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).
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).
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).
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).
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
After World War Two, General Sir Brian Robertson who was the Deputy Military Governor of the British Zone of Occupation wrote the following in January 1946, quoting Horace (Odes, III.3):
‘Justum et tenacem propositi virum’ (The just man, firm of purpose)"If you want to know what I think should be our attitude in Germany then I recommend to you to read those lines yourselves.”
Here is what Sir Robertson wanted them to read - translated Latin quotation from Horace:
“The just man, firm of purpose cannot be shaken in his rock-like soul, by the heat of fellow citizens clamoring for what is wrong, nor by the presence of a threatening tyrant.”
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So, who is "right". It will forever and always be one answer. God. (Acts 5:29)
If you have read this far and want to know more about Jesus and The Kingdom of God, go and read https://www.gospelproject.com/jesus-kingdom-god/
Yes, as Christians our citizenship is in two nations - earthly and Heavenly (Eph 2:6-7; John 18:36). I would never nullify my earthly over the heavenly. The apostle Paul claimed his Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37-39; 22:22-29). However, all the while maintaining his heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20). Paul also gave the words, "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29) Again, as Americans we must make of choice of purpose.
No, God didn’t reopen the canon just to speak “a word” to you.— Justin Bullington (@JustnBullington) September 12, 2019
Instead, He gave us 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and 31,000 verses to study and steward.
My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I, the underside.
Not till the loom in silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
- Author Unknown1 Peter 1:6-7
You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
