Christian Devotional – September 7, 2019

Parental advice. Solomon now moves to giving pieces of advice like a father would give to his son. He touches on several areas with practical wisdom to live out each day. Read Proverbs 6.

Money and Work Ethic – Proverbs 6:1-11

My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, Have given a pledge for a stranger, If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth, Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids; Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”- Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:1‭-‬11 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.6.1-11.NASB

Working and having money go together. Sometimes in today’s society we lose that truth as we see people who seemed to earn money for doing nothing. Yet The Bible clearly indicates that we are to work hard and have a good solid work ethic in everything that we do. Also, we are to be wise with our money. We should not go into debt for any reason and we should not spend more than we earn. How do we measure up when we evaluate our life next to these principles? What principles do we need to incorporate in our daily life today?

Characteristics to Avoid – Proverbs 6:12-22

A worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his fingers; Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, Who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing. There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.
Proverbs 6:12‭-‬22 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.6.12-22.NASB

There are several things that we should be avoiding as we live out each day. The Bible speaks very clearly about the characteristics that God is and if we are followers of his, we should be displaying in our life as well. Also, there are several things which go against the character of God and these are things we should avoid. These verses explain these characteristics and help us to see how they can damage our reputation and all that we do each day. Do other people recognize and see the characteristics of God in our daily life?

Don’t Be Driven by Lust – Proverbs 6:23-35

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life To keep you from the evil woman, From the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids. For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread, And an adulteress hunts for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched? So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not go unpunished. Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry; But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house. The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it. Wounds and disgrace he will find, And his reproach will not be blotted out. For jealousy enrages a man, And he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not accept any ransom, Nor will he be satisfied though you give many gifts.
Proverbs 6:23‭-‬35 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.6.23-35.NASB

God gave us emotions and expects us to enjoy them and to use them. However, we are to be in control of our emotions, not the other way around. If we allow our emotions such as lust and jealousy to dictate our actions, we will find ourselves in a difficult place. We must be wise in how we conducted ourselves and we are to avoid being ruled by our emotions. How would others describe us? Do they see us as being ruled by our passions and emotions? How are we living out these pieces of wisdom each day?