Today we begin reading Solomon’s Proverbs collected by Hezekiah as well as the undated Proverbs and Psalms. The Proverbs are full of advice for wise living which includes being humble, honest, and a hard worker. A wise person also controls their tongue and their emotions.
Solomon says “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls”. So someone who does not control his passions, desires, pride, arrogance, and anger is someone exposed to the enemy, Satan.
Solomon goes on to say “Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied”. Just like hell is never full of lost souls, as Satan loves to devour, the eyes of humans are always wanting more and more and more. The flesh is never satisfied! Our carnal heart is full of pride, lust, deception, ambition, and arrogance. (Jeremiah 17:9) If left to ourselves we would act on every human impulse and never be content.
We need to be transformed by the Spirit of the Lord. Later in the Story, after the resurrection of Christ, Paul will explain this transformation. “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit…For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:3-8) Therefore, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
Ok. So how do we do that? Well, Paul is quite helpful bc he tells us to ”Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”. (Ephesians 6:11-18)
We have a real enemy out there whose whole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. We, as Christians, have to be alert at all times! So to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh and for the renewal of our minds, we must PRAY, immerse ourselves in the WORD, and surround ourselves with fellow Christ followers who will ENCOURAGE and PRAY for us bc the battle is real and it isn’t easy. But mostly importantly, TRUST HIM to fight for us!
Last of the Proverbs tomorrow so keep reading.
(Proverbs 25:1-29:27)
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Chronological Bible in Layman's Terms 