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Ecclesiastes 7:1-11:6<\/strong><\/span> Our readings in Ecclesiastes today reminded me of Solomon\u2019s writings in Proverbs!\u00a0 (It was likely the same author of both books \u2013 well, most of the Proverbs \u2013 hence the connection) It seemed like a series of Proverbs in today\u2019s readings \u2013 albeit with a more pessimistic view than the typical Proverbs we read\u2026\u00a0 but still, overall great teachings and great reminders of how empty and vain life is apart from God.\u00a0 I love Chapter 7 verse 20, which is something we all probably need to be reminded of: \u201cThere is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 And certainly that was true back then and now.\u00a0 Jesus was the only one ever to walk the earth who never sinned.\u00a0 Now, to go along with verse 20 we later read verse 28, which I\u2019m thinking probably did not make women too happy to read: \u201cJust one out of every thousand men I interviewed can be said to be upright, but not one woman!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Now, first and foremost, keep in mind this is the author of Ecclesiastes\u2019 opinion or experience \u2013 not God saying this.\u00a0 Scripture does not declare anywhere that women are morally inferior to men.\u00a0 The bottom line of this verse is that basically no one is upright \u2013 men or women.\u00a0 The next verse 29 then says: \u201cI discovered that God created people to be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.\u201d <\/em>This verse again reminds us that though we were created for righteousness, we are broken.\u00a0 We are sinners.\u00a0 We are in need of a Savior.\u00a0 How about you?\u00a0 Do you know anyone who is always good and never sins?\u00a0 Anyone who does not need a Savior to forgive and heal them of their brokenness?\u00a0 Do you believe God created people to be upright?\u00a0 Without God and Jesus in our lives, do you think we are in severe danger of following our own downward path\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Now, another verse that says \u201cwomen\u201d but that I think could just as well say \u201cmen\u201d is chapter 7 verse 26 \u2013 \u201cI discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This verse stood out to me as I read it, for one very modern and very dangerous reason:\u00a0 internet pornography.\u00a0 Now, I know I don\u2019t need to tell anyone reading this that internet pornography is an incredibly serious problem affecting far too many people.\u00a0 Many of whom are Christians.\u00a0 The reason this verse stood out to me was the reminder that internet pornography is literally a snare that so many people are caught in.\u00a0 They can\u2019t escape it.\u00a0 Well, they can, but it\u2019s not easy on their own.\u00a0 I have a hunch that someone reading this is addicted to internet pornography.\u00a0 Or, maybe isn\u2019t addicted \u2013 yet \u2013 but checks it out on occasion.\u00a0 Let me warn anyone who ever goes to an internet pornography site \u2013 it is a snare!\u00a0 A trap.\u00a0 Like chapter 9 verse 12 in Ecclesiastes today says:\u00a0 \u201cLike fish in a net or birds in a snare, people are often caught by sudden tragedy.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Visiting a pornography website even once is a sudden tragedy that has come to your doorstep.\u00a0 You will then be like a fish in a net or a bird in a snare.\u00a0 You will need much prayer and counseling to escape it\u2019s lure.\u00a0 I write this to warn folks too who have never visited an internet pornography site, but maybe someday in the future will be tempted to do so.\u00a0 Don\u2019t do it.\u00a0 Ever.\u00a0 Run from it.\u00a0 Flee.\u00a0 Actually, I\u2019ve had to think about this because I know some of my friends (friends from many years ago \u2013 who I still try to witness to) watch pornographic movies on occasion.\u00a0 I know it happens at bachelor parties, etc.\u00a0 Honestly, I don\u2019t go to bachelor parties at all these days \u2013 unless I know for sure there won\u2019t be any of this nonsense.\u00a0 But, I have a hunch someday I may be surprised at some gathering where a porn movie will be shown.\u00a0 And guess what?\u00a0 I will run.\u00a0 Literally, I will flee that location of wherever that movie is being shown, and I won\u2019t look back.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 I won\u2019t just sit there and let that stuff pollute my mind.\u00a0 Pollute my very soul.\u00a0 Pornography is exactly that \u2013 soul pollution<\/span>.\u00a0 It pollutes your soul!\u00a0 I realize I\u2019ve been typing way too long on this issue \u2013 but I do so because I know it\u2019s a major issue for our society today.\u00a0 It is a major issue for the church.\u00a0 Please let me encourage you in that if you are ever in a situation with friends that pornography or strippers or anything like that appears that you literally run.\u00a0 Flee.\u00a0 And don\u2019t look back.\u00a0 And don\u2019t fret about what your friends think.\u00a0 Your soul is so much more important.\u00a0 If anyone reading this is currently struggling with pornography, let me encourage you to talk to someone you trust about it immediately, and get help.\u00a0 Today.\u00a0 Go to counseling.\u00a0 You cannot get out of the snare on your own.\u00a0 You may succeed for short periods of time, but long-term you are going to need some help.\u00a0 But, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and his precious blood poured out on the Cross for our sins, yes, indeed you can be freed of the snare of pornography.\u00a0 You quickly need to run toward your freedom in Christ now; connect with pastors, friends & counselors who can keep you accountable and give you tools to beat this; and then please don\u2019t ever look back to that which pollutes your very soul.\u00a0 In Christ, my brothers and sisters, we are forgiven.\u00a0 And Forgiveness will heal us. If we will let Him.<\/span><\/p>\n If you are struggling with pornography or any other sexual sin, Bible.org has some good essays and Q&A related to temptation (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the Q&A) <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 If anyone else has helpful resources (books, websites, etc.) that will help others be free of pornography addictions or other sexual sin, please share in the Comments section below? Thanks.<\/span><\/p>\n I love Ecclesiastes chapter 10 today.\u00a0 It\u2019s basically a series of rapid Proverbs.\u00a0 Great great stuff. I had forgotten about this gem of a chapter in the Bible.\u00a0 This chapter is again a great reminder of why Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, wrote many of the Proverbs.\u00a0 He had godly wisdom no doubt!\u00a0 I love verse 1 in this chapter today \u2013 \u201cDead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is a powerful truth for us to take to heart.\u00a0 We can so often live our lives with wisdom and honor\u2026 and then, we let an ounce of foolishness seep into our lives and it outweighs all of our wisdom and honor!\u00a0 This is so true\u2026\u00a0 I think this is particularly true if we are harboring any unchecked sin in our life.\u00a0 We need to put that sin in check!\u00a0 We need to repent and flee from that sin.\u00a0 Otherwise we are harboring an ounce of foolishness in our lives that can outweigh our pounds of wisdom and honor\u2026\u00a0 and this is just as bad as a dead fly in a bottle of perfume!\u00a0 What a great analogy by Solomon.\u00a0 Think of unchecked sin in your life a dead fly in the perfume of your life\u2026\u00a0 it is a sad but true analogy\u2026\u00a0 Get that dead fly out of your life!<\/span><\/p>\n I love verse 18 as well \u2013 \u201cLaziness lets the roof leak, and soon the rafters begin to rot.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is so very true, of course.\u00a0 Are there any areas of laziness in your life where you are letting some \u201croofs leak?\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Are there \u201crafters rotting\u201d in your life?\u00a0 Will you pray to God for freedom from your laziness in those areas of your life and will you simply go and fix the roof?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Colton Dixon\u2019s song \u201cMade to Fly:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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