Wisdom’s Invitation in a Culture of Deception
Today’s culture faces many challenges, but one of the greatest is the constant deception that draws people away from God's truth. This deception is not a man-made conspiracy but a spiritual one. As Hebrews 3:12-13 (NKJV) warns, we must guard our hearts against becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Scripture calls us to be alert and watchful (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV), because only by walking in the wisdom of God can we navigate these times faithfully.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV).
In Proverbs 9, we see wisdom and folly personified, each inviting us to sit at their tables. Both hosts call out to the simple, to those in need of guidance. One invitation leads to life, the other to destruction. Our task, then, is to recognize which invitation we are responding to and choose carefully whose table we join.
The concluding section of Proverbs 9 mirrors its opening, highlighting the contrast between these two tables. Wisdom sets a feast, offering understanding and life. Meanwhile, folly, in her loud and enticing way, calls to whoever will listen, drawing people to a table of emptiness and ruin. When we accept folly’s invitation, we join in darkness without even realizing it. We must be careful when we sit at tables in our lives—if we lack wisdom in the "topic on the table," we should first seek the wisdom of God's Word.
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7 NKJV).
What About Sitting at the Table of Social Media?
One table that many are drawn to today is that of social media. While it promises connection, it often thrives on division and disconnection, encouraging people to respond to negativity instead of fostering genuine relationships. This is not true connection.
Because Satan’s weapon is deceit, we must outfit ourselves against it. As Hebrews reminds us, it’s easy to become hardened by sin if we are not careful. To counter this, we should encourage one another, worship together, and be prepared to lovingly warn each other against deception’s pull. Most importantly, we must show the benefits of faithfully following Christ, keeping our eyes on Him and reaching out to those nearest to us.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21 NKJV).
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| "Rocks" by The Isaacs (img source) |
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
The Qualities of a Godly Life
In 2 Peter 1:3-8, we’re reminded that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. This passage encourages us to build our faith daily by adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. If we pursue these qualities and increase in them, we avoid becoming ineffective or unfruitful in our knowledge of Christ.
However, if we lack these qualities, the Bible says we are blind, forgetting that we have been cleansed from our former sins (2 Peter 1:9 NKJV). This message is particularly relevant to Christians; we are called to live purposefully, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31 NKJV).
Winning Souls with Integrity
Paul models a Christ-centered approach to reaching others. In 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NKJV), he says, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." This isn’t a free pass to compromise our beliefs (Romans 6:2; 6:15 NKJV), but rather a call to meet people where they are to win them to Christ. Our words and actions should be consistent, reflecting our faith honestly.
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV).
Paul understood the importance of maintaining consistency in his communication. In 2 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV), he emphasized that his letters, written when he was absent, held the same message and intent as his actions when he was present. For us, especially in today’s world of instant comments and social media posts, this example reminds us to ensure our online interactions align with our in-person integrity.
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV).
Conclusion: Choosing the Table of Wisdom
Our lives are filled with choices between wisdom and folly. Proverbs teaches us that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Let’s make it our daily goal to sit at wisdom’s table, seeking God’s guidance and letting our actions, both online and offline, reflect His truth. Only by pursuing wisdom and avoiding deception can we be effective witnesses in this world. May we have the courage and discernment to choose wisely, drawing others toward the light of Christ.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV).
Post rewritten on 11/09/2024
