. You are His cause and all of Eternity

is behind it, and He must become your cause as well. Does that mean we can’t

care about injustices or seek to make changes in society? No, but not at the

expense of your relationship to the Lord. There is no greater good or cause than

to be united by faith to God, to be filled by the Holy Spirit, and to lead others in

their own relationship with God. This cause, unlike all the others, is eternal.

When the world has passed, or your life from it, all the energy and all the toil will

be nothing except for the cause that goes into Eternity.

There are many who believe the Bible is old-fashioned; it has been reinterpreted

and is not accurate; or it doesn’t really mean what it is saying. Most, if not all of

these critics, have never really studied the Bible—I have spent my life studying

it—or if they have, it was from another point of view. The easiest one, especially

for young people, is the agenda, “God is going to use me to change the world.”

Feeling a sense of great importance and urgency, they miss the whole point. The

passion of youth, though sincere, is also sincerely wrong. God wants your heart,

and He wants your heart to want Him first and foremost. This is God’s agenda,

and from this point of view were the scriptures written.

To those people who are seeking to justify a lifestyle or a choice they are making

contrary to what the scriptures teach, I say go ahead. Live your life and disregard

the scriptures as being old and not accurate. God Himself will give you an

answer. For His Holy Spirit will not dwell within a temple that has self on the

throne. He will not live in a soul that puts their desires before His, disregarding

His teachings. You will live a life of “pretend righteousness,” keeping that idol or

thought or way of life that you so value, but God will not be in it. This is a

dangerous game to play with your soul. For on one hand, you think that all is well

because you are happy and have what you want, but on the other hand,

especially as time moves forward and the newness of your compromised faith

wears off, you (God willing) will realize that you left God behind, as you insisted

on redefining or ignoring the scriptures.

And aside from this point, what truly baffles me is how we can think any lifestyle

is going to make us happy? People are people. We are all empty vessels. And

whether it is a relationship or a possession, we become deceived into thinking

that this relationship or possession will fulfill us. And it does for a time, as

mentioned, until the newness wears off or until the person has no more to give.

We start looking for something or for someone else to fulfill us—like spiritual

vampires. It is no person’s job to make me happy, because no one can. We

assign to man what only God can do. That is why I say, “Go ahead, do what you

want, and in time the sincerity of your words will be seen. If you remain in a

lifestyle that is contrary to the scriptures, then you do not truly want God as you

say. If you believe that God is love and loves you, then bringing your life into

submission, although difficult, will have purpose and meaning. Just like a child,

he or she must believe that the rules of the parent are because the parent loves

them. And just because we feel a certain way, does that make that way right?

Since when do my feelings dictate faith? Faith leads until my feelings become

aligned or faith leads regardless. Had I yielded to my feelings through the years,

my life would be a mess right now.

People question saying, “Why is this wrong? It feels right.” This comment only

reveals how immature we are. When you raise a child, do they not do things that

feel and seem right to them? However, as the parent, we must instruct them

even if it means conflict with our child. Until they mature and come to a fuller

understanding, the discipline will not make any sense and quite frankly, it doesn’t

matter, because you must lead. There is a right way, a way that prospers you,

and a wrong way, a way that potentially could harm you. It is that way in the

Spirit. There is holiness, God’s way, and then there is my way. If I want God, then

I will obey Him. If I want what I want, obviously I will not go God’s way and the

fruit of those actions will be mine to bear. How I wish this last statement were

true. My family also pays the consequences. So in disregarding the truth, we are

forcing others to have to deal with the consequences.  If you cannot see how

your decisions are wrong, then be honest enough to go to God and pray what I

shared in the first paragraph. And then start with obeying God’s Word. Set aside

your personal opinions. The printed page is safer to trust. I have lived my life by it

for 35 years and have obeyed it even when the voice in my head, especially

when I was younger, contradicted it. The times I did not obey, I lived to regret it. I

know obedience is difficult because we feel as though we are surrendering our

freedom, when in reality we are gaining it, because God’s way is freedom. I am

no different than you. I have a sin nature that wants what it wants, but no one or

nothing can ever surpass the love and peace of Christ. I know that, and therefore

I say no to my flesh. There is nothing I want more than to be close to my Lord

and whatever sacrifice I make is well worth the cost.

