Memory Verses

As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]. Proverbs 27:17 AMP

As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man. Proverbs 27:19 AMP

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich. Proverbs 28:6 AMP

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. Proverbs 28:13 AMP

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God]. Proverbs 29:13 AMP

A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down, But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23 AMP

Every word of God is tested and refined [like silver]; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5 AMP

Key people

Here is a list of key people found in today’s reading (in order of appearance) with bios from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Agur Ben Jakeh. Author of Proverbs 30.
Lemuel. A King. Author of Proverbs 31.
Solomon. Also called Jedidiah. Was, according to the Hebrew Bible, Old Testament, Quran, and Hadiths, a fabulously wealthy and wise king of the United Kingdom of Israel who succeeded his father, King David.

Today’s Devotional Reading: Proverbs 27 – 31

Proverbs 27 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 28 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 29 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 30 Amplified Version (AMP)
Proverbs 31 Amplified Version (AMP)

Reflection

Most studies of the book of Proverbs with number 31 in the mix, would focus on the popular Proverbs 31 woman. It’s true, I have also written about her several times. Today, I want to focus on a less frequently magnified passage:

⁸ Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; ⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously, And administer justice for the afflicted and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 AMP

Proverbs 31:8 implores us to speak up for the voiceless, for the less fortunate, and for those who are not able to fight for themselves. We are to “open our mouths” with righteous (in right standing with God) judgment and provide justice to the needy and those in harm’s way. If there ever was a time to use your voice for the voiceless, that time is now.

With the widespread unrest happening in the U.S. in places where there are constant protests concerning violence against Black people, and around the world where there is constant war, surely some do wonder where God is in the face of all of this madness. Does He know what is going on? How can He let this happen?

Know for certain that:

By God, humans came into the world; but it was not by God that sin was conceived among them. Sin is the reason why tragedy has come to the world. God gave the power of personal choice to His created beings, including the choice to reject Him. Satan chose to commit that original sin of rejection. Wherefore, he was stripped of his heavenly membership and cast down to the earth.

Satan is not redeemable, having no propitiation for his sins. Satan has no Savior like we do in Christ. When we choose to do God’s will, God is called our Father because God is the Creator of man and woman in their pre-sin condition. Although Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, it did not happen until after they were created blameless, and after still when they were influenced by Satan’s thoughts. By Satan, sin was conceived and now has its “Father.” When and if we sin, it is said that Satan is our “Father” because he is the originator, the creator of sin.

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father [but He is not], you would love and recognize Me, for I came from God [out of His very presence] and have arrived here. For I have not even come on My own initiative [as self-appointed], but He [is the One who] sent Me. ⁴³ Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word. ⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths. John 8:41-44 AMP

Satan has power over those who submit to him. That is why James 4:7 gives the simple instructions to submit to God and resist the devil. Satan’s will is enacted by his imps or lesser, dark angels, and by people who are not submitted to God, and who do not resist him. There are evil spirits and regions in the spirit realm. Some people and regions of this world are under the oppressive control of Satanic spirits.

Satan brings about war, oppression, brutality, slavery, human trafficking, and every other Godless circumstance surrounded by sin. By definition, these things are not products of God since God is not the author of sin.

Before sin there is always a thought. The heart and mind are tools given to humanity with which to praise God and come into His presence, superseding the natural realm. However, some people are influenced by Satan’s spirit, which leads them to sinfully act on thoughts generating from him. All sin begins in the heart and mind. We might want to say that we lost control, but the truth is that there is at least a split-second chance to respond either yes or no to a thought. It happens almost simultaneously, then there comes contemplation of the yes or the no that was chosen, which is then followed by a reinforcing or abating action.

15 Peter asked Him, “Explain this parable [about what defiles a person] to us.” 16 And He said, “Are you still so dull [and unable to put things together]? 17 Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18 But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming). 20 These are the things which defile and dishonor the man; but eating with [ceremonially] unwashed hands does not defile the man.” Matthew 15:15-20 AMP

Because the temptation to sin – which is a thought, can be given the red or green light so quickly, it is important to have rule over your spirit. If you are prone to do what Jesus would do (which can only be true if you submit yourself to God), your split-second choice will almost automatically be the right decision. However, when you are guided by the devil, your split-second choice is likely evil. That wrong choice will be followed by a wrong play from Satan’s own book (he has a plan for you just like God has a plan for you. The difference is that Satan’s plan ends in damnation).

In sum, the cause of calamity is not God’s indifference. It is Satan’s influence in the world. It is important for those of us who have salvation to speak up for and serve others by the love of Christ, so that His influence in world can flourish the more, changing the hearts and minds of people all over the world, making Satan’s intentions to fail – who wants to see more death and destruction. It is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).

References

« The Amplified Bible
« The King James Bible
« Matthew Henry’s Commentary

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Image Source: 365 Seeds of Promise by Shenica Graham.

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