PROVERBS 11:5, 6, 8; 13:25; 14:11 The unfaithful will be caught by their lust (Prov. 11:6). How many sins would have been avoided in this world if only transgressors had foreseen the devastating consequences of their actions? Would the Egyptians have continued to pursue the Israelites if they had foreseen the deadly collapse of the … Continue reading “THE FRUIT OF SIN”
WHO ARE THE WICKED?
PROVERBS 10:6, 7, 11; 20:9 The name of the wicked will not (Prov. 10:7). Interwoven into the fabric of humanity is a common thread. Despite all the diversity, the different colors, forms, and shapes that constitute the human race, we are all fastened by the cords of sin. “All have sinned and fall short of … Continue reading “WHO ARE THE WICKED?”
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
PROVERBS 22:2; 29:13 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all (Prov. 22:2). God has established diversity among His created beings. Some are rich, some poor. Some are extraordinarily talented; some simply blend with the masses in an ocean of mediocrity. Some hold high and lofty positions while … Continue reading “EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY”
THE GENEROUS SOUL
PROVERBS 11:24–26; 19:17; 22:9 He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord … (Prov. 19:17a). God does not think highly of those who have a covetous and selfish spirit, saying of them, “He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy” (14:31). “He … Continue reading “THE GENEROUS SOUL”
HONOR AND POVERTY
PROVERBS 13:7, 8; 16:19; 28:11 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly … (Prov. 16:19). While Solomon gives us a number of warnings against behavior that can lead to poverty, he does not imply that poverty is always a disgrace. Poverty is only disgraceful when it is the fruit of wrong conduct. … Continue reading “HONOR AND POVERTY”
TRUSTING IN RICHES
PROVERBS 10:15; 11:4, 28 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city … (Prov. 10:15 niv). Because fallen man does not put his confidence in God, he finds it necessary to put his confidence in something. More often than not, this “something” is material wealth. Have you ever put your trust and hope in … Continue reading “TRUSTING IN RICHES”
THE PURSUIT OF RICHES
PROVERBS 15:27; 21:26; 28:20 … he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished (Prov. 28:20). Solomon understood the importance of keeping money in its proper place. Because this is such an important theme in Scripture, we will study poverty and wealth this week. Proverbs teaches that the wise man keeps both poverty and … Continue reading “THE PURSUIT OF RICHES”
THE WEAK CONSCIENCE
1 CORINTHIANS 8 Their conscience is weak, it is defiled (1 Cor. 8:7 niv). While the conscience in the redeemed is awakened, it can still be influenced by sin and weakened by wrong information. One part of the sanctification process is to keep your conscience tender by knowing your own heart and the Word of … Continue reading “THE WEAK CONSCIENCE”
THE AWAKENED CONSCIENCE
HEBREWS 9 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ … cleanse our consciences … (Heb. 9:14 niv). The Scriptures tell us that all men have sinned and stand guilty before God. He proclaims this condemnation not only through His Word, but through the testimony of the conscience—a testimony that can be an irritating … Continue reading “THE AWAKENED CONSCIENCE”
THE ECHO OF CONSCIENCE
ROMANS 2 … the law written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness (Rom. 2:15). William Ames wrote that the conscience belongs to the practical judgment by which a man can know right from wrong “to the end that it may be a rule within him to direct his will.” The conscience bears witness … Continue reading “THE ECHO OF CONSCIENCE”