For what relationship could ever replace the relationship with the Living God? No

man or woman and no house or wealth could ever compare. And if it does, then

you know your heart is not right. For what thing or person could ever be equal to

Him who inhabits Eternity and is the Creator and Giver of Life? The life of family

and friendship is only accentuated when our lives are in harmony with Him.

The truth of your words to know God will be seen in the sacrifices you are willing

to make. So join a cause, bang the drums, and write your essays, but never

forget that the quiet and sure testimony of a joyful and peaceful life, who knows

the love of his or her Lord, is His cause—a cause He ransomed with His life.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no guile.”

(Psalm 32:1-2, KJV)

There is a rhythm to life, and it is found by walking in harmony with Christ.

Walking with Him in reverence and meditation is to have all the benefits of faith.

To do this in part because of some reverence for God is to be blessed in part;

however, to actually submit (come under) and follow the Lord completely is to

have it all.

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

“Say No to Me and Yes to Others” (Father’s Day Poem)

Father’s Day has come and gone. Yet, being a father (as well as being a mother)

is so important, I wanted to write about it. Therefore, although belated, I trust this

will still be meaningful.

What is a father, and what is his contribution to the family? Unfortunately, there

are many men who father children because they can, but they have no clue or

care to fulfill the shoes they have created for themselves. Much, if not all, of the

unraveling of our society—the breakdown of our moral standards and the

disrespect with which we treat others and ourselves—is contributed to this

leadership breakdown. Thank goodness for grandpas who seek to be a loving

role model. The souls of our children are sponges, and they absorb all that is

around them, especially from the home. They are moldable clay that is being

shaped as they mature. Their shape and outcome are a reflection on us, and

there is no two ways about this. The biggest tragedy is to see a father, who was

badly parented as a child, parent his son as he was parented. His dad was badly

parented by his grandfather, who was badly parented by his great grandfather,

who was badly parented by… and years of pain unfold. The cycle of poor

parenting and disrespect for the life in one’s care just continues, affecting more

and more families. Sometimes, the child becoming a man sees this and is able to

make changes in himself stopping the damage. Other times, the damage is so

complete that the spirit of the child has been broken, though the child is now a

man. There is no escaping the damage done without outside intervention. And

the help given is limited, for to change a life, the heart has to be remade. To

remake a heart requires much patience, consistent love, and the working of the

Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, man’s affect is limited. No one can love as

deep and wash away the hurt of the heart as God can.

To be able to raise my son or daughter with knowledge of respect and value, I

must respect and value myself. Often the love of a child, being so innocent, can

grow that in the parent. Sometimes it works, yet as a general rule, I cannot give

to another that which I do not possess. And since my sense of value, a core

foundation, is formed during my childhood, how do I go back after years of

feeling valueless and rebuild something that is core to my soul? If a father’s love

was missing during those years, a love that would have made me feel important

and valued, how does that love get put back in? And if my father did not love me

or value me, even if my mom did, the hurt and question is still there, “Why can’t

you love me.”  So what is a father’s role?

I say No to Me and Yes to Others (family)

When things are tough, work is hard, and others at home still await

I say no to me and yes to others

I find my identity in God, not in work

I seek to give those at home their identity by giving them all of me

When temptation knocks and says

This way is easier

I say no to me and yes to others, as I learn to reach outside myself

I close that door and say no to me and yes to others

Knowing that value is built by the effort that is given

When my soul is filled with doubt and fear

I stand my ground, knowing that others are watching

To a God that knows no fear and has no limits

When all that I have built crumbles before me

And defeat says, “Will you yield”

