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Proverbs 10:9

He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Pr 10:9

Want to live a worry-free and carefree life?

Live with integrity.

You’ll never have to remember your actions, or constantly consider if you covered up your sin or not.

If you pervert your ways in life, business or faith, it will eventually be found out. It will eventually be made known. If not in this life, in the next life where “God will bring into judgment every secret thing”.

The way you walk is secure if you act with integrity. Your path is strong and set. No one will be able to catch you in deception or sin.

Be like Daniel who was so full of integrity that his political enemies could not find anything to accuse him of unless it was concerning his God. Nothing could be brought against Daniel.

His enemies searched but still could find nothing to accuse him.

Imagine if that could be said of those holding political office today.

If you dig for 5 minutes you can find dirt on anyone you want.

But even though Daniel’s enemies searched, they could not find anything against him. He walked with integrity, so he walked securely.

Even though his enemies attempted to pervert the sword of government to kill him, his integrity and faithfulness to God would save Him, as God would close the mouths of the lions.

The way to walk securely is to walk with integrity. Do the right thing even when alone. Remove yourself from tempting situations as rapidly as possible. Go to war with your own sins and weaknesses and drive them from your mind.

Conduct yourselves like men.

Lying: Key Verses To Know

Verse 1: Proverbs 12:22
“The LORD detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”

Trust

Lies corrode trust, and trust is the foundation of all relationships. In the Proverbs, we find a clear directive that the Lord hates lying lips. To avoid the sin of lying, we must understand the grave consequences it carries.

Verse 2: Ephesians 4:25
“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.”

Honesty as a Strategy

In Ephesians, we are told to speak the truth with one another. This verse highlights an important strategy: honesty is not merely a moral virtue but a practical one.

Verse 3: Proverbs 6:16-19
“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

The Sin of Lying in Perspective

Proverbs outlines seven abominations, and a lying tongue is among them. It’s an abomination to God.

To avoid the sin of lying, we must recognize its gravity. Lying is not just a small transgression. God hates it.

Verse 4: Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”

The Transformation

Colossians encourages us to remove the old self and out on the new man. This transformation involves not only personal growth but also the rejection of dishonesty.

Verse 5: Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.”

Consequences of Deceit

Proverbs underscores that falsehood does not go unpunished. This is a vital strategic lesson – in the long run, honesty prevails

Proverbs 12:22, “The LORD detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”

Just God and Scripture

We often face challenges and temptations that test our resolve and inner strength. It’s during these moments that we may feel the need for external accountability, seeking support from others to help us stay on track.

However, there is a profound power in developing an inner strength that draws from a deep connection with God and the wisdom found in sacred scriptures.

This is what Christ teaches us when He took on Satan all alone in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.

The example of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness is a powerful illustration of this principle.

After fasting for forty days and nights, Jesus was confronted by the devil, who tempted Him with the allure of physical sustenance, worldly power, and a test of God’s protection.

Yet, despite being alone in the wilderness, Christ remained focused, relying solely on His faith and the Word of God to overcome these temptations.

He didn’t have friends.
He didn’t have allies.
No one was there to help Him.
He was alone.

In each instance, Jesus responded with verses from Scripture, demonstrating His trust in the divine truth of scripture and His commitment to following God the Father’s will.

He did not seek external accountability or support; instead, He drew strength from within.

This example teaches us a valuable lesson: true inner strength is not derived from external sources but from a deep connection with the divine.

When we develop a relationship with God and immerse ourselves in the study of sacred scripture, we fortify our souls with the wisdom and guidance necessary to navigate life’s challenges and resist temptations.

If we rely on God and Scripture, we develop a resilience that transcends the need for external accountability.

We become our own guardians, guided by an internal compass that points us towards righteousness and away from the allure of sin.

This inner strength empowers us to stand firm in our convictions, even when faced with the most daunting of trials.

This is Lone Wolf Faith

It’s not the type of faith that is popularized, nor is it a cure all or something to be relied on exclusively.

But when the enemy comes for you, you will be alone.

Will you be a lone sheep, or a lone wolf?

Seeking strength from within fosters a sense of personal responsibility and agency.

Rather than relying on others to hold us accountable, we take ownership of our choices and actions, guided by the principles and teachings found in the Bible.

This not only strengthens our character but also deepens our relationship with the divine, as we actively engage in the pursuit of spiritual growth and understanding.

