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Proverbs 5:1-7:27<\/strong><\/span> Today we read in Proverbs chapter 5 verse 6: \u201cFor she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn\u2019t even realize where it leads.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 For some reason this year, as we\u2019ve been going through the One Year Bible, the idea of \u201cpaths\u201d keeps jumping out at me over and over again.\u00a0 Every time we read about paths now in the Bible, it stands out to me.\u00a0 And here it does again.\u00a0 The idea of paths in the Bible seems to clearly indicate that there are good paths \u2013 straight paths \u2013 paths through the narrow gate \u2013 paths of life \u2013 that we can choose to take.\u00a0 Or, unfortunately, there are also crooked trails and we don\u2019t realize where they lead.\u00a0 Or we can take our eyes off the path.\u00a0 Or we can stumble on the path.\u00a0 \u00a0How about for you?\u00a0 What type of path are you on these days?\u00a0 Is it a straight path?\u00a0 Are you keeping your eyes straight ahead on the path and focused on the prize?\u00a0 Will you pray to Jesus regularly to keep you on the straight path?\u00a0 Will you allow God\u2019s Word, the Bible, be a lamp unto your feet and a light on the path of life that you walk each day?<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs chapter 5 verses 12-14 are some sad verses to imagine saying in our lives: \u201c\u201dHow I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way! Oh, why didn\u2019t I listen to my teachers? Why didn\u2019t 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.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you love or hate discipline?\u00a0 Do you demand your own way?\u00a0 Are you listening to your teachers today?\u00a0 Who are your teachers today?\u00a0 Who is disciplining you?\u00a0 For Whom will you not demand your own way?<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 5 verses 16 & 17 are powerful true Sex Education verses: \u201cWhy spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Don\u2019t share it with strangers.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I like this a lot.\u00a0 Is this something we can teach young adults today?\u00a0 Is this something we can teach ourselves?\u00a0 Don\u2019t have sex with just anyone \u2013 it is degrading to you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t share something so holy as sex with just anyone.\u00a0 Save this holy bond for your spouse.\u00a0 I once heard a powerful sermon by John Ortberg at Willow Creek Community Church outside of Chicago. And John was preaching on \u201cDon\u2019t Quench the Spirit\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0And 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.\u00a0 And yet, we can quench, temporarily, the power of the Spirit in our life when we sin.\u00a0 It is basically like turning our back on God when we sin.\u00a0 And then we need to turn our faces forward again toward God in repentance.\u00a0 And while we are sinning and turning our back on God, we have effectively quenched the Spirit.\u00a0 And as I heard this sermon, I realized that sexual sin is one sure-fire quick way to quench the spirit.\u00a0 We degrade ourselves through sexual sin and I believe we quench the spirit.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if this line of thinking will help you at all if you are struggling with sexual sin.\u00a0 But, it helps me.\u00a0 It helps me to realize that the quick little temporary highs we think we might get off sexual sin are so not worth it.\u00a0 What is worth quenching the Spirit in our life??\u00a0 Is sexual sin?\u00a0 Nope\u2026\u00a0 you know it\u2019s not.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Will you please, please, no longer quench the Spirit for the cheap lies sexual sins sells? <\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs chapter 5 verses 22 & 23 are just amazing wisdom for each of us of why we should FLEE from sin\u2026 don\u2019t entertain it at all!\u00a0 \u201cAn 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.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Please know that if for some reason you are caught in the ropes of sin, please know that Jesus can truly set you free.\u00a0 Please pray for this freedom in Christ.\u00a0 Only in Christ are we truly set free!\u00a0 Please seek this freedom in Christ with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength.\u00a0 Don\u2019t die for lack of self-control.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be lost because of the folly of sin.\u00a0 Please accept the <\/span>free gift<\/span> that Jesus offers you this very day.<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs chapter 6 verses 1 through 5 were intriguing to me.\u00a0 I guess my first thought was that getting our own selves in debt is bad enough \u2013 but then to be a guarantor for our friends debt?\u00a0 Well, these verses certainly warn against doing this.\u00a0 Let us avoid debt!<\/span><\/p>\n YouTube:<\/strong>\u00a0 Our readings in Proverbs 5 remind me of Rebecca St. James\u2019 song \u201cWait for Me:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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