Proverbs 5:1-7:27
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~
Today we read in Proverbs chapter 5 verse 6: “For she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads.” For some reason this year, as we’ve been going through the One Year Bible, the idea of “paths” keeps jumping out at me over and over again. Every time we read about paths now in the Bible, it stands out to me. And here it does again. The idea of paths in the Bible seems to clearly indicate that there are good paths – straight paths – paths through the narrow gate – paths of life – that we can choose to take. Or, unfortunately, there are also crooked trails and we don’t realize where they lead. Or we can take our eyes off the path. Or we can stumble on the path. How about for you? What type of path are you on these days? Is it a straight path? Are you keeping your eyes straight ahead on the path and focused on the prize? Will you pray to Jesus regularly to keep you on the straight path? Will you allow God’s Word, the Bible, be a lamp unto your feet and a light on the path of life that you walk each day?
Proverbs chapter 5 verses 12-14 are some sad verses to imagine saying in our lives: “”How I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way! Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to those who gave me instruction? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.”” Do you love or hate discipline? Do you demand your own way? Are you listening to your teachers today? Who are your teachers today? Who is disciplining you? For Whom will you not demand your own way?
Proverbs 5 verses 16 & 17 are powerful true Sex Education verses: “Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Don’t share it with strangers.” I like this a lot. Is this something we can teach young adults today? Is this something we can teach ourselves? Don’t have sex with just anyone – it is degrading to you. Don’t share something so holy as sex with just anyone. Save this holy bond for your spouse. I once heard a powerful sermon by John Ortberg at Willow Creek Community Church outside of Chicago. And John was preaching on “Don’t Quench the Spirit”. And it was a powerful sermon on how we are so blessed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives as followers of Jesus. And yet, we can quench, temporarily, the power of the Spirit in our life when we sin. It is basically like turning our back on God when we sin. And then we need to turn our faces forward again toward God in repentance. And while we are sinning and turning our back on God, we have effectively quenched the Spirit. And as I heard this sermon, I realized that sexual sin is one sure-fire quick way to quench the spirit. We degrade ourselves through sexual sin and I believe we quench the spirit. I don’t know if this line of thinking will help you at all if you are struggling with sexual sin. But, it helps me. It helps me to realize that the quick little temporary highs we think we might get off sexual sin are so not worth it. What is worth quenching the Spirit in our life?? Is sexual sin? Nope… you know it’s not. Living fully in communion with God and with the Holy Spirit is one of the most amazing things we can possibly experience this side of heaven. Will you please, please, no longer quench the Spirit for the cheap lies sexual sins sells?
Proverbs chapter 5 verses 22 & 23 are just amazing wisdom for each of us of why we should FLEE from sin… don’t entertain it at all! “An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly.” Please know that if for some reason you are caught in the ropes of sin, please know that Jesus can truly set you free. Please pray for this freedom in Christ. Only in Christ are we truly set free! Please seek this freedom in Christ with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Don’t die for lack of self-control. Don’t be lost because of the folly of sin. Please accept the free gift that Jesus offers you this very day.
Proverbs chapter 6 verses 1 through 5 were intriguing to me. I guess my first thought was that getting our own selves in debt is bad enough – but then to be a guarantor for our friends debt? Well, these verses certainly warn against doing this. Let us avoid debt!
YouTube: Our readings in Proverbs 5 remind me of Rebecca St. James’ song “Wait for Me:”
Do you struggle with waiting? Click here and meet the master of patience!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly. “ Proverbs 5:23 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray for discipline in your life.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