I say no to me and yes to others

As I find my strength in a God

Who knows not defeat and becomes a strength to others

My character is being formed in the crucible of life

Or does pity for self, and impatience with others, exceed

And how I handle it will be seen

Does my love for others remain true

I must say no to me and yes to others

My true values are seen in the storm

And in the storm, the depth of my words are measured and tested

When I say no to me and yes to others

My words ring true and build a foundation

For others on which to stand and from which to grow

My heart is seen, as I lead the way

Accepting my role to father (or grandfather) a child, who did not ask to be born

My unwavering commitment to my family places value and confidence in them

To do this is to provide a security that neither money nor possessions can give

They may not have the words to express, but internally they know

But by my love, I give him or her a reason to be

They know they are important and loved

Because I say no to me and yes to others

No man is above being human, subject to mistakes and failure, but it is not that

we fail or make mistakes that determines our path, but what we do with these

mistakes and failures. Do they define us and cause us to stop trying, or do they

cause us to acknowledge our need for a Savior. Do we reach beyond ourselves

and rely on a God who is much bigger than us, seeking first and foremost to be

His son by the grace the Cross gives?  In the fire the truth is seen. What is that

truth that others see in me; that others see in you? God help us to be men of our

word, even if it hurts.

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned;

But he honoureth them that fear the Lord.

He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not

(Psalm 15:4)(KJV)

Father God,

There is no substitute for a man or woman who seeks to honor You in all they do.

They are like a brook of water that refreshes the lives of those around them and

most profoundly their family. May we be this brook, Lord, watering our family with

love, truth, and guidance. Help us to help them to avoid the pitfalls that would

take them from You. Thank you and Amen.

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;

And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

To keep thee from the evil woman,

From the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart;

Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: And the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

Can a man take fire in his bosom,

And his clothes not be burned?

Can one go upon hot coals,

And his feet not be burned?

As we make our way through Proverbs, I am selecting verses that have had a profound effect on my life. With respect to marital purity, these verses, plus the rest in Chapter 6 and including Chapters 5 & 7, have been profound. Sexual immorality is probably one of the easiest sins to commit, especially if you define it as Christ has in Matthew 5:28:  ^“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her (or women towards men) hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  For singles, it would be fornication. The standard that Christ holds out is so impossible that it is ridiculous to most people. Who doesn’t lust?  Who doesn’t see the opposite sex and have desire in their heart?  As one movie star put it, we are sexual creatures. (I can’t remember which one, but you could almost pick anyone of them. The majority are monsters when it comes to living out their passions.)  But is Christ really being ridiculous, or is He trying to keep us from becoming slaves to our passions?  In Proverbs 5:21-23 it says: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden (in the sense of being trapped, like an animal caught) with the cords (ropes used to bind animals) of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.” I think Christ knows us better than we know ourselves and loves us more.

“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”

I cannot express to you how much I love this verse, maybe because my dad never instructed me in this respect. I think he fully expected me to be like my peers, having no restraint whatsoever in their lives. This verse was and is like a bright light pointing the way.  And as hard as restraint was, it was doable with the inner conviction that this was right.  It was right, not just on the physical level, but on the emotional and spiritual level as well. Sooner or later, sin catches up with you, just as Proverbs 5:21-23 says.  As I became older and observed my peers, some of whom used to be my best friends, I discovered that they were not any happier living indulgent lives.  In fact, the baggage they were beginning to carry was becoming more encompassing and heavy. They were becoming “jaded” from their failed relationships. I was learning that the gift of intimacy was powerful, and if used carelessly for selfish means, it caused much hurt and deep wounds.  In its proper context, I would learn that it was a binding (solidifying) strength between two people, though it took time and maturity to develop and appreciate it.  Lust/sex circumvents the process of building a relationship—a foundation based upon friendship, respect and love.  Lust makes intimacy shallow, cheap, easy, and valueless.  The appreciation for one another becomes circumvented, and hence respect will never be built. Without respect, a relationship will fail.

“To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.”

