June 9, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 9
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Following Scripture Verses

1. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13. A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15. To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17. Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Today's Pathway:
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"Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding." - Proverbs 9:6

Earlier this year we looked at the principle contained in the first half of this verse. An abundant life comes to those who are willing to abandon foolishness in all its forms. However, it is equally important to notice the second half of the verse. Once a man has stopped behaving in a foolish manner, he must then choose not to remain stagnant, but instead to actively move forward in the truth which he has learned.

Both of these concepts are necessary. It is impossible to go in the way of understanding if you are still tied up with folly. However, simply ceasing from foolishness, while placing an individual back on the right path, does not mean that the man is now accomplishing great things for God. Allow me to illustrate. The Bible teaches that consuming strong drink is foolishness. A believer ought to stop committing that sin immediately. However, the fact that he has stopped drinking beer does not mean that he is now an effective witness, or that he is increasing in his knowledge of the Lord. He has gotten back on the right path, but he needs to start moving down that path.

Many Christians measure their level of spirituality by what they don't do. They don't smoke or swear; they don't steal or fornicate; therefore, they must be spiritual. While it is obvious that these activities have no place in the Christian's life, abstaining from them does not equal spirituality. It is not simply a matter of what iniquities a man doesn't do; it is also a matter of what righteous service he does do. If we want to be in a right relationship with the Lord, and have Him be pleased with us, then we need to go in the way of understanding, and begin producing the fruit that He desires.

What have you done for the Lord today?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery