Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Proverbs 2:12-22 Choose the Right Path!

Solomon finishes this second chapter of Proverbs telling us how Wisdom will keep us on God’s path and away from the path of destruction:

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,

    from men whose words are perverse,  
who leave the straight paths

    to walk in dark ways, 
who delight in doing wrong

    and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,  
whose paths are crooked

    and who are devious in their ways. (Proverbs 2:12-15)

We live in a world that is constantly pulling us in the wrong direction. We are bombarded with messages in the media that seek to reframe our world view. Resisting the world’s path takes intentional determination, because it so often seems like the right way - it’s alluring - offering pleasure and happiness. It takes wisdom to discern which path is God’s.

Solomon says that Wisdom will also protect us from being unfaithful, not only to a spouse, but to God:

It will save you also from the adulteress,

    from the wayward wife with her seductive words, 
who has left the partner of her youth

    and ignored the covenant she made before God.  
For her house leads down to death

    and her paths to the spirits of the dead. 
None who go to her return

    or attain the paths of life. (vs.16-19)

Look at the danger of following the adulteress: her house leads to death! Those who have been touched by adultery, participated in it, or lost a marriage to it know that, while there can be redemption and grace following repentance, the damages are nonetheless far-reaching. And yet, the world makes it seem so attractive! It’s a staple of movies, books, and television. And the lure is so subtle. It can start out as just a friendship at work, that leads to playful flirtation. But if you are not steeped in God’s Wisdom, His Word, you will miss the flashing warning lights and fall off the cliff!

In his epistle, James tells us there are two kinds of wisdom: worldly wisdom and wisdom from heaven. Worldly wisdom leads to selfish ambition and bitter envy. It is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, and it leads to chaos. Contrast that to heavenly wisdom:

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

Hmmm... DEATH or PEACE? Which one do you want? Stick with God’s Word, and you will find His Wisdom!  

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