Conclusion

While external accountability can be valuable in certain contexts, true inner strength is cultivated through a deep connection with God and the study of sacred scriptures.

Follow the example of Christ in the wilderness. Learn to rely on the eternal wisdom found within, fortifying our souls against temptation and empowering us to navigate life’s challenges with unwavering power.

Proverbs 24:17-18

Strategic Victory

The Strategic Imperative

Proverbs 24:17 teachings the following: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls.” But what is the most common emotional experience we have when our enemy falls?

Celebration.

But we are taught to avoid this. To resist this.

Not only that, but if we metaphorically kick our enemy while their down we may actually stop God from delivering the final parts of punishment to them.

That’s not what we want.

We want our enemy to be thoroughly eradicated so we have to restrain our emotions.

Strategic Restraint

The verse continues with a warning: “Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him.”

Our thoughts and actions are being evaluated by God. He’s given us principles to live by and ones that allow Him to work in the world.

The rest of this command invovles emotional restrint.

This is an interesting component of the laws of God. God almost never commands us to feel certain ways. But He does command us to restrain various emotions.

That’s an interesting lesson. God requires us to discipline our emotions.

Mastering Emotional and Thought Control

At the heart of strategic victory lies the mastery of emotional and thought control. When our enemy falls, instead of stooping to impulsive rejoicing, we have to create a mindset of calm resolve.

We solemnly sheath our sword, knowing God takes care of the rest.

The Law of Divine Retribution

While seeking retribution against adversaries is justified, it requires a disciplined approach. “And He turn away His wrath from him” is the consequence of misplaced emotions and actions—divine intervention diverted due to improper attitudes towards our enemies.

Lessons for Victorious Living

Strategic Focus: Maintain a sharp focus on strategic objectives, avoiding distractions that derail progress – including emotional celebration of the destruction of our enemies. Be calm and move on to the next enemy.
Emotional Discipline: Channel emotions towards strategic outcomes rather than immediate gratification.
Thought Defense: Guard your thoughts against vindictiveness or gloating, aligning them with strategic wisdom and foresight.
Obedience: Seek alignment with God’s principles by ensuring your actions and attitudes align with those principles of justice and righteousness.

Proverbs 24:17-18 teaches the warriors of life to use strategic wisdom, emotional discipline, and thought control if they want the best of the defeat of their enemies and God’s willingness to fully destroy them.

By mastering thought control and channeling emotions strategically, you pave the path for victory

Proverbs 10:1 – Lightning Study

Pr. 10:1 A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

When people choose to have children, they open themselves to the potential of extreme pain. Most people know and understand this when they or are to become parents.

Those who do not anticipate this are the people who complain about parenthood; they complain about the sacrifices they have to make and the difficulty of their lives.

Many people have kids because “that’s what people do”. They get married, have 2.5 kids and 1.5 dogs and a white picket fence. Parenthood entails guiding and shaping the lives of their children.

While there’s nothing wrong with these things, acquiring them for no reason is foolish – especially having kids.

Proverbs 10:1 recognizes the relationship between the actions of children and the emotional contentment of parents.

The two are inextricably linked. You cannot have one without the other.

When a child behaves poorly, it is an embarrassment to the parents. It makes parents look bad. How often have you seen a poorly behaved child and thought “Where are the parents?”

Keep this in mind with the way you act in public. You are not just representing yourself. You are representing your family and you are representing God.

Our parents and our God are saddened when we behave poorly and foolishly. It should be our goal to act wisely not just for our own benefit, but for the net benefit of our family.

The call to be wise echoes throughout various scriptures, emphasizing the value of wisdom, virtue, and good conduct. Acting wisely brings not just personal fulfillment but also contributes to familial harmony and societal well-being.

Our actions have a wider impact than we know. And by acting wisely, our actions have an outsized effect on our lives and the lives of others.

Key Takeaways for Life and Faith

Respect and Thankfulness: Honor the sacrifices and love of parents by living virtuously and bringing them joy through wise choices.

Personal Accountability: Recognize the impact of your actions on family dynamics and societal perceptions.

Acquire Wisdom: Seek wisdom and guidance in decision-making, knowing that wise actions bring joy and blessings to oneself and others.

Reflect Godly Character: Live in a manner that reflects God’s values and teachings, bringing honor to your family and faith.

Be Wise.

Conduct Yourselves Like Men.

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