The word “evil” (raah) encompasses all the degrees of evil, from extremely morally wrong to “shades of gray.”  An example of very wrong would be a woman (or man) who sets out to “trap” a man (or woman) sexually, so in the end to ruin them.  She has no affection for him at all. She is both the huntress and the bait and is in “the game” for her own means. This word “raah” means that.  On the other end of this word, we could have a situation where two working companions, having no sexual interest in each other, have an evening drink just to wind down after a stressful day and end up having sex. The next day there is regret, and there could be some very serious consequences, but what was done was not by intent but because of the weakness of the flesh. This is that word evil as well. Either by intent or by accident, sin was committed and the damage was done. How can this be prevented? A good defense is an unstoppable offense, which for us is an active, growing relationship with Christ. If this is not happening with you, why isn’t it happening?

“From the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.”

Flattery is a strong tool, and many are caught by it. We want people to like us and to think well of us. We tend to gravitate towards these people; however, there should come a point when an internal alarm goes off and says “enough is enough” and insincerity is being sensed. Humility is the characteristic in us that sends up the warning:  “I am just not comfortable with this person; their presence is more a come-on than genuine.” And when one receives true praise, instinctively humility says, “Amen. Thank you. I am grateful for His work in my life.” In Proverbs 29:5 it says, “A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.” And in Psalm 5:9 it says,  “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.”  Webster defines flattering as “to praise excessively, especially from motives of self-interest.”  Hence, it is the use of praise to manipulate someone into doing or giving me what I want.  And we seem to be particularly vulnerable to this if it involves the opposite sex, especially if there is an attraction.

“Lust not after her beauty in thine heart;” (or his beauty)

What is lust?  Is it not a strong emotional pull, wanting that which does not belong to us?  Uncontrolled, it supersedes our relationship with God; therefore, it becomes our idol, replacing God.  How strong can lust become? We have a good example between Amnon, King David’s son, and Tamar, King David’s daughter, making her Amnon’s half sister.  In 2 Samuel 13:10-12, 14-15 and 17, it says:

“And Amnon said unto Tamar,

Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand.

And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her,

Come lie with me, my sister.

And she answered him,

Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her (guilt?).

And Amnon said unto her,

Arise, be gone.

Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said,

Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.”

If you read the text prior to these verses, you will see that Amnon was making himself literally sick over his lust for his sister. Uncontrolled lust is like a fire in dry timber—it destroys both the bearer and the recipient.  Amnon later was killed by Absalom, his half brother, Tamar’s older brother.

“Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.”

Lust can be between men and women, over homes, cars, money, position or a million other things. It is part of our fallen nature. So to feel it is unfortunately normal; however, as believers, to have it control us is not normal. That doesn’t mean it’s not a struggle.  Understand that lust is in essence spiritual.  It is rivaling God for our devotion. It is felt in the soul, luring us into believing that it can fulfill us, as opposed to the Lord. And it is initiated in the flesh, through our sight and physical needs. It affects all three levels, and on all three levels, it tries to mimic/ duplicate what is found in the Spirit. To overcome it, we must frequently meditate on verses that speak to our specific struggle. Also, finding a friend with whom you can share and pray is super helpful.  Do not allow condemnation to rule you when you fail.  Conviction is from the Holy Spirit trying to bring you back home through repentance. Condemnation is from the enemy trying to push you away from the Lord. Remember God’s promise in Isaiah 1:18:

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Daily, we need to be filled, just as daily we need to eat. If you are unhealthy physically, one question would be, “What are you eating?”  If you are losing the battle to lust, the question would be, “Spiritually, what are you feeding on?” Remember last week’s devotional, “Junk In, Junk Out,” or “Righteousness In and Truth Out?” The stewardship of our desires falls squarely on each person’s shoulders.  In the scriptures, there is no clause:  “He made me do it.”  Instead, there is, “Resist the devil, and he will flee.”  Even so, failure does occur. Peter denied the Lord, and in essence that is what sin is, denying the Lord and saying yes to myself.  Peter felt terrible afterwards, so much so that the Lord needed to restore him—the very person that he denied.  He learned that “his arm of flesh” was weak. He learned that God’s forgiveness was strong. It is only with the Holy Spirit that we can stand, and the best way to stand is to stay full.  If I just finished eating a great meal, I will not hunger for more, even if you place it in front of me; however, if I have not eaten, especially for some time, my strength to resist is not there. Even if it is food that is not good for me, my hunger drives me, and I will eat. If we can understand that, then we understand how the human soul works as well. A main key to resisting and defeating lust is to stay full.  Then you can, “Resist the devil, and he will flee.” In James 4:7 it says:  Submit yourselves therefore to God (submit, to come under or stay full).  Resist the devil (stand against), and he will flee from you.”  Satan is no match for a believer who knows his or her place in the Lord.  Unfortunately, not many of us do.

Father God,

In war, soldiers get in trouble when the battle lines get confused.  It is the same with us. We think that this is the problem or that is the problem and it is not. The only battle I fight—the only true battle—deals with myself and in bringing myself into fellowship with You daily.  In between You and me, there are going to be problems—smoke screens to get me looking away from You. I must keep You between my “problems” and me.  For in Your presence, the problems are not nearly what they appear to be when I am away from You. Thank you and Amen.

Arthur Navarrette

 “A Worthy Soldier,” (Proverbs 4:23-27)

Keep thine heart with all diligence;

For out of it are the issues of life.

Put away from thee a froward mouth,

And perverse lips put far from thee.

Let thine eyes look right on,

And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet,

And let all thy ways be established.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:

Remove thy foot from evil.

Keep thine heart with all diligence;

“Leb” is the word for heart, and it has several meanings—from the human heart to the heart of an animal, to the intangible aspect of one’s inner person.  An example of a saying that expresses the inner person is, “His heart wasn’t in it.” This says that the participant would rather not have been involved.  Another example of this expression is when someone apologizes and afterwards the recipient says, “His heart wasn’t in it.”  This says that the apology was not genuine.  Just the opposite of that is the expression, “It came from his heart.” This means that his total person stood behind his words. So, in context of the verse, we are describing the immaterial part of our person—that which makes us who we are.  And we are told of its importance by the preceding and succeeding words, “Keep thine heart with all diligence.”

“Nasar” is to keep, meaning to “guard, to hide, to preserve.”  It refers to people faithfully keeping something entrusted to them.  It especially emphasizes the keeping or guarding of God’s Word. Therefore, it appears that the chief duty of our heart is to keep, guard, preserve, and maintain God’s Word.  It is critical that our hearts be kept in right order to faithfully and diligently fulfill this privilege. To further emphasize this, the phrase “with all diligence” expands on the importance of this.  It means “to have custody, to set guards, to secure something of value by maintaining a watch of guards over it.”  So the word picture we get is that the chief duty of our heart is to be a guarded safe-deposit box for God’s truth.  In Psalm 119:10-11, King David said, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid (or stored) in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” David understood the importance of this and further knew the command that God gave to the Kings:  “And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law (the five Books of Moses) in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:  And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:”  (Deuteronomy 17:18-19)

This was the chief duty of the man who God made King, so that he would rule in justice and remain humble in nature:  “That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:20)  As a young man, when I first read these verses, my thoughts were, “I may not be a King, but what is good for a King must be good for me.  And who knows, someday I may be responsible for influencing others in the ways of the Lord.”  So my journey began.  And to this day, some thirty years later, it continues.  It’s been a great journey, beyond hard, but never without hope.

The importance of “keeping your heart with all diligence” is found in the next phrase, “For out of it are the issues of life.”  Unfortunately, King Solomon learned first hand the truth of this verse when it was not kept. In his later years, he lost his passion and allegiance to the Lord.  His lust for “strange women” got the better of him, and he married outside the Jewish culture.  More than likely, these were also political marriages, marrying daughters of Kings from the surrounding pagan cultures.  This could have been Solomon’s way of “keeping the peace” between the nations, although practically speaking, it was not necessary.  The Kingdom of Israel was a dominant one.  And, regardless of this, it was strictly forbidden to marry outside the Jewish Culture.  It was not only a violation within the Levitical laws, but it was also a violation of one of Solomon’s own Proverbs: “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with Him.” (Proverbs 16:7)   Solomon’s focus was off, and instead of trusting the Lord, his heart drifted away from the Lord. This was Solomon’s attempt (the arm of flesh) to do God’s work.  Whenever we try to do God’s job rather than trusting God to do His job, the effort either fails or the outcome, at the very least, falls short from God’s desired end, if in fact the outcome is not devastating. These pagan women influenced Solomon to build idols to their gods and even worship them, and children born from these women had rights to the throne. He truly had “smitten” Israel at the heart, because he did not keep his heart with all diligence.

