| Our verse to DATE the Word on January 15 (1/15) is Proverbs 1:15 |
|---|
| Proverbs 1:15 says, “My son, do not walk in the way with sinners, keep your foot from their path;” |
| I have heard some refer to God’s Word as a treasure chest, a treasure chest that is loaded with INFORMATION far greater than silver and gold, rubies and diamonds. If we look at the Bible as a treasure chest, then the BOOK of Proverbs is the treasure chest of WISDOM within the treasure chest. In the Book of Proverbs, WISDOM can be defined as having SKILLS for LIVING. Whereas one might have skills to cook or build or to farm or to fish as well as one might have skills to operate as a doctor or as a teacher God’s wisdom gives us the SKILLS for living life. Wisdom can be described as heavenly insights for earthly living. Having God’s wisdom gives to you God’s perspective on how life is to be lived. In the Book of Proverbs, you will find a teaching method of referring to the reader as MY SON. This phrase is used numerous times. One is barely into Proverbs 1 when you read “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;” Proverbs 1:8. In verse 10 “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.” And now in verse 15, “My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path.” These three verses offer tremendous insights on how to AVOID wrong practices as well as how to DO what is right. For instance, think about how one usually gets in trouble. How have you gotten into trouble? Usually, someone gets in trouble by being with the wrong people in the wrong place. As Solomon starts his book of wisdom, he wants to HELP his son not get in trouble. If we back up to verse 8 we find he makes three appeals to his son. 1. First, from verse 8 is to have the right PRINCIPLES. We could say avoid the wrong principles. 2. Second, from verse 10, is to be with the right PEOPLE. We could say avoid the wrong people. 3. Third, from verse 15, is to be at the right PLACES. We could say avoid the wrong places. There is a “formula” for doing wrong and getting into trouble. It looks like this: wrong principles + wrong people + wrong places = wrong practices Now have a “formula” for RIGHT LIVING. It looks like this: right Principles + right People + right Places = right Practices (living)! As I read Proverbs 1 I have added verse 7 of Proverbs 1 to this formula. Proverbs 1:7 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I see Proverbs 1:7 giving me my PURPOSE. With God as my Creator, I see my purpose is to obey Him. He is my authority. Thus, my “formula” for right living is: Right Purpose + right Principles + right People + right Places = right Practices And when you think about wrong practices it really does start with our view of God. Thus, Wrong purpose + wrong principles + wrong people + wrong places = wrong practices. January 15 (1/15) brings us to the halfway point of the first month of this new year. Maybe you made New Year’s resolutions but you are finding them hard to keep. Maybe you need to review the “formula” and take positive action steps of having the right purpose in life (Living in the fear of the Lord); being guided by the right principles; spending time with the right people and being in the right places. Verse to DATE the Word on January 15 (1/15) is Proverbs 1:15. It says, “My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path;” Continue Strong acquiring and applying God’s wisdom to your life, And remember to DATE THE WORD |