31 Days of Wisdom and Worship – Day 7 – Pastor Ryan Binkley

Wisdom

 

“For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: “ I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.” With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.”

Proverbs 7:6-27 NKJV

 

This is one of the most powerful literary images of temptation and its consequences that I see in scripture.  Solomon starts off this chapter stating that staying close to wisdom and understanding and to the voice of God in our hearts will keep us from immoral situations.   In this story, he shows that everyone needs to be wise in our relationships because many times temptation begins with flattery.  I can think of many men and women who have fallen in their marriage because they did not guard their conversations with the opposite sex.  Flattery is just part of what we all want to hear at times, sometimes it is just companionship, sometimes consideration, and sometimes it is just a listening ear.  In ministry and in the workplace, I counsel leaders to avoid one on one closed door meetings and private lunches with the opposite sex because it can lead to a deadly trap of the enemy.  The picture he paints of a young man devoid of understanding who has met his match with temptation is very sobering.  Sin “lurks” around every corner “diligently” seeking after the unaware of this world.  Temptation also is enticing with a promise of no consequence.  In this story, it reads that the husband of the woman is on a long journey and will not come back for awhile, so in other words, nobody will ever find out.  In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. As an ox goes to the slaughter so do many men and women who do not heed the words of wisdom.  Wisdom would say “stay home”, “stay away”, and “run” from this situation.  Many who have been wounded because of her and all who have been slain have been strong men.  I am sure David, Solomon’s dad, told him of his own story, the story of Samson and others to warn him of the enemy’s ways.  Take heed and remember, that staying close to wisdom and the Holy Spirit as your best friend is the way to walk free from the traps the enemy has for our lives. God will protect us but we all need to be wise and aware and He will lead us into paths of righteousness.

 

 

Worship

 

“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
Psalms 9:1-2 NKJV

Father, my whole heart belongs to you and I will praise You! Give me am open door to speak of Your blessings and ways. I am thankful and glad for Your provision, victory, and blessings in my life . You are worthy of my praise and adoration and I will sing with joy for all that You are to me. I love you and will love you forever.