The word “issue” is interesting.  It means “ending point” or “the extremity of a border.”  In my understanding, it is the accumulated total within one’s heart producing a belief, action, and/or statement.  Therefore, based upon my understanding of this word, the saying, “Junk In, Junk Out or Truth In, Truth Out” defines it.  Therefore, the importance of the prior statement is critical, “Keep thine heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.”  We all influence someone.  Hannah influenced Samuel, and he became one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.” The mouth or speech is the first indication of knowing what is in the heart of an individual, for it is with words that we represent ourselves to others. And if a “froward mouth” (to speak without integrity) or “perverse lips” (deceitful speech) comes from an individual, it indicates that it is “just the tip of the iceberg,” and much more deceit lies within. Don’t make friends and keep that individual at the same distance you would a Cobra snake, because that is with whom you are dealing.

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

When the eyes look, the expression indicates it is with intent to have. So to look straightforward means to keep your focus on the Lord and your eyes from lusting after false gods:  things, thoughts, or beliefs that are venom to one’s soul. These false gods and worldly ideologies seek to poison our faith, as Solomon’s many pagan women did to him.  Looking “right on…eyelids look straight” will keep your heart from worshipping/entertaining “pagan gods,” such as materialism, beauty/sex, and power, which have been idols that each culture and each generation have sought and worshipped. Regardless of the form the idols take, they have taken captive many a man and woman, and the fallout of it is painful. Divorce, fatherless children, drugs, and alcohol abuse just to cope have unmeasured devastation on the human soul, especially the children.

Since eyes are the keeper of one’s soul, what one allows himself or herself to see matters greatly. “I will set no wicked (vain) thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me (Psalm101:3). The eyes, however, are a port of entry.  They do not interpret or add or take away value.  That is the job of one’s heart. To one person, a super nice car may be the desire of the heart; to another, money in the bank is more important.  David said in Psalm 119:18-19: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.”

Jesus spoke of being the light and said the darkness vanishes in the light’s presence.  Solomon started out as a light of truth for Israel but ended up in darkness. He became “too wise” for his own good and lost his humility and need of the Lord.  He failed at his main mission, which was to guide Israel in the ways of the Lord, though economically speaking, he made Israel wealthy.  Faith was traded in for wealth and worldly living.  He grew up with a “silver spoon” and did not have the rugged faith of his father, David, who knew God through war.  David’s trust and faith in God was forged with the sword, as he saw God overthrow nations much mightier than Israel.  How important it is to live as though, “I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.” (Psalm 119:19)

My ending thought, and a somewhat sobering one, is that out of all the Kings that started out fearing the Lord, only two finished: David and Josiah. There must have been between the two Kingdoms, Judah and Israel, more than seventy-five kings (rough guess), and only two remained true to the Lord.  How will we end our race?  Will materialism, love of money, name, or pleasure take its toll on us, or will we run the race of faith, knowing that we are strangers in a strange land? Each day we answer that question by how we spend our time.  God help us to always choose Him, and in those days that we can’t, there is no fear or worry, for He will never abandon His own.  He knows and He will keep us.

Father God,

Thank you that the certainty of our salvation lies with You.  Call us back when we wander.  Remind us when we seek love, peace, or security from false idols of our imagination.  Help us to have the wisdom to see what man gives is temporary, but what You give is eternal and pure. Thank you and Amen.

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

Arthur Navarrette