”My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.“
We are living in a time where everything surrounding us encourages us to be ‘ourselves’, to care for ‘ourselves’, and to focus on ‘ourselves’. The danger of this self-driven mentality is that it carries no authority to back it or empower it.
Everything in the world excels based on the authority that backs it up. The Bible tells us that the wisdom of the world may seem great at first but it will always be reduced to nothing (While the wisdom of God may seem like foolishness to men, it withstands the test of time, gives prudence to the simple and knowledge to the youth
A wise minister of the Gospel once said: ‘Our methods of defense must be different from the enemy’s mode of attack. His strength lies in making gradual deceitful approaches; ours is in a resistance that is sudden, resolute and total’. I believe in simpler terms, this statement enlightens the instruction in – to resist the devil and he shall flee from you. You cannot expect him to flee when you passively or never resist.
The proverb in our theme scripture gives an express command ‘Do Not’. If our hearts are deceitful how can you trust it to lead you into righteousness? It simply cannot.
Your defense against the darts of the enemy is to refuse evil or the appearance of evil, and to do so with a resolute determination not to turn back or subtly engage.
God knows us better than we will ever know, and He has made it clear that apart from Him, there is no strength in us to overcome evil unless we abide by His counsel not to engage altogether. Take Him at His word, and become wise! Hallelujah.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for this truth. I am continually taught of your spirit and I regard it as most important above all other experiences. Teach me wisdom, impart understanding and avail the riches of knowledge, not by power or might but by your spirit, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
CI.
