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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 10:5 – Strike While The Iron is Hot

Pr. 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

This verse encapsulates a key teaching about success in the physical world – striking while the iron is hot without expecting God to do all the heavy lifting for you.

One of the weak teachings in modern religion is this idea that God will solve all your problems. That He will do everything for you. Or that He won’t expect you to do any of the work.

This is nonsense. The Bible teaches over and over again that man is responsible for his own life. While God will certainly help us and be our ally, we are still expected to pull our own weight.

This verse shows that God is not going to provide for the lazy son who sleeps through his opportunity.

There are key moments of opportunity in our lives. They come again and again. But if we sleep through them, God will allow us to suffer the consequences of those actions.

Life presents us with seasons of opportunity, moments when doors open and possibilities abound.

It could be a career advancement, a chance to pursue a passion, or an opportunity for personal growth. Being vigilant and aware of these moments is crucial.

The verse emphasizes the value of hard work and diligence. Success rarely comes to those who wait idly. It requires effort, perseverance, and a willingness to put in the work, especially during seasons of abundance and opportunity.

Strike while the iron is hot.

Attack your opportunities when they present themselves. Work to develop a good attitude about the opportunity. Don’t despise the gifts you were given.

While diligence and hard work are essential, it’s important to maintain a dualistic perspective.

Acknowledging our responsibility does not negate the role of divine assistance. Faith complements action, guiding us as we navigate challenges and pursue our goals.

The verse also highlights the principle of reaping what we sow.

Our actions have consequences, and ignoring opportunities can lead to missed blessings or undesirable outcomes. Learning from our mistakes and making course corrections is part of growth.

Gather in the summer.

Conduct yourselves like men.

Recompense [Proverbs 11:31] – Lightning Study

Whether in this life or the next, God will repay all men and women for their actions.

In the Book of Proverbs, there’s a powerful verse that urges us to pay attention. It’s like a spotlight on the concept of recompense, or the consequences of our actions, both good and bad.

1. Divine Justice

Proverbs 11:31 starts with “Behold!” This word notes the importance of this short saying. “Take a good look. think long and hard about it”.

This verse talks about how our actions have consequences, whether they bring joy or regret. Whether these actions require God’s reward or His punishment.

God’s Just nature requires that he perfectly weigh and measure the justice He delivers to mankind. Though it can seem like some people get away with their actions on earth, this is actually not the case.

Whether in this world or the next, God will deliver to each person exactly what they deserve – both for their secular actions and their spiritual ones.

2. What Goes Around Comes Around

What we sow in life, we reap. Galatians 6:7-8 explains this law of cause and effect. It’s a reminder that our choices matter and have real outcomes.

Claiming religion does not excuse us from acting on our own behalf. We must take action in our own lives and not expect God to do all the heavy lifting for us.

3. Rewards for the Righteous

The verse also speaks about rewards for the righteous. Hebrews 11:6 reinforces this idea, saying that God rewards those who seek Him sincerely. Maybe the reward does not come in this life. Some people live difficult lives, only to be rewarded for it at the end of life. This is a difficult matter to think about because despite strong faith, we all still fear death. We still wonder what exactly waits beyond the end of this life.

4. God’s Justice Knows No Bounds

God’s justice isn’t confined to this world. Romans 2:6-8 shows us that God’s judgment is based on truth and fairness, extending beyond our earthly lives.

And when man finally stands before God on the Day of Judgment, God’s judgment will be fair.

5. Live With a Sound Mind

In light of these truths, Proverbs 11:31 encourages us to live with awareness and integrity.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 reminds us of our accountability to God, urging us to live in reverence and keep His commandments.

The False Security of Wealth: Proverbs 11:28

Every man has the responsibility to work and make money. That’s a job we all have. The mistake we often make is to put trust in riches that are here one day and gone the next.

In Proverbs 11:28, we are reminded that relying solely on wealth for security is misguided.

1. Wealth as False Security

Many believe that accumulating wealth is the key to security and happiness. I’ve thought this many times, and I don’t underestimate the power of wealth in making people happier.

However, Proverbs 11:28 challenges this notion by highlighting the transient nature of riches.

Material wealth can provide temporary comfort but cannot guarantee long-term security.

Men can lose fortunes in the blink of an eye – fortunes that it took them a lifetime to acquire.

so while we should all work and attempt to gather a fortune and build wealth, we should recognize the tendency of money to sprout wings and fly away.

2. The Deceptive Allure of Riches

It’s easy to fall into the trap of pursuing wealth as a source of security. The allure of luxury and financial stability can blind us to the deeper realities of life.

Proverbs warns us against placing undue trust in material possessions, which can lead to disappointment if that wealth is lost. There is nothing wrong with gathering wealth, but do not become emotionally attached to it. That is what this verse is teaching.

This is not a verse telling us not to gain wealth, but rather to manage our emotional attachment to wealth.

3. True Security in Wisdom and Righteousness

Instead of relying solely on wealth, Proverbs 11:28 encourages us to seek true security in wisdom and righteous living. This security will outlast the temporary nature of material wealth.

Our possessions may fluctuate throughout our life, but our character cannot be taken from us. We build it yourself, and we maintain it throughout time.

4. Inner Wealth

While financial planning and responsible stewardship are important, lasting wealth extends beyond monetary assets.

Cultivating inner wealth through righteous living will be the wealth that echoes into eternity. Everything you read on this website is about developing the inner man.

5. Balanced Perspectives

The wisdom of Proverbs invites us to adopt a balanced perspective on wealth and security.

While financial stability is valuable, it should not overshadow the pursuit of spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being. We have to maintain perspective regarding what is important in life.

Proverbs 11:28 serves as a pointed reminder that security is found in wisdom, righteousness. Gather wealth but do not become emotionally attached to wealth.

Proverbs 16:9 – Plan Your Way

God takes care of us. He works out events according to His will.

Everything that happens does so because it aligns with God’s ultimate strategy.

However, this does not excuse us from taking our own actions and making our own plans.

The scripture is filled with admonitions to plan ahead, to think, and to strategize. If we don’t do this we will make poor decisions or fall into sin. One such verse is Proverbs 16:9.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”
Proverbs 16:9

There is clear and obvious interplay between God’s actions and our actions. God directs our steps but we still have to plan our way, We have to make plans. We have to think and strategize. It is not enough to hope God will do all the heavy lifting for us. We have to make some moves of our own.

Many people believe their only job is to pray to God and He will take care of the test. That is not the whole story.

If you pray for God to move a mountain, you may find that He sends you a shovel.

Prayer does not excuse us from action and work. We have to make moves in our own lives if we want progress.

Do not make the mistake that so many religionists do today and think that your level of faith is determined by your blind trust in God to do all the heavy lifting in your life. God will work in your life, but He expects you to work in your own life.

Plan, set goals, and strategize: this is what we learn from Proverbs 16:9.

Though God is in ultimate control of the outcomes of our lives, part of the outcome is determined by our own choices.

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